The following items are suitable vegetation for screening use individually or in combination provided they create the desired density of screening, subject to review and approval by the City.
(a) Grass and Ground Cover: Grass shall be planted in species normally grown as permanent lawns. Grass species shall be selected to ensure slow growth and low water consumption whenever possible. Grass sod shall be clean and free of weeds and noxious pests or diseases. Ground cover shall be provided in two and one quarter (2.25) inch peat pots, and planted a minimum of eight (8) inches on center and shall be planted in such a manner to present a finished appearance and seventy-five (75) percent coverage after one (1) complete growing season. If approved as part of a Landscaping Plan, ground cover may also consist of rocks, pebbles, wood chips, and/or other natural material. Native plant material is preferred when possible.
(Ord. 09-20. Passed 6-22-09; Ord. 09-43. Passed 8-31-09.)
(b) Shrubs and Hedges. Shrubs and hedges shall be at least thirty-six (36) inches average in height and spread at the time of planting. Where required for buffering or screening, all shrubs and hedges shall be designed to provide a continuous, year-round, solid visual screen of the requisite level of opacity.
(c) Trees. Planting and maintaining a diverse urban forest is the goal of the tree program to prevent an over-dependence on a few species. The trees shall be species which are resistant to insects and disease and which do not cause interference with underground utilities or street lighting.
(1) Size: Trees to be planted shall be a minimum of one and three-quarters (1.75) inches to two (2) inches in diameter measured one (1) foot above ground level. Lowest branches should not be less than six (6) feet, nor higher than eight (8) feet above the ground. Deciduous trees shall be a minimum of two (2) inch diameter for canopy shade and shade trees and a minimum of one and one-half (1.5) inch diameter for small accent and ornamental trees (as measured six inches above ground). It is advised that a tree with an ultimate height of less than forty (40) feet be used. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of four feet tall at installation.
(2) Diversity. Overuse of a few species is inevitable without a conscious effort to vary plant species and families. The use of several varieties adds interest to the plantings of the City and ensures against the loss of all trees in case of an epidemic disease or insect infestation striking any one species.
(3) Desirable Species: A list of species of trees encouraged for landscaping purposes is available from the City.
(d) Mounds. Mounds are preferable to walls or fencing as a means to buffer or screen views and noise. Mounds shall be constructed of earthen materials and shall conform to the following standards:
(1) The maximum side slope shall be three horizontal to one vertical (3:1) and the design shall ensure that proper erosion prevention and control practices have been utilized.
(2) Earth mounds shall be designed with variations in height and alignment throughout their length.
(3) Landscaped plant materials shall be arranged and installed on earth mounds in an irregular pattern to accentuate the variations in height and alignment and achieve a more natural appearance.
(4) Ground cover shall be used and maintained to prevent erosion of the earth mound.