(A) These landscaping standards apply to the following districts: R1, R2, R3, R4, MH, PB, B1, B2, TC, LI and HI. Landscaping is an essential part of the design and development of a site. Such plantings are a benefit to the general welfare of the community through the reduction of storm water runoff, glare, and heat buildup, and improved aesthetics of the community.
Site Interior Planting Requirements | |||
For lots with the following land use ... | ...and this number of... | ...this planting type... | ...shall be required for every... |
Site Interior Planting Requirements | |||
For lots with the following land use ... | ...and this number of... | ...this planting type... | ...shall be required for every... |
Single-family residential (including mobile homes in mobile home parks) | 1 | Deciduous tree | 1 dwelling unit |
1 | Needled evergreen tree | 1 dwelling unit | |
1 | Foundation planting | 20' of perimeter | |
Multiple family residential | 1 | Deciduous tree | 2 dwelling units |
1 | Needled evergreen tree | 2 dwelling units | |
1 | Ornamental tree | 4 dwelling units | |
1 | Foundation planting | 10' of perimeter | |
Commercial | 1 | Deciduous tree | 1,000 sq. ft. of ground floor area |
1 | Needled evergreen tree | 1,000 sq. ft. of ground floor area | |
1 | Ornamental tree | 1,000 sq. ft. of ground floor area | |
1 | Foundation planting | 20' of perimeter | |
Institutional | 1 | Deciduous tree | 1,000 sq. ft. of ground floor area |
1 | Needled evergreen tree | 1,000 sq. ft. of ground floor area | |
1 | Ornamental tree | 1,000 sq. ft. of ground floor area | |
1 | Foundation planting | 10' of perimeter | |
Industrial | 1 | Deciduous tree | 3,000 sq. ft. of ground floor area |
1 | Needled evergreen tree | 3,000 sq. ft. of ground floor area | |
1 | Ornamental tree | 3,000 sq. ft. of ground floor area | |
1 | Foundation planting | 30' of perimeter | |
(1) Planting standards. Under no circumstances shall any artificial plant be installed and/or counted as part of the required plantings. All plant materials shall be living plants and shall meet the following requirements:
(a) In no instance shall any landscaping required by this section, or by any other section of this chapter be used to meet the requirements of a different chapter section. In all cases the landscaping required by any section of this chapter shall be considered as being in addition to any other requirements.
(b) Any existing vegetation on site which is retained may be counted towards the minimum landscaping requirements.
(c) All new trees required to be planted by this chapter shall be measured consistent with the American Nursery Standards Institute (ANSI).
1. All deciduous trees shall be two and one half inches in diameter at the time of planting measured at six inches above the root ball.
2. All evergreen trees shall be six feet in height at the time of planting measured from the base of the root ball.
3. All shrubs shall be 12 inches in height at the time of planting measured from ground level.
4. No landscaping materials, vegetation, plants, shrubs, trees, retaining walls, bedding, lighting, or mounds may extend into any existing or proposed right-of-way or easement without written permission from the agency that established the right-of-way or easement.
(2) Design standards. All proposed landscape materials should complement the form of the existing trees and plantings. Light water, soil quantity and quality, and on-going maintenance requirements should be considered in selecting plant materials.
(3) Maintenance requirements. Trees, vegetation, irrigation systems, fences, walls and other landscape elements are considered elements of a project in the same manner as parking and other site details. The owner of the property shall be responsible for the continuous proper maintenance of all landscaping materials, and shall keep them in a proper, neat and orderly appearance, free from refuse and debris and in good repair at all times.
(a) All unhealthy or dead plant material shall be replaced by the next planting period. Other defective landscape material shall be replaced or repaired within three months.
(b) Landscape materials are intended to grow, spread and mature over time. Landscaping materials used to fulfill requirements of this section may not be pruned, topped or otherwise treated so as to reduce overall height or level of screening. Pruning, limbing-up topping, and other inhibiting measures including removal may only be practiced to insure the public safety, to maintain a neat and attractive appearance and to preserve the relative health of the material involved.
(4) Interior planting requirements. Landscaping shall be required on each lot based on the use of that lot as defined in the table above. Where a lot is occupied by a combination of land uses listed below, only plantings consistent with the requirements for the land use that would result in the most landscaping is required.
(B) These landscaping standards apply to the following districts: R3, R4, MH, PB, B1, B2, TC, LI and HI.
(1) Parking lot landscaping. In addition to the interior planting requirements, landscaping on the perimeter and in the interior of parking lots shall be provided.
(2) Perimeter screening. All parking lots, including parking spaces, interior drives, and loading/ unloading areas, must be screened on each side adjoining any residentially zoned or used property.
(a) The screening must be placed within five feet of the parking area, and shall consist of either evergreen trees, or a combination of an earthen berm, shrubs, and evergreen trees.
(b) All evergreen trees and shrubs must meet the planting requirements provided by this section.
(c) All screening shall provide a barrier at least four feet in height at the time of installation.
(3) Interior planting. To help reduce excessive heat build-up and emissions from large areas of hard surfacing, landscape areas must be provided within parking lots.
(a) Landscape islands with a surface area equal to 8% of the area of the parking lots (including all parking spaces, interior drives, loading docks, drop-off/pick-up lanes, and access drives beyond the right-of-way) shall be provided in all parking lots with more than 15 parking spaces.
(b) The required landscape areas shall meet the following requirements:
1. All required landscaped areas shall consist of curbed islands or peninsulas which are surrounded on at least two sides by pavement. Landscaping on the perimeter of the parking lot shall not be counted toward this requirement.
2. All landscape islands must be a minimum of 150 square feet in area.
3. No individual landscape area shall be larger than 350 square feet in size in a parking lot that is less than 30,000 square feet, and no individual area shall be larger than 1,500 square feet in a parking lot that exceeds 30,000 square feet.
4. One deciduous tree and two shrubs shall be provided within the landscape islands for every 150 square feet of interior landscape area required.
(4) Design requirements. Landscaping provided at the perimeter of, and interior to parking areas shall meet the following design requirements:
(a) Parked vehicles may hang over the interior landscaped area up to two and one half feet, and wheel stops shall be provided to insure no greater overhang or penetration of the landscaped area.
(b) All areas not landscaped with hedges, walls, or trees shall be provided with grass or other acceptable ground cover.
(Ord. 2013-02, passed 3-11-13)