(a) Applicability. The provisions of this section shall apply to all parking lots constructed within the City.
(b) Landscape Plan Requirements.
(1) No parking lot of twenty (20) or more spaces shall be constructed, enlarged or reconstructed until a landscaping plan for that parking lot has been approved. Landscape plans submitted pursuant to this section shall be reviewed under the Site Plan Review requirements of this Ordinance.
(2) In the case where a proposed parking lot has fewer than twenty (20) spaces, the permit-issuing authority shall authorize a landscaping plan which best meets the spirit and intent of this section.
(3) Landscape plans shall be drawn to scale, including dimensions and distances, and clearly show the existing and proposed parking spaces and other vehicle use area, access aisles, driveways and the location, size and description of all landscape materials.
(c) Parking Lot Landscaping Design Criteria.
(1) Approved landscaping materials used in parking lots shall include trees, shrubbery, hedges and other live planting materials. Trees used shall be of a type that provides shade at maturity. Effective use of earth berms and existing topography is also encouraged as a component of the landscape plan.
(2) The landscaping and planting areas shall be dispersed throughout the parking lot.
(3) The interior dimensions of any planting area or planting medium shall be sufficient to protect the landscaping materials planted therein and to allow proper growth.
(4) In those instances where plant material exists on a parking lot site prior to its development, such landscape materials may be used if approved as meeting the requirements of this section.
(d) Planting Materials.
(1) No materials shall be approved for use in any parking lot landscaping plans that are judged by the permit-issuing authority as unsuitable for such use in the City.
(2) All landscaping trees to be used shall be a minimum of six (6) feet in overall height upon planting and consist of a species that normally grows to an overall height of a minimum of fifteen (15) feet.
(3) Other landscaping material as required by this Ordinance shall be materially and aesthetically complimentary to the required tree plantings.
(e) Peripheral Coverage Requirements.
(1) In addition to the requirements of subsection (f) hereof, peripheral landscaping shall be required along the side of a parking lot that abuts adjoining property that is not a right-of-way.
(2) A landscaping strip at least four (4) feet in width shall be located between the parking area and the abutting property lines, except where driveways or other openings may be required.
(3) At least one (1) tree for each fifty (50) linear feet shall be planted in the landscaping strip in addition to other planting materials.
(4) The requirements of this Section shall not apply where planting is provided for screening along the side of a parking lot abutting adjoining property as provided elsewhere in this Ordinance.
(f) Street Frontage Planting Requirements.
(1) In addition to the requirements of subsection (e) hereof, landscaping shall be provided along any side of a parking lot that abuts the right-of-way of any street.
(2) A landscaping strip ten (10) feet in width shall be located along the side of any parking lot abutting the right-of-way except where driveway or other openings may be required.
(3) One tree shall be planted for each forty (40) linear feet of the landscaping strip in addition to other planting materials.
(g) Maintenance. The owner and their agencies shall be responsible for providing, protecting and maintaining all landscaping in healthy and growing conditions, replacing it when necessary, and keeping it free from refuse and debris.
(h) Screening. The building, parking or loading areas for multi-family residential, office, commercial, industrial and recreational uses shall be visually screened from any adjoining premises used or zoned for single family residential purposes. Screening may include any of the following means:
(1) A solid board fence at least eight (8) feet in height.
(2) An opaque evergreen trimmed hedge the thickness of which shall not be less than 30% of its required height of six (6) feet.
(3) An earth berm may be used in combination with any of the above types of screening, but not more than two-thirds (2/3) of the required height of such screening may be provided by the berm.
(4) All screening shall follow the lot line of the lot to be screened or to be arranged within the boundaries of the lot as to substantially hide from adjoining properties the building, parking, loading area or other activity required to be screened.
(5) Screening as permitted in subsection (h), shall be installed to screen and reduce the visual impact of garbage waste disposal containers, storage areas, on and above-grade mechanical and electrical equipment. The height of this required screening shall be determined during Site Plan Review of the proposed development by the permit-issuing authority.
(6) In all districts, garbage cans and trash receptacles must be suitably screened from view from adjacent streets or properties prior to pick up.
(i) Sight Triangle Protection. No landscaping, tree, fence, wall or similar item shall be maintained in the vicinity of any corner, street, intersection or access way intersecting a public right-of-way that the Code Enforcement Officer determines is an obstruction, extends into necessary sight-lines or constitutes a traffic hazard. See Section 1323.05 Sight Distance Protection.
(j) Lighting. Lighting plans for signs, building and structures shall be shown on the Site Plan for the proposed development. Generally, lighting and illumination shall be designed as to not be visible from any point off the lot on which the sign, building or structure is being illuminated.
(Ord. 310. Passed 9-16-96.)