(A) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to establish minimum standards to achieve the following objectives, which, combined, promote the health and general welfare of the citizens of Marshalltown:
(1) Appearance and beauty. Enhancement of the overall appearance and natural beauty of the community;
(2) Buffering and screening. Buffering of incompatible land uses and screening negative site elements;
(3) Heat island effect. Reduction of heat generated from paved surfaces;
(4) Water quality and wildlife. Protection of water quality and wildlife habitat;
(5) Vegetation and topsoil. Preservation of existing vegetation and topsoil; and
(6) Benefits. Landscaping and landscaped open spaces provide multiple benefits including energy conservation, increased property values, and an enhanced aesthetic quality throughout the city.
(B) Applicability. The standards of this article apply to the following development activities:
(1) New development. New residential, nonresidential, or mixed-use development or change in use from residential to nonresidential or mixed-use;
(2) Increase in intensity. Increase in apartment units, manufactured home pads, nonresidential gross floor area, or impervious surface by 20% or more, cumulatively over a five-year period; or
(3) Change in use. Change in use requiring additional parking spaces.
(Ord. 15039, passed 4-11-2022)