(a) The requirements specified henceforth establish minimum standards for required Landscaping, buffering, and Screening for Major Subdivision and/or Land Development. The purpose of this Section is to enhance the appearance, environment, wildlife, and value of property in the City of Martinsburg for the general benefit of all citizens. All Major Subdivision and/or Land Development within the City of Martinsburg shall be subject to the requirements as specified herein.
(1) General Landscaping. All Subdivision and/or Land Developments shall plant all disturbed ground with plant material to provide ground stabilization, aesthetic, visual and environmental enhancement to sites and Buildings. No more than forty percent (40%) of any one type or species of tree shall be permitted.
(2) Street Trees. All Subdivision and/or Land Development that propose new Streets or Development along existing Streets shall provide Landscaping along Street Frontages in accordance with the following regulations:
A. A minimum of one (1) tree shall be required along every fifty (50) feet of Street Frontage on both sides of Street. The minimum spacing of trees shall be according to the requirements of the specific species.
B. Up to ten percent (10%) of the total number of trees required in subsection (a)(2)A. may be planted in designated Open Space areas.
C. For the purpose of calculating the required number of Street trees required in subsection (a)(2)A., both sides of a Street, and the length around Cul-de-sacs, shall be included in the total length of street Frontage.
D. Where a buffer and/or screen is required along a Street, Street trees shall not be required along that particular Street Frontage.
E. Street trees will be reviewed to ensure that trees do not create nuisance conditions from fruit, nuts, seeds or the like on vehicles and Stormwater systems beyond what is generally accepted when trees are located along the roadway.
(3) Parking Lot Landscaping. All parking Lots shall be landscaped to reduce the visual impact of glare and headlights on adjoining residential and non-residential properties and Rights-Of-Way. Parking Lots shall be adequately shaded to reduce reflected heat. Landscaping shall also be provided to reduce the visual expansiveness of parking Lots. Landscaping shall be provided in such parking Lots as follows:
A. Perimeter Landscaping. The perimeter of all Impervious Areas shall be landscaped with shade trees and other Landscaping. One tree shall be provided for every 2,000 square feet of Impervious Area for the first 100,000 square feet of the total site area. Thereafter, one (1) tree shall be provided for every 5,000 square feet of Impervious Area over 100,000 square feet. The majority of these trees shall be located around parking Lots. All perimeter Landscaping shall comply with the requirements of this Ordinance, including, but not limited to plant selection, planting procedure, and maintenance.
B. Interior Landscaping. In any parking Lot containing twenty-five (25) or more parking spaces, a minimum of five (5) percent of the total area of the Lot shall be devoted to interior Landscaping for the purpose of providing shade trees and reducing Impervious Areas. No less than one (1) shade tree shall be provided in the interior of the parking Lot for each ten (10) parking spaces and two (2) shrubs. Planting area shall not be less than six (6) feet in length and width. All Landscaping shall comply with the requirements of this Ordinance, including, but not limited to plant selection, planting procedure, and maintenance. Recessed parking Lot islands are encouraged, which could function as a bio-Swale.
C. The area between the parking Lot and the Street shall be planted with a continuous row of shrubs that will screen the parking from the Street. Plantings shall be a minimum of eighteen (18) inches at time of planting. All shrub material shall be a minimum of three (3) feet at maturity. So long as to not obstruct sight triangles.
(b) Plant Selection. Required trees and shrubs shall be of an acceptable species. In addition, the size of the plant, excluding ground cover, shall be of the following minimum sizes when planted:
(1) All deciduous trees shall be at least two (2) inch caliper when planted.
(2) All evergreen trees shall be at least six (6) feet tall when planted.
(3) All shrubs shall be at least three (3) gallon container size when planted.
(4) Landscaping should be tolerant to the climate, location and space constrains, and include a variety of plants including shrubs and trees to create interest, color, fragrance and texture.
(c) Planting Procedure. All required trees and shrubs shall be planted in accordance with the specifications of the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) A300 Best Management Practices. All trees shall be planted no closer than three (3) feet to the edge of sidewalks, curb, or other pavement.
(d) Maintenance. The owner, Developer, and/or builder who is responsible for planting required Landscaping shall be responsible for maintaining the Landscaping in a state of good health for one (1) year after the installed and completed Landscaping is approved by the City Engineer/Planning Director or designee following inspection. Landscaping will be inspected at the time of bond release and, in the case of materials that have not been planted and established in good condition, the responsible Person will be required to post a maintenance bond for one (1) year to guarantee the survival of the materials. Approved Landscaping shall be maintained in a healthy condition with adequate watering, fertilization, and grooming in accordance with industry standards
(e) Prohibited Species. Certain plant material species is prohibited due to invasiveness,
hardiness, maintenance or other nuisance features. The following is a list of prohibited
species that are not permitted to be planted:
• Autumn-olive Elaeagnus umbellata
• Bush Honeysuckles Lonicera maackii, L. tatarica, L. morrowii, Amur, Tatarian, and Morrow honeysuckle
• European Privet Ligustrum vulgare
• Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolate
• Japanese Barberry Berberis thunbergia
• Japanese Knotweed Polygonum cuspidatum
• Japanese Stiltgrass Microstegium vimineum
• Kudzu Pueraria montana
• Mile-A-Minute Persicaria perfoliate
• Multiflora Rose Rosa multiflora
• Oriental Bittersweet Celastrus orbiculatus
• Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria
• Russian Olive Elaeagnus angustifolia
• Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima
(f) Existing Plant Material, Tree Credits and Woodland Preservation Bonuses.
(1) Existing Plant Material. Existing trees, shrubs, and other plant materials shall be retained to the greatest extent feasible. Plans shall indicate how existing trees, shrubs and other plant materials are to be protected and provided moisture and how soils are to be aerated and drained.
(2) Tree Credits. If the intent of this Section is satisfied, as determined by the City Engineer/Planning Director or designee, including the tree location, species and health, existing trees that are preserved may be given tree credits that will reduce the total number of required trees in a Subdivision and/or Land Development equal to the number of credits received. Trees that are preserved for a tree credit must include the protection of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the tree drip line from Land Disturbance as shown on the Preliminary Plans. Table 1307-3 shows the amount of tree credits existing trees may receive based on the existing tree size (caliper).
Table 1307-3, Tree Credits
Tree Category | Tree Credit |
Existing Tree 1" to 6" Diameter Breast Height (DBH) | 1 tree Unit per tree retained |
Existing Tree 7" to 19" DBH | 2 tree Unit per tree retained |
Existing Tree > 20" DBH | 3 tree Unit per tree retained |
New or Replacement Tree, Large Species (At maturity more than 40 feet tall) | 1 tree Unit per tree planted |
(Ord. 2022-13. Passed 11-10-22.)