Landscaping and screening shall be located in accordance with the following rules:
A. Landscaping Required:
1. The front, side and rear yards of each site not utilized for parking (where permitted) shall be landscaped utilizing an effective combination of trees, grass, ground cover and shrubbery. Undeveloped areas in the interior of the site shall be seeded with appropriate grasses or other suitable ground cover and maintained neat and orderly. All tree trimmings, stumps, and construction debris shall be promptly removed and not be accumulated or stored on site.
2. Landscaping near street, alley and driveway intersections shall conform to the traffic visibility requirements of section 12-16-6 of this chapter.
B. Site Restoration And Planting: All site areas including public rights-of-way and private lots shall be finish graded to control the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff and be restored with appropriate ground cover, herbaceous and woody vegetation as specified in subsection N, table 1 of this section.
C. Planting Plan: The planting plan shall be prepared by a landscaping professional, as follows:
1. For all developments other than one- or two-family residential, with an aggregate development site area of two (2) acres or more, or any such development where the aggregate gross floor area of the principal buildings exceed seven thousand (7,000) square feet, the planting plan shall be completed by a landscape architect licensed in the State of Iowa.
2. For all other developments other than one- and two-family residential, the planting plan shall be completed by an experienced and qualified landscape professional.
D. Tree Preservation Plan: With respect to existing trees in new developments, all trees on the site are to be saved unless they must be removed for street, buildings, utilities, drainage or public recreational purposes.
1. Existing trees and landscaping may be used to meet the requirements of this section.
2. Trees over six inches (6") in diameter that are to remain shall be marked with a red band and be protected with snow fences or other suitable enclosure prior to excavation. The planting plan and grading plan shall include a detail and instructions for preservation of the existing trees. The City may further require that the property owner and/or developer retain a professional forester to prepare a Forest Inventory and Management Plan for the development in order to control and abate any existing or potential shade tree disease and to save trees from construction loss.
3. Any tree over twelve inches (12") in diameter shown to be preserved that is damaged or destroyed during or as a result of construction shall be mitigated by new trees, of a similar or better species, with an aggregate diameter of at least forty percent (40%) of the diameter of the destroyed or damaged tree, subject to the following:
a. No new tree required for mitigation need exceed two and one- half inches (2.5") in diameter.
b. No more than three (3) new trees per destroyed/damaged tree shall be required, regardless of the size of the damaged or destroyed tree. The Administrative Officer or the Development Review Committee may allow substitution of plants other than trees for one (1) or more of the trees required for mitigation, where it can be shown that the landscape cannot accommodate the required trees due to the density of the landscaping, soil conditions or other condition that would make long term survival of new trees unlikely.
E. Performance Guarantee Required: No building permit except for one- and two-unit residential buildings shall be issued until the applicant for the building permit shall file with the City a performance bond, with a corporation approved by the City as surety thereon, or other guarantee acceptable by the City, in an amount approved by the City, but for no less than one and one-half (1.5) times the cost of completing the planting plan. The applicant shall provide an estimate for the cost of completing the plan from a landscape architect or other qualified landscape professional, qualified nursery, greenhouse or other landscape provider/installer. The performance bond must cover two (2) complete growing seasons subsequent to the completion, and release of the bond must be conditioned upon complete and satisfactory implementation of the approved planting plan. Should the applicant fail to fully comply with the approved landscape plan during the period the performance guarantee is active, the City may opt to install the landscaping and draw upon the performance guarantee for the cost thereof.
F. Types And Species Of Trees: All plant species shall be noninvasive, indigenous and/or native to the appropriate USDA hardiness zone and physical characteristics for Northern Iowa. Prohibited species include:
1. Prohibited in all parts of the City:
a. Ornamental (Callery) pear (Pyrus species and cultivars: Bradford, Cleveland select, redspire, capital, etc.), except those varieties proven to be fire blight resistant.
b. Ash (all species and cultivars).
c. Poplar (Populus species).
d. Ginkgo (female only).
e. Chinese elm and Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila). Elm species that are certified to be disease resistant may be planted.
f. Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima).
g. Austree (Salix alba x matsudana).
h. Box elder (Acer negundo).
i. Mulberry (Morus species).
2. Prohibited in right-of-way only:
a. Catalpa (Catalpa speciosa).
b. Common fruit and large nut bearing trees (walnut, hickory, butternut, etc.).
c. Birch species (river birch, white or paper birch, etc.).
d. American elm. Elm species that are certified to be disease resistant may be planted.
e. Black locust.
f. Soft or silver maple.
g. Cottonwood.
h. Willow (Salix species).
i. Russian olive.
j. Sumac.
k. Hawthorn.
l. Conifers (evergreens).
G. Minimum Planting Sizes And Equivalents: Plants required in subsection M, table 1 of this section shall meet the following minimum requirements:
1. Deciduous shade trees: Two inches (2.0") to two and one-half inches (2.5") in diameter measured six inches (6") above the ground.
2. Deciduous ornamental trees: One inch (1") to one and one-half inches (1.5") in diameter measured six inches (6") above the ground.
3. Evergreen trees: Six feet (6') in height.
4. Evergreen shrubs used for screening purposes, including those used in conjunction with berming, shall have a minimum spread at planting of thirty inches (30") to thirty six inches (36") and reach a minimum mature height of three feet (3').
5. The shade tree requirements specified in subsection N, table 1 of this section shall be met with long-lived deciduous shade trees; however, up to thirty percent (30%) of the shade tree requirements may be satisfied using ornamental trees and/or evergreen trees.
H. Slopes And Berms: Final slope grades steeper than the ratio of three to one (3:1) shall not be permitted without special approval of adequate slope stabilization measures such as ground cover plantings and retaining walls.
I. Landscape And Screening Of Off Street Parking And Loading Facilities:
1. Off street parking facilities containing five (5) or more spaces and all loading facilities shall be screened as follows:
a. Parking facilities shall be screened from abutting sidewalks and streets. Loading facilities shall be screened if abutting or visible from sidewalks and streets.
b. Parking and loading facilities shall be screened from any lot used for any residential purpose sharing a common property line; however, this shall not apply to parking or loading facilities located at least eighty feet (80') from the common property line of any single-family residential use and at least fifty feet (50') from the common property line of any other residential or mixed residential use. Notwithstanding the above, a parking facility serving a mixed use shall not be required to be screened from an adjacent lot containing a mixed use.
2. All screening shall be arranged to be a minimum eighty percent (80%) opaque throughout the year.
3. The complement of woody shrubs and trees fulfilling requirements for the screening of off street parking and loading described in this title shall incorporate evergreen trees and shrubs in sufficient quantities to provide year round color and shade, in locations that meet environmental conditions.
4. Screening adjacent to public sidewalks and streets shall include at least two (2) of the following:
a. A landscape screening strip at least five feet (5') wide, measured perpendicularly to the lot line abutting the street or sidewalk, containing a mix of shrubs and ornamental trees, in sufficient quantities and arranged to provide an adequate screen;
b. One (1) deciduous shade tree per every forty (40) linear feet of the lot line abutting the street or sidewalk;
c. A continuous shrub border or hedge no less than three feet (3') and no more than four feet (4') in height comprised of deciduous and/or evergreen shrubs;
d. Earth berm (if space permits); or
e. A decorative barrier consisting of a metal railing system with masonry columns or a solid masonry wall no taller than four feet (4') in height.
5. Screening to buffer single-family residential dwellings within eighty feet (80') of off street parking and loading facilities and to buffer all other residential and residential mixed use properties within fifty feet (50') of off street parking and loading facilities shall include a combination of at least three (3) of the following:
a. A landscape screening strip at least ten feet (10') wide, measured perpendicularly to the common lot line, containing a mix of shrubs and ornamental trees in sufficient quantities and arranged to provide an adequate screen;
b. One (1) tree per every thirty (30) linear feet of lot line contiguous to the residential property with at least forty percent (40%) of trees being evergreen varieties;
c. A continuous shrub border or hedge no less than five feet (5') and no more than eight feet (8') in height comprised of deciduous and/or evergreen shrubs;
d. Earth berm (if space permits);
e. Solid, board fence or masonry wall meeting the requirements of section 12-16-3 of this chapter.
J. Internal Parking Lot Landscaping:
1. Parking bays of twelve (12) spaces or more in length shall be subdivided by intermediate landscape islands or peninsulas. Landscape islands/peninsulas shall provide at least one (1) parking space width of landscape area (10 feet wide by 18 feet long island or peninsula for a single bay or 10 feet wide by 36 feet long island for a double bay). The Administrative Officer may permit peninsulas or islands of lesser length to allow for safe turning radii within parking lot aisles and drives.
Internal Parking Lot Landscaping
2. Double parking bays with a length of six (6) or more double parking spaces shall terminate at each end with a planting area of a minimum of a double parking space of landscape area.
Internal Parking Lot Landscaping
3. Parking bays greater than seven (7) spaces in length shall have one (1) landscaped island or peninsula placed at both ends.
4. Parking Lot Islands And Peninsulas: Where possible, planting islands should be depressed and surrounded by flat, ribbon curbs to facilitate stormwater filtering. Each landscaped island or peninsula shall be landscaped with perennial grasses or flowers, and at least one (1) of the following:
a. One (1) deciduous shade tree;
b. One (1) ornamental tree;
c. Two (2) salt tolerant low shrubs.
Internal Parking Lot Landscaping
K. Landscaping Requirements For Outdoor Storage And Mini-Warehouse Self-Storage:
a. A building wall may be used as a screen and may be counted towards meeting the screening requirements.
b. Z4 District: Outdoor storage areas and mini-warehouse self-storage in the Z4 Multi-Use District shall be screened from view of any adjacent public street or sidewalk, and from any adjacent property in the Z2 Sub- Urban or Z3 General Urban Zone Districts, with one (1) or more of the following:
(1) A fence that is at least six feet (6') in height and at least eighty percent (80%) opaque, comprised of weatherproof or treated wood or rigid vinyl or similar rigid polymer material.
(2) A freestanding masonry wall that is at least six feet (6') in height and at least eighty percent (80%) opaque, comprised of structural foundations, clad in brick or decorative masonry units, pilasters and/or columns and protective capping. All masonry shall be either integrally colored or painted in subdued, earth tone colors.
c. Z6 District: Outdoor storage areas and mini-warehouse self-storage in the Z6 Industrial District shall be screened from view of any adjacent public street or sidewalk and from any adjacent property zoned Z2 Sub- Urban or Z3 General Urban, with one (1) or more of the following:
(1) A fence that is at least six feet (6') in height and at least forty percent (40%) opaque, comprised of weatherproof or treated wood or rigid vinyl or similar rigid polymer material.
(2) Galvanized metal mesh (chain-link) with openings no greater than five-eighths of one inch (5/8"). A galvanized metal mesh fence with openings of up to two inches (2") may be used if slats are integrated into the mesh, the forty percent (40%) opacity requirement can be met, and the slats are maintained in good condition.
(3) A freestanding masonry wall that is at least six feet (6') in height and at least fifty percent (50%) opaque, comprised of structural foundations, clad in brick or decorative masonry units, pilasters and/or columns and protective capping. All masonry shall be either integrally colored or painted in subdued, earth tone colors.
2. Additional landscaping screening requirements beyond those required in subsection N, table 1 of this section are as follows:
a. One (1) additional evergreen tree reaching a height of at least twenty feet (20') at maturity shall be planted for every fifty (50) linear feet of fencing facing adjacent public rights- of-way, within the yards adjacent to the rights-of-way.
b. Two (2) additional shrubs shall be required per forty (40) linear feet of right-of-way. The shrubs shall be planted along the outside of the fence within the yards adjacent to the right- of-way, no closer than three feet (3') from the fence or any impervious surfaces and shall meet the applicable landscaping requirements found in this chapter.
c. For outdoor storage areas within fifty feet (50') of a common property line with any property used for a residential purpose, a landscaped buffer shall be provided along the entire length of the property line, at least fifteen feet (15') in width, measured perpendicular to the property line. No structure or parking area, including the required fence or wall, may be located within this buffer area. The buffer area shall contain at least one (1) deciduous shade tree for each forty feet (40') of length of the buffer, one (1) evergreen tree for each twenty five feet (25') of length of the buffer, and either one (1) ornamental tree or three (3) shrubs for each forty feet (40') of the length of the buffer.
L. Installation: Landscaping as shown on the approved site development plan shall be installed prior to issuance of a final certificate of occupancy by the Chief Building Official. A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued pending delays in landscaping installation due to seasonal change or other unavoidable delay; however, all landscaping must be completed before June 30 of the next growing season. The City may opt to utilize the performance guarantee required under subsection E of this section to purchase and install the required landscaping if the owner fails to do so by the above deadline.
M. Landscape Maintenance: Landscaping, including plantings required by this chapter and subsection N, table 1 of this section such as lawns, groundcovers, trees, shrubs and herbaceous perennial and annual gardens, shall be kept in healthy condition, free of invasive plants and weeds, in perpetuity.
N. Site Restoration And Planting:
TABLE 1
SITE RESTORATION AND PLANTING
Minimum landscape standards in this table are prescribed on a per lot basis. Up to thirty percent (30%) of the shade tree requirements may be met with deciduous ornamental or evergreen trees; see subsection G5 of this section.
Edge Yard | Side Yard | Split Yard | Rear Yard |
Edge Yard | Side Yard | Split Yard | Rear Yard | |
Z2 | Right-of-way: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree Front yard: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree, 5 shrubs, of which at least 2 shall be evergreen shrubs Side yards: Hardy turf grass Rear yard: Hardy turf grass | Right-of-way: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree per 40 linear feet Front yard: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree per 4 dwelling units, 1 deciduous or evergreen shrub per dwelling unit Side yards: Hardy turf grass Rear yard: Hardy turf grass and/or herbaceous ground cover; 1 shade tree per 40 linear feet of rear lot line length | Not permitted | |
Z3 | Right-of-way: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree Front yard: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree, 3 shrubs, of which at least 2 shall be evergreen shrubs Side yards: Hardy turf grass Rear yard: Hardy turf grass | Right-of-way: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree Front yard: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree, 4 shrubs, of which at least 1 shall be an evergreen shrub Side yards: Hardy turf grass Rear yard: Hardy turf grass | Right-of-way: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree Rear yard: Hardy turf grass | |
Z4 | Nonresidential: Right-of-way: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree per 50 linear feet Front yard: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree per 50 linear feet of building frontage, 2 deciduous or evergreen shrubs per 20 linear feet of building frontage Side yards: Hardy turf grass Rear yard: Hardy turf grass and/or herbaceous ground cover; 1 shade tree per 50 linear feet of rear lot line length | Right-of-way: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree per 50 linear feet Rear yard: Hardy turf grass and/or herbaceous ground cover; 1 shade tree per 50 linear feet of rear lot line length | ||
Z4 | Residential: Right-of-way: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree per 40 linear feet Front yard: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree per 4 dwelling units, 2 deciduous or evergreen shrubs per dwelling unit Side yards: Hardy turf grass Rear yard: Hardy turf grass and/or herbaceous ground cover; 1 shade tree per 40 linear feet of rear lot line length | Right-of-way: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree per 40 linear feet Rear yard: Hardy turf grass and/or herbaceous ground cover; 1 shade tree per 40 linear feet of rear lot line length | ||
Z5 | Not permitted | Right-of-way: Sidewalk with tree well; 1 shade tree per 30 linear feet Front yard: n/a Side yards: n/a Rear yard: n/a Roofscape: Vegetated, green roof may be installed in lieu of yard landscaping | ||
Z6 | Right-of-way: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree per 50 linear feet All yards: New industrial developments or uses shall require 1 new tree per 1,000 square feet of gross building floor area For building sites that have over 40,000 square feet of gross floor area, the maximum number of trees required shall be 50 | Not permitted | Not permitted | Not permitted |
Z7 | Right-of-way: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree per 50 linear feet Front yard: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree per 50 linear feet of building frontage, 2 deciduous or evergreen shrubs per 20 linear feet of building frontage Side yards: Hardy turf grass Rear yard: Hardy turf grass and/or herbaceous ground cover; 1 shade tree per 50 linear feet of rear lot line length | Right-of-way: Hardy turf grass, 1 shade tree per 50 linear feet Rear yard: Hardy turf grass and/or herbaceous ground cover; 1 shade tree per 50 linear feet of rear lot line length | ||
(Ord. 13-14, 4-2-2013; amd. Ord. 15-10, 9-15-2015; 2017 Code; Ord. 20-10, 11-3-2020; Ord. 21-5, 6-1-2021)