For purposes of this chapter the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
FOOD CROPS. Includes all agricultural field crops typically grown for profit such as, but not limited to, barley, corn, oats, rye, sorghum, soybeans, and wheat. This includes all garden crops typically grown for human consumption and available in the produce section of a grocery store.
INVASIVE SPECIES. Autumn olive and multiflower rose.
LANDSCAPING. Includes living and non-living landscaping features. Only those items that are outdoors and are directly visible to the general public qualify as landscaping.
LIVING LANDSCAPING FEATURES. Ornamental plant material such as, but not limited to, trees, shrubs, ivies, flowers, non-flowering ornamental plants, grass, and ornamental grasses.
LOT. The area within the property limits for the site being developed or expanded.
NON-LIVING LANDSCAPING FEATURES. Shall serve no other structural purpose, or infrastructure related purpose, in order to be considered landscaping. For example: building walls, roofs, sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, privacy fencing, or security fencing shall not be considered landscaping regardless of the materials of
construction. Examples of Non-Living Landscaping Features include, but are not limited to, such as ornamental rock and/or pavers, landscaping walls, shade structures, and/or water features.
NOXIOUS WEEDS. Those plants identified in Illinois Administrative Code, Title 8, Part 220, Section 220.60. The current list of noxious weeds at the date of this chapter are: marijuana, giant ragweed (horseweed), common ragweed, Canada thistle, perennial sowthistle, musk thistle (common thistle), perennial members of the sorghum genus (johnsongrass, sorghum almum, and other johnsongrass x sorghum crosses with rhizomes), and kudzu.
OUTDOOR SEATING/DINING AREAS. Areas that are specifically designed for outdoor seating and dining as part of a commercial site development that includes food or drink service.
PATRON PARKING AREAS. Those parking areas available for customers, guests, members, residents, and/or visitors. This does not include parking spaces for employees or vehicles/equipment for sale. The area includes the parking spaces and the adjacent traffic lanes.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAYS. Streets, alleys, and utility easements owned by the city, state, or county.
STREET FRONTAGE. The portion of the lot that borders a public street.
TREE. A deciduous or evergreen species with a minimum trunk diameter of two and one-half inches measured two feet above the ground. Trees with trunks smaller than two and one-half inch diameter are allowable in planting areas but do not satisfy the requirement for a TREE where a TREE is referenced in this chapter. Trees with trunks smaller than two and one-half inch diameter shall be considered shrubs for the space coverage requirements of this chapter.
WEEDS. Those items specifically identified herein cattails, cockleburs, dandelions, gypsum weed, lambsquarter, mustard weed, pigweed, pokeberry, poison ivy, poison oak, and teasel.
(Ord. 2011-5342, passed 12-20-2011; Am. Ord. 2023-5465, passed 4-18-2023)