(A) These landscaping requirements only apply to new developments, or in the case of the expansion of existing developments that portion of the development being expanded. There are no changes required of existing developments by this chapter.
(B) A site plan detailing the proposed landscaping features shall be submitted for review and approval, by the Community Development Coordinator, prior to the issuance of any building permits for the site. The plan shall show the calculations for the lot area, parking lot area(s), and the landscaping area(s). The landscaping plan need not name the specific plant species to be used, but may use general descriptions such as "ornamental grasses", "flowers", "tree", "shrub", etc.
(C) 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.
(D) Portions of storm water detention facilities may be used to meet landscaping area requirements provided that they also meet the remaining requirements of this chapter. The permanent water level of un-aerated retention basins shall not be included. Security fencing, such as chain link, shall not be included around detention basins. Living landscaping features and intermittent ornamental fencing may be allowed where property owners wish to deter access.
(E) Non-living landscaping features must be mixed with living landscaping features in a ratio not to exceed 1 to 1, by area, to be considered to contribute to the landscaping requirements of this chapter. Lawn areas must be mixed with other landscaping features in a ratio not to exceed 1 to 1, by area, to be considered to contribute to the landscaping requirements of this chapter. Solid areas of non-living landscaping features, and/or lawns, shall not exceed 100 square feet to be considered to contribute to the landscaping requirements of this chapter.
(F) A tree shall be considered to contribute 100 square feet of landscaping area. A tree in a planter area with other landscaping will be considered to contribute 100 square feet of landscaping area in addition to the planter size. A shrub will be considered to contribute five square feet of landscaping area, unless specific dimensions are listed otherwise on the landscaping plan. Shrubs and other plants do not add to the landscaping area of the planters in which they are located.
(G) Food crops, invasive species, noxious weeds, and weeds shall not be used in the landscaping areas required by this chapter. Nothing in this chapter shall be interpreted to prevent the planting of food crops in appropriately zoned areas, undeveloped lots, or residential yards. Food crops are merely excluded from being used to fulfill the landscaping requirements of this chapter.
(H) The definitions of invasive species, noxious weeds, and/or weeds shall be expanded at any time in which the City Council perceives that a plant has been deliberately established, encouraged, or allowed to grow which is intended to defy the general intent of this chapter or to cause irritation to the senses of others. The city reserves the right to remove, or cause to be removed, at the property owner's expense after ten days notice, any plant defined as an invasive species, noxious weed, or weed.
(I) The full size of outdoor seating/dining areas will be considered as contributing to the landscaping requirement for the site provided that; living and non-living landscaping items are incorporated into the outdoor seating/dining area, the outdoor seating/dining area is part of a commercial site development that includes food or drink service, the outdoor seating/dining area is visible from the street, and the outdoor seating/dining area is located on the site for which the landscaping requirement applies.
(Ord. 2011-5342, passed 12-20-2011; Am. Ord. 2023-5465, passed 4-18-2023)