All communication facilities shall be installed in such a manner so as to maintain and enhance existing native vegetation and to install suitable landscaping to screen the facility, where necessary. The following requirements shall be implemented for all communication facilities, except those communication facilities that are exempt as defined in § 120.02. Where an antenna is installed on an existing building or where an antenna is added to an existing tower as provided by this chapter, the Director of Community Development and/or Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals may reduce landscaping requirements if the goals of this chapter would be better served thereby.
(A) A landscape plan shall be submitted with the project application indicating all existing vegetation, identifying landscaping that is to be retained on the site and any additional vegetation that is needed to satisfactorily screen the facility from adjacent land uses and public view areas. The landscape plan shall be subject to review and approval of the administrative or special use review process. All trees larger than 4 inches in diameter shall be identified in the landscape plan with indication of species type, diameter at 4-1/2 feet high, and whether it is to be retained or removed with project development.
(B) Existing trees and other screening vegetation in the vicinity of the facility and along the access roads and power/telecommunication line routes involved shall be protected from damage, both during the construction period and thereafter. Therefore, the following measures shall be implemented:
(1) A tree protection plan shall be submitted with the building permit or improvement plan. This plan shall be prepared by a certified arborist and give specific measures to protect trees during project construction;
(2) Grading, cutting/filling, and the storage/parking of equipment/vehicles shall be prohibited in the protected landscaped areas and the drip line of any trees required to be preserved. Such areas shall be fenced to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Development, as appropriate. Trash, debris, or spoils shall not be placed within these fences nor shall the fences henceforth be opened or moved until the project is complete and written approval to remove the fencing has been received from the Director of Community Development; and
(3) All underground lines shall be routed such that a minimum amount of damage is done to tree root systems.
(C) All areas disturbed during project construction, other than required access road and parking areas required under § 120.12, shall be replanted with vegetation compatible with the vegetation in the surrounding area (e.g. ornamental shrubs or natural brush depending upon the circumstances) to the satisfaction of the Director of Community Development and/or Plan Commission/ Zoning Board of Appeals.
(D) Any existing trees or significant vegetation, on the facilities site or along the affected access area that die shall be replaced with native trees and vegetation of a size and species acceptable to the Director of Community Development and/or Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals.
(E) No action shall be taken after project completion with respect to the vegetation and landscaping that would increase the visibility of the facility or the access road and power/ telecommunication lines serving it.
(F) Existing mature tree growth, vegetation and natural landforms on the site shall be preserved to the absolute maximum extent possible. In some cases, such as towers sited on large, wooded lots, natural growth around the property perimeter may be sufficient buffer.
(G) All communication facilities shall be screened from view by an evergreen hedge with an ultimate height of 8 feet and a planted height of at least 36 inches. Ultimate height of the hedge shall be met within 2 years. The Director of Community Development and/or Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals, as appropriate, may reduce these requirements if the goals of this chapter would be better served.
(H) In locations where the visual impact of the communication facility would be minimal, the landscaping requirement may be reduced, or a non-vegetative screening used that better reflects and complements the architectural or historic character of the surrounding neighborhood. A non-vegetative screening by a solid wood or brick masonry fence 8 feet in height, or other acceptable quality screening may be used if found by the Director of Community Development and/or Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals, as appropriate, to be compatible in the district and setting in which the communications facility will be viewed.
(Ord. CO-2010-006, passed 4-15-2010)