A. Design Principles
All landscaped areas required by this Code should conform to the following general design principles:
1. Landscaping should integrate the proposed development into existing site features through consideration of existing topography, hydrology, soils, and vegetation.
2. The functional elements of the development plan, particularly the drainage systems and internal circulation systems for vehicles and pedestrians, should be integrated into the landscaping plan.
3. Landscaping should be used to minimize potential erosion through the use of ground covers or any other type of landscape material that aids in soil stabilization.
4. Existing native vegetation should be preserved and used to meet landscaping requirements.
5. Landscaping should enhance the visual environment through the use of materials that achieve variety with respect to seasonal changes, species of living material selected, textures, colors, and size at maturity.
6. Landscaping design should consider the aesthetic and functional aspects of vegetation, both when initially installed and when the vegetation has reached maturity.
7. Landscaping should enhance public safety and minimize nuisances.
8. Landscaping should be used to provide windbreaks, channel wind, and increase ventilation.
9. The selection and placement of landscaping materials should consider the effect on utilities such as power lines.
B. Installation of Plants
1. All plants shall be healthy and free of diseases and pests and shall be selected from the list of approved species.
2. Plants shall be installed during the period of the year most appropriate for planting the particular species. If compliance with this requires that some or all of the landscaping be planted at a time after the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the developer shall post a performance bond sufficient to pay the costs of the required, but not yet installed, landscaping before the certificate shall be issued.
3. Landscaping shall be protected from vehicular and pedestrian encroachment by means of raised planting surfaces, depressed walks, curbs, edges, and the like.
4. The landscaping shall not interfere, at or before maturity, with power, cable television or telephone lines, sewer or water pipes, or any other existing or proposed overhead or underground utility service.
5. All plants shall be installed according to standards adopted by the Planning and Zoning Board.
6. The developer shall provide sufficient soil and water to sustain healthy growth of all plants.
7. To provide visibility and safety, no landscape materials except grasses and groundcovers shall be located closer than three (3) feet to an access way; and no landscape materials shall exist within the heights of two (2) and six (6) feet above ground level, including limbs and foliage of trees and shrubs planted outside but extending into the sight triangle.
C. Use of Native Plants
Forty percent (40%) of the total number of individual plants selected from each of the categories of the list of approved species below (tree, shrub, and groundcover) and used to satisfy the requirements of this Code shall be selected from the list of native species in the category.
D. Planting Requirements
1. Trees
A ratio of one (1) tree for every fifty (50) linear feet of boundary is required. Trees shall have a minimum overall height of ten (10) to twelve (12) feet at time of planting. These trees should be concentrated in the perimeter landscape areas. This provision is not intended to require trees to be equally spaced. Creative design and spacing is encouraged. However, the plants shall be spread along the length of the buffer. Native species that need less water and maintenance are preferred.
2. Shrubs
Shrubs shall have a minimum height of eighteen (18) inches and a minimum spread of fifteen (15) inches at the time of planting. Shrubs spacing shall not exceed five (5) feet on center, nor shall plants be closer than two (2) feet to the edge of any pavement.
3. Ground Cover
Ground Cover shall be placed within all interior vehicle use landscape areas, and within all perimeter landscape areas not occupied by other landscape material or permitted access ways. Ground cover shall not exceed eight (8) inches in height.
E. Non-Living Materials
1. Mulches shall be a minimum depth of two (2) inches and plastic surface covers shall not be used.
2. Rocks, gravel, sand, or other natural material commonly used in landscaping are acceptable.
3. Areas using artificial plant material do not meet landscaping requirements.
F. Maintenance and Replacement of Plants
1. All required plants shall be maintained in a healthy, pest-free condition.
2. If a plant is dead, or severely damaged, or diseased within one (1) year of planting, the plant shall be replaced by the developer. The replacement plants shall be similar in size to the healthy plants of the same species at the time of replanting. If there are no healthy plants of that species, then the replacement plants will be the equivalent size of one (1) year old plants.
(Ord. 711, passed 2-5-2019)