A. Artificial Plantings: Artificial plantings are not acceptable under this chapter, and no landscaping requirement of this chapter may be satisfied through the use of artificial plantings.
B. Required Landscaping Of Front Yard Setbacks: A minimum width of ten feet (10') of the required front yard setback shall be maintained in living ground cover excluding necessary hard surfacing of driveways to reach allowed or required off street parking areas.
C. Trees: In consideration of the benefits provided from the use of trees in reducing heat and pollution, the following standards regarding trees shall be met and maintained:
1. Total Number Of Trees Required: One tree per fifty feet (50') of frontage or one tree per six (6) parking, loading and stacking spaces provided on site, whichever is greater.
2. Placement According To Type And Percentage Allowed:
a. Deciduous Shade Trees: May be utilized for one hundred percent (100%) of total tree requirements and is the only tree to be utilized for interior trees or optional right of way planting. No more than fifty percent (50%) of the total tree requirements may be planted in the right of way boulevard area.
b. Deciduous Ornamental And Evergreen Trees: Up to twenty five percent (25%) of the required trees may be deciduous ornamental, evergreen or coniferous trees; however, such trees shall not be planted in a driveway or intersection nor utilized for parking lot interior trees or right of way plantings.
3. Interior Tree Requirements For Parking Areas Exceeding Fifty Spaces: One tree per twenty five (25) interior parking spaces, equally spaced, in planting islands within hard surfaced parking areas. Islands within hard surfaced parking areas shall be minimum of five feet (5') wide and contain a minimum of thirty five (35) square feet per tree with raised curbs or wheels tops.
4. Existing Trees: The preservation of existing trees on any site subject to this chapter which meet the minimum size requirements and are properly located to satisfy the standards of this chapter is encouraged.
D. Parking Lot Buffer Areas: A setback area of at least five feet (5') shall be provided between the parking surface and property line where a parking lot abuts adjoining residential property; provided, however, that where a screen, fence or wall is provided, the minimum required setback shall be reduced to two feet (2').
E. Parking Lot Screening: Where a parking lot of property subject to this chapter is adjacent to residential property, including where the residential property is across an alley right of way from the parking lot, a fence, wall, berm or shrubbery four feet (4') in height and of a character which will provide for adequate screening of a parking lot from adjacent residential property shall be provided.
Berms or other landscaping techniques may be used for all or part of the screening requirements and may be incorporated into a required setback area. Berms shall have a maximum grade of three feet (3') horizontal to one foot (1') vertical and shall be sodded or planted with other acceptable living ground cover.
F. Screening Dumpsters: All outside dumpsters or other garbage receptacles on the site shall be screened by an opaque fence or wall.
G. Installation Requirements: Trees shall be located no closer than three feet (3') to any curb and all landscape materials required by this section shall be installed in accordance with accepted industry standards. Minimum planting sizes of hedges and ground cover evergreens to meet the requirements of this chapter are as follows:
1. Hedges: If hedges are utilized for the required screening of the parking lot, plantings shall be a minimum of eighteen inches (18") above ground height and of a species that is normally capable of reaching a height of four feet (4') within three (3) years. Spacing shall be eighteen inches (18") to thirty six inches (36") apart, depending upon species, as the hedge must also be capable of providing a substantially full expanse of foliage within this three (3) year period.
2. Ground Cover Evergreens: If ground cover evergreens are utilized in areas required to be maintained in living ground cover, plantings shall cover a minimum area of twelve inches (12") in diameter and spaced no more than four feet (4') on center.
H. Maintenance: The use of in ground sprinkler systems is encouraged, and at a minimum, water services shall be conveniently located to provide a permanent and easily accessible means of watering. Property owners shall be ultimately responsible for the proper maintenance of all required landscape materials and any dead or substantially damaged landscape materials shall be replaced.
I. Right Of Way Landscaping: The unpaved portion of a dedicated public right of way abutting any development shall be landscaped with grass, or other living ground cover approved by the director of park and recreation. Nonliving ground cover, including, but not limited to, rock, stone, brick, concrete, blacktop or other like materials shall not be used as landscape material except as provided herein.
The director of park and recreation may authorize the use of nonliving ground cover for landscaping a public right of way when it is determined that the location will not allow for adequate maintenance of sod or other living ground cover. This exception shall not include the use of loose rock or blacktop as landscaping material. (Ord. 1873, 4-21-1997)