A. Goal/Objective: The following landscaping standards are intended to promote the creation of green space within commercial, industrial and high density residential districts in order to maintain the aesthetics of those districts, buffer off street parking areas, reduce drainage off site, filter noise and light, and encourage the planting of trees throughout the community.
B. General Applicability: A landscaping plan shall be submitted and approved prior to the issuance of building permits for developments in the NC, CC, RC, LI, HI, RMD-1, RMD-2 and RHD-1 zoning districts, subject to the standards below:
1. Whenever a new use is established or a property is converted to a new land use type, landscape requirements shall be applicable to the entire lot.
2. Existing multi-family residential, commercial and industrial sites:
a. Whenever an owner makes improvements or repairs to existing multi-family residential, commercial and industrial properties that increase the floor area by more than one thousand (1,000) square feet or ten percent (10%), whichever is greater, or the property is improved beyond fifty percent (50%) of the assessed value of the structure(s), landscaping and tree standards shall apply to the entire site.
b. Whenever a building(s) is constructed or structurally altered by one or more smaller additions, landscape requirements shall be applicable to the new construction and adjoining yard only.
3. New and expanded parking areas shall meet landscape requirements. Parking areas without permanent hard surfaces shall meet the requirements if surfaced or altered in any way.
4. Whenever storage of materials or equipment is commenced on a site that has not previously been used for that purpose, screening shall be provided according to the landscape regulations.
5. If a property will be developed in phases, a site plan for the entire property shall be provided with the initial phase; plant units, however, unless part of a required screen or buffer, may be installed as phases are developed.
6. Exemptions and exceptions shall be as follows: Special consideration will be given to site design, topography, unique relationships to adjacent properties and existing utilities in enforcing screening requirements. If the applicant can demonstrate that the public interest is better served through alternative landscape design, the zoning administrator may permit variation from these regulations.
C. New Commercial, Industrial, And Multi-Family Residential Properties:
1. Planting: Plants shall be planted in permeable, green spaces of adequate size to ensure the health of the plantings. Plants used to fulfill requirements of this section shall meet the standards of the American Nursery And Landscape Association. (Ord. 2006-5, 3-6-2005)
2. Plant Units Required:
a. Within any INS, NC, CC, RC, RMD-1, RMD-2, and RHD-1 zoning district, a minimum of three (3) plant units shall be provided for each one thousand (1,000) square feet of lot area or fraction thereof. (Ord. 2007-3, 3-5-2007)
b. Within any LI or HI district, a minimum of one plant unit shall be provided for each one thousand (1,000) square feet of lot area or fraction thereof.
c. For properties abutting a gateway, as defined by the gateway overlay district, the minimum plant units for each one thousand (1,000) square feet of lot area or fraction thereof shall be increased to four (4) in commercial and multi-family residential districts, and to two and one-half (21/2) in industrial districts.
d. A minimum of forty (40) plant units shall be provided for any commercial or industrial property.
e. Plant unit equivalencies:
Type Of Plant Material | Minimum Size At Time Of Planting | Equivalent Plant Units |
Large, mature deciduous tree | 1.5 - 3" caliper | 10 |
Large, mature evergreen tree | 4 - 8' in height | 10 |
Small, mature deciduous tree | 1.5 - 3" caliper | 5 |
Small, mature evergreen tree | 3 - 6' in height | 5 |
Mature shrub | 2 gallon | 2.5 |
Perennials | 1 gallon | 1 |
(Ord. 2006-5, 3-6-2005)
3. Boulevard Trees: All commercial, industrial, and multi-family residential developments within the city shall provide boulevard trees in addition to and separate from plant unit requirements of this subsection and in conformance with the standards outlined below: (Ord. 2013-16, 8-26-2013)
a. All boulevard trees planted will be a minimum of a one and one-half inch (11/2") diameter and of a variety approved by the city.
b. The number of trees planted on any lot will be equivalent to that lot's total linear footage along the public street right of way divided by thirty feet (30') provided the total number of trees may be reduced so as to not conflict with driveways, fire hydrants, easement location or other impediments. (Ord. 2006-5, 3-6-2005; amd. Ord. 2013-16, 8-26-2013)
D. Maintenance And Replacement: Trees, shrubs, fences, walls and other landscape features depicted on plans approved by the city will be considered as elements of the project in the same manner as parking, building materials and other plan details. The landowner, or successor in interest, or agent, if any, will be jointly responsible for regularly maintaining all landscaping so that it presents a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance, including the removal of weed species as well as the repair or replacement of damaged or destroyed landscaping.
E. Traffic Visibility Standards: Traffic visibility standards within section 10-19-16 of this chapter shall apply. (Ord. 2006-5, 3-6-2005)