(A) General.
(1) Objective. To achieve a desirable and a permanent landscape which will, with a minimum amount of maintenance, provide a buffer to minimize the visual effect of adjacent land uses and similar land uses of different character, and to protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public.
(2) Depth of landscaping. Landscaping shall be required adjacent to all street property lines or street right-of-way lines and shall extend from the street property lines or street right-of-way lines to a minimum depth inward of 10 feet on private property. Equivalent square footage may be used in lieu of the 10 feet if approved by the Development Department. In certain circumstances, when landscaping is not feasible and landscaping requirements cannot be reasonably met, the developer may request a review of site development and required landscaping may be adjusted if approved by the City Planner, City Engineer and City Administrator. All parkways between the street property line or street right-of-way line and the back of curb or street driving line shall be landscaped except for areas covered by city sidewalks. Landscaping will not be required at driveway entrances that have been approved by the City Engineer.
(3) Obstructions. Landscaping areas required by this section shall not be obstructed by any type or size of fence or wall.
(4) Materials and installation standards.
(Prior Code, § 56-528)
(B) Definition of landscape.
(1) Generally. A visual buffer consisting of plant material, (grass, trees and shrubs) and other material approved by the Development Department. No artificial trees, shrubs, plants or turf shall be used to fulfill the minimum requirements for landscaping. Inorganic materials, such as stone or decorative pavers, may be used; provided that, the material does not comprise more than 25% of the minimum required landscaping area. Loose rock shall not be permitted within any required landscape area, which is within 10 feet of a traveled street surface.
(2) Minimum tree and shrub sizes.
(a) Evergreens shall be a minimum of 5 to 6 feet in height, measured from the top of the root ball to the top of the tree.
(b) Large deciduous trees shall have a 2-inch caliper or larger, measured 12 inches above the root ball.
(c) Small deciduous trees shall have a 1-1/2 inch caliper or larger, measured 12 inches above the root ball.
(d) Shrubs shall be a 2-gallon size or greater, or 18 to 24 inches in height if balled and burlapped.
(e) A minimum of 1 tree for each 500 square feet of landscaped area will be required.
(Prior Code, § 56-529)
(C) General requirements.
(1) Where required by conditions of approval of a plat, special permit or use permit the developer shall submit to the city for review and approval, a detailed and accurately scaled plan clearly showing the location, height and design of the landscaping and clearly showing the location and identifying the plant material.
(2) Where landscaping is required by the provision of the zoning regulations, between incompatible land uses, or around parking lots, the owner or builder of a structure or parking lot shall submit a landscape plan showing the location, height, and design of landscaping and clearly showing the location and identifying the plant material. The plan shall be submitted and approved prior to the issuance of a final building permit with a structure or parking lot.
(3) Plant material shall be installed within one year following completion of the development and initial occupancy of the property unless phase development is permitted or otherwise specified by the Development Department.
(4) Landscaping over 30 inches in height shall not be installed in the triangular open space required for sight distance for vehicles entering and exiting the property.
(5) Landscaping shall be maintained in a neat appearance and repaired or replaced to the original state if damaged, destroyed or in need of repair; plant material shall be replaced in the next appropriate planting season (spring or fall, depending on the particular plant material), in accordance with the approved landscape plan. If the landscaping is totally destroyed by an "Act of God", the replacement period maybe extended with a written request approved by the Development Department.
(Prior Code, § 56-530)
(D) Plant material landscaping.
(1) The variety of plant material used shall be reasonably:
(a) Free from litter and offensive odors;
(b) Resistant to breakage by wind and winter storms;
(c) Resistant to disease, insect attack and weather stresses;
(d) Long lived;
(e) Adaptable to city conditions; and
(f) Easily transplanted and grown.
(2) The installation of the plant material shall conform to the general requirements of the city. The installation maybe inspected bythe city.
(3) The landowner agrees to promote vigorous growth of the required plants by performing continuous and properly timed maintenance. The maintenance responsibility consists of watering, weeding, fertilizing, controlling diseases and insects, pruning, removing the stakes and wires used to secure the plant when planting and removing and replacing unhealthy, damaged and/or dead plants. The replacement plant must be the same species, size and in the same location as shown on the approved landscape plan and planted during the next appropriate planting season. Substitute plants maybe permitted by submitting a request to the Development Department.
(Prior Code, § 56-531)
(E) Procedures.
(1) All plans and documents required to be submitted by the developer hereunder shall be filed with the Building Official. Three copies of each of a detailed and accurately scaled layout showing the resolutions shall be submitted for review and approval bythe Development Department. The Building Official shall serve as the coordinating agency for the reviews and approvals required bythe various departments hereunder.
(2) Before the city issues the certificate of occupancy, the owner(s) shall continuously maintain the required landscape screen and landscaping by performing the maintenance responsibilities described in division (C)(5) of these standards.
(Prior Code, § 56-532)
(Ord. 3640, § 3,12-1-2005; Am. Ord. 3840, § 1, 4-3-2012; Am. Ord. 4053, § 1, 3-16-2021)