(a) Purpose.
(1) The purpose of this section is to establish minimum standards for the provision, installation and maintenance of landscape plantings in greenbelts to protect the character and stability of residential, office, business and industrial areas; safeguard property values, protect public and private investments; and, enhance the community’s environmental and visual character.
(2) The following standards shall be considered the minimum requirements for the installation of all plant materials in greenbelts and perimeter landscape strips:
(b) General. Trees shall not be placed where they interfere with site drainage, obstruct vision of oncoming vehicles or where they shall require frequent pruning to control interference with overhead power lines. Trees planted under power lines shall not exceed a mature height of twenty feet (20’).
(c) Standards for Evergreen Trees.
(1) Tree Standards.
A. At the time of planting, trees shall be no less than five feet (5’) in height.
B. Evergreens are to be of upright growth with good density to screen from view abutting office, business and industrial lots or land uses. Plants shall have a density with branches close to the ground level.
C. Evergreens shall match the site conditions in terms of light exposure, winds and soil conditions and low maintenance.
D. Acceptable evergreens for greenbelt plantings:
. arbovitae | . firs |
. selected pines | . junipers (upright types) |
. spruces | . yews (upright types) |
E. White pine is unacceptable because of wide spacing between branches and decline in tree health over the years.
F. Evergreens may be pruned to form hedge barriers with a controlled height of six feet (6’).
(2) Tree Species Mix. When more than ten (10) trees are to be planted to meet the requirements of this ordinance, a mix of species shall be provided. The number of species to be planted shall vary according to the total number of trees required to be planted. The minimum number of species to be planted are indicated below:
Required Species Mix | |
Required Number of Trees | Minimum Number of Species |
11-20 | 2 |
21-30 | 3 |
31-40 | 4 |
41+ | 5 |
Exceptions and substitutions from the provisions in this subsection (c) may be approved by the Planning Commission in order to promote the use of slow growing or native plant materials if they qualify as an acceptable greenbelt.
(3) Maintenance. Arrangements shall be made for maintenance of plantings to keep them in a healthy and attractive condition, including mulching, watering and weed control. Plants shall comply with the following requirements:
A. Growth habit to be non-evasive.
B. Low maintenance selections adapted to the site.
C. All unhealthy or dead plant material shall be replaced during the next planting season.
(4) Earth Mounding. Earth mounds may be used in perimeter landscape strips with trees planted on the top of the mound in a single or staggered double row. Earth mounds shall not exceed four feet (4’) in height, or be any less than eighteen feet (18’) or more than thirty feet (30’) in width. For ease of maintenance and erosion control, earth mounds should be designed for a 1:3 ratio, no more than one foot (1’) of rise for each three feet (3’) of width.
(Ord. 01-50. Passed 12-6-01.)
(d) Landscaping Off-Street Parking Areas. (EDITOR’S NOTE: Former subsection (d) hereof was repealed by Ordinance 15-22.)
(e) Greenbelts between Residential and Office, Business or Industrial Lots or Uses.
Whenever an office, business or industrial lot abuts onto a residential lot or use, one of the following options shall be used to adequately screen the residential area from other abutting areas:
(1) An obscuring greenbelt fifteen feet (15') wide shall be created exclusive of that required for sidewalks or utility easements. The greenbelt area shall be planted with evergreen trees no less than five feet (5') tall at time of planting and shall be no less than six feet (6') in height at maturity. The greenbelt shall further comply with the tree standards in subsection (c)(1) hereof. (Ord. 04-02. Passed 1-22-04.)
(2) An alternative option is a six-foot (6’) tall opaque, unpainted fence constructed of decay-resistant lumber secured by aluminum or galvanized nails or screws to prevent rust stains. The fence shall be erected on a grassy belt at least ten feet (10’) wide with both sides of the fence providing an attractive natural appearance compatible with the surrounding residential area. Weed control and fence maintenance shall be the sole responsibility of the office, business or industrial owner.
(Ord. 01-50. Passed 12-6-01.)
(3) Specific final plans for either option (1) or (2) above shall be presented to the Zoning Inspector for his approval prior to installation.
(Ord. 04-02. Passed 1-22-04.)
(f) Greenbelts between Residential Lots and U.S. 30 Right of Way.
(1) A greenbelt or common open space area maintained by a homeowner’s association shall be required wherever residential lots or residential uses abut the U.S. 30 right-of-way.
(2) The required greenbelt shall be fifty feet (50’) wide, planted with a combination of evergreen trees, shade trees and shrubs.
(3) A greenbelt will not be required in those instances where existing tree stands are to be preserved on parcels of land abutting the U.S. 30 right-of-way. However, the owner shall be required to submit to the Planning Commission a narrative explaining the management practices that will be conducted by the owner to ensure the effective maintenance and preservation of the plant community.
(Ord. 01-50. Passed 12-6-01.)