(A) Purpose and objectives.
(1) The primary purpose of this section is to establish minimum requirements and standards relative to landscaping, buffering, and screening to be implemented concurrently with site plans approved by the city. The standards and criteria shall be used by city staff and the Planning Commission in the review and evaluation of those plans and development proposals.
(2) The objectives of these requirements are to establish and maintain forestation of the city; to provide appropriate ground cover vegetation for controlled soil erosion; to enhance, when necessary, the natural environment, particularly in instances where the natural environment is disturbed during the course of development; and to establish standards for utilization of natural materials to achieve desired screening and buffering.
(B) Minimum standards. This section sets forth minimum requirements of landscaping and limitations to assure that the result is consistent with reasonable maintenance requirements on a long-term basis and to assure that the results provide an aesthetic urban environment.
(1) CBD, central business district.
(a) One tree for every 1,000 square feet of total building area. If landscaping cannot be accommodated on site the City Council will require the plantings to be placed in the City Park or city right-of-way. Placement of this landscaping shall be approved by the City Council.
(b) Any off-street parking areas that serve downtown business district establishments and face or abut a residentially zoned area shall be screened so as to minimize the visual impact of large expanses of asphalt and automobiles. This screening can be accomplished by an earth berm with shrub plantings, by hedge with various deciduous and coniferous trees, or by other combinations approved by the city.
(c) Loading docks and loading berths that face a residentially zoned area shall be screened so as not to be seen from the residential area. Various deciduous and coniferous trees or fencing approved by the city may be used as the screening device.
(d) All trash and trash handling equipment shall be stored within the principal structure, within an attached structure accessible from within the principal structure, or totally screened from eye-level view from public streets and adjacent residential properties. If accessory structures are proposed, they shall be constructed of the same building material as the principal structure.
(e) Light from automobile headlights and other sources shall be screened whenever it may be directed onto adjacent residential windows.
(2) C-2, highway commercial district.
(a) One tree for every 1,000 square feet of total building floor area or one tree for every 50 feet of site perimeter, whichever is greater.
(b) The light from automobile headlights and other sources shall be screened whenever it may be directed onto adjacent residential windows.
(c) Loading docks and loading berths that face a residentially zoned area shall be screened so as not to be seen from the residential area. Various deciduous and coniferous trees or fencing approved by the Planning Commission may be used as the screening device.
(d) Parking lots that serve a highway business use or health care use that face or abut a residentially zoned area shall be screened so as to minimize the visual impact of the large expanses of asphalt and automobiles. This screening can be accomplished by an earth berm with shrub plantings or by a hedge with various deciduous and coniferous trees or by other combinations approved by the city.
(e) Trees planted to satisfy the requirements of divisions (B)(2)(b), (B)(2)(c), or (B)(2)(d) above, will not be counted towards the requirement of one tree per 1,000 square feet of building or one tree per 50 feet of site perimeter unless otherwise approved by the city.
(f) All trash and trash handling equipment shall be stored within the principal structure, within an attached structure accessible from within the principal structure, or totally screened from eye-level view from public streets and adjacent residential properties. If accessory structures are proposed, they shall be constructed of the same building material as the principal structure.
(3) M, manufacturing and industrial district.
(a) One tree per 1,000 square feet of gross building floor area.
(b) Where industrial zoned land is adjacent to or across the street from property zoned for residential development, that industry shall provide screening as follows.
1. Loading docks and loading berths that face a residentially zoned area shall be screened so as not to be seen from the residential area. Various deciduous and coniferous trees or fencing approved by the city may be used as the screening device.
2. Parking lots that serve an industrial use that face or abut a residentially zoned area shall be screened so as to minimize the visual impact of the large expanses of asphalt and automobiles. This screening can be accomplished by an earth berm with shrub plantings or by a hedge with various deciduous and coniferous trees or by other combinations approved by the city.
3. Trees planted to satisfy the requirements of divisions (B)(3)(b)1. and (B)(3)(b)2. above will not be counted towards the requirement of one tree per 1,000 square feet of building unless otherwise specified by the city.
4. All trash and trash handling equipment shall be stored within the principal structure, within an attached structure accessible from within the principal structure, or totally screened from eye-level view from public streets and adjacent residential properties. If accessory structures are proposed, they shall be constructed of the same building material as the principal structures.
5. Light from automobile headlights and other sources shall be screened whenever it may be directed onto adjacent residential windows.
(4) R-1, one- and two-family residential district, and R-2, multiple-family residential district.
(a) A planting trip and/or earth berm, not exceeding a slope of 3:1, shall be placed in all newly platted residential developments that abut an arterial road as identified in the city’s Comprehensive Plan.
(b) In the R-1 and R-2 districts, each newly platted lot shall have two trees.
(c) Where any multiple-family use with more than four parking spaces adjoins another residential use, the off-street parking for that use shall be screened from adjoining properties by a hedge or other various plantings as approved by the city.
(d) Lights from automobiles and parking lot lights shall be screened whenever the light may be directed onto residential windows to the extent that it will cause an unreasonable disturbance.
(5) Landscape requirements applicable to all districts.
(a) Unless otherwise directed by the city, all plantings shall be placed on the private property on which the development is taking place.
(b) Landscape screening exceeding 30 inches in height as measured from the top side of the curb is not permitted within 15 feet of any street or alley.
(c) All areas not otherwise improved in accordance with approved site plans or subdivisions shall be sodded and maintained.
(d) The owner shall provide the city with cash, corporate surety bond, approved letter of credit, or other surety satisfactory to the city to guarantee the proper installation and growth of the approved landscape plan. The performance bond shall be furnished by the developer prior to obtaining a building permit that is equal to the amount of the required landscaping to be installed. The performance bond shall be held by the city and must cover one full calendar year subsequent to the installation of the landscaping and must be conditioned upon complete and satisfactory implementation of the approved landscape plan.
(6) Minimum size of plantings.
(a) Unless otherwise specified herein with respect to specific zoning districts, required trees shall be of the following minimum planting size:
1. Deciduous trees: two and one-half inches in diameter as measured six inches above ground;
2. Coniferous trees: four feet in height; and
3. Major shrub or berm plantings: five gallons.
(b) Evergreen shrubs used for screening purposes, including those used in conjunction with berming, shall be a minimum of 24 inches in height.
(7) Species.
(a) All trees used in site developments shall be indigenous to the appropriate hardiness zone and physical characteristics of the site.
(b) All deciduous trees proposed to satisfy the minimum requirements of this policy shall be long-lived hardwood species.
(c) The complement of trees fulfilling the requirements of this policy shall not be less than 25% deciduous and not less than 33% coniferous.
(8) Prohibited species. The following species are prohibited and shall not be used toward meeting the requirements of this chapter.
Genus | Species | Common Name |
Acer | Megundo | Boxelder |
Gingko | Biloba | Gingko |
Populus | Deltoides | Eastern cottonwood |
Populus | Nigra Italica | Lombardy poplar |
(1997 Code, § 25.08) (Ord. passed 11-14-1994) Penalty, see § 10.99