The landscaping materials shall consist of the following, and should complement the form of the existing trees and plantings, as well as the development's general design and architecture. The type of shade or sun should be considered in selecting plant materials.
(a) Walls and Fences. Walls and fences shall be structurally sound and constructed of stone, brick, or wood.
(b) Earth Mounds. Earth mounds shall be physical barriers which block or screen the view, similar to a hedge, fence, or wall. Mounds shall be constructed with proper and adequate plant material to prevent erosion. A difference in elevation between areas requiring screening does not constitute an existing earth mound and shall not be considered as fulfilling any screening requirement.
(c) Plants. Artificial plants are prohibited. All plant materials shall be living plants and shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Quality. Plant materials used in conformance with the provision of this chapter shall conform to the standards of the American Association of Nurserymen and shall have passed any inspections required under State regulations.
(2) Deciduous trees. Trees which normally shed their leaves in the fall, shall be species having an average mature crown spread of greater than fifteen feet in Central Ohio, and having trunks which can be maintained with over five feet of clear wood in areas which have visibility requirements, except at vehicular use area intersections, where eight feet clear wood requirement shall control. Trees having an average mature crown spread of less than fifteen feet may be substituted by grouping of the same so as to create the equivalent of a fifteen foot crown spread. A minimum of ten feet overall height or a minimum caliper (trunk diameter measured at four feet above the ground) of at least one and three-fourths inches immediately after planting shall be required. Trees of species whose roots are known to cause damage to public roadways or other public works shall not be planted closer than fifteen feet to such public works, unless the root system is completely contained within a barrier for which the minimum interior containing dimensions shall be five feet square and five feet deep and for which the construction requirements shall be four inch thick, reinforced concrete.
(3) Prohibited trees. No silver maple, poplar, box elder, basswood, willow or honey locust shall be permitted.
(4) Evergreen trees. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of five feet high with a minimum caliper of one and one-half inches immediately after planting.
(6) Vines. Shall be at least twelve or fifteen inches high at planting, and generally used in conjunction with walls or fences.
(7) Grass or ground cover. Grass of the fescue (Gramineae) or bluegrass (Poaceae) family shall be planted in species normally grown as permanent lawns in Central Ohio, and may be sodded or seeded, except in swales or other areas subject to erosion, where solid sod, erosion reducing net, or suitable mulch shall be used. Nurse-grass seed shall be sown for immediate protection until complete coverage otherwise is achieved. Grass sod shall be clean and free of weeds and noxious pests or diseases. Ground cover shall be planted in a manner as to present a finished appearance and seventy-five percent (75%) of complete coverage after two complete growing seasons, with a maximum of eight inches on center. In certain cases, when approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, ground cover may consist of rocks, pebbles, sand, and similar approved materials.
(d) Maintenance and Installation. All landscaping materials shall be installed in a sound, workmanship-like manner and according to accepted, good construction and planting procedures. The owner of the property shall be responsible for the continued proper maintenance of all landscaping materials, and shall keep them in a proper, neat, and orderly appearance, free from refuse and debris at all times. All unhealthy or dead plant material shall be replaced within one year, or by the next planting period, whichever comes first, while other defective landscape material shall be replaced or repaired within three months. Violation of these installation and maintenance provisions shall be grounds for the Zoning Inspector to refuse to issue a Certificate of Zoning Compliance or to institute legal proceedings.
(e) Pruning. Landscaping materials used to fulfill code requirements, or conditions of approval, as authorized by Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, or other appropriate body may not be pruned or otherwise treated so as to reduce height or level of opacity to less than required by this chapter. Landscape materials are intended to grow, spread, and mature over time, and pruning or other inhibiting measures, including removal, may only be practiced to ensure the public safety, to maintain a neat and attractive appearance, and to preserve the health of the material involved.
(Ord. 05-08. Passed 2-25-08.)