In addition to other requirements of this chapter, the following standards shall apply to parking lot landscaping:
A. The percent of the parking lot impervious area, as identified by table 17.03.600, shall consist of interior lot landscaping meeting the following requirements:
1. Landscape islands shall be located at the terminus of all parking rows to define parking areas and assist in clarifying circulation patterns and aisles.
2. Planting islands within each parking row shall be a minimum of eighty (80) square feet in area and a minimum of eight feet (8') wide with a maximum of one hundred sixty two feet (162') between each island. Alternatively, diamond shaped landscape islands a minimum of thirty six (36) square feet in area could be provided, with a separation of no greater than sixty four (64) linear feet between each diamond shaped island.
3. Landscape islands shall be dispersed as uniformly as possible to evenly distribute shade. Tree species shall be chosen to maximize shade coverage.
4. Landscape islands shall contain at least one shade tree of a minimum of one and one-half inch (11/2") caliper. Each tree shall be planted in a properly prepared permeable area of sufficient size as described in the approved tree list.
5. In addition to required trees, the landscape islands shall contain vegetative ground cover, including, but not limited to, shrubs, decorative grasses, or other low water planting such as low water vegetative ground cover. The remaining ground cover may consist of non-vegetative cover such as decorative rock, bark, or drought tolerant grass.
6. All landscape areas shall be protected by continuous curb or wheel stops, and remain free of trash, litter, and car bumper overhangs.
7. Alternate plans may be approved by the director if all quantities and standards are met.
B. Interior lot landscaping requirements may be reduced by up to fifty percent (50%) by provision of one and one-half (1.5) times the reduced amount elsewhere on the site. For example, if six hundred (600) square feet of interior landscaping is required and a three hundred (300) square foot reduction is requested, four hundred fifty (450) square feet must be provided elsewhere on the site, for a total of seven hundred fifty (750) square feet of landscaping.
C. Perimeter landscaped areas outside the paved surface areas in setbacks may not be used to meet the interior lot landscaping requirement, except as provided in subsection B of this section. The landscaped area outside the required setback area landscaping may be counted toward the required interior landscaped area.
D. Layout of landscaping within the perimeter of paved vehicular use areas shall take into account traffic control, pedestrian safety, and even distribution of shade on the ground surface.
E. Flexibility for use of low water landscaping techniques and plantings shall be encouraged. (Ord. 3044, 2020: Ord. 2846 § 1, 2008)