(a) Purpose. Landscaping shall be provided as part of any site plan and or subdivision design. Landscaping regulation is designed to achieve a number of objectives, including: to maintain and protect property values, create transitions, and reduce the negative impacts of surrounding land uses; provide relief from traffic, noise, heat, glare and the spread of dust and/or debris; enhance the aesthetic appearance of the Village; reduce soil erosion and silting of local detention facilities and lakes; preserve existing plant and wildlife species; and reduce the effects of wind and heat through the provision of shade.
(b) Policies and Intent. All plans shall be conceived with the entire site in mind by integrating the various elements of the site. The intent of this chapter shall be to preserve and enhance the existing vegetation and ground cover, minimize coverage by impervious surfaces, regulate grading and the movement of soils by working with the natural grade of the site, and provide on-site detention through the use of landscaping for run-off created by impervious surfaces.
(c) Applicability. This chapter shall be applicable to all zoning districts and land uses within the Village. The regulations contained herein shall be applied for any plan, plat or permit requiring review and/or approval involving any land development, alteration and/or modification of a zoning lot, building, structure, or parking facility contained therein requiring Planning Department approval.
Individuals purchasing property within a completed residential development, and homeowners' associations in the case of townhome and condominium developments, shall be exempt from the planting specifications and regulations contained herein, with the following exceptions:
(1) Any landscape plan approved as part of a development shall be maintained as the minimum landscape requirements for that development and shall not be removed without Planning Commission approval;
(3) Parkway trees and plantings shall be required to meet all established regulations for the applicable district.
(Ord. 940. Passed 4-14-97.)