1253.08 PARKING LOT LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING.
   A.    Applicability. All parking lots designed for fifteen (15) or more parking spaces shall devote no less than twenty percent (20%) of their surface area to landscaping. Smaller parking lots shall provide landscaping as deemed appropriate by the Zoning Administrator. Parking Lot landscaping may include both perimeter and interior parking lot landscaping as described herein.
   B.    Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping. Where a parking lot is located within twenty (20) feet of a lot line, perimeter landscaping shall be required along the corresponding edge of the parking lot in conformance with Table 1253.08, Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping Requirements, and the following:
      1.    The minimum landscape strip shall be measured from the back of curb and shall not include any parking space overhang area.
      2.    Landscaping for front and corner side yards shall consist of evergreen or dense deciduous shrubs. Landscaping in rear and interior side yards shall consist of dense evergreen landscaping.
      3.    In determining the number of trees required, the figure shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.
      4.    All landscaping described herein shall conform to Section 1260.05, View Obstructions.
      5.    The minimum height of shrubs may be reduced if berming is provided so that the combined height of shrubs and berming is not less than the minimum required height.
      6.    Plantings in rear and interior side yards shall be concentrated into shrub masses, typically containing seven (7) to nine (9) shrubs per shrub mass.
      7.   Additional plantings may be provided, subject to the approval of the Zoning Administrator.
Table 1253.08. Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping Requirements
 
Requirements Along Front and Corner Side Yards
Requirements Along Rear and Interior Side Yards
Across From Residential
Across From Non-Residential
Adjacent To Residential
Adjacent To Non-Residential
Minimum Landscape Strip
Twenty (20) feet
Five (5) feet
Twenty (20) feet
Five (5) feet
Percent of Screening Covering Frontage
100%
100%
100%
50%
Minimum Height of Shrubs
100% at three (3) feet
50% at three (3) feet, 50% at two (2) feet
100% at six (6) feet
100% at five (5) feet
Ornamental or Shade Trees
One (1) tree per fifty (50) feet of frontage
One (1) tree per fifty (50) feet of frontage
Not required
Not required
Ground Cover
Except where occupied by planting beds, perimeter parking lot landscaping areas shall be sodded, seeded, or planted with a suitable ground cover, as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
Figure 1253.08A.1. Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping Across from a Residential Use
 
 
Figure 1253.08A.2. Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping Adjacent to a Residential Use
 
 
 
 
Figure 1253.08A.3. Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping Across from a Non-Residential Use
 
 
 
Figure 1253.08A.4. Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping Adjacent to a Non-Residential Use
 
 
   C.    Interior Parking Lot Landscaping. Interior Parking Lot Landscaping may be provided in addition to Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping towards meeting the twenty percent (20%) landscaped area requirement. Such areas may be grouped or configured in any combination which meets the width, area, and materials requirements herein.
      1.    Interior parking lot landscaping areas (planting islands) shall be included within the parking lot in groupings. The area of landscape groupings shall be an average of no less than one hundred twenty (120) square feet per every ten (10) parking spaces.
      2.    Such planting islands shall be curbed and shall be a minimum of seven (7) feet in width, as measured from back of curb to back of curb.
      3.    Landscape Material. The plant material used to improve the landscape areas defined above shall conform to the following:
         a.    Type. The primary plant materials used in parking lots shall be shade tree species in conformance with Section 1253.06, Design Criteria. Ornamental trees, shrubbery, hedges, and other plant materials may be used to supplement the shade tree plantings, but shall not be the sole contribution to such landscaping.
         b.    Quantity. One (1) shade tree shall be provided for every one hundred twenty (120) square feet of landscaping area.
         c.    Ground Cover. A minimum of fifty percent (50%) of every interior parking lot landscaping area shall be improved with approved ground cover, as determined appropriate by the Zoning Administrator.