Intent: The substitution of the general landscape standards (§ 160.485) for the alternative landscape plan should perform at the same or higher level in regard to land use transitions that are required by ordinance through methods such as orientation, parking lot islands, topography, higher level of aesthetics, or barriers that are used to create comparable performance. Reduction of landscape units is not allowed except by a variance granted by the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The city planning commission may approve an alternative landscaping or buffer yard plan in the following situations:
(a) Street trees are included in the boulevard except along an arterial street.
(b) Pedestrian and bike paths connecting adjacent development areas, public parks, and other pedestrian and bike paths.
(c) Outdoor seating areas and/or plazas are designed in such a way to include additional landscaping and incorporate natural drainage areas, rain gardens, or permeable pavement to mitigate the drainage issues.
(d) Buffer yard alternatives may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following characteristics:
(1) Native brick, natural stone, or manufactured stone are included.
(2) Building scale is designed to reflect the surrounding neighborhood context.
(3) Architectural techniques are added as details and benefits to contextual elements within neighborhood context.
(4) Walls and berms or combination of the two with high quality building materials that create a barrier 6 feet in height.
(Ord. 9-13, passed 3-19-2013; Ord. 79-14, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. 23-16, passed 4-5-2016; Ord. 37-19, passed 4-2-2019)