(a) General.
(1) All landscape areas shall be separated from vehicular use areas by concrete curbing. Roll curbs may not be used for this separation if within fifteen feet of a pedestrian zone.
A. A break or opening in the curb will be allowed if landscaping is intended to filter storm water as part of approved innovative storm water drainage solutions (Best Management Practices).
(2) All landscaped areas adjacent to head-in parking spaces shall be protected from encroachment or intrusion of vehicles through the use of concrete wheel stops. Wheel stops shall have a minimum height of six inches above the finish surface of the parking area, be properly anchored, and continuously maintained in good condition. Wheel stops shall not be placed in locations of anticipated intense pedestrian traffic. As an alternative, curbing can be extended to serve the same purpose, if approved by the Architectural Review Board. Wheel stops constructed of plastic are prohibited.
(3) Where a continuous screen is not required, plant materials required for landscaping and screening may be arranged in clusters throughout the site to create a more natural appearance.
(b) Parking Lot Interior Landscaping. A minimum of five percent of the gross area of a parking lot's interior vehicular use area shall be landscaped. Required perimeter parking lot landscaping and/or buffering shall not be included toward satisfying this requirement.
(1) If the number of parking spaces provided exceeds the required minimum as set by this Chapter by more than ten percent, an additional ten percent of interior landscape area shall be provided. Some of the landscaping requirements for excess parking may be waived if either pervious pavement or landscape islands that function as swales and provide storm water filtration are used.
(2) Landscaped areas should be evenly distributed throughout the parking lot in the form of landscaped islands in order to reduce the visual impact of long rows of parked cars. Shade trees shall be distributed throughout the vehicular use area, and spaced a maximum of 100 feet apart.
A. The dimensioned landscaped areas should:
1. Be minimally nine feet wide or equal to the minimum parking space width;
2. Have a minimum three foot radius on outside corners, and
3. A minimum six-inch curb.
(3) One hundred percent of required interior landscaping area shall be planted with ground cover or low spreading shrubs from Section 771.50, Table F.
(4) At least one shade tree shall be provided for every 180 square feet of required interior landscaped area.
(c) Parking Lot Perimeter Landscaping. All off-street parking regulated by this Chapter shall have a landscaped zone at least five feet wide along its perimeter. Such landscaping shall extend the full perimeter of the parking lot.
(1) All of the required landscape areas shall be planted with ground cover or turf grass.
(2) A Type C buffer (Section 771.50, Schedule 3: Landscape Buffer Types) shall be planted on the perimeter of a parking area. Existing trees in the right-of-way adjacent to the parking area may be applied to satisfy this requirement. A minimum three foot high continuous planted screen shall be provided along the parking lot perimeter where the parking lot is adjacent to any residential district or a public street. Screen shall be comprised of at least fifty percent evergreen species.
(3) Where a commercial use, including parking lots, access driveways and service and loading zones serving a commercial use property, is contiguous with a Residential District boundary, screening shall be provided to adequately visually screen activity on subject commercial property from the residential district and shall be maintained in good condition by the owner. One of the following screening options shall be required and subject to the approval by the Architectural Review Board:
A. A brick wall, no less than five feet in height. Determination of wall height shall meet the intent to provide adequate visual screening of activity on subject commercial property from residential district The brick color shall complement or match color of building(s) on subject property; or
B. A minimum ten foot wide landscape screening area and a decorative perimeter fence/wall. The utilization of fencing should either be wood on wood, vinyl or similar type that accomplishes the intent of adequate visual screening of activity on the subject commercial property from the residential district. A Type A buffer (Section 771.50, Schedule 3: Landscape Buffer Types) shall be planted on the perimeter of a parking area. Reference Section 771.03 for suitable plant types. Placement of material should avoid conflicts with drainage and utility easements; or
C. Where distinct topographical grades (greater than 3:1) between either the residential and/or commercial districts exists a combination of a brick wall and landscaping/fencing shall be permitted. The utilization of fencing, either of wood on wood, vinyl or similar type, or landscaping shall accomplish the intent of adequate screening of activity on the subject commercial property from the residential district.
Where the rigid enforcement of this barrier standard creates a conflict with site visibility, the barrier height, distance, and/or landscaping requirements may only be adjusted to the extent necessary to alleviate the site conflict upon approval of the Zoning Administrator.
(Ord. 41-10. Passed 9-26-11.)