The intent of these landscaping requirements are to encourage the preservation of existing vegetation; to reduce radiant heat from surfaces; to provide shade; to reduce wind and air turbulence; to minimize potential nuisances such as the transmission of noise, dust, odor, litter and glare; to provide for visual buffering and for the separation of spaces; to enhance beautification of the City; to reduce the amount of impervious surface and reduce storm water runoff; to safeguard and enhance property values; to protect public and private investment; and to protect public health, safety and welfare.
(a) Preservation of Existing Vegetation. Existing vegetation shall be retained and maintained whenever possible so as to permit such vegetation to contribute to landscaping requirements. Such retained vegetation may, if determined appropriate by the Zoning Administrator, either partially or fully aid in compliance with buffer zone or screening requirements. The preservation of natural wooded tracts, rock outcroppings or topographic features, and the protection of trees six (6) inches or more in diameter measured at a height four and one-half (4-1/2) feet above grade shall be an integral part of all Landscaping Plans. Tree lawns must be maintained with grass and/or trees and can only be altered at points of approved vehicular or pedestrian ingress and egress.
(b) Landscaping Plans. The submission of Landscaping Plans shall be required for any proposed multifamily residential, commercial, industrial or public/semi-public construction or development, except those in the "I-1" and "I-3" zoning districts. Copies of the Landscaping Plan must be submitted to the Zoning Administrator concurrently with plot plans as a part of the application for zoning approval. The following information must be shown on the Landscaping Plan: the general location of all existing trees and the general outline of all tree masses; significant existing trees, shrubs or vegetation to be preserved as a part of the proposed construction or development must be designated as such; landscaped islands within parking areas; landscaping or planting strips in or along public rights-of-way; the location and species of all proposed plants to be used in the landscaping together with the quantity, spacing and size of such plants; and the location, material and size of all required buffer zones and screening. After receipt of a Landscaping Plan, it shall be reviewed by the Zoning Administrator. The Landscaping Plan shall be approved when it complies with all City regulations. The Zoning Administrator shall not issue zoning approval until a Landscaping Plan is approved.
(c) Parking Lot and Frontage Landscaping.
(1) Interior Landscaping. All parking areas where more than twenty (20) parking spaces are provided or required shall be provided with raised landscaped islands at least ten (10) feet wide with concrete curbs within the interior of the parking area. Such landscaped islands shall be located along all access drives and at the terminus of all parking aisles or rows, the full length of all access drives or parking spaces, separating aisles from internal traffic circulation. All raised landscaped islands shall be planted and maintained with grasses, shrubs or trees in accordance with an approved Landscaping Plan. Trees or shrubs shall not be placed within two (2) feet of a curb to prevent damage of plants from vehicle bumpers. The edges of all paved areas must have a continuous concrete curb to prevent unsafe circulation of vehicles.
(2) Street Landscaping. Landscaping and planting strips also known as tree lawns, which must include grasses and evenly spaced trees of an approved design shall be provided and maintained for a depth of ten (10) feet between the curb and sidewalk and adjacent to all street and alley rights-of-way for all proposed multifamily residential, commercial, industrial or public/semi-public construction or development, except those in the "B-1", "I-1" and "I-3" zoning districts. The tree lawn shall terminate only at points of vehicular or pedestrian ingress and egress. Trees used along or within a right-of-way and within parking areas must be selected from the guidelines issued by the Ohio State University Cooperative Extension Service, and the tree(s) selected must be appropriate for the application intended. Other trees may be substituted for those species listed in the guidelines only with the approval of the Zoning Administrator. Trees within required tree lawns shall be provided fifty (50) feet on center or one (1) tree per fifty feet of frontage, or as otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator. Trees shall not be located in any location that interferes with vehicular or pedestrian circulation, that hinders access to fire hydrants, that impedes access to utility lines or shut-off valves, that restricts the view of traffic control devices, or in any location that obstructs a clear sight triangle or clear sight distance.
(d) Buffer Zones and Screening. Buffer zones and screening shall be required to comply with the following requirements:
(1) Buffer zones shall be required in the "I-2" Light Industrial District, and when otherwise specifically required by this Zoning Code which meet or exceed the following standards:
A. A minimum buffer zone of fifty (50) feet in width or as otherwise specifically stated in this Zoning Code shall be provided along any common property line with a residential zoning district, measured from the district boundary line, property boundary or street right-of-way line, if not coexistent with the district boundary line. No building or structure, parking area, or other physical improvement shall be permitted in the buffer zone except: an access drive; a storm water management facility; or a permitted sign.
B. The buffer zone, if not existing vegetation which is maintained, shall be planted with a mixture of grasses or ground covers, and massed deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs as defined in this Zoning Code of such density as will obscure throughout the course of the year, all of the glare of lights emitted from structures or vehicles on the premises. If existing vegetation is maintained as the buffer zone, it shall also be of such density as will obscure throughout the course of the year, all of the glare of lights emitted from structures or vehicles on the premises.
(2) Screening when required by this Zoning Code shall conform to the definition of screening contained herein and the maintenance requirements of this section. Screening shall begin at the building setback line or at such other point as may be determined by the Zoning Administrator.
(e) Maintenance of Landscaping, Buffer Zones and Screening. All grasses, ground cover plants, shrubs and trees required by this section shall be maintained in good condition. Any required vegetation or plantings which are diseased, die or otherwise no longer satisfy the requirements of this section must be replaced by the property owner within thirty (30) days with equal or similar species and size.
(Ord. 2016-11. Passed 4-12-16.)