10.6.1 Design, installation, and establishment standards. Location of plants and design of landscaping, including maintenance, shall be according to sound landscape and horticultural principles. The use of native vegetation and other lower maintenance landscape materials is desired to promote environmental protection, energy efficiency, and water conservation.
A. Landscape plans submitted for approval for the purposes of satisfying the requirements of this Article shall clearly indicate the name, location, and size of vegetation to be installed as well as trees to be preserved.
B. Plant material should be chosen from the lists of recommended tree species contained within Appendix II, and shall adhere to the minimum specifications therein. Plant materials shall be reviewed for suitability with regard to the eventual size and spread, susceptibility to diseases and pests, and appropriateness to existing soil, climate, and site conditions.
10.6.2 Issuance of certificate of occupancy. A certificate of occupancy shall not be issued until all seeding, trees, and plant material have been placed in accordance with the approved site plan and requirements of this Article. A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued for a period of 120 days under circumstances that would affect the seeding and planting of the site, or until the proper planting season is reached to complete the landscaping requirements, and may be extended up to 90 days upon request to the UDO Administrator.
10.6.3 Cold hardy and drought tolerant plants. Required trees and shrubs shall be cold hardy for the specific location where they are to be planted. Trees and shrubs shall be drought tolerant and able to survive on natural rainfall once established with no loss of health.
10.6.4 Plant material and minimum plant size. Appendix II provides a list which shall be used as a guide in identifying and categorizing the different acceptable types and minimum sizes for any required plant. Although the lists may be expanded, they are intended to provide guidance in selecting predominately hardy natural species. All materials shall be of high-quality nursery grade. In addition to the plant types listed in Appendix II, vegetation and/or trees may be relocated from other sites to the proposed project site.
10.6.5 Minimum planting areas.
A. Canopy trees shall have a planting area no less than ten feet wide in all dimensions.
B. Understory trees shall have a planting area no less than eight feet wide in all dimensions.
C. When planted as a hedge, the maximum spacing for 20-inch high shrubs shall be 40 inches on center.
D. These requirements may be modified administratively by the UDO Administrator.
10.6.6 Mulch. Plants shall be mulched to provide ground cover and prevent water loss due to evaporation, in order to ensure compliance with this standard, a tree planting detail shall be provided on all landscaping plans.
(Ord. passed 2-3-2021)