For developments with more than twenty (20) parking spaces, interior landscaping in an amount of not less than five percent (5%) of vehicular use area shall be provided.
Interior landscaped areas must be a minimum of one hundred sixty five (165) square feet each effectively distributed throughout the vehicular use area in a design satisfactory to the community development director, or his designee. The ground cover of interior landscaped areas must contain at least fifty percent (50%) live landscaping. At least one tree with a minimum diameter of two inches (2") or alternatively a shrub cluster, as approved by the community development director or his designee, shall be provided for each one hundred sixty five (165) square feet of interior landscaping area. Ornamental decoration, such as sculpture, rock formation, or gazebos may constitute landscaping for the balance, subject to the design review of the community development director, or his designee.
The primary planting materials used in parking lots shall be shade trees. Evergreens, ornamental trees, native vegetation or other planting materials may be used to supplement the shade tree plantings. Additionally, the use of larger landscape islands is preferable. Fewer large landscape islands will sustain healthy trees better than more numerous small islands. By placing landscape islands opposite each other, tree canopies will extend overhead and bridge together.
A. Performance Standards:
1. Landscape improvements shall be provided to enhance architectural features and to add visual interest adjacent to large expanses of building walls.
2. Landscape improvements shall be provided as a buffer between pedestrian and vehicular activity at primary building entrances and along building facades.
3. Sufficient clearance shall be provided to accommodate landscape improvements provided to adjacent buildings.
B. Minimum Requirements:
1. Landscape improvements shall be provided along building facades visible from adjacent properties and right of way areas. Additional landscaping may be required by the village board.
2. The scale of landscaped improvements provided shall be of a similar scale as proposed and surrounding structures, or capable of achieving a similar scale, where possible.
3. Landscape improvements shall be provided to screen views of mechanical equipment, bicycle parking areas and loading docks from adjacent properties and right of way areas.
4. Interior landscaping shall include shade trees and permeable walking paths that provide pedestrian access and serve stormwater management purposes.
5. Evergreens shall be used to break up visual expanse of parking lot with green landscaping throughout the year.
6. Where feasible, drainage facilities and stormwater retention facilities shall be designed as landscaping features.
7. Where outlots exist within a unified shopping center area, each building shall provide and conform to these required landscape planning regulations.
8. Sidewalks along retail storefronts shall be wide enough to accommodate pedestrian amenities including required landscaping, trees and small open spaces with seating areas. (Ord. 2009-34, 12-3-2009, eff. 1-1-2010)