(A) Placement of Landscape Materials.
(1) All portions of the lot not covered by permitted structures or impervious surfaces shall be landscaped with grass, trees, shrubbery and/or other appropriate ground cover or landscaping material with weed barriers where applicable, which at all times shall be maintained in good and healthy condition. Landscaped areas shall not contain bare soil, aggregated stone or decorative rock.
(2) Vehicular and Pedestrian Movement. Landscape materials shall be located on the site so as to not restrict pedestrian or vehicular access or otherwise constitute a traffic hazard.
(3) Vision Clearance. Landscape materials shall be located to avoid interference with visibility per § 150.360(C) (Vision Clearance Triangle).
(4) Distribution. Required landscape materials shall be reasonably distributed in the area where required. The required plant materials should be planted in clusters or irregular patterns, and that native grasses and herbaceous perennial species be used for ornamentation in addition to the required plantings.
(B) Plant Materials.
(1) Live Plants. All plant material shall be living and healthy. Dead, diseased or artificial plants shall not be used to meet the required landscape treatments.
(2) Use of native plant species is encouraged. If native species are not used, then an irrigation system is required.
(3) Invasive and Prohibited Species. Applicants shall not install invasive, detrimental, noxious species nor any other prohibited plant species so designated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
(4) Minimum Size for New Planting at time of installation.
(a) Small deciduous trees shall have a minimum caliper of two (2) inches and a clear trunk height of at least five (5) feet at the time of installation.
(b) Medium and Large deciduous tree shall have a minimum caliper of 2.5 inches and a clear trunk height of at least six (6) feet at the time of installation.
(c) Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of six feet high, with a minimum caliper of one and one-half inches and a minimum spread of three feet at the time of installation with a maximum mature height 25 feet.
(d) Shrubs and hedges shall be at least 30 inches average height and 24 inches in width at time of planting.
(5) Selection of landscape materials shall contribute to the overall character of the building and be relative to the size of the lot and building. The Village Tree Commission can assist in the selection of plant materials.
(6) Landscape materials shall be compatible with the existing neighboring landscaping selections or in compliance with existing property requirements, such as industrial and business parks’ landscape plans.
(Ord. 2023-03, passed 2-27-2023)