The landscaping materials shall consist of the following and are described in more detail in the Plant List on file at the Municipal Building. The proposed landscape materials should complement the form of the existing trees and plantings, as well as the development's general design and architecture. The type of shade or sun should be considered in selecting plant materials.
(a) Earth Mounds. Earth mounds shall be physical barriers which block or screen the view similar to a hedge, fence or wall. Mounds shall be constructed with proper and adequate plant material to prevent erosion. A difference in elevation between areas requiring screening does not constitute an existing earth mound and shall not be considered as fulfilling any screening requirement. Where mounds are to be mowed, the maximum permitted slope is 3:1.
(b) Plants. Artificial plants are prohibited. All plant materials shall be living plants and shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Quality. Plant materials used in conformance with provisions of this chapter shall be nursery grown in accordance with good horticultural practices, grown under climatic conditions similar to those in Northeast Ohio, shall conform to the standards of the American Association of Nurserymen and shall have passed any inspections required under State regulations. In addition, trees shall be free of disease, insects and/or damage, and shall be correctly labeled indicating genus, species and cultivar.
(2) Deciduous trees. Trees which normally shed their leaves in the fall, shall be species having an average mature crown spread of greater then fifteen feet (15) in Northeast Ohio and having trunks which can be maintained with over five feet (5) of clear wood in areas which have visibility requirements, except at vehicular use area intersections where eight foot clear wood requirements shall control. Trees having an average mature spread of crown less than fifteen feet (15) may be substituted by grouping of the same as to create the equivalent of a fifteen foot crown spread. A minimum of ten feet (10) overall height or a minimum caliper, trunk diameter, measured above ground for trees up to four inches caliper of at least two (2) inches immediately after planting shall be required.
(3) Evergreen trees. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of five feet (5) high with a minimum caliper of two inches immediately after planting.
(5) Vines. Shall be at least twelve or fifteen inches high at planting, and are generally used in conjunction with walls or fences.
(6) Grass or ground cover. Grass of the fescue (Gramineae) or bluegrass (Poaceae) family shall be planted in species normally grown as permanent lawns in Northeast Ohio, and may be sodded or seeded; except in swales or other areas subject to erosion, where solid sod, erosion reducing net, or suitable mulch shall be used, nurse-grass seed shall be sown for immediate protection until complete coverage otherwise is achieved. Grass seed shall be clean and free of weeds and noxious pests or diseases. Ground cover shall be planted in such a manner as to present a finished appearance and seventy-five percent (75%) of complete coverage after complete growing seasons, with a maximum of eight inches on center. In certain cases, ground cover also may consist of rocks, pebbles, sand and similar approved materials.
(c) Maintenance and Installation. All landscaping materials shall be installed in accordance with accepted, good construction and planting procedures. The owner of the property shall be responsible for the continued proper maintenance of all landscaping materials, and shall keep them in a proper, neat and orderly appearance, free from refuse and debris at all times. All unhealthy or dead plant material shall be replaced within one year, or by the next planting period, whichever comes first; within three months.
(d) Pruning and Growth Inhibitors. Landscaping materials used to fulfill code requirements or conditions of approval, as authorized by City Council, Planning Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Architectural Review Board or other appropriate body may not be pruned or otherwise treated so as to reduce overall height or level of opacity required. Landscape materials are intended to grow, spread and mature over time; and pruning and other inhibiting measures including removal may only be practiced to insure the public safety, to maintain a neat and attractive appearance and to preserve the relative health of the material involved. The use of growth inhibitors is not permitted to be used on any plant material used to fulfill code requirements or conditions of approval.
(Ord. 73-2000. Passed 12-17-00.)