The scenic corridor overlay district regulations of the Wadsworth zoning ordinance 1 are intended to help preserve the natural scenic qualities of the Wadsworth area. Of particular interest are the open fields, wetlands and stands of hardwood forests. The wetlands and forest are protected natural resource features under subsection 10-5-3E of this code. The standards for landscaping applicable to scenic corridors require first the protection of natural resources. Beyond this the owner has a choice in the preservation and continuation of other natural and manmade environments such as old fields, farm fields, pastures and commercial tree plantings of various kinds. Last, there are requirements for the landscape improvements to be installed in those portions of the scenic corridors which are clearly deficient in scenic resources of all types.
A. Protected Natural Resources: Natural resources required to be protected under the Wadsworth zoning ordinance 2 shall be protected in scenic corridors. Even though the Wadsworth zoning ordinance 3 provides that a portion of a resource may be developed for other use, all parts of the resource lying within a scenic corridor shall be protected. While some minimal landscape improvements may be needed to stabilize or better protect the resource, no further landscaping and no additional tree planting is required. The natural resources required to be protected are:
1. Mature woodlands;
2. Young woodlands;
3. Wetlands;
4. Flood plains;
5. Steep slopes;
6. Lakes;
7. Ponds;
8. Lake shorelines;
9. Pond shorelines; and
10. Drainageways.
B. Other Natural Resources:
1. Old Fields: Old field environments in which the emergent trees are at least six feet (6') in height may be preserved as part of a scenic corridor and no further landscaping is required for such old field areas.
2. Farm Fields And Pastures: Farm fields and pastures may be retained as part of a scenic corridor provided they adjoin or are part of a larger field or pastures which are continued and maintained as part of the development.
3. Commercial Tree Plantings: Commercial plantings may be continued in scenic corridors. Orchards may be retained as long as they are operated or they may be abandoned without further landscaping required. Nurseries may be retained as long as they are operated. Upon the cessation of operation, such areas shall be landscaped in accordance with the standards of subsection C of this Section. Other tree farms may be retained. At the time any such tree farm is harvested, the scenic corridor portion shall be landscaped in accordance with the following regulations.
C. Other Areas: All other areas within the scenic corridor, exclusive of the protected natural resources and other natural resources, retained as part of the landscape plan shall be landscaped in accordance with the following standards:
1. Farm fields (field crop areas) which are abandoned along with all disturbed areas shall be seeded or sodded. Pastures and other old fields which are not retained as part of the landscape plan as other natural resources may be left in a natural state, subject to the required tree planting.
2. Trees shall be planted within the scenic corridor area exclusive of any conservation areas as provided in subsections A and B of this Section, in accordance with the following standards:
Canopy trees (BB - 3 inches) | 4/10,000 square feet |
Ornamental trees (BB - 2 inches) | 2/10,000 square feet |
Shrubs (BB - 2 foot height) | 5/10,000 square feet |
Or | |
Canopy trees (BB - 3 inches) | 1/10,000 square feet |
Canopy trees (BR - 1 inch) | 8/10,000 square feet |
Ornamental trees (BB - 2 inches) | 1/10,000 square feet |
Ornamental trees (BR - 1 inch) | 2/10,000 square feet |
Shrubs (CTR - 1 gallon) | 20/10,000 square feet |
3. Earth berms may be constructed within the scenic corridor areas outside any areas reserved for the protection of natural resources. Such berms shall have fore and back slopes of no greater pitch than three to one (3:1). Berms shall be seeded or sodded and planted in accordance with the above standards.
4. Scenic corridor areas may be reforested in accordance with the standards and regulations of Section 10-4-3 of this Code.
D. Credit For Existing Trees: Existing trees and trees saved from orchards, nurseries and other commercial tree plantations may be substituted for new trees required as replacement trees or for new trees as otherwise required by this Title. Credit shall be given on a one-to-one (1:1) basis, provided the existing trees are equal to or greater in size than those required by ordinance and that the species is suitable for the intended purpose.
E. Signs: In addition to the standards and regulations of Section 10-5-8 of this Code, the following regulations shall govern the placement of signs in all scenic corridors:
1. The following signs are permitted in scenic corridor areas:
a. A single permanent identification sign for a subdivision or planned unit development when located at the entrance of the development.
b. A single permanent identification sign for a commercial, industrial or institutional use located on the property containing the scenic easement.
c. Signs required by governmental agencies.
2. The areas surrounding signs permitted in scenic corridors for a distance of twenty feet (20') in all directions shall be landscaped. Such landscaping shall be designed to blend with the surrounding natural environment and shall completely screen any exposed foundations or other supporting structural members of the sign.
F. Fencing: Only the following types of fencing are permitted within a scenic corridor:
1. Farm fencing to enclose a farming activity within the scenic corridor area.
2. Open security fencing (woven steel chainlink) when required to protect a utility installation within the scenic corridor.
3. Right-of-way fencing where installed by governmental agencies to enclose their limited access right of way.
G. Prohibitions: No ornamental buildings, structures, recreation facilities, play equipment, or ornamental devices of any kind may be placed in a scenic corridor. (Ord. 97-473, 4-1-1997)
Notes
| 1 | 1. See title 10 of this code. |
| 2 | 2. See title 10 of this code. |
| 3 | 3. See title 10 of this code. |