The landscaping requirements specified herein are intended to create an aesthetically pleasing development which enhances the appearance and character of the city of West Des Moines, while protecting the general health, safety and welfare of the citizens. Landscaping is required to address the following primary aspects or consequences of development:
Open space protection and enhancement,
Creation of environments conducive and inviting to pedestrian activities,
Street side enhancement ("streetscapes"),
Visual screening of undesirable views, activities and/or site elements, and
Mitigation of paving expanses associated with off street parking.
The specific plan drawing (exhibit 2A) on file in the city illustrates the general landscaping concept; this plan should be used as the guide for site plan development in respect to the general locations of plant material to be provided. Details regarding specific varieties, exact quantities, and the minimum size at time of planting shall be provided and approved as part of the site plan submittal and shall meet the general guidelines in respect to the minimum plant size traditionally applied to development within the city. In the event that alternatives to what is shown on the attached specific plan are desired, the minimum vegetation requirements specified within this ordinance will need to be provided and the original intent of the required vegetation met.
A. Open/Green Space: The intent of open space is to allow for a balance between natural areas and the built environment and to provide for the overall beautification and "greening" of the city. All of the land within a site that is not occupied by buildings, on street and off street parking areas, or other vehicle use areas may be classified as open space. Plaza areas, water features and structures such as gazebos, arbors, pergolas, etc., that are associated with outdoor pedestrian use areas may be counted toward fulfilling the minimum open space requirement.
Due to the nature of the intended development in respect to design intent, uses, and densities, the amount and locations of open space and green space/vegetation within the development will vary; some areas will be considerably more "urban" in appearance (Market Street district, and the senior apartments along Village View Drive between the lake and Bluestem Circle and Lakeside Terrace) while others will be more "natural" (meadow, lake embankment, greenbelts, etc.). Although the current specific plan map provides for open space within each of the planning areas which range from thirty one (31) to fifty nine percent (59%); in lieu of the traditional practice of a percentage of open space being required per parcel, the Village Of Ponderosa as a whole shall provide a minimum of thirty five percent (35%) open space. In addition, open space areas have been required within parking areas through the incorporation of landscape islands and pods. The specific plan map (exhibit 2A) indicates the open/green areas within the development. This map, along with the useable open space areas and pedestrian plazas conceptually discussed in the "pedestrian elements" section of this ordinance shall be used as a guide for site plan development in respect to the general locations of open areas to be provided.
1. In order to ensure "green" within the development, vegetation must be incorporated at a rate of two (2) overstory trees, one understory or conifer tree, and three (3) shrubs for every three thousand (3,000) square feet of open space. Based upon a thirty five percent (35%) rate, the Village Of Ponderosa shall provide a minimum of nine hundred eighty four (984) overstory trees; four hundred ninety two (492) understory or conifer trees; and one thousand four hundred seventy six (1,476) shrubs.
a. One tree may be substituted for ten (10) shrubs.
b. A twenty (20) square foot mass planting of perennial flowers or ornamental grasses may be substituted for three (3) shrubs.
c. No substitution for required trees is allowed.
d. The incorporation of evergreen vegetation is encouraged to provide winter substance within the landscape.
2. Vegetation required as part of the open space may be placed into off street parking areas or required buffers; however the open space vegetation is in addition to that which would be required of buffers or parking islands/pods and may not be counted toward fulfilling the minimum amount of vegetation required for these areas.
B. Streetscaping: A landscaped edge or "streetscape" shall be provided along all streets. These streetscapes are intended to provide desired green to the city, interest, comfort to pedestrians, visual softening of pavement expanses, bring human scale to adjoining buildings, minimize heat reflection, and provide traffic calming benefits. The streetscape should have a noticeable pattern, design, or plant variety and should attempt to serve as a distinguishing or identifiable landmark for that portion of the development. Streetscapes within the Village Of Ponderosa will vary in complexity depending upon the street configuration, in response to uses adjacent to each street.
1. Street Trees: Street trees are intended as a unifying element throughout the development and shall be provided along all main roads, regardless if public or private.
a. In general, placement of street trees along public streets shall be in accordance with the city's public right of way tree and shrub planting regulations (authority ordinance 427 and amended ordinance 972) unless otherwise approved by the city council. It is anticipated that street trees along public right of way and utilities within the public right of way shall be placed in the approximate location as shown on exhibit 6.
b. The placement and spacing of street trees shall be determined by design intent in combination with anticipated mature spread of the respective variety.
c. To ensure safety, streetscape vegetation shall not be located within the vision triangle of intersecting vehicle pathways or vehicle and pedestrian pathways.
d. A minimum of fourteen feet (14') of vertical clearance over the travel portion shall be maintained at all times over all vehicle travelways.
e. A street tree planting plan identifying exact tree locations shall be prepared for South Prairie View Drive and Bluestem Circle. These planting plans shall be reviewed and approved by the plan and zoning commission and city council prior to installation of any trees.
f. Exhibits 6 through 16 illustrate potential streetscape configurations in relationship to curbs and sidewalks. Location of trees along private streets may be adjusted as desired in respect to proximity to curbs and sidewalks as long as visibility and clearances are maintained so as to not interfere with both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
g. Street trees may be counted toward fulfillment of the provision of vegetation required of open space.
h. Maintenance and removal of any street trees shall be the responsibility of the developer. (Ord. 2093, 6-1-2015)
2. Market Street:
a. Street trees shall be provided as part of an enhanced landscaping treatment at the corners of intersecting streets and at intervals of at least every thirteen (13) parking spaces in a row.
b. Vegetation in the form of trees, flowering shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses and annuals shall be provided to provide interest, color and place making.
c. Benches and/or other seating surfaces will be provided at typical meeting and gathering spaces.
d. Public art, pedestrian scale lighting, and other specialty features may be provided to add festivity and variety to the street.
e. Residential urban gardens will be provided between the public walkways and ground floor residential dwelling units to provide an amenity to both residents and pedestrians, as well as provide a buffer between the private dwelling units and public walkway. (Ord. 2208, 4-3-2017)
C. Buffers And Visual Screening: Due to the design intent to create a "village" atmosphere with the blending of areas and uses, traditional buffering as set forth in City Code shall not be required. The provision of adequate buffering and landscaping shall be more thoroughly evaluated and approved as part of the site plan approval. Additional buffer and landscaping may be required at that time in response to additional details of the use, buildings, parking, etc., to be implemented.
The implementation of vegetation is required as part of buffering/screening. This vegetation may be combined with other measures such as berming, low stone walls, decorative fencing, or any combination thereof to enhance the effectiveness of the buffering/screening. Buffers should be designed to achieve the maximum amount of screening from the maximum number of viewpoints with vegetation layered to ensure adequate blockage of views and to create depth and a sense of naturalness. Care should be taken to ensure that "through views" under tree canopies are adequately blocked. Landscape vegetation required within buffers shall be in addition to the open space landscaping required for the site.
1. A thirty foot (30') wide buffer shall be required along South 60th Street. One (1) overstory tree, two (2) understory trees and three (3) shrubs shall be provided for every thirty five (35) linear feet of this buffer; of the required trees, two-thirds (2/3) shall be evergreen in nature.
a. Vegetation may be substituted at the following rate:
(1) One (1) tree may be substituted for ten (10) shrubs.
(2) A twenty (20) square foot mass planting of perennial flowers or ornamental grasses may be substituted for three (3) shrubs.
(3) No substitution for required trees is allowed.
b. No parking lots, drive-throughs, fences, or buildings are permitted within required buffers; however, sidewalks, trails, landscape features, pedestrian furniture, and permitted signage may be located within the buffers.
2. In addition to that specified above, the elements identified within the following subsections shall be buffered/screened regardless of area:
a. Views of off street parking areas, loading docks, and other vehicle related service areas from adjacent roadways, pedestrian paths and adjoining properties shall be buffered and visually screened to a height of at least three feet (3').
b. Drive-throughs (restaurants, banks, pharmacy, etc.) shall be opaquely screened from views from adjacent roadways, pedestrian paths and adjoining properties. Whenever possible, drive-throughs should be integrated into the building architecture rather than appearing as an attached element to the building.
c. Mechanical and/or utility equipment for residential dwellings shall not be located within the front yard and should be situated within the site to minimize views from adjacent streets and adjoining properties.
d. Mechanical, utility meters, transformers, HVAC, satellite dishes, and other similar undesirable elements/equipment which are located on, beside, or adjacent to any retail, office, or multi-family building shall be buffered and visually screened from streets, residential dwellings, pedestrian pathways, and adjoining property outside of the development. A permanent screen that utilizes building materials and designs compatible and consistent with the architecture and materials of the principal building shall be implemented whenever possible. Equipment should be screened on all sides.
e. Roof mounted HVAC screening shall be incorporated into the design of the building through the use of parapets, screening walls, or other acceptable solutions as identified during the review of the site plan.
f. Sanitation/recycle enclosures shall be visually screened from view from streets, dwellings, businesses, pedestrian pathways, and adjoining property outside of the development. The enclosure should incorporate the primary building material of the adjacent buildings on three (3) sides (either brick or limestone). The fourth side or enclosure opening shall be designed to prevent views into the enclosure and consist of exterior grade wood slats on a black painted steel structure. Landscape vegetation should be incorporated around the screen enclosure to soften and minimize the presence of the equipment and enclosure. (Ord. 2093, 6-1-2015)