(a) The landscape plan shall allow the following:
(1) The location, size and type of all proposed plant materials, and verification that minimum landscaping and screening requirements have been satisfied. Plant materials may be indicated in the following generic terms on the landscape plan: large or medium shade tree; screening tree; screening shrub; or street shrub. The required plant materials shall be chosen from the plant list on file with the Village of West Jefferson. Plant material not listed may be substituted for required plant material only if such substitution is expressly approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
(2) Existing trees or wooded areas may be preserved in lieu of planting new materials in order to satisfy landscaping and screening requirements, subject to approval. In such case, the landscape plan shall indicate the trees to be saved; limits of clearing; location and type of protective fencing; grade changes requiring tree wells or walls; and trenching or tunneling proposed beyond the limits of clearing. In addition, the applicant shall sign a form approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission to insure that the specified trees will be protected during construction.
(3) In addition, the landscape plan shall indicate existing landscape features on the site. Such features shall include, but shall not be limited to:
A. Wooded areas indicated by general type (evergreen or deciduous) and location of tree line;
B. Small groups of trees and individual trees of six (6) inch caliper or greater, or ornamental trees of any size, indicated by common name, approximate caliper and location;
C. Natural features which distinguish the site, such as prominent ridge lines, rock outcroppings or water features;
D. Man-made features of local, historic or scenic importance;
E. Scenic vistas across the site from a public road.
(b) The Planning and Zoning Commission may require that any or all such features be preserved upon determination following a site inspection, that the features contribute significantly to the character of the Village landscape and that the preservation of such features is necessary to satisfy the purpose and intent of this chapter.
(c) The purpose of this section is to protect unique amenities which could otherwise be irretrievably lost due to careless site design. It is not intended that this section be applied indiscriminately, or to prohibit development.
(1) Procedure. Landscaping plans shall be submitted whenever an application is filed for a non-single family use as a part of a request for a Certificate of Zoning Compliance, zoning map amendment, conditional use permit, and in conjunction with the submittal requirements for Planned Districts.
(2) Plan Contents. The landscaping plan shall be prepared by a landscape professional and shall include the following information:
A. Plot plan drawn to scale indicating property lines, easements, proposed improvements, natural features, drainage, adjacent uses and structures, and proposed landscaping which shall include botanical and common names, installation size, on-center planting dimensions where applicable, and a summary of all landscaping materials used on-site, new and existing, by type, common name, and quantity.
B. In the case where trees are to be removed as part of any site development, the plot plan shall, in addition to items included in (c)(1) above, also specifically indicate any trees to be removed and include botanical and common names and location of any large trees and any significant trees as defined in this chapter.
C. Typical building elevations and/or cross sections with proposed vegetation as may be required.
D. Title block with the pertinent names and addresses of property owner, applicant, scale, date, north arrow, zoning district, and Village of West Jefferson, Ohio.
(3) Criteria for Review. The submitted landscaping plan shall be reviewed to determine if proposed improvements comply with the requirements and standards of the chapter and commonly accepted landscaping and design standards. The Planning and Zoning Commission may call upon professional services from either the public or private sectors to provide an evaluation relative to any submitted landscaping plan.
(Ord. 22-089. Passed 12-5-22.)