The landscaping materials shall consist of the following and should complement the form of the existing trees and plantings, as well as the development's general design and architecture.
(a) Walls and Fences. Walls and fences shall be structurally sound and constructed of stone, brick, wood, or vinyl.
(b) 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 requirements.
(c) 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 the provision of this chapter shall conform to the standards of the American Association of Nurserymen and shall have passed any inspections required under State regulations.
(2) Deciduous Trees. Trees which normally shed their leaves in the fall shall be species having an average mature crown spread of greater than fifteen (15) feet in Central Ohio and having trunks which can be maintained with over five (5) feet of clear wood in areas which have visibility requirements, except as vehicular use area intersections where eight (8) feet clear wood requirement shall control. Trees having an average mature crown spread of less than fifteen (15) feet may be substituted by grouping of the same so as to create the equivalent of a fifteen (15) foot crown spread. A minimum of ten (10) feet overall height or a minimum caliper (trunk diameter measured at four (4) feet above ground) of at least one and three-fourths (1 3/4) inches immediately after planting shall be required. Trees of species whose roots are known to cause damage to public roadways or other public works shall not be planted closer than fifteen (15) feet to such public works, unless the root system is completely contained within a barrier for which the minimum interior containing dimensions shall be five (5) feet square and five (5) feet deep and for which the construction requirements shall be four (4) inch thick, reinforced concrete.
(3) Evergreen Trees. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of five (5) feet high with a minimum caliper of one and one-half (1 1/2) inches immediately after planting.
(4) Shrubs and Hedges. Shall be at least two (2) feet in vehicular use area perimeter and three (3) feet for property perimeter, in average height when planted, and shall conform to the opacity and other requirements within four (4) years after planting.
(5) Vines. Shall be at least twelve (12) or fifteen (15) inches high at planting and 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 Central 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-sod shall be clean and free of weeds and noxious pests or diseases. Ground cover shall be planted in a manner as to present a finished appearance and seventy-five percent (75%) of complete coverage after two (2) complete growing seasons, with a maximum of eight (8) inches on center. In certain cases, when approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission, ground cover may consist of rocks, pebbles, sand, and similar approved materials.
(d) Pruning. Landscaping materials used to fulfill code requirements, or conditions of approval, as authorized by the Planning and Zoning Commission, may not be pruned or otherwise treated so as to reduce height or level of opacity to less than required by this chapter. Landscape materials are intended to grow, spread, and mature over time, and pruning or other inhibiting measures, including removal, may only be practiced to ensure the public safety, to maintain a neat and attractive appearance, and to preserve the health of the material involved.
(e) Placement of Landscape Materials:
(1) Easements: Landscape material shall not be planted in drainage easements or utility easements without permission from the Village or appropriate entity and/or the easement holder. A tree canopy may project over a right-of-way or any type of easement.
(2) Infrastructure: Trees shall be located to avoid significant interference with overhead or underground utilities and shall maintain fifteen (15) feet of horizontal clearance from sanitary sewer and water service lines.
(3) Movement: Materials shall be located to avoid interference with vehicular and pedestrian movement. Specifically, plant materials shall not project over sidewalks, pedestrian paths, and the like below a height of eight (8) feet. Plant materials shall not project over street curbs or pavement within rights-of-way or access easements below a height of ten (10) feet.
(4) Vision Clearance: Materials shall be located to avoid interference with visibility using a ten (10) foot triangle area on either side of curb-lot.
(5) Streetscape: The unpaved portion of an abutting public or private right-of-way shall be fine-graded, planted, and maintained with vegetative ground cover. See also Section 1143.23
(6) Agricultural Zoning District: Trees in adjoining zoning districts are required to be set back a minimum of twenty (20) feet from any agricultural zoning district.
(f) Plant Material Standards:
(1) Plantings: All plant material shall be living species. Dead, diseased or artificial plants shall not be recognized as contributing to required landscaping.
(2) Diversity: On sites that require an aggregate total of twenty (20) or more new trees, any given species of tree shall be limited to a maximum of thirty-three percent (33%) of the total number of newly planted trees on site.
(3) Permitted: All plant material shall be non-invasive species not otherwise prohibited.
(4) Size: Minimum sizes shall apply to all plant material required by the Landscaping Ordinance:
A. Deciduous trees shall be at least one-inch (1") caliper.
B. Evergreen trees shall be at least three (3) feet tall.
C. Shrubs shall be at least two-gallon (2-gallon) container size or eighteen (18) inches tall from the adjacent ground level.
(g) Ground Cover: Grass and other vegetative ground cover shall be used for all pervious areas excluding planting beds.
(h) Installation: All required landscaping shall be planted before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. The Planning and Zoning Commission may grant an extension of up to one hundred eighty (180) days for the complete installation of landscaping materials due to seasonal or weather conditions which preclude the quality installation of plant materials. As a condition of the extension, the Planning and Zoning Commission may require a performance bond, letter of credit, or other satisfactory assurance from the person requesting the extension.
(i) Conservation: When wooded areas, tree rows, or specimen trees are designated to be conserved or have been included in the commitments, the following measures shall be taken during construction:
(1) Install highly visible (orange) construction fencing around the tree a minimum of twice the size of the drip-line of the tree.
(2) Avoid injuring roots when installing anchoring posts for fencing.
(3) Signs should be posted clearly identifying the area as a plant protection zone.
(Ord. 22-089. Passed 12-5-22.)