A. Intent.
enhances the visual image of the
, while preserving natural features, improving property values, and alleviating the impact of noise, traffic, and visual distraction associated with certain uses. Screening is important to protect less intensive uses from the noise, light, traffic, litter and other impacts of more intensive, nonresidential uses. These provisions are intended to set minimum standards for the design and use of
,
, and screening, and for the protection and enhancement of the
’s environment. More specifically, the intent of these provisions is to:
1. Improve the appearance of off-street parking areas, vehicular use areas, and property abutting public
;
2. Protect and preserve the appearance, character, and value of the neighborhoods that abut nonresidential areas, parking areas, and other intensive use areas, thereby protecting the public health, safety, and welfare;
3. Reduce soil erosion and depletion; and
4. Increase soil water retention, thereby helping to prevent flooding.
B. Scope of application. No site plan shall be approved unless it shows
consistent with the requirements of this article. A
permit shall not be issued until the required landscape plan is submitted and approved, and a certificate of occupancy shall not be issued unless provisions set forth in this section have been met or a
has been posted in accordance with the provisions set forth in § 2.18. The requirements in this article shall not apply to single-family detached homes, unless otherwise specifically noted.
C. Minimum requirements. The requirements in this article are minimum requirements, and under no circumstances shall they preclude the developer and the
from agreeing to more extensive
.
D. Design creativity . Creativity in landscape design is encouraged. Accordingly, required trees and shrubs may be planted at uniform intervals, at random, or in groupings, depending on the designer’s desired visual effect and, equally important, the intent of the
to coordinate
on adjoining properties.
E. Summary of regulations. The following table summarizes the
regulations contained in this Article. In the case of a discrepancy between the table and the text of § 5.02, the text shall control.
Summary of Minimum
Requirements (see § 5.02)
| ||||||
Minimum Plant Material Quantities
| ||||||
General
Ratio | Plant Height | Minimum Planting Area Width | Deciduous or Evergreen Trees | Ornamental Trees | Shrubs | |
Summary of Minimum
Requirements (see § 5.02)
| ||||||
Minimum Plant Material Quantities
| ||||||
General
Ratio | Plant Height | Minimum Planting Area Width | Deciduous or Evergreen Trees | Ornamental Trees | Shrubs | |
General Site | -- | -- | -- | 1 tree per 3,000 sq. ft.a | -- | -- |
Adjacent to | -- | -- | 15 feet | 1 tree per 40 linear feet | 1 tree per 100 linear feet | 8 shrubs per 40 linear feet |
in Front | -- | 3 feet, maximum | see text
| 1 tree per 40 linear feet | 1 tree per 100 linear feet | 8 shrubs per 40 linear feet |
-- | -- | 20 feetb | 1 tree per 30 linear feet | -- | c
| |
Landscape Screening | -- | 6 feet, minimum | d
| e
| -- | -- |
Parking Lot | 30 sq. ft. per | -- | 9 feet | 1 shade tree per 5 spaces | -- | -- |
a Multiple-family residential
and
shall provide 2 trees and 4 shrubs per
or
.
b
provided in conjunction with a screening wall shall be a minimum of 9 feet in width. c Shrubs may be substituted for up to 50% of the total number of required trees, at a rate of 8 shrubs for each tree. d The minimum width of landscape screening shall be equal to the minimum width for the installation used (i.e.,
or
. e Landscaped screening shall consist of closely-spaced (not more than 15 feet on center) evergreens, arranged to form a complete visual barrier within 3 years of planting. | ||||||
Summary of Plant Material Specification (see § 5.04, subsection C)
| |||
Minimum Caliper
| Minimum Height
| Minimum Spread
| |
Deciduous Trees
| 2.5 inches measured at 12 inches above | 4 feet to first branch | -- |
Ornamental Trees
| 1.5 inches measured at 6 inches above | 4 feet to first branch | -- |
Evergreen Trees
| -- | 5 feet | 2.5 feet |
Shrubs
| -- | 2 feet | 2 feet |
Hedges
| -- | 2 feet | -- |
(Ord. passed 7-9-2013)