The landscaping materials shall consist of the following: the proposed landscape materials should complement the form of the existing trees and plantings, as well as the development's general design and architecture. The type of shade and sun found on the site should be considered in selecting planting materials.
(a) 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 technique and planted with 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 requirement. Where mounds are to be mowed, the maximum permitted side slope is 3 horizontal units per 1 vertical until (3:1).
(b) 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 provisions of this chapter shall be nursery grown in accordance with good horticulture practices, grown under climatic conditions similar to those in central Ohio, shall conform to the standards of the AmericanHort Organization and shall have passed any inspections required under state regulations. In addition, trees shall be free of disease, insects and/or damage, and shall be correctly labeled indicating genus, species and cultivar. All trees must be transported from the nursery or holding area in a covered fashion to protect the tree from wind damage.
(2) Deciduous trees. Defined as trees which normally shed their leaves in the fall.
A. Trees shall be species having an average mature crown spread of greater than fifteen (15) feet in central Ohio. Tree having an average mature crown spread of less than fifteen (15) feet may be substituted by grouping of the same to create the equivalent of a fifteen (15) foot crown spread.
B. A minimum of ten feet overall height or a minimum caliper of at least one and three-fourths (1 3/4) inches immediately after planting shall be required (where caliper is trunk diameter measured six inches above the ground). In areas which have visibility requirements, trees shall have trunks which can be maintained clear of branches from the ground to a height of five (f) feet above the ground. At vehicular use area intersections, trees shall have trunks which can be maintained to be clear of branches from the ground to a height of eight (8) feet above the ground.
C. 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 tree root system is completely contained within a barrier for which the construction dimensions shall be five feet square and five feet deep, and for which the construction requirements shall be four inch thick, reinforced concrete.
(3) Prohibited trees. Prohibited Trees shall be those currently listed in Section 1151.13, Table 26 of the Zanesville Planning and Zoning Code.
(4) Evergreen trees. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of five (5) feet high with a minimum caliper of one and one-half inches immediately after planting.
(5) Shrubs and hedges. Shrubs shall be at least two (2) feet in minimum height when planted, and both shrubs and hedges shall confirm to the opacity and other requirements within four (4) years after planting.
(6) Vines. Vines shall be at least twelve (12) or fifteen (15) inches long at planting, and are generally used in conjunction with walls or fences.
(7) Grass or ground cover. Lawns shall be planted in perennial mix consisting of fescue, bluegrass or other members of the Grass Family (Poaceae), or other species normally grown as permanent lawns in central Ohio. These lawns 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, and nurse-grass seed shall be sown for immediate protection until complete coverage otherwise is achieved. Grass sod shall be clean and free of weeks and noxious pests or diseases. Ground cover shall be planted in such a manner as to present a finished appearance and seventy-five percent (75%) of complete coverage after complete growing seasons, with a maximum of eight inches on center. In certain cases, ground cover also may consist of rocks, pebbles, sand and similar approved materials.
(c) Maintenance and Installation. All landscaping materials shall be installed in accordance with accepted, good construction and planting procedures. The owner of the property shall be responsible for the continued proper maintenance of all landscaping materials, and shall keep them in proper, neat and orderly appearance, free from refuse and debris at all times. All unhealthy or dead plant material shall be replaced within one (1) year, or by the next planting period, whichever comes first; while other defective landscape material shall be replaced or repaired within three (3) months. All nonliving landscaping, including fences, walls and ornamental lighting, shall be maintained in a good condition at all times so as to present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance and shall be kept free from refuse and debris. Violation of these installation and maintenance provisions shall be grounds for the City to refuse zoning compliance or institute legal proceedings. Any individual found to be in violation of this section shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor per tree or other planting. (Ord. 19-82. Passed 8-26-19.)