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The purpose of these provisions is to establish minimum requirements for the provision and maintenance of functionally adequate, attractive screening and buffering of buildings, site features, and off-street parking areas. These standards are intended to:
A. Promote and increase design compatibility between different land uses, while ensuring attractive views from streets and adjacent properties;
B. Assist in delineating separations of spaces, structures, uses, and activities on a site, or between adjacent sites;
C. Shield adjacent properties from potentially adverse external impacts of adjacent land uses and activities;
D. Abate glare and moderate temperatures of impervious areas;
E. Help filter air of fumes and dust;
F. Provide shade;
G. Reduce noise;
H. Reduce the visual impact of large expanses of pavement;
I. Promote energy conservation;
J. Reduce the amount and rate of stormwater runoff and erosion;
K. Improve stormwater runoff quality;
L. Increase in the capacity for groundwater recharge; and
M. Enhance the appearance and value of both residential and non-residential development.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
The standards in this section apply to the following forms of development:
A. New Principal Buildings or Uses. New principal buildings or open uses of land, including publicly-owned buildings or sites, constructed, reconstructed, or established after January 1, 2020.
B. Improvements and Expansions. All improvements, including expansions or remodeling of principal buildings, parking areas, or open uses of land that exceed 3,000 square feet in area shall comply with these standards, subject to the requirements in Section 7.4, Nonconforming Sites.
C. Multi-Phase Development. Multi-family, non-residential, and mixed-use development that is planned and developed in phases shall be required to install landscaping that is associated with the active phase or phases only, unless an alternative arrangement is otherwise agreed to by the Planning Director and the developer. An active phase of a development is the one that is subject to permitted and on-going development activity.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
The following forms of development are exempted from these standards.
A. Changes to an existing or development of a new proposed single-family detached or duplex dwelling on a residentially-zoned lot.
B. Routine maintenance of existing vegetation, such as watering and fertilizing.
C. The removal of dead trees and shrubs, or trees and shrubs that have been diagnosed and determined to be diseased beyond treatment, provided the screening function of the landscaping is maintained or re-established. Failure to maintain the screening function of a required landscaping area is a violation of this Ordinance.
D. Pruning of vegetation, provided the screening function of the required landscaping is maintained. Severe pruning is a violation of this Ordinance, and shall require replacement of required vegetation.
E. Repaving or restriping of a parking lot, provided there is no increase in parking lot size or the number of parking spaces.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
A. Generally.
1. A landscape plan depicting how required landscaping will be planted in accordance with these standards shall be included with an application for site plan, preliminary plat, zoning compliance permit, or building permit, as appropriate, to ensure compliance with this section.
2. The landscape plan shall be approved prior to, or concurrent with, the approval of a site plan, preliminary plat, zoning compliance permit, or the issuance of a building permit.
3. A landscape plan shall contain, at a minimum, the following:
a. Location of required planting material;
b. Grouping or clusters of planting material, if proposed;
c. Identification of required plants, including their scientific names;
d. Minimum and maximum dimensions of all planting yard areas;
e. Calculations determining the number of canopy trees, understory trees, and shrubs required;
f. Locations, species, sizes, and methods of protection during construction for existing vegetation to be retained and counted towards minimum landscaping requirements;
g. Location(s), species, and size or planting density of required trees included if the development is subject to the standards in Section 5.9, Reforestation; and
h. Existing topography, or proposed topography where site grading is proposed to occur.
B. Phased Development. Development subject to these standards that is planned in phases may submit a landscape plan for the entire development, or separate landscape plans for each phase, which shall be approved prior to approval of the final plat.
C. Landscaping in a Stormwater Retention Pond. If trees or shrubs are proposed on or within 20 feet of the embankment of a stormwater retention pond, a landscape plan showing the retention pond and surrounding landscaping must be submitted for review to determine that the safety and functionality of the device will not be compromised by the trees or shrubs.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
A. Canopy Tree Size.
1. Canopy trees shall have a minimum height at maturity of 40 feet and a minimum crown width of 30 feet (see Figure 5.6.6: Plant Material Specifications).
2. All canopy trees shall have a minimum height of eight feet, or more, and a minimum caliper size of two and one-half (2 ½) inches, or more, at planting (see Section 9.3.12.A, Determining Tree Size at Time of Planting).
3. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of six feet in height at planting.
B. Understory Tree Size.
1. Understory trees shall have a minimum height at maturity of 15 to 40 feet, except that trees to be placed below overhead utility lines may not exceed a mature height of 20 feet (see Figure 5.6.6: Plant Material Specifications).
2. All understory trees shall have a minimum height of four feet, or more, and a minimum caliper size of one-and-one-half inches, or more, at planting (see Section 9.3.12.A, Determining Tree Size at Time of Planting).
3. Drought tolerant understory trees shall have a minimum caliper size of one inch at planting.
4. Nothing shall limit the use of multi-stemmed understory trees provided that 25 percent or more of the leaders meet the requirements in Section 9.3.12.A, Determining Tree Size at Time of Planting.
C. Shrub Size and Variety.
1. All shrubs shall be at least a three-gallon size and have a minimum height or spread of 18 inches at the time of planting (see Section 5.6.6: Plant Material Specifications).
2. Shrubs shall reach a minimum height of 36 inches and a spread of 30 inches within three years of planting.
3. Decorative grasses may be proposed as a substitute for shrubs, provided the grasses meet the screening objectives and are approved by the Planning Director.
4. Shrubs or grasses used to screen off-street parking areas shall be evergreen or retain their leaves/blades throughout the year.
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D. Native or Locally-Adapted Species.
1. Required landscaping materials shall be cold-hardy for the location where planted.
2. Plant species used in required landscaping areas must be native species or species of a locally-adapted nature. Other species require approval by the Planning Director.
E. Species Diversity.
1. To curtail the spread of disease or insect infestation in a plant species, new plantings shall comply with the following standards:
2. When fewer than 20 trees are required on a site, at least two different species shall be utilized, in roughly equal proportions (see Figure 5.6.6.E: Species Diversity).
3. When more than 20 but fewer than 40 trees are required to be planted on site, at least three different species shall be utilized, in roughly equal proportions.
4. When 40 or more trees are required on a site, at least four different species shall be utilized, in roughly equal proportions.
5. A larger number of different species than specified may be utilized.
6. In no instance shall invasive species, as determined by the North Carolina Extension Service, be utilized as landscaping materials to meet the requirements of this Ordinance.
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F. Stabilization.
1. Required landscaping areas shall be stabilized and maintained with vegetative cover, mulch, decorative gravel, cinders, or other approved materials to prevent soil erosion and allow rainwater infiltration.
2. Required landscaping areas with slopes of 15 percent or more shall be stabilized with vegetative cover (not mulch or gravel) designed to minimize erosion. Required vegetative cover shall be established and functional prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
3. Use of landscape fabric on slopes of 15 percent or more is discouraged.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
A. Outside Public Street Rights-of-Way.
1. Except for street trees, required landscaping material shall not be located within a street right-of-way.
2. Where provided, street trees shall be configured in accordance with Section 5.6.13, Street Trees.
B. Grouping of Plant Material.
1. Except for street trees, streetscape buffers, shrubs around the perimeter of a parking lot, shrubs along a primary or front facade foundation, or when vegetation is included as a screening device in accordance with Section 5.10, Screening, required plant material may generally be grouped or clustered, provided the overall screening objective in these standards is adequately addressed.
2. Street trees shall maintain on-center spacing requirements in Section 5.6.13, Street Trees.
3. Streetscape buffers shall maintain the on-center spacing requirements in Section 5.6.12, Streetscape Buffers.
4. Shrubs intended to screen building foundations from view from the public realm shall not exceed the maximum on-center spacing in Section 5.6.11, Foundation Plantings.
5. Shrubs intended to screen features in accordance with Section 5.10, Screening, may not be grouped if such grouping results in the failure to meet the minimum screening standards of this Ordinance.
C. Multiple-Lot Development. A multiple-lot development is not required to provide perimeter buffers along lot lines internal to the development, but the perimeter of the development shall be subject to the standards in Section 5.6.10, Perimeter Buffers.
D. Easements.
1. Trees and shrubs may be located within a required easement on a case-by-case basis with the permission of the easement holder.
2. When landscaping is within an easement, the landowner is responsible for replacement of any required vegetation if maintenance or other actions result in its removal.
3. When landscaping is planted in a drainage easement, it shall not impact the easement design or impede the flow of water through the easement.
4. Where an easement and a required landscape area coincide and there is a prohibition on planting within the easement, then the required landscaping area shall be located outside the easement.
E. Setback Smaller than Required Landscaping Area. In cases where a required setback is smaller or more narrow than a required landscaping area, the landscaping area width or size shall not be reduced except as authorized by any of the following:
1. An alternative landscape plan;
2. An administrative adjustment;
3. A conditional rezoning approval;
4. An approved planned development master plan; or
5. A sustainable development incentive.
F. Fire Protection System. Minimum clear separation distances required by the current adopted version of the North Carolina Fire Code shall be maintained for landscaping near a fire protection system.
G. Landscaping in Bio-Retention Cells. Trees and shrubs used in bio-retention cells or rain gardens located in parking lots or within landscape yards may be counted toward tree or shrub requirements of this Ordinance, provided they meet the minimum specifications in Section 5.6.6: Plant Material Specifications.
H. Permitted Encroachments.
1. The following features may be located entirely within required landscaping areas, provided the screening function of the landscaping is maintained and provided any encroachments into a required setback are in accordance with Table 9.3.5: Allowable Encroachment into Required Setbacks:
a. Principal buildings, provided the minimum setbacks of the zoning district where located, are maintained;
b. Landscaping features such as, ornamental pools, planting boxes, sculpture, arbors, trellises, and birdbaths;
c. Pet shelters, well houses, and mechanical enclosures;
d. On-grade patios, steps, benches, outdoor fireplaces, playground equipment serving an individual dwelling unit, accessibility ramps, roof overhangs, and fire escapes;
e. Ornamental entry columns, gates, fences, walls, and retaining walls;
f. Flagpoles of 30 feet in height or less;
g. Lamp and address posts;
h. Utility cabinets of four feet in height or less;
i. Mailboxes; and
j. Signage.
2. The following features may cross a required landscaping area in a manner that minimizes the impact to the required landscaping:
a. Driveways, sidewalks, pedestrian walkways, greenways, or multi-use trails;
b. Utilities; and
c. Stormwater management facilities.
I. Prohibited Features. The following features shall not be located within a required landscaping area:
1. An accessory structure or open air use;
2. Off-street parking or loading areas; or
3. Outdoor storage or display of products for sale.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
A. Berms. Berms may be used independently, or in conjunction with a wall or fencing, to meet the screening intent of a perimeter buffer or other required screening when configured in accordance with the following:
1. Berms shall have a minimum height of three feet, a minimum crown width of at least three feet, and a slope of no greater than 3:1.
2. Berms shall be no taller than twelve feet above the toe of the berm.
3. Berms shall be stabilized with trees, shrubs, and ground cover.
4. A berm may not damage the roots of existing healthy vegetation being preserved for credit towards the landscaping requirements in this Ordinance. Suffocation of existing roots by deposition of fill in excess of 12 inches shall be considered damage to existing tree roots.
5. A berm shall not interfere with required a sight distance triangle (see Section 5.1.7, Sight Distance Triangles).
B. Fences and Walls.
1. Opaque fences or walls, a minimum of four feet in height, constructed within required landscaping areas, and configured in accordance with Section 5.5, Fences and Walls, may reduce the minimum and average perimeter buffer width requirement in accordance with Table 5.6.10.C: Perimeter Buffer Configuration.
2. If utilized, fences or walls shall be located within the required landscaping area and all required shrubs shall be planted between the fence or wall and the lot line.
3. Required trees may be planted either in front of or behind the fence or wall.
C. Planters.
1. Planters, if provided, shall be constructed of masonry, stone, or pressure treated lumber stamped for ground contact. Other materials may be approved, based upon their durability, by the Planning Director.
2. Planters shall maintain a minimum height of 30 inches and have an effective planting area of seven feet (measured in any direction) if trees are to be planted and an effective planting area of four feet (measured in any direction) if no trees are to be included.
3. The minimum height of shrubs in the planter, except for ground cover, shall be six inches at the time of planting.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
5.6.9. Parking Lot Landscaping
All parking lots serving multi-family, mixed-use, and non-residential developments shall comply with the following parking lot landscaping standards:
A. Shade Trees. All parking lots shall be served by shade trees to reduce the heat island effect and soften the appearance of the parking lot, in accordance with the following standards:
1. Parking lots subject to these standards shall include at least one canopy tree for every 12 off-street parking spaces provided.
2. Required canopy trees may be placed around, in, or near the parking lot provided that no parking space is more than 50 feet from the trunk of a canopy tree (see Figure 5.6.9.A: Parking Lot Shading).
3. Required canopy trees shall be distributed throughout parking areas and may be located in landscape islands, between rows of parking, in driveway medians, and within ten feet of the perimeter of the parking lot.
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B. Interior Plantings.
1. Area to be Landscaped. For the purposes of this section, the interior of a parking lot shall be all of the area within the outer boundary of the parking lot including interior and corner landscape islands intended to fulfill the interior parking lot landscaping requirements, but not including landscaping planted around the perimeter of the parking lot (see Figure 5.6.9.B: Parking Lot Interior Plantings).
2. Landscaping Islands and Strips. A parking aisle with more than 12 vehicle spaces in a single row shall provide and maintain landscaping islands at each end, or provide landscaping strips along the full length of the row, in accordance with the following standards.
a. Islands shall have a minimum dimension of nine feet and a minimum area of 200 square feet, including the curb (if curbing is provided).
b. Landscape islands shall provide 1,000 cubic feet of soil per tree.
c. Landscape islands that do not contain canopy trees shall contain three or more shrubs and also may contain understory trees.
d. Landscaping islands intended for the placement of canopy or understory trees shall maintain a minimum width of nine feet.
e. Landscape strips between adjoining rows of parking spaces or serving as driveway medians shall have a minimum dimension of nine feet, including the curb (if provided). Landscape strips that do not have canopy trees shall include shrubs planted no more than five feet on-center.
f. Landscaping strips running the full length of a row of parking spaces shall be provided so that no more than six rows of parking spaces are provided without a landscaping strip.
3. Separation of Light Poles and Trees. In order to prevent the need to excessively trim required trees within landscape areas and to maintain the effectiveness of parking area exterior lighting, light poles shall be spaced at least ten linear feet from a canopy tree trunk, to the maximum extent practicable.
4. Protection of Landscape Islands.
a. Landscape islands shall be protected from vehicle damage by the installation of curbing, wheel stops, or other comparable methods.
b. The placement of plant material within landscape islands shall allow for a two-and-one-half-foot vehicle overhang from the face of the curb or wheel stop.
5. Protection from Pedestrian Walkways. In cases where a pedestrian walkway must be located within five feet of a tree trunk, wooden walkways, pervious pavers, or other methods shall be used to ensure the required tree is not damaged by the walkway.
6. Stormwater Management. A landscape island may be designed to function as a stormwater management device, provided its landscaping performance function is maintained.
7. Structural Soil Required. Landscaping islands and strips located within a parking lot shall be comprised of properly-prepared structural soil that has been properly amended and cultivated to support healthy vegetation.
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C. Perimeter Plantings.
1. Intent. Parking lot perimeter landscaping shall be designed to soften the view of the parking lot from an abutting street or development and to filter spillover light from vehicle headlights. Required plant material shall be planted in such a way as to best achieve this intent.
2. Location. Required plant material shall be placed adjacent to the perimeter of the parking lot.
3. Planting Rate.
a. Parking lot perimeter landscaping shall consist of a single continuous row of evergreen shrubs planted no greater than three feet on-center and within five feet of the parking lot edge.
b. Applicants may propose an alternative plant species, such as native grasses, provided the proposed plant material provides a fully opaque screen to a maximum height of 36 inches above grade throughout the year, as approved by the Planning Director.
4. Size of Plant Material.
a. Shrubs used for parking lot perimeter landscaping shall be of a minimum size necessary to achieve a maximum height of 36 inches above grade within three years of planting.
b. In cases when vegetation provided as perimeter plantings around a parking lot grow to a height exceeding 48 inches above grade, they shall be trimmed or pruned as necessary to maintain a minimum height of 36 inches.
c. It shall be a violation of this Ordinance to remove or severely prune shrubs required as parking lot perimeter vegetation to a height of less than 36 inches.
5. Alternatives. Perimeter parking lot plantings may be supplemented or replaced through use of a vegetated berm configured in accordance with Section 5.6.8.A, Berms, or an opaque fence or wall that meets the screening objective of this section and is configured in accordance with Section 5.5, Fences and Walls.
6. Exemptions.
a. Where off-street parking lots are adjacent to one another, but on different lots, perimeter plantings or other forms of screening are not required along the common boundary between the two parking lots.
b. Developments consisting of multiple lots that are planned and developed as a single, unified, or consolidated project may be configured so that perimeter plantings are only located around the perimeter of the entire development instead of between parking lots and buildings located within the development.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
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