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5.6.8.   Features Allowed Within Required Landscaping Areas
   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.
Figure 5.6.9.A: Parking Lot Shading
   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.
Figure 5.6.9.B: Parking Lot Interior Plantings
   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)
5.6.10.   Perimeter Buffers
   A.   Purpose and Intent. These standards are proposed to eliminate or minimize potential nuisances, such as dirt, litter, noise, glare of lights, signs, and unsightly buildings or parking areas through physical and visual separation between land uses in separate zoning districts.
   B.   Applicability.
      1.   All development shall comply with the perimeter buffer standards in this section.
      2.   Development shall provide perimeter buffers along side and rear lot lines in accordance with Table 5.6.10.F, Buffer Application.
      3.   Lot lines abutting street rights-of-way shall comply with the standards in Section 5.6.12, Streetscape Buffers.
   C.   Buffers Distinguished. Table 5.6.10.C: Perimeter Buffer Configuration, establishes the standards for perimeter buffers, including the minimum requirements for each of the following buffer types:
      1.   Type A, Separation Buffer;
      2.   Type B, Intermittent Buffer;
      3.   Type C, Semi-Opaque Buffer; and
      4.   Type D, Opaque Buffer.
   D.   Buffer Determination.
      1.   The lot or site being developed is the one responsible for providing the required perimeter buffer, which shall be located solely upon the lot or site being developed.
      2.   The type of perimeter buffer required is based upon the zoning district designation of the land being developed as well as the zoning district designation of the abutting lots (see Table 5.6.10.F, Buffer Application).
   E.   Buffer Location.
      1.   Perimeter buffers required by this section shall be located along the outer perimeter of the lot and shall extend to the connecting lot lines.
      2.   In cases where the lot line is within a drainage swale, the perimeter buffer shall extend to the edge of the swale instead of the lot line.
      3.   A perimeter buffer may be located along shared access easements between parcels in nonresidential developments.Table 5.6.10.C: Perimeter Buffer Configuration
 
TYPE A SEPARATION
Objective: The Type A Separation perimeter buffer serves as a visual break between land ownership or zoning district designations. It is not intended to provide substantial visual or acoustic buffering. The image below shows an approximation of this buffer type at maturity.
 
Buffer Configuration
Requirement
Buffer width (feet)
10
Required canopy trees per every 100 linear feet (#) / Maximum on-center spacing (feet)
None
Required understory trees per every 100 linear feet (#) / Maximum on-center spacing (feet)
4/ None [1]
Shrubs per every 100 linear feet (#) / Maximum on-center spacing (feet) [2]
15 /None [1]
Minimum evergreen shrub percentage (%)
50
Notes:
[1] Grouping of trees or shrubs is permitted provided there is no un-vegetated portion of the buffer exceeding 30 feet in length.
[2] In the event a fence or wall is provided, shrubs shall be planted between the fence or wall and the lot line. Shrubs shall be no closer than 3 feet to the lot line.
 
 
TYPE B INTERMITTENT
Objective: The Type B Intermittent perimeter buffer functions as an intermittent visual screen from the ground to a height of five feet. It is intended to partially block visibility between different uses but not totally obstruct visual contact from one use to another. The image below shows an approximation of this buffer type at maturity.
 
Buffer Configuration
Requirement
Buffer width (feet)
20
Required canopy trees per every 100 linear feet (#) / Maximum on-center spacing (feet)
2/50
Required understory trees per every 100 linear feet (#) / Maximum on-center spacing (feet)
4/25 [1]
Shrubs per every 100 linear feet (#) / Maximum on-center spacing (feet) [2]
15/None [1]
Minimum evergreen shrub percentage (%)
60
Notes:
[1] Grouping of trees or shrubs is permitted provided there is no un-vegetated portion of the buffer exceeding 20 feet in length.
[2] In the event a fence or wall is provided, shrubs shall be planted between the fence or wall and the lot line. Shrubs shall be no closer than 3 feet to the lot line.
 
 
TYPE C SEMI-OPAQUE
Objective: The Type C Semi-Opaque perimeter buffer functions as a partially opaque screen from the ground to a height of six feet. This type of buffer prevents visual contact between uses but not total obstruction from one use to another. The buffer creates a sense of visual separation but provides only minor acoustic separation. The image below shows an approximation of this buffer type at maturity.
 
Buffer Configuration
Requirement
Minimum buffer width (feet) [1] [2]
30
Required canopy trees per every 100 linear feet (#) / Maximum on-center spacing (feet)
3/33
Required understory trees per every 100 linear feet (#) / Maximum on-center spacing (feet)
6/16 [3]
Shrubs per every 100 linear feet (#) / Maximum on-center spacing (feet) [4]
25/4 [3]
Minimum evergreen shrub percentage (%)
75
Notes:
[1] Provision of a semi-opaque fence or wall allows the buffer width to be reduced by 5 feet.
[2] Provision of a fully-opaque fence, wall, or berm allows the buffer width to be reduced by 10 feet.
[3] Grouping of trees or shrubs is permitted within 20 feet of the edge of a street right-of-way provided there is no un-vegetated portion of the buffer exceeding 10 feet in length.
[4] In the event a fence or wall is provided, shrubs shall be planted between the fence or wall and the lot line. Shrubs shall be no closer than 3 feet to the lot line.
 
 
TYPE D OPAQUE
Objective: The Type D Opaque perimeter buffer functions as a fully opaque screen from the ground to a height of eight feet. This type of buffer provides a strong sense of visual and acoustic separation between uses. The image below shows an approximation of this buffer type at maturity.
Buffer Configuration
Requirement
Buffer Configuration
Requirement
Minimum buffer width (feet) [1] [2]
40
Required canopy trees per every 100 linear feet (#) / Maximum on-center spacing (feet)
4/25
Required understory trees per every 100 linear feet (#) / Maximum on-center spacing (feet)
8/15
Minimum evergreen understory tree percentage (%)
75
Shrubs per every 100 linear feet (#) / Maximum on-center spacing (feet) [3]
35/3
Minimum evergreen shrub percentage (%)
100
Notes:
[1] Provision of a semi-opaque fence or wall allows the buffer width to be reduced by 5 feet.
[2] Provision of a fully-opaque fence, wall, or berm allows the buffer width to be reduced by 10 feet.
[3] In the event a fence or wall is provided, shrubs shall be planted between the fence or wall and the lot line.
 
   F.   Buffer Application. Table 5.6.10.F, Buffer Application, specifies the type of perimeter buffer that development shall provide between it and adjacent land, based on the zoning district of the development site and that of the adjacent land. The buffer type is indicated by a letter corresponding to one of the three buffer types described in Table 5.6.10.C: Perimeter Buffer Configuration.
TABLE 5.6.10.F: BUFFER APPLICATION
Zoning District of Developing Land [1] [2]
Zoning District of Land Adjacent to Proposed Development [3] [4] [5]
R1, R2
R4, R6
RMF, OI
NC, DTP
GC, HC
LI, IC, HI
TABLE 5.6.10.F: BUFFER APPLICATION
Zoning District of Developing Land [1] [2]
Zoning District of Land Adjacent to Proposed Development [3] [4] [5]
R1, R2
R4, R6
RMF, OI
NC, DTP
GC, HC
LI, IC, HI
R1, R2
A
None
None
A
A
B
R4, R6
B
A
A
None
A
A
RMF, OI
C
B
A
A
None
None
NC, DTP
D
C
B
A
A
None
GC, HC
D
D
C
B
A
None
LI, IC, HI
D
D
D
D
C
None
Notes:
[1] Development in PD districts is subject to the perimeter buffer configurations proposed in the applicable planned development master plan.
[2] No perimeter buffers are required in the DTC and DTP districts, but are required where these districts abut other districts.
[3] A Type A or B perimeter buffer shall not be required when the lot line abuts unbuildable land within a riparian buffer, the FHO, a Town-designated tree-save area, a reforestation area, or other Town-designated conservation area where existing vegetation will not be removed.
[4] In cases where a Type C or D perimeter buffer is required but the lot line abuts unbuildable land within a riparian buffer, the FHO, a Town-designated tree-save area, a reforestation area, or other Town-designated conservation area where existing vegetation will not be removed, the required perimeter buffer width and amount of required landscaping material may be reduced by 50 percent (see Table 5.6.10.C: Perimeter Buffer Configuration).
[5] Lot lines abutting public street rights-of-way shall be subject to the standards in Section 5.6.12, Streetscape Buffers.
[6] In cases where development abuts land outside the Town's planning jurisdiction, only a Type A buffer shall be required along the boundary.
 
   G.   Exemptions. Developments consisting of multiple lots that are planned and developed as a single, unified, or consolidated project may be configured so that perimeter buffers are only located around the perimeter of the entire development instead of between lots within the development.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
5.6.11.   Foundation Plantings
   A.   Purpose and Intent.
      1.   Foundation plantings provided in accordance with this section are intended to soften the visual impacts of a building's base or foundation along any facade visible from a street other than an alley.
      2.   These standards are also intended to provide for the even dispersal of trees across a development site.
   B.   Applicability. Except where exempted by Section 5.6.11.C, Exemption, these standards shall apply to all new residential, institutional, and commercial development constructed in the Town after January 1, 2020.
   C.   Exemption. The following forms of development and site locations shall be exempted from these standards:
      1.   Development existing prior to January 1, 2020, including any additions or expansions;
      2.   Land uses listed under the Industrial land use classification in Table 4.2.3, Principal Use Table;
      3.   Helicopter landing pads, telecommunications facilities, and utilities; and
      4.   Uses where the obstruction of the site or the building constitutes a danger to public safety in the determination of the Planning Director.
   D.   Required Plant Material.
      1.   Foundation Plantings.
         a.   Evergreen shrubs or decorative grasses with a minimum height of 18 inches shall be located within 10 feet of any building foundation wall visible from a public street excluding alleys.
         b.   Shrubs shall maintain a maximum on-center placement of three feet (see Figure 5.6.11.D.1: Foundation Plantings and Site Landscaping).
         c.   Shrubs are not required in front of steps or access ramps.
      2.   Site Landscaping.
         a.   One canopy tree for every 2,000 square feet of lot area for the first 20,000 square feet of a lot.
         b.   These trees may be located anywhere on the site except where limited by Section 5.6.11.E, Placement.
Figure 5.6.11.D.1: Foundation Plantings and Site Landscaping
   E.   Placement. Landscaping material associated with these standards shall not be located in the following areas:
      1.   Portions of a development site subject to Section 5.10, Screening;
      2.   Areas subject to the standards in Section 5.1.7, Sight Distance Triangles;
      3.   Lands within a utility or drainage easement;
      4.   Lands beneath overhead utilities; or
      5.   Lands within a required stormwater control measure unless the measure relies on flora to assist with water quality protection.
   F.   Credit from Required Landscaping. Other required landscaping material or existing vegetation may be credited towards these requirements in cases where such landscaping material meets the intent of these standards in the opinion of the Planning Director.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
5.6.12.   Streetscape Buffers
   A.   Purpose and Intent. Streetscape buffers are proposed to soften the view of development from the Town's street rights-of-way, and are intended to:
      1.   Enhance pedestrian orientation and encourage pedestrian travel;
      2.   Address urban heat islands by providing shade for streets and sidewalks;
      3.   Provide shade on sidewalks;
      4.   Promote the Town's "sense of place";
      5.   Support property values by enhancing the aesthetic character of the Town's streets; and
      6.   Provide habitat for flora and fauna.
   B.   Applicability.
      1.   The standards in this section shall apply to all lot lines bounded by the following features, whether existing or identified in the Town's adopted policy guidance.
         a.   Collector streets; and
         b.   Arterial streets.
      2.   In cases where a future street is planned but its approximate location is not indicated on an adopted or approved Town map or plan, streetscape buffering shall not be required on lots abutting the future street alignment.
   C.   Exemption. Streetscape buffers are not required in the following instances:
      1.   When the primary building facade, or the facade with the building's primary entrance faces and is visible from the arterial or collector street right-of-way;
      2.   Lot lines abutting platted street rights-of-way that are or have remained unopened for at least 15 years; or
      3.   Lot frontages where the entirety of the lot frontage is within a required sight distance triangle.
   D.   Minimum Buffer Width.
      1.   Streetscape buffers shall maintain a minimum width of at least 15 feet from the lot lines subject to these standards.
      2.   Streetscape buffers shall not be located within required sight distance triangles (see Section 5.1.7, Sight Distance Triangles).
   E.   Required Plant Material. Streetscape buffers shall be configured as a Type C semi-opaque buffer except that the minimum number of required shrubs is reduced from 25 to 20, and the on-center spacing is reduced to 5 feet.
Figure 5.6.12: Streetscape Buffer Configuration
   F.   Placement.
      1.   Vegetation required as part of a streetscape buffer shall be located outside the street right-of-way.
      2.   Canopy trees shall be located within ten feet of the right-of-way edge.
      3.   Understory trees shall be located within five feet of the right-of-way edge.
      4.   An alternative location may be approved by the Planning Director in cases where underground utilities, drainage easements, topography, or other obstructions make placement of streetscape buffer vegetation in accordance with these standards impractical.
   G.   Prohibited Features. Off-street parking, off-street loading, merchandise display, or outdoor storage shall not take place within a required streetscape buffer.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
5.6.13.   Street Trees
Except for alleys and lawfully-established half-streets, all Town-maintained streets shall include street trees along both sides of the street.
   A.   Where Required. Street trees shall be located within tree pits or planting strips within the street right-of-way (see Figure 5.6.13: Street Tree Configuration).
   B.   Location.
      1.   Within Tree Pits. In cases where sidewalks, boardwalks, or paving are located in the right-of-way, street trees shall be located within tree pits, configured in accordance with the following standards:
         a.   Tree pits shall have a minimum planting area of at least 25 square feet per tree pit;
         b.   Tree pits shall be covered or configured with ground covering at the same general height as the pedestrian walkway to avoid being a tripping hazard; and
         c.   Tree pits shall include structural soils or screened backfill to ensure appropriate drainage and backfill.
      2.   Within Planting Strips. In cases where sidewalks are not present or where a portion of the right-of-way is not paved, street trees may be placed within planting strips, configured in accordance with the following standards:
         a.   Tree planting strips shall be configured parallel to the street;
         b.   Tree planting strips shall maintain a minimum width of five feet; and
         c.   Tree planting strips shall be raised above the sidewalk or include edging that prevents pedestrians from walking in the planting strip.
   C.   Tree Placement.
      1.   Street trees, when located within tree pits or planting strips, shall be located so that the trunk is at least two-and-one-half feet from the back of the curb or the edge of the pavement.
      2.   Street trees shall not be located within sight distance triangles (see Section 5.1.7, Sight Distance Triangles).
   D.   Types of Trees.
      1.   Except in areas underneath existing overhead utilities or upper story encroachments into the right-of-way, street trees shall be canopy trees that meet the standards in Section 5.6.6: Plant Material Specifications.
      2.   In areas beneath existing overhead utilities or upper story encroachments into the right-of-way, street trees shall be understory trees that meet the standards in Section 5.6.6: Plant Material Specifications.
   E.   On-Center Spacing.
      1.   Canopy trees shall be planted 45 to 50 feet on-center.
      2.   Understory trees shall be planted 20 to 25 feet on-center.
      3.   Grouping or clustering of street trees shall be prohibited, but on-center spacing may be reduced as necessary to avoid sight distance triangles, street furnishings, or other utility conflicts.
Figure 5.6.13: Street Tree Configuration
   F.   Compliance with NCDOT Standards. In cases where street trees are located within street rights-of-way maintained by the NCDOT, street tree configuration shall be in accordance with NCDOT standards in addition to the standards in this section. In the event the standards in this section conflict with applicable NCDOT standards, the NCDOT standards shall control.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
5.6.14.   Planting Flexibility
   A.   Credit for Existing Vegetation.
      1.   In order to encourage the preservation of established, healthy vegetation, credit shall be given towards the landscaping requirements in this section for preservation of existing trees and shrubs that are pre-existing within required landscaping areas at a rate of 1.25 times the amount of existing, healthy vegetation to be retained.
      2.   Credit towards landscaping requirements shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.9.6, Credit Towards Other Ordinance Requirements.
      3.   Vegetation to be credited towards these requirements shall be protected in accordance with Section 5.9.5, Tree Protection Devices, before and during development of the site and maintained thereafter in a healthy growing condition.
   B.   Revisions to Approved Landscape Plans. Due to seasonal planting problems and/or a lack of plant availability, approved landscape plans may require minor revisions. Minor revisions to planting plans may be approved by the Planning Director if:
      1.   There is no reduction in the quantity of plant material.
      2.   There is no significant change in size or location of plant materials.
      3.   The new plants are of the same general category (i.e., canopy tree, understory tree, evergreen, or shrub) and have the same general design characteristics (mature height, crown spread, etc.) as the materials being replaced.
   C.   Alternative Landscape Plans. An alternate landscape plan that allows modifications to the requirements of this section may be approved by the Planning Director in accordance with the following.
      1.   Conditions Justifying Alternative Landscape Plan. Any of the following natural physical conditions may be used as a justification for an alternative landscape plan:
         a.   Wetland areas;
         b.   Topography;
         c.   Non-arable soils;
         d.   Difficult or unusual lot configuration;
         e.   Utility, access, drainage, or maintenance easements;
         f.   A desire to retain existing on-site vegetation;
         g.   Natural rock formations;
         h.   Required landscaping areas that are shaded; and
         i.   Impractical situations that would result from application of this section.
      2.   Intent. To be approved, any alternative landscape plan shall meet the intent of the applicable planting yard(s) and the purpose and intent of the landscaping standards of this section.
      3.   Allowable Modifications.
         a.   The following landscape standards may be modified by an alternate landscape plan.
         i.   The location of required plant materials;
         ii.   The width of required planting areas;
         iii.   The configuration of required plant materials; and
         iv.   The number of required plant materials.
         b.   The alternative landscape plan shall include justification for the modifications requested, based upon but not limited to, the following:
         i.   The presence or planned location of public utilities, infrastructure, or easements;
         ii.   The location of existing healthy vegetation or other beneficial site features to be retained after development;
         iii.   The size, shape, or topographic elevation of the site relative to the street(s) it abuts; and
         iv.   The need to protect solar access or avoid permanently shaded areas on the site.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
5.6.15.   Time of Installation
   A.   A certificate of occupancy shall not be issued, until all required plant materials have been placed in accordance with the approved site plan and requirements of this section.
   B.   A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued for a period of 180 days under circumstances that would affect the seeding and planting of the site, or until the proper planting season is reached to complete the landscaping requirements, and may be extended up to 90 days upon request to the Planning Director.
   C.   In cases where a temporary certificate of occupancy is requested, the applicant shall furnish the following:
      1.   A signed contract for the installation of all required landscape materials; and
      2.   A performance guarantee for the amount of the contract configured in accordance with the standards in Section 6.6, Performance Guarantees.
(Ord. 2020-36, passed 12-2-2019)
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