Bellevue City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 1220
Landscaping
1220.01 INTENT.
The intent of these regulations and requirements is to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare by establishing minimum standards for the installation and maintenance of landscaping materials and features.
(Ord. 1-15. Passed 2-23-15.)
1220.02 EXISTING LANDSCAPE MATERIAL.
Existing landscape material on a site that is in satisfactory condition may be used to satisfy any landscaping requirement defined in this Zoning Ordinance in whole, or in part, provided it is protected and maintained during and after construction phases.
(Ord. 1-15. Passed 2-23-15.)
1220.03 FORMAL LANDSCAPING PLANS FOR LARGE DEVELOPMENTS.
A separate, detailed Landscape Plan shall be submitted when any single building is proposed to be constructed, that is more than seventy-five thousand (75,000) square feet in size. Similarly, any building expansion that will result in a single building that is more than seventy-five thousand (75,000) square feet in size shall also provide a Landscape Plan. Landscape Plans shall be prepared by a Landscape Architect registered in the State of Ohio, and shall include the following elements:
(a) Illustrations of proposed landscape improvements at a minimum scale of one inch (1") equal twenty feet (20').
(b) North arrow and scale, name of the applicant/owner; name, registration number, address and phone number of the person or firm responsible for the preparation of the landscape plans.
(c) The dates on which plans are submitted or revised.
(d) All existing and proposed buildings and other structures, paved areas, planted areas, fencing, walls, water outlets, utility poles, fire hydrants, light standards, underground utilities, signs, fences, dumpster locations and other permanent features to be added or retained on the site.
(e) All existing plant material to be removed or retained and all proposed additions or changes to landscaping, buffering, and walkways, illustrating existing natural land features including, but not limited to: trees, forest cover, and water resources (ponds, lakes, streams, wetlands, flood plains, and drainage ditches and retention areas, rivers, and any other body of water).
(f) A schedule of all new landscaping materials to be installed. The plant list shall include the common names, specified installation size, and on center planting dimensions when applicable.
(g) When the list of plant material to be removed contains existing trees, the landscape plan shall justify that building location and placement has been developed with due consideration given to minimizing removal of trees. Quantities required shall be referenced on the plan.
(h) The locations and dimensions of existing and/or proposed streets, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, railroad tracks, paths, walkways, and/or bikeways, and illustrating natural and manmade streetscaping including paving materials, vegetative materials, and material and design of street furniture.
(Ord. 1-15. Passed 2-23-15.)
1220.04 TRASH STORAGE AREA SCREENING.
Multiple family housing developments along with business, commercial, or manufacturing buildings that include a dumpster or trash collection bin must provide for the enclosure and screening of such dumpsters and trash collection bins. Screening shall include masonry walls with a minimum height of six feet (6'), along with landscape materials (trees, bushes, vines, etc.) that cover at least fifty percent (50%) of the wall surface at the time of planting. One side of the storage area must be furnished with an opaque, lockable gate. Other combinations of walls and landscaping may also be approved if it can be shown that an alternative design would be superior.
(Ord. 1-15. Passed 2-23-15.)
1220.05 LANDSCAPE BUFFERS.
Landscape buffers shall be used where non-residential activities or intense household or group living situations will impact an existing residential use with glare, noise or vehicle exhaust or where the impact of incompatible uses or proportionately different structures cannot be mitigated through building design or transitional features. Landscape buffers shall be located in the rear and side yards of a lot and are required in the following circumstances:
(a) Where a parking lot, non-residential driveway or drive-through facility is adjacent to a residential use, public park, recreation facility or open space.
(b) Where a building or structure in a commercial Zoning District is two (2) or more stories higher than the buildings or structures in the adjacent residential Zoning District.
(c) Where a twenty-four (24) hour non-residential use of property is adjacent to a residential use, regardless of the Zoning District.
(d) As a condition of Site Plan approval, or other special approval required by the approving body.
The landscape buffer shall be located within the subject property along the outer perimeter of the property and shall extend to the lot line. Such a buffer shall also meet the following requirements:
Yard | Minimum Buffer Width* | Minimum Number of trees per 50 lineal feet | Minimum Number of Shrubs per 50 lineal feet |
Rear | 20 ft. | 2 | 10 |
Side | 25 ft. | 4 | 20 |
* The minimum buffer width may be reduced by twenty-five percent (25%) if an earthen berm is provided that undulates to add visual interest and does not exceed slopes of one foot (1') of vertical rise to three feet (3') of horizontal distance (1:3). Decorative landscape fences or other comparable landscape treatments may also be used to screen views to reduce the required buffer width by twenty-five percent (25%). | |||
Uses allowed in the landscape buffer include sidewalks, trails and bike paths; and stormwater management facilities, provided they do not interfere with the performance and maintenance of the buffer area.
(Ord. 1-15. Passed 2-23-15.)
1220.06 OVERALL SITE LANDSCAPE REQUIREMENTS.
Except for areas zoned B-1, no less than ten percent (10%) of the total site area (excluding existing thoroughfare right-of-way) shall be landscaped with plant material. Required landscaping shall be provided adjacent to or within close proximity to the perimeter of the principal structure. Landscaped areas should face or be visible from public thoroughfares and principal structures on public access ways. A minimum of two-thirds (2/3) of the required landscaping must be located within the front or side yard setback.
(Ord. 1-15. Passed 2-23-15.)
1220.07 VEHICULAR USE AREA LANDSCAPING.
Vehicular use areas shall be landscaped in accordance with Section 1221.04.
(Ord. 1-15. Passed 2-23-15.)