The purposes of the general landscaping, screening/buffering and parking lot standards are:

(1)

To provide visual separation of more intensive uses from less intensive uses;

(2)

To preserve and enhance property values by ensuring that yards, open spaces, and parking lots are constructed and maintained with plants and landscape materials;

(3)

To preserve and incorporate naturally occurring open space and forested areas in development plans to manage stormwater runoff;

(4)

To establish standards to protect and enhance community appearance with the installation of appropriate landscaping and screening materials within the city;

(5)

To encourage prudent and skilled workmanship for the installation and maintenance of all plant materials;

(6)

To provide flexibility in the provision of required landscape materials and designs; and

(7)

To improve air quality, to reduce heat and glare and to add to the aesthetic quality of parking lots. Trees appreciably reduce the dangerous carbon dioxide content of the air, are proven producers of oxygen, and play a vital role, through transpiration and otherwise, in purifying the air we breathe. Trees are valuable physical and aesthetic community assets in that they provide cooling shade, reduce noise levels and glare, and break the monotony of large parking areas and other human developments. A variety of species of trees and shrubs is encouraged to reduce the impact of potential disease or insect infestations and to provide variety in shape, texture and seasonal color.

(Ord. No. 4140, § 1(Exh. A), 1-5-09)

(1)

ANSI A300 Pruning Standard. With the American National Standard for Pruning, ANSI A300, specifications can be written in a virtual infinite number of combinations. The following information is designed to help you understand exactly what will be accomplished in a pruning operation.

Branch Size—A minimum or maximum diameter size of branches to be removed should be specified in all pruning operations. This established how much pruning is to be done.

Pruning objectives—

• Hazard reduction pruning (HRP)—Is recommended when the primary objective is to reduce the danger to a specific target caused by visibly defined hazards in a tree. For example, HRP may be the primary objective if a tree has many dead limbs over a park bench.

• Maintenance pruning (MP)—Is recommended when the primary objective is to maintain or improve tree health and structure, and includes hazard reduction pruning. An example here might be able to perform an MP operation on a front yard tree.

Pruning types— Hazard reduction pruning and maintenance pruning should consist of one or more of the pruning types noted below:

• Crown cleaning—The selective removal of one or more of the following items: dead, dying or diseased branches, weak branches and waterspouts.

• Crown thinning—The selective removal of branches to increase light penetration, air movement and to reduce weight.

• Crown raising—The removal of the lower branches to provide clearance.

• Crown reduction or shaping—Decrease the height and/or spread of a tree. Consideration should be given to the ability of the species to sustain this type of pruning.

• Vista pruning—The selective thinning of framework limbs or specific areas of the crown to allow a view of an object from predetermined spot.

• Crown restoration—Should improve the structure, form and appearance of trees which have been severely headed, vandalized or storm damaged.

2.

Berm. A mound of earth or the act of pushing earth into a mound. Also used as a verb to describe the act of building a mound of earth for screening or a landscape buffer.

3.

Buffer.

(a)

A vegetation strip or management zone of varying size, shape, and character maintained along a stream, lake, road, recreation site, or different vegetative zone to mitigate the impacts of actions on adjacent lands; to enhance aesthetic values, or as a best management practice. Synonym: Buffer strip, buffer zone, roadside zone, roadside strip, waterfront zone. See "riparian zone".

(b)

GIS—A zone of a specified distance around features

Note 1: Both constant and variable width buffers can be generated for a set of features based on each feature's attribute values; the resulting buffer zones form polygons that are areas either inside or outside the specified buffer distance from each feature.

Note 2: Buffers are useful for proximity analysis, e.g., to find all stream segments within 300 feet of a proposed logging area.

(c)

An area maintained around an experimental or sample plot to ensure that the latter is not affected by any treatment applied to the area outside them both. Synonym: Isolation strip.

(d)

Wildlife management habitat that reduces dangers of having sharply contrasting edges of a harvest area next to protected habitat.

(4)

Canopy tree. Tree spacing such that the branches of the trees just touch the branches of neighboring trees. Trees with an irregular or umbrella canopy providing shade, screening or background. Allows some sunlight to the ground.

(5)

Hedge. A row of closely planted shrubs or low-growing trees forming a fence or boundary.

(6)

Landscape plan. The plans will display and designate:

(a)

North point and scale;

(b)

Topographic information and final grading adequate to identify and properly specify planting for areas needing slope protection;

(c)

The location, size and surface of materials of all structures and parking areas;

(d)

The location, size and type of all above ground and underground utilities and structures within property notation, where appropriate, as to any safety hazards to avoid during landscape installation;

(e)

Complete and accurate botanical and common names of each plant material, the number and location of trees or plants to be placed, the size at planting and areas to receive seed or sod;

(f)

An estimated count and approximate location of all existing trees, six inches caliper or larger measured at four and one-half feet above ground level on sites that are proposed for removal and the location of planned requirements. In lieu of this count, the developer may use 40 trees per acre;

(g)

Mature sizes of plant material shall be drawn to scale and called out on plan by common name or appropriate key;

(h)

Location of hose connections and other water sources;

(j)

Any proposed retaining walls, indicating location, size and material to be used in the construction of the wall;

(k)

Regarding the landscaping plan, single-family dwellings need only supply a plan that supplies a count of the number of trees to be removed, six inches in diameter and larger measured at four and one-half feet above the ground, and meet the residential landscape design requirements under section 15.3.

(7)

Natural border. A physical and biological area in nearly natural condition that exemplifies an ecological community and its associated vegetation and other soil, geologic and aquatic features. An area maintained in a natural condition by allowing physical and biological processes to operate, usually without direct human intervention, but treatments such as fire suppression or prescribed burning may be permitted.

(8)

Natural forested area.

(a)

An ecosystem characterized by a more or less dense and extensive tree cover, often consisting of stands varying characteristics such as species or composition, structure, age class, and associated processes, and commonly including meadows, streams, fish and wildlife.

(b)

An area dominated by trees forming a closed canopy and interspersed with multiplayer shade tolerant sub-canopy trees, shrubs, vines, ferns and herbs. Trees attain a height of 60 to over 100 feet.

(9)

Screening. A visual shield or conceal any abutting or nearby structure or use from another by fencing, walls, berms, or densely planted vegetation.

(10)

Understory tree. All forest vegetation growing under the upper or upper-most canopy layer in a two storied forest.

(1)

Applicability: All new developments and redevelopments shall comply with the general landscaping standards.

(2)

Plan/plan review: A preliminary landscaping plan for general landscaping shall accompany the preliminary site plan and contain the general description of the proposed landscaping. The final landscaping plan shall accompany the final site plan and contain all the detail to comply with the standards set forth in this Code for review and recommendation by the planning and zoning commission and review and approval by the city council.

(3)

Requirements:

a.

Residential lots shall contain one canopy tree, one understory, ornamental or evergreen tree and four shrubs per 100 linear feet of street frontage. Where the street frontage is less than 50 linear feet only one canopy tree or two understory, ornamental or evergreen trees are required in addition to four shrubs. Required trees and shrubs are encouraged to be clustered and/or used for foundation plantings to allow for the best landscape design.

b.

Commercial and industrial lots shall contain the designated bufferyard and parking lot vegetation requirements.

c.

Trees and shrubs shall be hardy and of a species common to or adapted to mid-Missouri, shall be matched to the site and shall not be of nuisance type species as listed in Exhibit A to this Code Section. In addition, trees that release fruit, nuts, large seed pods or similar materials are discouraged from being used where they abut the right-of-way and in parking lots. The applicant shall ensure that a mix of species, color, texture and form are used.

d.

Existing landscaping may be used to meet the requirements of this Code provided it meets the purpose and intent of the Code and is included on the approved landscape plan. Such landscaping shall be protected during all phases of site development.

e.

The following minimum plant size shall be used in the landscape plan as follows:

1.

Canopy trees shall be deciduous and two inches in caliper, measured at six inches above the ground;

2.

Conifer/evergreen trees shall be five feet tall;

3.

Hedges/live barrier features shall be evergreen and one gallon container size;

4.

Understory plantings and deciduous shrubs shall be one gallon container size;

5.

Groundcover shall be spaced or applied according to nursery specifications; and

6.

Turf grass shall be seed, sod or plug, spaced or applied according to nursery specifications.

f.

Plants shall be installed in accordance with the standards of the Urban and Community Forestry Division of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

g.

Areas not covered by vegetation shall be covered with gravel, cobble, rocks, mulch, wood chips, bark chips, or similar natural materials three inches in depth to prevent weed growth, erosion, and blowing dust and contained by a natural or man-made border. All plants shall be maintained in a healthy condition in accordance with generally accepted professional horticultural and arboricultural standards and practices such as recommended in ANSI Standard A-300. Plants which die or are unhealthy shall be replaced in a reasonable time period after failing to re-grow following normal seasonal growing period. Regular pruning and trimming shall be applied to maintain health and to permit the plants to achieve their intended form and height.

h.

Unless specifically permitted, no portion of the public right-of-way shall be used to meet the landscape requirement of the Code.

i.

No utility easement may be used for required landscaping or bufferyard barrier feature unless approved in writing by the appropriate official of each affected utility. Where specifically permitted to be used for the required landscaping, the plantings on utility easements shall be limited to small canopy trees, shrubs and hedges, ground cover and turf grass.

j.

No parking, storage, or outdoor display shall occur within a required buffer yard area.

(Ord. No. 4140, § 1(Exh. A), 1-5-09)

1.

Applicability: All new developments and redevelopments shall comply with the screening and buffer yard standards. The prescribed screening buffering requirements are determined by the zoning classifications of the existing developments and the proposed development as detailed in the following grid:

SCREENING AND BUFFERING STANDARDS EXISTING AND PROPOSED ZONING DISTRICT GRID

Zoning of Existing/Adjoining Development

2.

Plans/plan review: A preliminary landscaping plan for screening and buffering shall accompany the preliminary site plan and contain the general description of the proposed landscaping. The final landscaping plan shall accompany the final site plan and contain all the detail to comply with the standards set forth in this code for review and recommendation by the planning and zoning commission and review and approval by the city council.

3.

Requirements:

a.

There are three levels of bufferyard as detailed to this Code section:

1)

Type A is intended to provide landscape beautification and screening between developments. No barrier feature is required.

2)

Type B is intended to provide buffering and screening to shield neighboring properties from adverse effects of adjacent parking lots and moderately incompatible land uses. A barrier feature providing solid screening from the ground to a minimum height of three feet is required.

3)

Type C is intended to separate highly incompatible uses with a combination of space, dense vegetation and barriers. A barrier feature providing solid screening from ground to a minimum height of six feet is required.

4)

Redevelopment situations.

b.

Existing natural forested and natural undisturbed areas may be used as bufferyards in accordance with the following standards:

1)

A natural bufferyard may be used along all property lines which require a buffer, however, a natural undisturbed bufferyard shall be located at least 25 feet from the street right-of-way.

2)

Natural undisturbed bufferyard where used to meet a bufferyard requirement of this Code shall remain undisturbed during development and construction and shall remain undisturbed until such time as it is replaced with another bufferyard option.

3)

Natural forested bufferyard, where used to meet the bufferyard requirement of this Code may be enhanced through trimming, brush removal and addition of trees, shrubs and other plantings.

4)

A natural bufferyard shall possess the minimum width as shown on Exhibit B of this Code.

c.

Open space may be used as bufferyards in accordance with the following standards:

1)

An open space bufferyard may be used along all property lines required to meet the Type A and Type B bufferyard requirements of Exhibit C except that where parking lot screening is required, the planted bufferyard shall be installed in accordance with one of the options outlined in Exhibit B;

2)

An open space bufferyard shall possess the minimum widths as shown in Exhibit B in order to satisfy the requirements of this section.

d.

Where used in combination with a bufferyard, fences, walls, and berms shall comply with the following standards:

1)

Berms: Minimum height — Two and one-half feet; minimum width to crest — one foot; maximum slope — three horizontal feet for each one foot vertical and planting area requires trees and shrubs shall be planted on the crest with remainder of crest and side slopes shall be planted with groundcover and/or sod;

2)

Fences: Fences used as a barrier feature in a required bufferyard shall consist of concrete, natural finished wood, maintenance-free vinyl or a combination shall be solid and of a two-sided design;

3)

Walls: Walls used as a barrier feature in a required bufferyard shall be constructed of solid masonry finished on both sides. Finish may consist of stucco, brick, stone, versa-lock and other materials as approved by the city engineer with a minimum of six inches thick. Unfinished concrete block is not permitted. The wall shall be located within three feet of the property line.

4)

Combined height: Where a fence or wall is combined with a berm, the maximum height of the fence shall be reduced by the additional height of the berm;

5)

Back-to-back requirement: Nothing in this Code shall require the "back-to-back" placement of fences or walls where an existing fence or wall on an adjoining property substantially meets the requirements of this section. An existing, solid fence which meets all the above requirements, except for type, may be substituted for the required wall provided the width of the landscape strip is increased such that at the time of development approval an equivalent amount of buffering between properties is provided.

(Ord. No. 4140, § 1(Exh. A), 1-5-09)

1.

Applicability: Landscape plantings shall be installed on any parking lots containing more than ten spaces.

2.

Plan/plan review: A preliminary landscaping plan for parking lot landscaping shall accompany the preliminary site plan and contain the general description of the proposed landscaping. The final landscaping plan shall accompany the final site plan and contain all the detail to comply with the standards set forth in this Code for review and recommendation by the planning and zoning commission and review and approval by the city council.

3.

Requirements:

a.

Plantings may be in the public right-of-way adjacent to the parking lot; however, care should be given not to plant large species or to plant under, on or around utility easements and permission must be obtained from the utility prior to plan approval.

b.

Plantings shall consist of the number of standard canopy trees needed to shade at least 35 percent of the parking lot when the trees are mature, however, plantings should not adversely affect traffic flow, traffic sight distance, or other traffic safety issues within the parking lot or at the points of ingress and egress.

c.

All landscaped areas shall be protected from vehicular encroachment by curbing or anchored wheel stops. Planting islands shall be at least four feet wide and 100 square feet to protect trees and vegetation from bumper overhang and swinging doors. Plantings shall be located to minimize damage caused by car doors and bumpers.

d.

Areas between trees shall be covered with shrubs, grass or other living groundcover or nonliving groundcover.

e.

No parking area shall contain more than 150 spaces. If a greater number is required, separate parking spaces of not more than 150 spaces shall be provided and shall be separated by a landscaped area at least ten feet in width. The use of berms and evergreen trees in the landscaped strip is encouraged but not mandated. Up to ten percent of the length of the strip may be opened to permit pedestrian and vehicular access between parking areas. In these large parking lot areas, the amount of shade provided by mature parking lot trees may be reduced to 25 percent in cases where the landscape plan makes effective use of berms, landscape strips or landscaped areas within the interior of the parking lot. A minimum of three different species of trees is required in large parking lots to reduce the impact of potential disease or insect infestations and to provide variety in shape, texture and color.

f.

Plantings shall be installed in accordance with the plan approved and in accordance with the standards of the Urban and Community Forestry Division of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

g.

All plants shall be maintained in a healthy condition in accordance with generally accepted professional horticultural and arboricultural standards and practices such as recommended in ANSI Standard A-300. Plants which die or are unhealthy shall be replaced. Regular pruning and trimming shall be applied to maintain health and to permit the plants to achieve their intended form and height.

(Ord. No. 4140, § 1(Exh. A), 1-5-09)

1.

Developers are encouraged to preserve as much natural open space and forested areas to create the requisite buffer yards and meet the landscaping requirements without land disturbance.

(Ord. No. 4140, § 1(Exh. A), 1-5-09)

EXHIBIT A
LANDSCAPING, SCREENING AND BUFFERING STANDARDS RECOMMENDED AND NUISANCE TYPE SPECIES

RECOMMENDED TREE AND SHRUB SPECIES:

1)

Alder, European

2)

Beech, White

3)

Birch, Paper (Canoe)

4)

Birch, River

5)

Black gum

6)

Crabapple, Flowering

7)

Cherry, Flowering

8)

Cypress, Bald

9)

Dogwood, Flowering

10)

Fir, White

11)

Ginkgo

12)

Golden rain

13)

Hackberry, Common

14)

Hawthorn

15)

Hemlock, Canadian

16)

Holly, American

17)

Honeylocust, Thornless

18)

Hornbeam, European

19)

Juniper, Chinese

20)

Linden, Littleleaf

21)

Magnolia

22)

Maple, Red

23)

Maple, Sugar

24)

Oak, Bur

25)

Oak, English

26)

Oak, Pin

27)

Oak, Northern Red

28)

Oak, Scarlet

29)

Oak, Shingle

30)

Oak, Shumard

31)

Oak, White

32)

Oak, Swamp

33)

Oak, Willow

34)

Pagoda tree, Japanese

35)

Pear, Callery

36)

Pine, Japanese Black

37)

Pine, Limber

38)

Pine, Red

39)

Pine, Japanese Red

40)

Pine, Eastern White

41)

Plum, Purple-leaf

42)

Redbud, Eastern

43)

Red cedar, Eastern

44)

Serviceberry, Downy

45)

Spruce, Colorado or Blue

46)

Spruce, Norway

47)

Spruce White

48)

Sycamore, American

49)

Tulip tree

50)

Zelkova, Japanese

NUISANCE (UNDERSIREABLE) TREE AND SHRUB SPECIES:

51)

Ash, Green

52)

Ash, European

53)

Ash, Mountain

54)

Birch, European White

55)

Box elder

56)

Catalpa

57)

Cherry, Black

58)

Crabapple, nonresistant varieties

59)

Elm, American

60)

Elm, Siberian

61)

Locust, Black

62)

Maple, Norway

63)

Maple, Silver

64)

Mimosa

65)

Mulberry

66)

Olive, Russian

67)

Osage-orange (Hedge)

68)

Pear, Aristocrat

69)

Pear, Bradford

70)

Persimmon

71)

Pine, Austrian

72)

Pine, Scotch

73)

Poplar

74)

Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus)

75)

Sweetgum

76)

Walnut, Black

77)

Willow

EXHIBIT B
BUFFERYARD TYPES AND OPTIONS