(a)

Purposes. The purposes of the landscaping provisions are:

(1)

To provide visual appeal to buildings and paved areas through the use of trees, shrubs, and plants;

(2)

To ensure the numerous economic, social, health, and communal benefits provided to the built environment and community through the establishment of landscaping and tree standards;

(3)

To encourage the conservation of established native forest, woodland, glade, prairie, wetland, and other natural communities within a project or development site, and to be properly protected during construction;

(4)

To encourage the replanting of trees and vegetation lost to land development activity;

(5)

To preserve healthy environmental conditions by providing shade, air purification and oxygen generation, groundwater recharge, stormwater runoff retardation, water quality treatment, and noise, glare, and heat abatement through the preservation of areas of native forest and installation of landscaping;

(6)

To improve the quality of plant and tree selection through the implementation of landscape standards and specifications;

(7)

To increase the longevity of trees and other perennial vegetation;

(8)

To promote tree species diversity and the planting of locally native vegetation;

(9)

To buffer uncomplimentary land uses; and

(10)

To require timely replacement of landscape components lost after installation.

(b)

Applicability.

(1)

General applicability. The provisions of this section are applicable to the following development types:

Table 94-100.1: Landscaping Applicability

(2)

Credits and exemptions.

a.

In subdivisions where some or all of the requirements of this article have been met by the original developer, credit shall be extended for such improvements, on a pro rata basis, to each parcel within the subdivision. Requests for credit shall be identified in the landscape plan and shall identify the landscaping improvements that qualify the parcel for credit.

b.

Public road right-of-way and utility easements are exempt from the provisions of this article.

(Ord. No. 2018-0030, § 2, 4-10-2018)

(a)

Minimum landscape area. The minimum landscape area is measured as follows: Required percent landscaped area × (lot area - primary building and use footprint). For the purposes of this section, use footprint shall include any outdoor storage, display areas, and off-street parking areas.

(1)

Single- and two-family residential landscaping. The landscaped area shall consist of at least 75 percent living, organic material unless otherwise approved by the planning and development director.

(2)

Multifamily, mixed use, and non-residential development.

a.

Multifamily, mixed-use, and commercial developments, unless zoned Downtown, shall have a minimum landscaped area of 20 percent of the parcel unless otherwise approved by the planning and development director.

b.

Industrial development shall have a minimum landscaped area of 15 percent of the parcel.

c.

Vegetation should be planted adjacent to any solid wall or other screening to soften the effect of the wall or screening, and to deter graffiti.

(b)

Buffering.

(1)

Between adjacent zone districts.

a.

Buffering through site perimeter landscaping shall be provided for all new development that is not separated by a public road as follows:

Table 94-101.1: Required Buffering

b.

In any area where site perimeter landscaping is required according to Table 94-101.1, the required landscaping shall be provided as follows:

Table 94-101.2: Specifications for Buffering

c.

The amount of landscaping required in Table 94-101.2 is measured per linear foot of property line. Access driveways shall not be subtracted from the linear frontage in calculations of the amount of landscaping required.

d.

The landscape area width is measured from the property line inward.

(2)

Additional standards for commercial districts. Where new development abuts areas of open space, a transitional landscaped edge shall be used to create a gradual, more natural transition between the open space and the new development.

(3)

Additional standards for industrial districts. Where new development adjoins areas of open space, a transitional landscaped edge shall be used to create a gradual, more natural transition between the open space and the new development.

(4)

Calculation of landscape units. Required landscaping is calculated in landscaping units (LU). The following table identifies the landscape units awarded for various planted or preserved landscape materials.

Table 94-101.3: Landscaping Units

a.

Bonus calculations. Bonus LU points may be awarded for landscaping that meets the following standard:

Table 94-101.4 Bonus Calculations

b.

Bonus calculation standards.

(i)

Points awarded for retained vegetation in perimeter buffers may only be applied in the buffer area along the same lot line or street frontage where the vegetation is found.

(ii)

Any trees preserved on a site in required landscaping areas that meet the specifications in this section, and are not identified on the city's plant list may, at the discretion of the planning and development director, be credited toward meeting the tree requirements of any landscaping provision of this article.

(iii)

Any tree for which credit is given shall be in a condition that encourages long-term survival and in a location that conforms to the intent and standards of this section.

(iv)

Existing trees that are preserved and receive credit shall be marked on the landscape plan and the amount of credit shall be indicated. Any trees which receive credit and are later removed shall be replaced with the number of trees for which credit was received.

(v)

A site plan must be submitted and approved identifying the areas to be protected, and measures to protect areas from damage during construction as outlined in this article, will be required to be approved by the planning and development director.

(c)

Street frontage landscaping.

(1)

Single- and two-family residential landscaping. Two canopy trees, a minimum of one and a half inch caliper, per dwelling unit on the parcel shall be located within the entirety of the front setback between the building line and the property line unless otherwise approved by the planning and development director.

(2)

Multifamily, mixed use, and non-residential development. Unless no front setback is required, one canopy tree shall be planted per 50 linear feet of street frontage adjacent to the right-of-way.

(3)

No tree shall be planted within ten feet of any fireplug.

(4)

No tree shall be planted under, or within 25 feet of any overhead utility wire, and the mature height and spread shall be considered to ensure that the species will not interfere with overhead utilities.

(5)

No tree shall be planted within an intersection clear sight triangle, and the mature height and spread shall be considered to ensure that the species will not interfere with the visibility of drivers approaching an intersection between two streets.

(6)

If there are driveways along the frontage or property line, required landscaping shall be condensed into the remaining site perimeter landscaping area. Driveways shall not be subtracted from the linear frontage in calculations of the amount of landscaping required.

(d)

Parking lot landscaping.

(1)

Internal landscape islands. Landscape islands shall be installed for every row exceeding ten parking spaces, either within the parking row or at the end of the parking row, and shall be designed as follows:

a.

Be a minimum of ten feet in width;

b.

Be at least 300 square feet;

c.

Have a minimum of one canopy tree that is a minimum of 1½-inch caliper, and centrally located within the island;

d.

Contain at least 1,000 cubic feet of loamy topsoil per canopy tree, or 800 cubic feet of loamy topsoil per tree for two or more canopy trees;

e.

Allow for runoff capture using curb cuts and approved bioswale designs;

f.

Contain only organic materials such as mulch and other living plant material(s) unless an approved sidewalk is included; and,

g.

Internal landscape strips shall be installed between the parking rows of every other double row of parking when parking rows exceed 50 parking spaces, and shall meet the following standards:

(i)

Be a minimum of 12 feet in width, and shall extend the length of the parking row;

(ii)

Include a six-foot wide sidewalk, and a six-foot wide planting strip;

(iii)

Meet planting requirements for interior landscape islands, as outlined above; and,

(iv)

Allow for runoff capture using curb cuts and approved bioswale designs.

(2)

Sight triangle. A site triangle within the off-street parking area must be established at street intersections by maintaining a maximum height for any shrubs and ground cover of 30 inches. No obstructions are permitted in the site triangle, including tree branches that must be trimmed within eight feet of the ground. All applicable sight distance requirements must be met for parking lot internal circulation and access points to the public right-of-way.

(3)

Curbs. Landscaped areas within parking lots, or along the perimeter of the property, must be protected from vehicular traffic through the use of permanent barriers. Barriers can be made of concrete curbs, large stones, bollards, or other rigid, permanent systems, not including asphalt curbs. If the barriers are continuous, adequate breaks, as approved by the public works director, shall be designed to allow runoff inflows to enter the landscape area while still providing adequate protection from traffic.

(4)

Perimeter landscaping.

a.

The following landscaping requirements shall be met for all off-street surface parking lots, except those in the D and ENT Districts:

(i)

Perimeter parking lot landscaping a minimum width of ten feet shall be required for all parking lots having more than three spaces where the parking lot is adjacent to a public street.

(ii)

The parking lot perimeter landscaping shall include one canopy tree per 50 linear feet of landscape area. Where the calculation of the number of trees results in a fraction, the number shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number. The remainder of the landscape area shall be grass, ground cover, shrubs, or ornamental grasses. No more than 20 percent of the landscape area shall be mulch, decorative rocks, or other nonliving materials. The use of concrete is not permitted in the landscape area.

(iii)

Where lots are being developed in a Mixed-Use District, the parking lot perimeter landscaping requirement may be reduced along an interior lot line, at the discretion of the planning and development director, provided that interior parking lot landscaping applies to both parking lots.

b.

The following landscaping requirements shall be met for all off-street surface parking lots in the D and ENT Districts that abuts a public street, public alley, or lot used for detached residential dwellings:

(i)

The boundary shall be landscaped or screened according to one of the following options:

1.

A minimum ten-foot-wide planting strip containing a low, continuous hedge a minimum of 30 inches tall at installation consisting of a double row of shrubs or ornamental grasses planted a minimum of three feet on-center in a triangular pattern. Where the common boundary line is greater than 50 feet, one canopy tree shall be planted per 50 linear feet along the common boundary line; or

2.

A minimum five-foot-wide planting strip containing a single row of shrubs or ornamental grasses planted a minimum of three feet on-center combined with a minimum three-foot-high ornamental metal fence or masonry wall of materials compatible with the primary structure.

(ii)

As applicable, landscaping materials shall be planted on the side of the fence or wall closest to the street, alley, or residential property.

(Ord. No. 2018-0030, § 2, 4-10-2018; Ord. No. 2020-0083, § 2, 8-11-2020; Ord. No. 2021-0101, § 2, 9-14-2021)

(a)

Plant materials list. The city shall maintain a suggested and prohibited plant list as necessary to identify plant material requirements or prohibitions within the city. Where a species is chosen for a landscape plan that is not identified on a city plant list, the applicant shall provide information about growth and spacing characteristics on the landscape plan. Plant information shall be taken from objective sources, including professional landscape organization websites or nursery cut sheets. Plant materials identified in any prohibited plant list may not be used in landscaping.

(b)

Quality. All trees and shrubs used for landscaping shall have well-developed leaders, tops, and roots characteristic of the species, cultivar, or variety per American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z60.1, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city clerk, and shall show evidence of proper nursery pruning per the same standard. All plant materials must be free of insects, diseases, mechanical injuries, and other objectionable features at the time of planting.

(c)

Coverage.

(1)

Grass, ground cover, shrubs, and other living landscape materials shall be used to cover at least 75 percent of open ground.

a.

Open ground includes all fill slopes and hillsides, regardless of the angle of the slope.

b.

Open ground also includes all fill rock and shot rock slopes that must be covered with an appropriate depth of soil to allow for the healthy growth of the coverage.

c.

Landscaping materials such as mulch, bark, etc., can be incorporated into a landscape plan where appropriate, and can be used to cover up to 25 percent of open ground.

(2)

No area required to be landscaped shall include any artificial trees, plants, or turf; impervious surfacing other than required sidewalks; or any carpeting designed as a visual substitute for lawn or other groundcover.

(3)

Areas devoted to pasture, farm crops, or undeveloped areas of a parcel shall not be considered landscaped for the purpose of fulfilling any landscape requirements.

(d)

Trees. Trees used for landscaping shall be a species common to, or adapted to this area of the state, and not identified as prohibited on any city plant list. Trees shall have the following characteristics:

(1)

Size.

a.

Canopy trees shall be deciduous trees that have a minimum height of 30 feet at maturity. All canopy trees shall have a caliper width of at least 1½ inches at time of planting.

b.

Understory trees shall be deciduous trees that have a maximum height of less than 30 feet at maturity. All understory trees shall have a caliper width of at least one inch at time of planting.

c.

Evergreen trees shall have a minimum height of 20 feet at maturity. All evergreen trees shall be at least four feet in height at time of planting.

d.

Street trees shall be canopy trees and shall have a minimum caliper of 1½ inches unless approved by the planning and development director.

(2)

All trees shall conform to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z60.1, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city clerk.

(e)

Shrubs, hedges, and ornamental grasses.

(1)

Shrubs and ornamental grasses shall be a minimum of 18 inches in height at time of planting.

(2)

Hedges, where installed, shall be planted and maintained so as to form a continuous, unbroken, solid, visual screen which will be at least three feet in height within one year after time of planting.

(f)

Ground cover, perennials, and annual planting areas. Ground covers, perennials, and annual planting areas used in lieu of grass in whole, and in part, shall be planted in such a manner as to present a finished appearance and reasonably complete coverage within one year after time of planting.

(g)

Lawn grass. Grass areas may be sodded, plugged, sprigged, or seeded, except that sod or other erosion control products shall be used in swales, berms, or other areas subject to erosion as defined in this chapter.

(h)

Irrigation. Where a property owner or tenant opts to install an in-ground irrigation system, the following standards shall apply:

(1)

The landscape plan shall identify the area of approximate installation of an automatic irrigation system, its maintenance, and intended uses. The landscape plan must note and delineate all irrigated and sod areas.

(2)

Irrigation systems must be installed prior to plant materials.

(3)

Smart controllers with rain sensors (e.g., weather-based controllers that limit irrigation if raining) shall be installed on all irrigation systems.

(4)

Low-flow irrigation devices shall be used in all narrow or irregularly shaped landscape areas less than eight feet wide in any direction to avoid overspray and runoff.

(5)

Irrigation systems with a precipitation rate exceeding 0.75 inches per hour shall be prohibited on areas exceeding 1,000 square feet with a slope greater than 30 percent unless: (1) infiltration trenches, vegetated swales, stormwater treatment and storage areas, and similar facilities as approved by the city are employed to reduce runoff, or (2) the landscape designer specifies an alternative design or technology that clearly demonstrates to the city's satisfaction no runoff or erosion will occur. Prevention of runoff and erosion must be confirmed during the final landscape inspection.

(i)

Fences.

(1)

Fences or walls within the front yard of any residential lot shall not exceed three feet in height and shall be at least 50 percent open.

(2)

Fences or walls within the side or rear yard of any residential lot shall not exceed seven feet in height.

(3)

The use of barbed wire, scrap metal, tarps, pallets, or other non-fencing materials are not permitted within any residential lot.

(Ord. No. 2018-0030, § 2, 4-10-2018; Ord. No. 2020-0083, § 2, 8-11-2020)

(a)

The property owner and successive owners and agents shall be responsible for maintaining, in a neat and orderly manner at all time, the site landscaping as approved in the landscaping plan. Plant materials shall be maintained in a healthy and growing condition that is appropriate for the season of the year. Plant materials that die, or have significant damage, shall be replaced within the next planting season with healthy plant material of similar variety and meeting the size requirements of this chapter.

(b)

Should landscaping not be installed, maintained, and replaced as needed to comply with the approved plan and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publication A300, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city clerk, the owner or owner's agent shall be considered in violation of the terms of the permit and this article.

(c)

The city shall have the right to request any tree on private property that has severe structural defects or splits to be removed. The city will notify in writing the owners of such trees. Removal is the responsibility of the owners of such trees, and shall be accomplished within time limits set by the city.

(d)

Trees shall not be topped. Tree pruning and safety shall comply with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publication A300, Part 1, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city clerk.

(Ord. No. 2018-0030, § 2, 4-10-2018)

(a)

The city shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain, and remove trees, plants, and shrubs within the right-of-way or bounds of all streets, alleys, lanes, squares, and public grounds as may be necessary to ensure the public safety, or to facilitate the tree management program.

(b)

The city may remove, or cause or order to be removed, any tree or part thereof which is in an unsafe condition, or which by reason of its nature, is injurious to electric power lines or other public improvements, or is seriously affected with any fatal disease.

(c)

The city shall not top trees. Tree pruning and safety shall comply with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publication A300, Part 1, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city clerk.

(d)

Damaging trees or shrubs in public places. Any person who shall cut, deface, damage, drive nails in or nail signs on, or in any manner damage or interfere with the growth of any tree or shrub in or on any street, alley, public place, or park in the city, shall be in violation of this article.

(Ord. No. 2019-0130, § 2, 9-24-2019)

(a)

Single-family residential. To the maximum extent practicable, utility equipment on residential lots shall be located behind the front building line of the house and screened from public view by an opaque wall, fence, or landscaping screen. Alternative locations may be approved by the planning and development director to allow for the retention of existing trees on wooded sites.

(b)

Multifamily and non-residential.

(1)

Screening generally.

a.

Site screening. All multiple-family residential projects, manufactured and mobile home parks, and all mixed-use and non-residential projects shall include on the landscape plan, a detailed drawing of enclosure and screening methods to be used in connection with trash bins, recycle bins, storage yards, service areas, loading docks, and equipment areas on the property.

b.

Visual screening. Structures shall be designed and screened so that windows and decks do not overlook neighboring residential properties in a manner that intrudes on privacy.

(2)

Mechanical equipment.

a.

Applicability. The standards of this section shall apply to all of the following:

(i)

Electrical and gas-powered mechanical equipment;

(ii)

Ductwork and major plumbing lines used to heat, cool, or ventilate; and

(iii)

Power systems for the building or site upon which the equipment is located.

Roof or wall-mounted antennas and vent openings shall not be considered mechanical equipment for purposes of these screening standards. The standards of this section are not intended to apply to solar arrays, solar energy collection systems, or small wind energy systems, if such systems are otherwise in compliance with applicable building codes and development standards requirements.

b.

Screening standards.

(i)

Roof-mounted mechanical equipment. Roof-mounted mechanical equipment shall be screened by a parapet wall or similar feature that is an integral part of the building's architectural design. The parapet wall or similar feature shall be of a height equal to, or greater than the height of the mechanical equipment being screened. Roof-mounted mechanical equipment, except solar energy collection systems, is prohibited on single-family residential dwellings.

(ii)

Wall-mounted mechanical equipment. Wall-mounted mechanical equipment, except air conditioning equipment (e.g., window AC units), that protrudes more than six inches from the outer building wall shall be screened from view by structural features that are compatible with the architecture of the subject building. Wall-mounted mechanical equipment that protrudes six inches or less from the outer building wall shall be designed to blend with the color and architectural design of the subject building.

(iii)

Ground-mounted mechanical equipment. Ground-mounted mechanical equipment shall be screened from view by landscaping, a fence, or a decorative wall that is integrated into the architecture of the structure. The fence or wall shall be of a height equal to, or greater than the height of the mechanical equipment being screened.

(iv)

Manufactured engineered non-residential unit (MENU). Manufactured engineered non-residential units shall be screened from view by a combination of landscaping, an opaque fence, or a decorative wall that is integrated into the architecture of the structure. The fence or wall shall be of a height equal to, or greater than the height of the MENU being screened. Chain link fencing is not a permitted as a screening method. On a case by case basis, a line-of-sight analysis can be submitted to assess the visual impact of the MENU on the surrounding environment. The line-of-sight analysis can consider, but not be limited to: terrain, obstructions, vegetation, buildings, and other objects.

(v)

Alternate screening. Alternate screening methods that meet the intent of this section may be approved by the planning and development director. Alternative screening might include, but shall not be limited to, increased setbacks, increased landscaping, grouping the equipment on specific portions of a site, architectural elements, and painting or otherwise causing the equipment to blend with the site or structure.

(3)

Service, loading, and storage areas.

a.

Applicability. These screening requirements are applicable to all service, loading, and storage areas. Applicants are encouraged to locate the types of features listed in this subsection where they are not visible from off-site, or from public areas of a site, so that screening is unnecessary.

b.

Placement.

(i)

All service areas shall be placed at the rear, on the side of, or inside buildings.

(ii)

No service area shall be visible from a public right-of-way, or from adjacent residential areas.

(iii)

Service areas and access drives shall be located so they do not interfere with the normal activities of building occupants or visitors on driveways, walkways, in parking areas, or at entries.

c.

Outside storage areas and loading docks.

(i)

All storage areas, service areas, and loading docks visible from any public street right-of-way must be screened according to one or more of the screening options provided in these standards. Property zoned industrial must also screen from view, all outside storage areas that are adjacent to, or can be seen from non-industrial zoned property.

(ii)

Screening shall be a minimum height of eight feet to screen truck berths, loading docks, areas designated for permanent parking, or storage of heavy vehicles, equipment, or materials.

(iii)

Screening shall be long enough to screen the maximum size trailer that can be accommodated on site. Sites that can accommodate a full-size tractor-trailer shall provide a 48-foot wing wall, where wing walls are used.

(4)

Shopping cart storage. All shopping carts shall be stored inside the building they serve. Shopping cart corrals shall be made of a material suitable for withstanding weathering and rusting.

(c)

Materials and design.

(1)

Specific screen types design requirements.

a.

Berm screens. Berm screens shall not exceed a slope steeper than 2½ feet horizontal to one foot vertical. A berm shall be so designed that drainage from said slope shall be directed away from paved areas and sidewalks, and shall be sodded and landscaped as necessary to provide topsoil stabilization. Berms shall not exceed eight feet in height.

b.

Open fence screens. Open fences shall be not less than six feet in height, nor more than eight feet.

c.

Solid fence screens. Solid fences shall not be less than six feet in height, nor more than eight feet, and shall be constructed of wood or other approved materials.

d.

Retaining wall screens.

(i)

A retaining wall that directly abuts and faces a residential zoning district shall not have an exposed wall face greater than eight feet in height. Where more than one eight-foot retaining wall is needed, there shall be at least a three-foot offset between wall faces containing landscaping.

(ii)

A retaining wall that directly abuts and faces any zoning district other than residential, shall not have an exposed wall face greater than 12 feet in height. Where more than one 12-foot retaining wall is needed, there shall be at least a four-foot off-set between wall faces containing landscaping.

(iii)

When special property conditions exist that make it unfeasible to meet these requirements, applicants may present alternative recommendations to the planning and development director for consideration. No permit for any alternative method shall be issued without final approval from the planning and development director.

e.

Wall screens. A wall screen shall be not less than six feet in height, nor more than eight feet.

(2)

Screen design.

a.

Height. Where there is a difference in elevation on opposite sides of the screen within ten feet of the screen, the height shall be measured from the highest elevation.

b.

Sight triangle. On a corner parcel in any district, no planting, berm, fence, or wall shall be placed in such a manner as to impede vision within the intersection clear sight triangle as shown in the city design criteria for public improvement projects.

c.

Existing screening. No existing screening or landscape buffer shall be removed from any developed or undeveloped commercial property which directly abuts a residentially zoned property without first submitting and obtaining approval for a landscaping plan which provides for replacement screening conforming to all provisions of this section.

(Ord. No. 2018-0030, § 2, 4-10-2018; Ord. No. 2019-0130, § 2, 9-24-2019; Ord. No. 2024-0071, § 2, 8-13-2024)

Editor's note— Formerly codified as § 94-104. Ord. No. 2019-0130 added new provisions as § 94-104 therefore existing §§ 94-104 and 94-105 have been renumbered as §§ 94-105 and 94-106, accordingly.

(a)

Access to private property. It shall be unlawful for any person to prevent, delay, or interfere with access to private property by the city or its representative in the legal performance of any section of this article.

(Ord. No. 2018-0030, § 2, 4-10-2018; Ord. No. 2019-0130, § 2, 9-24-2019)

Editor's note— Formerly codified as § 94-104. See editors note under § 94-105.