It is the intent of the planting and landscaping provisions of this article to reduce to a minimum the unaesthetic view created by a group of parked automobiles or the "sea of asphalt" of necessary parking areas. It is also the intent of this article to encourage tree and shrub planting, thereby reducing noise, air pollution, forceful winds, surface drainage, and soil erosion to adjacent property and generally adding to the beauty and worth of the entire village.

(Code 1974, § 22-77(1))

All parking and asphalt covered areas, public or private, including all open sales areas containing more than five parking spaces, and all gas stations, irregardless of the amount of parking provided, shall be screened with landscaping on the sides adjacent to the property that is used or zoned for residential purposes, and on the sides abutting a public right-of-way. The parking areas shall be so arranged that they can be screened from view. In addition, all parking and asphalt covered areas, public or private, and including all open spaces containing ten or more contiguous parking spaces shall contain, dispersed among the parking spaces or around the edges of the parking or asphalt covered areas, protected trees to the extent that three trees shall be provided for every ten parking spaces and to the extent that the parking spaces exceed ten in number, one tree for every ten parking spaces in addition to the original ten parking spaces indicated in this section.

(Code 1974, § 22-77(2))

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Dispersed planting of trees means trees of types and varieties approved by the zoning officer and shall be planted apart from the required landscaping strips and dispersed throughout the parking area to the highest degree possible. Trees may be linearly placed or randomly placed, but shall not be grouped in any one area of the parking lot.

Landscaping means some combination of planted trees, shrubs, vines, ground cover, flowers or lawns. The landscaped strip shall be mounded a minimum of one foot above the height of the adjacent parking spaces but not exceeding a three to one slope and shall be protected from automobile traffic by curing or some other effective barrier to the passage of automobiles. In addition, the combination or design may include rock ground cover not to exceed 15 percent of the total for any landscaped area, and such structured features as fountains, pools, art work, screens, walls, fences, or benches, but such objects alone shall not meet the requirements of this section. It is desirable and acceptable to include such nonliving structural features, but such objects shall always be used in combination with living plant material.

(Code 1974, § 22-77(3))

Cross reference— Definitions generally, § 1-2.

The following requirements shall be met for dispersed planting of trees:

(1)

Size. Unless otherwise approved by the zoning officer all trees shall be a minimum of 1½ inches in diameter, six feet in height when planted. The crown shall be in good balance with the trunk.

(2)

Grade. Unless otherwise allowed for specific reasons, all trees shall have comparatively straight trunks well developed leaders and tops, and roots characteristic of the species, cultivate, and variety showing evidence of proper nursery pruning. All trees must be free of insects, diseases, mechanical injuries, and other objectionable features at the time of planting.

(3)

Spacing. Trees shall not be grouped, but instead shall be dispersed among the parking spaces or around the edges of the parking area. No trees shall be planted within five feet of an intersection of any street, alley, or driveway with any type of public way, nor within five feet of a public utility pole.

(4)

Area per tree. Each tree shall be planted in an unpaved ground space capable of supporting the species of tree planted as specified by a competent nurseryman or landscape architect. However, in all cases a minimum of 16 square feet of unpaved ground space may also contain additional small shrubs or ground cover to complement the trees.

(5)

Protective measures. All trees shall be protected from damage by automobiles and trucks by curbing or other protective barriers; and shall also be staked at the time of planting with poles having a diameter of not less than 1½ inches, or stakes measuring not less than 1½ inches on each side.

(6)

Determination of number of parking spaces. In public and private parking areas, the number of spaces shall be a simple summation of the outlined spaces, excluding necessary driveways and nonfunctional areas. In open sales areas, the number of spaces shall be determined by dividing the gross land area in square feet by 350 square feet.

(Code 1974, § 22-77(3))

(a)

Site plan and landscape plan. A site plan and landscape plan shall be submitted to the zoning officer with every application for a zoning permit or building permit for any use or structure involving parking areas.

(b)

Site plan requirements. The site plan shall show building location, ingress and egress, accessways, parking spaces, maneuvering areas, landscape areas, paving, grading, fencing, curb cuts, and lighting or other arrangements as may be required. If dispersed tree planting is required, the site plan shall show the location and spacing of all required trees. Specifications and locations of all necessary protective barriers shall also be shown.

(c)

Landscaping plan specifications. The landscaping plan shall be drawn to scale and shall show the type, height, and placement of all material. This plant list shall contain the common name and size at the time of planting.

(d)

Landscaping design. The landscape design shall be subject to the following provisions:

(1)

Any required planting strip shall be a minimum of eight feet in width.

(2)

Wherever landscaping may interfere with traffic vision, the height and placement shall be determined by the village engineer.

(3)

To effectively screen the area, the majority of the landscape materials should be a minimum of two feet in height and include some evergreen material. The landscape strip should be mounted with permanent soil or fill to a minimum of one foot but not to exceed a three to one slope, except where other design methods can be shown to effectively screen the parking area and identify the landscape strip.

(4)

If location and circumstance dictate, plant material to be used should be resistant to salt damage and resistant to the noxious fumes and emissions of automobiles.

(e)

Approval or disapproval. The zoning officer shall have the right to approve or disapprove any landscape design which does not reasonably meet the requirements of this section. The granting of approval by the zoning officer may include such conditions as he deems reasonable and necessary to carry out the intent of this section. In evaluating landscaping site plans, the zoning officer may consult other village officials such as the village engineer. When consultation requests are made by the zoning officer, the consulted village official shall comply with a written statement of his findings.

(f)

Maintenance. It shall be the owner's responsibility to see that the landscaping is maintained in a neat, clean, orderly, and healthful condition. This includes, among other things, proper pruning, mowing of lawns, weeding, removal of litter, replacement of plants when necessary, and regular watering of plantings. In no case shall snow or other debris from the streets and parking areas be dumped into the landscaped strips or tree plots. Any open area between a fence or wall and adjacent property line shall be maintained in a neat and orderly manner.

(g)

Issuance of permits. No certificate of zoning compliance shall be issued by the zoning officer, and no certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the building officer unless the parking and landscape improvements have been completed or a completion bond, a cash deposit, or a certified check to cover the cost of the approved improvements as estimated by the village engineer has been deposited with the village clerk.

(h)

Completion of improvements. All landscaping, off-street parking, and loading space improvements shall be completed prior to the occupancy of any building or the commencement of the use of the land. In the event of adverse weather conditions, the zoning officer may authorize one time extension of not more than four months, provided that the property owner shows intent to complete the improvements as evidenced by submitting a copy of a valid contract for completion of the required improvements.

(Code 1974, § 22-78)