A.

The purpose of this section is to set forth minimum regulations for land alteration relating to development, the preservation and protection of trees, and the installation and maintenance of landscaping. It is the intent of this section to:

1.

Create an aesthetically pleasing and functional living environment to protect and enhance property values by conserving trees and by requiring the plantings of trees and other vegetation.

2.

Create a transitional interface between conflicting and incompatible lands by providing landscaped buffer areas and screening.

3.

Provide for the preservation of larger native trees, which provide a valuable amenity to the urban and suburban environment and prevent damage to and unnecessary removal of these trees during the land development process.

4.

Provide landscaped areas within parking lots which are designed to facilitate movement of traffic, break-up large areas of impervious surfaces, provide shade, buffer, and screen adjacent properties.

5.

Promote the use of native plants that are more adaptable to the local climate extremes, are drought tolerant, low maintenance, and thus provide a sustainable, ecologically balanced environment.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020)

Landscaping, screening, and buffering, as required in this section, shall be provided for all new development. Any change of use or any modification to an existing development shall be required to adhere to this section to the most practical extent possible as determined by the Community Development Director.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020)

A.

A landscape plan prepared by a landscape professional (such as a landscape architect, plant nursery, or landscaping contractor) shall be submitted to the community development department as a part of the site improvement and/or building plans required for a building permit or in conjunction with a subdivision, planned district or Special Use Permit application. The landscape plan is subject to the review and approval of the City.

B.

If applicable, no building permit or business license shall be issued unless such landscape plan complies with the regulations contained herein.

C.

In addition to the informational requirements for site improvement plans as set forth in the zoning code, landscape plans shall contain the following information:

1.

[Location.] Site plan indicating the location of existing and proposed buildings, parking lots, sidewalks, retaining walls, stormwater basins, and utility easements (public and private), showing the relationship with existing and proposed planting materials.

2.

Minimum landscaped area required. The tabulation of the minimum landscaped areas as required by these regulations including impervious site coverage calculations shall be shown on the landscape plan.

3.

Minimum plant material required. The tabulation of the minimum number of plant material and points as required by these regulations shall be shown on the landscape plan.

4.

Plant material provided. A plant list shall be shown on the landscape plan that includes the botanical and common names, quantity of plants, plant size, and selective characteristics of the plants provided. Said list shall callout the tabulation of points for entire site, demonstrating compliance with the requirements of this section.

5.

Irrigation plan. An irrigation plan indicating the location of pipe, irrigation heads, and areas to be irrigated or a watering diagram indicating the area of coverage.

6.

Tree survey. New development requiring the disturbance or removal of trees shall identify all trees six (6) inch caliper or larger measured at diameter breast height (DBH), tree diameter measure four and one-half (4.5) feet above the ground, with species and size listed in table format, meeting the requirements of the City's Infrastructure Design Manual.

7.

Tree preservation. The landscape plan shall show all trees and wooded areas to be preserved.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020; Ord. No. 24-196, § 1, 12-10-2024)

A.

A premium will be placed on the preservation of the natural tree cover and other unique characteristics of the landscape. The intent of this section is to maintain a sense of natural amenity, which will distinguish Collinsville as a unique and attractive setting for business. It will also preserve the intrinsic environmental values and continuity of mature, native tree cover as wildlife habitat and as protection against erosion and contamination by runoff to streams on the site.

B.

Site plans and subdivisions shall incorporate all feasible methods and approaches to preserve all existing trees and wooded areas outside the minimum building and site development area or within residential tree preservation areas. The following replacement standards shall apply:

1.

A tree preservation plan shall be prepared meeting the requirements of Section 1.050.02.7 of the City's Infrastructure Design Manual.

2.

Additionally, existing vegetative cover including native trees, shrubs, forbs, sedges, groundcovers, grasses, and other flora shall be preserved to the maximum extent possible during development. Such existing vegetation provides important wildlife habitat, erosion control, and visual buffers within the landscape.

3.

The removal of trees or other vegetation within an existing underground utility easement as a part of either the maintenance or improvement of the utility line shall not be included in the mitigation plan.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020; Ord. No. 24-196, § 1, 12-10-2024)

A.

Site construction shall take into account the life and good health of trees by installing tree protection barrier at the drip line of the tree and avoiding compaction of soils within the drip line of the tree and making sure that the trunks, branches, and root structures are not damaged by construction equipment.

1.

All tree preservation areas shall be delineated on the landscape and site plan, meeting the requirements of Section 1.050.02.07 of the City's Infrastructure Design Manual.

2.

Tree-save areas shall be field delineated in a manner that is clearly visible to any construction equipment operator and/or erect a suitable protective barrier around all trees to be preserved.

3.

Cutting or filling, trenching, or parking of vehicles or equipment within the drip line is prohibited.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020; Ord. No. 24-196, § 1, 12-10-2024)

The replacement of trees removed shall be based on their total caliper inches. Each caliper inch removed or damaged from outside the building and site development area or from the residential tree preservation area shall be replaced according to the following conditions.

A.

Replacement on site. For every inch of tree caliper measured six (6) inches above the ground, removed or damaged, the applicant shall install a replacement tree or trees measuring an equal caliper on site.

B.

Replacement on other sites. If the replacement trees cannot be provided on-site, they shall be provided off-site as follows. For every inch of tree external diameter removed or damaged, the applicant shall install two (2) inches of replacement tree caliper.

C.

Replacement trees shall follow Table 1; Minimum plant material size at installation and shall be no less quality species than the tree removed.

D.

The total mitigation requirement shall not exceed three hundred (300) caliper inches per acre.

E.

Alternative method to determining replacement. The City may determine the total caliper inches to be replaced based on an evaluation of resource quality prepared by a qualified arborist or professional having recognized expertise in conducting a tree survey. Said evaluation shall include identification of species, caliper, condition (vigor, density, pests, extent of decay), crown integrity and spread.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020)

A.

The plant material listed in Table 1 Unacceptable Landscaping Material, are disease prone, weak-wooded or invasive plant species are generally undesirable for urban conditions, shall be prohibited for use in meeting any of the requirements in this section.

Table 1: Unacceptable Landscaping Material

B.

Plant size. All plant material shall meet the minimum size and height requirements set forth in Table 2 Minimum Plant Material Size at Installation. Ground cover sizes and types should be selected according to growth rate, spacing, and amount of area to be covered.

Table 2: Minimum Plant Material Size at Installation

C.

The landscape plan shall consider size of plant materials at maturity, not at purchase or installation.

D.

All landscape materials shall be in compliance with the American Standard for nursery stock and installed in a good, sound, workman-like manner.

E.

Landscape materials shall be of long-lived varieties. Plants and other landscape elements shall be permanent in nature. Short-lived materials like annuals may be permitted as accents.

F.

All plant materials shall be capable of withstanding the extremes of individual site microclimates. Planting materials shall be ornamented types found to be hardy in USDA Zones 5 and 6.

G.

Wherever practicable, new landscaping shall use native materials. Resources for determining acceptable native plants can be found at Plant Native Illinois directory, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's Illinois native plant species list and Missouri Sewer Department Landscape Guide for BMPs.

H.

Thorny plants shall not be placed next to pedestrian areas.

I.

Groundcover/lawns.

1.

Landscaping should be used to minimize potential erosion through the use of plant materials, which aid in soil stabilization.

2.

Lawn areas shall be seeded or sodded when construction is completed. All pervious surfaces except mulched planting bed areas, rock or stone beds and pervious pavers or pavement shall be planted with vegetation.

3.

The planting of ground cover and lawns shall be consistent with the American Nurserymen Standards.

4.

Other low growing plants (evergreen plants with a mature height of one (1) foot or less) may also be utilized.

i.

Low growing broadleaf evergreen plants. They shall be planted together in continuous beds with a weed barrier fabric applied, mulched with shredded hardwood bark or cypress mulch and be spaced in such a way that they are solid within two (2) years of the date a certificate of occupancy is issued by the City. If not met, additional planting may be required by the building official as deemed necessary to meet this requirement.

ii.

Mulching requirements. All required shrubs and trees shall have a weed barrier fabric applied and be mulched and maintained with shredded hardwood bark, cypress, or rock beds. All beds adjacent to parking lots should have a weed barrier applied with rock or stone beds, or mulch.

a.

For purposes of this section, all references to weed barrier fabric shall be an approved ultraviolet light resistant, nonwoven geotextile fabric with a minimum mass (weight) of 60 g/m2 (1.75 oz./sq. yd.).

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020)

Existing or replacement trees on a site in approved locations and of acceptable quality shall be credited towards fulfillment of landscaping requirements of this section.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020)

All ground, with the exception of walks, drives, parking facilities, and service areas, shall be landscaped in a manner that is complementary to the architecture, provides the required screening, and forms an attractive transition to the natural landscape features of the site. Lawn will be created in the area between the street curb and the first "solid" edge developed at the street frontage (whether it is a building, planting screen, or wall). The intent is to establish a consistent, maintained street edge throughout the property. Proposed departures from this guideline will be evaluated on the basis of their effect on the desired visual sequence.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020)

At least one (1) deciduous tree, with a caliper of no less than two (2) inches, shall be required for each residential lot. No tree shall be planted within the right-of-way unless authorized by the jurisdiction having control over said right-of-way.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020)

A.

Required quantity of new plant material for new construction.

1.

New buildings and projects shall meet the following requirements:

i.

Number of points required. The number of points required shall be determined by dividing the square footage of the parcel by five hundred (500). Fractional points shall be rounded up to the next point.

ii.

Quantity of material required. The quantity of material required, based upon the total points required, shall be fulfilled by the items included in Table 3 Plant Material.

Table 3: Plant Material

2.

A minimum of twenty (20) percent of required points shall come from ornamental grasses, sedges, rushes, or shrubs.

3.

A minimum of five (5) percent of required points shall come from perennials, annuals, bulb, forbs, and wildflowers that provide variation in color. Short lived materials, such as annual flowers may be used to accent or supplement the basic permanent landscape plan.

4.

If applicable, ten (10) percent of total required points shall be utilized for BMPs in stormwater management.

i.

Stormwater management plantings shall follow requirements set forth in Section 17.080.160—Stormwater drainage detention and retention.

ii.

No more than fifteen (15) percent of required points shall come from stormwater retention/detention facilities.

5.

A minimum of fifty (50) percent of shrubs shall be evergreen.

6.

A minimum of fifty (50) percent of shade trees shall be located in parking lot islands or along the parking lot perimeter.

7.

In no case shall ornamental trees account for more than fifty (50) percent of the total trees planted.

8.

Perennials, bulbs, annuals, and flowers shall be planted at a minimum of seventy-eight (78) percent per fifty (50) square feet, at twelve (12) inches on center.

9.

Existing landscaping that is in a vigorous growing condition and meets the intent of this section may count toward meeting the point requirements upon approval of the City.

10.

To support local conservation efforts, double point values will be rewarded for plant material in landscape plans that will meet requirements to become a certified butterfly garden or wildlife habitat. The developer or property owner shall be responsible for demonstrating qualifying plant material in the landscape plan to meet criteria for certification. The developer or property owner shall obtain certification from the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) or the National Wildlife Federation/Prairie Rivers Network (NWF/PRN) within one (1) year of installation. Failure to obtain certification within one (1) year of installation will require the property owner to replace rewarded points. The City may request proof of certification upon inspections. All certified butterfly garden or wildlife habitat shall display the appropriate certification sign. Certified gardens shall be maintained to the same standards set forth in Section 17.080.180—Landscape Maintenance. The City of Collinsville may require additional landscaping replacement subject to the removal or neglect of a certified garden.

B.

Building site. Each building site shall be landscaped to a minimum depth of twenty (20) feet inside the property boundary line along any street. Sidewalks and entry drives are exceptions to this requirement. The remainder of any required front setback may be used for automobile parking or the same or a different kind of landscaping treatment.

C.

Side areas. Landscaping shall be required on each building site in the side setback areas that are not otherwise used for automobile parking.

D.

Rear areas. No formal landscaping shall be required in rear setback areas that are unpaved except that a dust-free surface shall be maintained.

E.

Rights-of-way. Any unpaved areas lying within adjacent street rights-of-ways shall be landscaped and maintained to the finished curb line of the street by the owner or occupant of the adjacent property.

F.

Groundcover. Areas of the development site other than that for the building, parking lots, entryways, sidewalks, service areas, etc. shall be landscaped with an approved vegetative cover to prevent soil erosion and increase pervious surfaces.

G.

Irrigation. All lawn, vegetative cover, and plant material are to be automatically irrigated by an underground system providing one hundred (100) percent coverage to ensure the maintenance and vigor of landscaping. The entire irrigation system shall be designed and constructed in accordance with all local building code requirements. The Planning Commission may waive irrigation requirements contingent on the developer's ability to provide alternative irrigation methods with the following exception(s):

1.

Landscaped areas consisting solely of native plantings shall not require traditional underground irrigation systems. Irrigation plans shall be tailored to the needs of the native species. Lawn seed or sod shall be proven to be drought tolerant once established.

H.

All plant material shall conform to the requirements set forth in Section 17.080.080—Plant material and standards.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020; Ord. No. 25-61, § 1, 4-22-2025)

A.

All landscaped areas shall be clearly defined by decorative rock and/or mulch and contain plantings proportional to the square footage of the landscaped area.

B.

The primary landscaping materials used in parking lots shall be trees, which provide shade or are capable of providing shade at maturity. Shrubs and other live planting material may be used to complement the tree landscaping but shall not be the sole contribution to the landscaping. A minimum of fifty (50) percent of shrubs shall be evergreens.

C.

All planting shall conform to the minimum planting material size and standards set forth in Section 17.080.080—Plant material and standards.

D.

The dimensions of any planting area within the parking lot shall be sufficient to protect all landscaping materials planted therein and not be less than six (6) feet.

E.

Landscape island standards. Landscaped islands shall be included at the end of each row of parking stalls that abuts an internal traffic aisle.

1.

Single island. There shall be an island with a minimum landscape width of six (6) feet and a minimum area of one hundred (100) square feet, placed at the end of a single row of parking, containing at least one deciduous tree. The island shall contain a minimum of one deciduous tree and be professionally landscaped with a mixture of shrubs, grass, plants, flowers, or other ground cover material that may compliment the landscaped area.

2.

Double island. There shall be a double island of two hundred and ten (210) square feet placed at the ends of double row of parking. Each double landscaped island shall contain a minimum of two (2) deciduous trees and be professionally landscaped with a mixture or shrubs, grass, plants, flowers, or other ground cover material that may compliment the landscaped area.

3.

A landscaped island with a minimum landscape width of six (6) feet and a minimum area of one hundred (100) square feet shall be located every twenty (20) spaces in a row.

4.

Up to forty (40) contiguous parking spaces may be allowed where rows of head to head parking spaces are separated by a six (6) foot wide linear treed landscape island.

F.

Flexibility in placement of treed landscape islands may be allowed for creative parking lot design and preservation of existing trees and vegetation. However, no more than twenty (20) parking spaces not separated by a treed landscape shall be allowed. Islands shall always be required at each end of a row of parking spaces.

G.

Parking lots shall be designed to avoid creating large open expanses of paving. All parking lots shall include landscaping in accordance with the standards established by this section. Existing trees shall be preserved where possible. Surfaces denuded of vegetation shall be seeded or sodded to prevent soil erosion.

H.

Landscaping along parking lot perimeters. Landscaping along the perimeter of any parking lot more than five (5) spaces shall be subject to the requirements of this section.

1.

Where parking lots are adjacent to a public right of way on an arterial or collector street, a minimum seven (7) foot buffer shall be provided between the parking lot and the right-of-way line. This buffer shall be seeded or sodded and include at least one tree every fifteen (15) feet. Where the code requires a larger buffer between the parking lot and the right-of-way line, the larger buffer shall be provided.

2.

When the property line abuts land not in the right-of-way of a street:

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020)

Transition buffers shall be located along those portions of a site that are along those portions of adjoining lots with a different zoning classification. This requirement is intended to help ease the land use transition between areas of varying development intensity and to ensure land use compatibility. The developing property shall always be responsible for providing required buffers and the maintenance thereto. Plant material utilized for required transition buffers shall not meet requirements for total required plant material as specified in Section 17.080.120.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020)

A.

Transition buffers shall be located along those portions of a site that are along those portions of adjoining lots with a different zoning classification. This requirement is intended to help ease the land use transition between areas of varying development intensity and to ensure land use compatibility. The developing property shall always be responsible for providing required buffers and the maintenance thereto. Plant material utilized for required transition buffers shall not meet requirements for total required plant material as specified in Section 17.080.120.

1.

Identify the minimum zoning classification required to accommodate the proposed use. These classifications are listed under "Proposed Zoning" in the first column.

2.

For Transition Buffer Requirements, identify the actual zoning classification of the abutting site. These classifications are listed under the heading "Adjacent Zoning".

3.

Determine if a transition buffer is required by crossing the previously identified proposed zoning with the adjacent zoning. The letter "R" indicates that a transition buffer is required, otherwise, no transition buffer is required.

Table 4: Transition Buffer Requirements

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020)

When a transition buffer is required by this code, such transition buffer shall consist of a planting screen meeting the specifications herein. A landscaped berm or other screening meeting the specifications herein may be used in lieu of such planting screen upon approval by the Planning Commission. Said screening shall be maintained in good condition by the owner or owners the property of the developing site.

A.

Planting screens. Planting screens shall consist of a mixture of coniferous and deciduous trees, planted, and maintained to be achieved within thirty-six (36) months after occupancy of the premises to be screened.

1.

Such screen shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet in width and have a minimum height of six (6) feet above grade at any particular point along its length.

2.

Any two (2) foot square segment of a planting screen shall contain no more than thirty (30) percent open space affording a direct horizontal view through such screen if such segment is over two (2) feet above grade.

B.

Landscaped berm. Adequate evidence shall be furnished demonstrating that the construction of such berm, along with any necessary culverts and ditching, will not create adverse drainage and flooding conditions on adjacent property.

1.

Such berm shall be at least thirty (30) feet in width at the base and at least four (4) feet in height, as measured perpendicular to grade level at any point along its length. Side slopes shall have a gradient no steeper than three to one (3:1).

2.

Side slopes of such berm shall be sodded so as to prevent erosion. The top of the berm shall contain a planting screen. The minimum height of such planting screen shall be three (3) feet above the top of the berm at any point along its length. Construction and material of such berm shall be approved by the Planning Commission.

C.

Fence screen. A solid or semi-solid screen or wall must be at least six (6) feet high, but not more than eight (8) feet, and have a density of not less than seventy (70) percent per square foot. Trees and other landscape materials shall be planted at the base of the fence screen to compliment onsite views from adjoining districts except within the HP-1. BP-1, and BP-2 districts.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020)

A.

Stormwater management shall be provided for all sites according to the City's Infrastructure Design Manual. The stormwater drainage system shall be separate and independent of the sanitary sewer system in accordance with the drainage laws of the State of Illinois.

B.

The maintenance of any stormwater management facility shall be the responsibility of the owner of the real estate in which the facility is located, and they shall do so in compliance with the approved plans. If the owner fails to maintain the facility, the City may take the necessary actions to maintain the facility and shall be authorized to institute any legal proceedings necessary to recover from the owners the sums of money expended by the City in so maintaining the detention facility. Costs of attorney's fees, litigation expenses, and court costs incurred by the City shall be the responsibility of the owner of the real estate.

C.

Planting along or within stormwater management areas. Ten (10) percent of total required landscape points shall be utilized in stormwater management plantings if applicable.

1.

Drainage easement areas:

i.

Native vegetation is to be preserved or replaced within all existing drainage easements except that portion to be used specifically for water conveyance and ditch maintenance.

ii.

Adequate ground cover plantings to prevent soil erosion shall be used to supplement existing native vegetation.

iii.

Wherever feasible, bio stabilization techniques for maintenance of creek banks shall be used.

iv.

Replacement plantings along drainage easements shall be in addition to the plant material required herein.

2.

Stormwater management areas:

i.

Plant material shall be used to screen head walls and other drainage structures.

ii.

Any plantings below maximum pool elevations shall be tolerant of periods of frequent flooding. Stormwater management areas shall be kept free of sediment and undesirable plants.

iii.

Plantings shall be approved by a qualified professional and adhere to the best management practices of the Illinois Department of natural Resources, Missouri Sewer Department Landscape Guide for BMPs, United States Department of Agriculture, Illinois Department of Agriculture, or other federal authorities.

3.

Managed natural landscape: A planned, intentional and maintained planting of native or non-native grasses, wildflowers, forbs, ferns, shrubs, or trees, including but not limited to rain gardens, meadow vegetation, and ornamental plantings.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020; Ord. No. 24-196, § 1, 12-10-2024)

A.

Responsibility. The owner of the premises shall be responsible for the watering, maintenance, repair, and replacement of all landscaping, fences and other visual barriers including refuse disposal area screens which have died (in case of plant materials) or fallen into disrepair (in the case of fences).

B.

Plant materials. All required plant materials shall be maintained in a healthy, vigorous growing condition, and neat and orderly appearance. They shall be replaced as necessary and shall be kept free of refuse and debris.

C.

Fences and walls. All fences, walls and other barriers shall be maintained in good repair, meaning structurally sound and attractive in appearance.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020)

Definitions:

Site development area: The limit of construction activity as measured two (2) feet from the edge of a residential or commercial driveway, parking lot or loading/unloading area.

Tree preservation area: This area shall apply to residential development only. It shall be a minimum of fifteen (15) feet as measured from the exterior property line of the development, encompassing the entire property.

(Ord. No. 20-77, § 1, 8-25-2020)