This Chapter establishes the requirement to provide landscape material in yards and other designated open spaces. Providing landscape material reduces runoff and provides visual relief to paved areas, and minimizes the harmful or nuisance effects resulting from noise, heat and glare. (Ord. 0-03-00, 4-3-2000)

   (A)   Applicability: The provisions of this Chapter apply to all development, except detached single-family dwellings. Those portions of property not devoted to buildings, pavement, or other permanent improvements, shall be landscaped and well maintained. All areas of the site, including street rights of way, which are not paved, shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs, flowers, and/or grass to retard water runoff, restrict blowing trash and litter, and deter improper and unsafe access and site use by the public. "Landscaping" shall mean, at a minimum, the use of trees and "ground cover" defined as grass, shrubs, or other material allowing water to seep through the ground. Decorative rock shall not be considered landscape material.

   (B)   Additional Landscaping Encouraged: All requirements specified in this Chapter are minimum requirements. The provision of landscaping in excess of these requirements is encouraged and may be required when necessary to achieve the purpose of these regulations.

   (C)   Minor Revisions To Approved Landscape Plans: Once a landscape plan has been approved and a building permit issued, the Zoning Enforcement Officer may authorize minor revisions to the approved plan including the substitution of equivalent plantings and ground covers where such revisions do not diminish the benefits of the approved plan. As such, revisions shall require the written approval of the Zoning Enforcement Officer. A revision shall be considered minor when there is no reduction in the quality or quantity of plant material, no significant change in size or location of plant material, and new plants are of the same general category and have the same general design characteristics as the materials being replaced. (Ord. 0-03-00, 4-3-2000)

   (A)   Plant Selection:

      1.   All plants shall conform to the "American Standard for Nursery Stock" ANSI Z60.1, latest edition, and shall be installed according to the current standards of the American Association of Nurserymen.

   (B)   Plants Installed On A Project Site: All plants installed on a project site shall be hardy in USDA Zone 5.

   (C)   Plant Material Selected: Plant material used in conformance with the provisions of this Chapter shall be selected to provide:

      1.   Climate hardiness of plant material;

      2.   Adaptability of the proposed plant material to the specific conditions of the site (sun, shade, dry or wet soils, etc.);

      3.   Inclusion of native plant material where appropriate;

      4.   Plant materials that offer variety in leaf sizes and shapes and overall heights;

      5.   Overall year-round ornamental effect.

   (D)   Healthy And Disease-Free: Plant material shall be healthy, free of insects and diseases and physical damage (bark bruises, scrapes, cracked branches, etc.).

   (E)   Minimum Planting Size: Unless otherwise specified, the minimum size for plant materials installed to meet the requirements of this Chapter shall be as follows:

      1.   Deciduous shade and street trees for all uses shall be fully branched and have a minimum caliper of three inches (3") measured six inches (6") from the ground.

      2.   Single-trunk ornamental trees shall be fully branched and have a minimum caliper of two inches (2") measured six inches (6") from the ground. Multi-trunk ornamental trees shall be a minimum six feet (6') in height.

      3.   Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of six feet (6') in height and fully branched to the ground.

      4.   Shrubs shall be supplied in one gallon or larger containers, or balled and burlapped. Low shrubs shall be a minimum twenty four inches (24") in height at installation. Tall shrubs shall be a minimum thirty six inches (36") in height at installation.

   (F)   Maintenance Of Landscaping:

      1.   Parking areas, building exteriors, and all other parts of the tract visible from the public way, shall be maintained in a sightly, well-kept condition. Landscaping shall be maintained in good condition so as to present a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance, and shall be kept free from refuse and debris.

      2.   Any dead or severely damaged or diseased plant material shall be replaced by the owner, tenant, or their agent during the next planting season for the particular plant or plants in question.

      3.   The branches of deciduous trees and shrubs may be selectively thinned by up to one-third (1/3) in accordance with good horticultural practice. In no case, however, shall trimming result in reducing the overall size of the plant below that specified on the approved landscape plan.

   (G)   Ground Cover And Mulching Requirements:

      1.   Mulch: All trees and shrubs shall be mulched with a minimum of four inch (4") depth shredded bark or other all-organic mulch. All flower and ground cover beds shall be mulched with a minimum of two inch (2") depth shredded bark or other all-organic mulch.

      2.   Distance From Fire Equipment: Only ground cover material or sod shall be utilized within ten feet (10') of any fire hydrant or other fire equipment.

      3.   Storm Water Control: Except where occupied by planting beds, mulched beds, or storm water control facilities, all other pervious surface areas shall be sodded. Storm water control facilities may be seeded with grass types appropriate for such facilities.

   (H)   Obstructions: No plants shall be placed in such a way as to obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic or cause damage to roadways, underground utilities, or other public works. Species of trees known to cause damage to roadways, underground utilities, or other public works shall not be used in an area where such damage could occur. (Ord. 0-03-00, 4-3-2000)

Each person required to obtain site plan approval pursuant to this Section shall provide, as part of their application thereof, a landscape plan. Said plan shall comply with Section 5A-10-10 of this Chapter as well as with the minimum standards set forth herein:

   (A)   Standards For Required Landscaping: All landscaping plans required hereunder shall be subject to the following standards:

      1.   Grassed Areas: All areas of the site plan not proposed to be improved with structures, paved areas, walks, retention or detention areas, lighting or other approved landscaping, shall be improved with Kentucky blue grass sod.

      2.   Minimum Plantings: The applicant shall minimally provide one approved planting for each seven hundred twenty five (725) square feet of gross lot area. For each required planting, there shall be provided an additional ten (10) square feet of approved ground cover adjacent thereto.

      3.   Approved Plantings And Ground Cover: The following shall constitute approved plantings and ground covers for inclusion in the landscape plan required hereunder:

         (a)   Shade Trees: Shade trees shall be provided and shall not be less than three inches (3") in caliper measured six inches (6") from the ground. The following trees are prohibited:

            Box elder

            Catalpa

            Mulberry

            Poplar

            Tree-of-heaven

            Willow

         (b)   Evergreens: Evergreens shall be provided and shall be a minimum of six feet (6') in height.

         (c)   Ornamental Trees: Ornamental trees shall be provided and shall not be less than two inches (2") in caliper measured six inches (6") from the ground and not less than six feet (6') in height.

         (d)   Border Plantings And Foundation Plantings: Border plantings and foundation plantings shall not be less than three feet (3') in height.

         (e)   Living Ground Coverages: Living ground coverages shall be provided at a density sufficient to guarantee total coverage within two (2) years of the date of the initial planting.

      4.   Prohibited Planting And Ground Coverings: The Zoning Enforcement Officer may prohibit plantings and ground coverings or plantings not specifically permitted herein, under circumstances where it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Zoning Enforcement Officer that adverse effects will result from the inclusion of the proposed plantings and ground covering in the landscape plan.

      5.   Credits: Credit against the requirements of this Section shall be allowed for existing vegetation and other landscape features of a quality and of a size as required herein, which the applicant proposes to preserve and/or enhance on an equal basis. In all cases, the Zoning Enforcement Officer may attach such conditions to the granting of the credits provided for herein, as may serve to secure or enhance the continued well-being of all vegetation for which credit is being given during the period of construction upon the site covered by the plan.

   (B)   Application Of Standards To The Landscape Plan: In reviewing the landscape plan, the Zoning Enforcement Officer may require such changes or modifications in the types or location of permitted plantings and ground coverings as the Zoning Enforcement Officer may deem reasonable to the end that such required landscaping shall not adversely affect any improvement or structure limited to required storm water management or detention or other public utilities located upon the site. It shall be an objective of this Section that the requirements and standards set forth herein shall be applied in a manner so as to maximize the screening of proposed uses (including parking, loading, and storage) from adjacent roads and highways and from residential uses located upon adjacent parcels of property.

   (C)   Additional Requirements: All landscaping as required within this Title shall be in addition to all other landscaping requirements contained within this Code including, but not limited to, such provisions as parkway trees, detention or retention areas, landscaping, and the landscaping of off-street parking and loading locations. (Ord. 0-03-00, 4-3-2000)

The selection of type and number of plants and other features is to be determined by the petitioner's landscape architect or designer, provided that by adding the points of selected materials, the total equals the number of points required below:

   (A)   Front, Corner Side, Interior Side And Rear Yards: Except as provided in subsection (B) of this Section at a minimum, front, corner side, interior side and rear yards as set forth in the applicable zoning districts shall be landscaped based on the following formula:

4.5 x (the foot length of the yard as measured at the lot line) = number of points required for landscape materials

   (B)   Interior Side And Rear Yards For Nonresidentially Zoned Property Adjoining Residentially Zoned Property: In lieu of the requirements in subsection (A) of this Section, interior side and rear yards, as set forth in the applicable zoning districts for nonresidentially zoned property adjoining residentially zoned property, shall be based on the following formula:

6 x (the foot length of the yard as measured at the lot line) = number of points required for landscape materials

   (C)   Additional Requirements In The B-3 District: In addition to the landscaping and screening requirements set forth herein, where a side lot line or rear lot line in a B-3 District coincides with a side or rear lot line in an abutting residence district, the City may require that the site plan for the development of said lot provide for a berm at least three feet (3') high to be located in such rear or side yard.

   (D)   Point System: Plants and features are assigned the following point system, which shall be used to calculate the number of different plant materials and features required, in order to meet the total points required in subsections (A) and (B) of this Section.

 

 

(Ord. 0-03-00, 4-3-2000)

All parking lots shall provide landscaping in the parking lot as follows:

   (A)   Landscaping Required Adjacent To Parking Spaces: Perimeter parking lot landscape areas immediately adjacent to parking spaces shall be landscaped with one shade tree and thirty seven (37) shrubs for each one hundred (100) linear feet of parking.

   (B)   Landscaping Required Adjacent To Vehicle Maneuvering Areas: Perimeter parking lot landscape areas immediately adjacent to vehicle maneuvering areas, not including parking spaces, shall be considered perimeter yards and shall conform to the requirements of Section 5A-10-5 of this Chapter, except that additional year- round plant materials shall be planted to provide one hundred percent (100%) screening of mechanical equipment and delivery areas.

   (C)   Landscape Islands Required For Parking Circulation Delineation:

      1.   Landscaping shall be provided in curbed landscape islands at the end of each parking row for the full length of the parking stall. The width of the landscape island shall be a minimum of nine feet (9') back-to-back, including the curbs on both sides of the island. Single depth landscape islands shall include one shade tree and sixteen (16) low shrubs. Double depth landscape islands shall include two (2) shade trees and thirty two (32) low shrubs.

      2.   Landscape islands shall be provided to define driveways and circulation patterns and shall be a minimum of nine feet (9') in width.

   (D)   Intermediate Landscape Islands Required: For parking lots with more than fifteen (15) parking spaces, one intermediate landscape island shall be provided for the full length of a parking space for every fifteen (15) parking spaces. The width of the landscape island shall be nine feet (9'), including the curbs on either side of the island. Single depth landscape islands shall include one shade tree and sixteen (16) low shrubs. Double depth landscape islands shall include two (2) shade trees and thirty two (32) low shrubs. Up to fifty percent (50%) of the required intermediate landscape island area may be combined to create center islands, located between two (2) bays of head-in parking. These combined islands must be a minimum of nine feet (9') in width and must extend the entire row of parking. Three (3) shade trees plus thirty seven (37) low shrubs, excluding ground cover or turf, shall be planted for each one hundred (100) linear feet of combined intermediate landscape islands. In addition, all areas closer than three feet (3') to any curb of a combined intermediate landscape area shall be mulched, sodded or planted with other approved ground cover materials to avoid damage from overhanging car bumpers and doors. (Ord. 0-03-00, 4-3-2000)

   (A)   Foundation Landscaping: Foundation landscaping shall be provided on all sides of a principal building and shall comply with the following:

      1.   Foundation landscaping shall be located in a planting bed a minimum of ten feet (10') in width.

      2.   The required foundation landscaping area shall remain open and free of all paving except where sidewalks and driveways that lead directly into the building are necessary for ingress and egress. In no case shall the foundation landscaping area be reduced to extend across less than fifty percent (50%) of the building face.

      3.   Foundation landscaping shall be comprised of a combination of shade trees, ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubs, and ground cover. Particular attention should be paid toward screening mechanical equipment, air-conditioning units, or any other visible outside equipment, service areas, including dumpster pads, loading docks, bicycle parking areas, providing transitions between the building and ground plane, visual breaks along monotonous building facades, and enhancing walkways, entrance seating areas, bus stops, or any other pedestrian areas.

   (B)   Refuse Disposal Facilities And Required Landscaping: Suitable areas for the storage of trash shall generally be provided in the rear yard, subject to approval by the Zoning Enforcement Officer, and shall be designed and constructed as to allow no view of the trash storage from the street, to prevent waste from blowing around the site or onto adjacent properties or public rights of way, and to permit safe, easy removal of trash by truck or hand, and shall comply with the following:

      1.   Refuse disposal facilities landscaping shall be provided on two (2) sides of any required refuse disposal area immediately adjoining a building, and on three (3) sides of any freestanding refuse disposal area.

      2.   Refuse disposal facilities landscaping shall be located in a planting bed a minimum of ten feet (10') in width adjacent to any structure, except that a planting bed, five feet (5') in width, shall be allowed when a refuse disposal area is setback five feet (5') from a rear or side lot line in compliance with Section 5A-5-9 of this Title.

      3.   The required refuse disposal facilities landscaping shall remain open and free of all paving.

      4.   Refuse disposal facilities landscaping shall be comprised of a combination of shade trees, ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubs, and ground cover. (Ord. 0-03-00, 4-3-2000)

All landscaping as required in this Chapter shall be in addition to all other landscaping requirements contained within Section 5B-1-7 of this Code including, but not limited to, requirements for parkway trees. (Ord. 0-03-00, 4-3-2000)

In the event that it can be demonstrated that existing vegetation meets the intent of the landscape requirements of this Chapter, existing vegetation may be credited for landscape materials required by this Chapter. Such vegetation shall meet specifications for new plant materials and be located within the area for which credit has been given. The developer shall note on the landscape plan the landscape materials which would have been required if the existing vegetation did not exist. If any of the vegetation dies, it shall be replaced with the material identified on the plan. Said plant material shall be guaranteed for one year from time of final engineering approval. (Ord. 0-03-00, 4-3-2000)

   (A)   Landscape Plan Required: A landscape plan shall be required for all exterior construction and development activity. Such landscape plan shall conform to the requirements specified in this Chapter. Landscape plans must be submitted to the Zoning Enforcement Officer and approved by the City Council as part of the site plan approval process. The construction of detached single-family residences shall be exempted from this requirement.

   (B)   Content Of Landscape Plan: All landscape plans submitted for approval shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:

      1.   The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures, parking lots and drives, roadways and rights of way, sidewalks, bicycle paths, ground signs, refuse disposal areas, bicycle parking areas, fences, freestanding electrical equipment, tot lots and other recreational facilities, and other freestanding structural features as determined necessary by the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

      2.   All required setback and yard lines.

      3.   The exact location, quantity, size and name, both botanical and common names, of all proposed planting materials on-site and in the adjacent right of way.

      4.   The location of existing buildings and structures on adjacent property within one hundred feet (100') of the site.

      5.   Existing and proposed grading of the site, including proposed berming, indicating contours, at one foot (1') intervals.

      6.   Specification of the type and boundaries of all proposed ground cover.

      7.   Elevations of all fences proposed for location on the site.

      8.   Elevations, cross sections, and other details as determined necessary by the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

      9.   The location, quantity, size and name, both botanical and common names, of all existing deciduous trees five inches (5") in caliper or greater and evergreen trees fifteen feet (15') in height or greater.

      10.   Details for any underground sprinkling system that may be utilized.

      11.   The following legend shall be provided on all landscape plans:

(Ord. 0-03-00, 4-3-2000)