Dexter City Zoning Code

The intent of this article is to establish minimum standards for the design, installation, and maintenance of landscaping along public roads, as buffer areas between uses, on the interior of a site, within parking lots, and adjacent to buildings. Landscaping is viewed as a critical element contributing to the aesthetics, development quality, stability of property values, and the overall character of the City. The standards of this article are also intended to provide incentives to preserve quality mature trees, screen headlights to reduce glare, integrate various elements of a site, help ensure compatibility between land uses, assist in directing safe and efficient traffic flow at driveways and within parking lots, and minimize negative impacts of stormwater runoff and salt spray.

The landscape standards of this article are considered the minimum necessary to achieve the intent. In several instances, the standards are intentionally flexible to encourage creative design based on the specific conditions of the site or environment. Applicants are encouraged to provide additional landscaping to improve the function, appearance, and value of the project site.

The area of the building is proposed to be increased less than 10% of the originally approved site plan;

The area of parking is proposed to be increased less than 10% of the originally approved site plan; and

The use is being changed to a less intensive use as determined by the Zoning Administrator.

Tree Inventory. A Tree Inventory is required as a component of the preliminary site plan submission as set forth in Article XXI.

Tree protection plan. If trees are proposed to be preserved on-site, a tree protection plan, meeting all requirements of § 65-6.16, Tree protection during construction, must be a component of the landscape plan.

Landscape architect seal. All landscape plans required for mixed-use, commercial, industrial, office, mobile home park developments, multiple family developments and single-family developments of over three single-family units, submitted to the City of Dexter for review and approval, must be prepared and signed by a State of Michigan licensed landscape architect.

Minimum plant material standards: All proposed landscaping shall meet the minimum following plant standards at the time of installation.

Percentage of genus and species: To ensure diversity in species throughout the City, the following maximums apply for proposed landscaping on a site:

Trees not permitted: Trees with the following characteristics are undesirable: weak wooded, invasive species, or species with a known vulnerability to a specific pest or pathogen. The tree species listed in the table below are not permitted, except where they are considered appropriate for the ecosystem, such as in a wetland environment not in proximity to any existing or proposed buildings or structures:

Water supply or irrigation. All landscaped areas shall be provided with irrigation, or a readily available and acceptable water supply or with at least one outlet located within 100 feet of all plant material to be maintained.

Sight visibility. Landscaping shall be installed so that at maturity it does not obscure traffic signs or lights, obstruct vision for safety of ingress or egress, or interfere with adequate motorist sight distance. Landscaping materials and arrangement shall ensure adequate sight visibility for motorists, and adequate clearance for pedestrians and vehicles.

Fire hydrant access. Landscaping materials and arrangement shall be installed so that at maturity it does not obstruct accessibility to fire hydrants. Plantings within 15 feet of a fire hydrant shall be no taller than six inches at maturity.

Drainage. Landscape plantings shall not obscure drainage patterns on site or on adjacent properties.

Distance for trees from underground utilities. Required trees shall be located a minimum of six feet from underground utilities.

Distance for trees from curb or pavement. Required trees shall be located a minimum of three feet from any curb or pavement surface.

Berm standards. Berms shall be constructed with slopes no greater than one foot vertical for each four feet horizontal and with at least a three-foot wide generally flat top, round top, or contoured top. Adequate protection against wind erosion shall be provided. Berms shall be designed and constructed to appear as a natural feature in the landscape and the vicinity. Uniform heights and shapes should be avoided. If a slope greater than one (vertical) on four (horizontal) is necessary, the surface shall be planted with ground covers that are suitable for stabilizing surfaces. Hydroseed or seed are not acceptable.

Grasses, sod, seed, and hydroseed. The following common perennial turf grasses may be planted on any site. Species listed below were selected for their ability to withstand the Michigan climate:

Purpose. The standards below are intended to encourage the preservation of existing mature, healthy trees which contribute to the character, welfare, and quality of life in Dexter. These standards are intended to prevent the unnecessary removal of trees prior to, during, and following construction of a site. The standards of this section in conjunction with the standards for site plan review promote the goals of the City of Dexter Master Plan.

Landmark tree preservation.

Tree preservation techniques. Trees shall be preserved to the greatest extent practicable through the use of site development techniques, including but not limited to the following:

Preserved trees may satisfy landscaping requirements. Existing trees proposed for preservation may be used to satisfy the requirements of this article if all the following circumstances are met:

Site plan approval and enforcement. Tree protection and mitigation as approved by the Planning Commission is a condition of site plan approval and enforced as such.

Tree replacement.

Exemptions from replacement. The following shall be exempt from the requirements of these tree replacement as set forth in § 65-6.06A:

Clearance of 25% or more of existing trees.

Tree replacement off-site as last option.

Street trees. One road tree is required at a minimum of every 25 linear feet or a maximum of every 40 linear feet on center, depending on the shape (i.e., columnar, oval, etc.). In form-based districts, the minimum distance and spacing of road trees is determined by building form. Placement of road trees on cul-de-sacs shall be reviewed as part of site plan approval. All road trees shall be uniformly spaced to create a tree lined road.

Placement and utilities. Street trees shall not be planted within six feet of water or sewer lines and shall not interfere with overhead utility lines or underground utilities. Consideration should be given to the mature size and height of the tree when evaluating placement and species selection near utilities, both underground and overhead.

Required species. Street trees must be deciduous trees. Non-deciduous conifers/evergreens are not permitted to be used as road trees since they interfere with visibility, pedestrian safety, and vehicular circulation.

Recommended species. Native species are generally preferred. Canopy trees are preferred for road trees, but ornamental trees may be allowed under overhead utility lines.

Required parking lot screening from public streets. Parking lots which abut a public road in all form-based districts shall be in compliance with the parking screening of adjacent road right-of way for the applicable building form. For all parking lots in use-based districts, the following landscape screen shall be provided:

Layout. Landscaping shall be dispersed throughout the parking lot in order to break up large expanses of pavement and help direct safe and efficient traffic flow within the lot. A minimum of one tree shall be planted and included in each landscaping island or required landscaping area pursuant to the calculations of this section. Landscaping areas shall be covered by grass, other living groundcover or wood mulch.

Parking lot island standards. All parking lot islands shall comply with the following standards:

Interior parking lot landscaping. Interior parking lot landscaping shall be provided in accordance with the following table:

Minimum area. On-site landscaping shall be at least 5% of the total lot area.

Location. On-site landscaping shall be grouped near building entrances, along building foundations, along pedestrian walkways, and along service areas. Internal landscaping shall be located and designed to direct traffic flow, particularly near site entrances. Additional landscaping shall be dispersed throughout the site to define vehicular circulation, improve site aesthetics, and provide shade.

Ground cover. On-site landscaping areas shall contain grass, ground cover, three-inch-deep shredded-bark mulch, or three-inch-deep stone mulch. It shall be curbed or edged as necessary.

Minimum landscaping.

When required: A buffer zone is required in along the side and rear yard lot lines per the table below. In the CBD and VC Zoning Districts, buffer requirements may be waived or reduced by the Planning Commission or Zoning Administrator if the site design provides for additional landscaping, better site design, or shared parking and/or ingress and egress drives.

The Planning Commission or Zoning Administrator, when administrative review is allowed under § 65-21.03, may determine if existing landscaping or screening intended to be preserved, or a different landscape design, would provide all or part of the required landscaping and screening.

In making a determination to waive or reduce the landscape and screening requirements of this article, the following may be considered.

Timing of installation: Wherever the Zoning Ordinance requires landscaping or plant materials, it shall be planted within six months from the date of issuance of a certificate of occupancy and shall thereafter be reasonably maintained, with the following exceptions:

Performance guarantee: A performance guarantee may be required in accordance with Article XXI, Site Plan Review, § 65-21.16, Performance guarantees.

Documentation: Upon submittal of final zoning compliance, the applicant shall include information on the species of trees planted and date of planting.

Landscaped areas and plant material, including the lawn, shall be kept free from refuse and debris, and shall be maintained in a healthy growing condition.

If any plant material required by this Zoning Ordinance dies or becomes diseased, it shall be replaced within 30 days of written notice from the City or within an extended time period as specified in said notice.

Tree stakes, guy wires, and tree wrap are to be removed after one year.

Sidewalks must remain clear and unimpeded.

The clear vision areas required in § 65-5.01D must be maintained.

Placement of materials near trees. No person shall conduct any activity within the drip line of any tree designated to remain, including, but not limited to, placing solvents, building materials, construction equipment, or soil deposits within the drip line. Nor shall vehicles or construction equipment be operated in such close proximity of an existing tree so as to cause compaction of the soil within the drip line or the critical root zone of the tree which is to remain.

Attachments to trees. During construction no person or entity shall attach any device or wire to any tree which is to remain after construction.

Protective barriers. Before development, land clearing, filling, or any other land alteration for which a permit is required, the developer and/or property owner shall erect and maintain suitable barriers to protect existing trees which are to remain after construction. Protective barriers shall remain in place until the City authorizes their removal or issues a final Certificate of Occupancy, whichever occurs first. Wood, metal, or other substantial material shall be utilized in the construction of barriers. Barriers are required for all trees designated to remain except in the following cases:

Critical Root Zone (CRZ): The CRZ of protected trees shall be maintained and protected during construction as described in § 65-6.05C.5.

All landscaping materials planted per the approved site plan shall have a two-year warranty due to soil conditions within the City of Dexter. In that time all plant materials that are unsightly, dead, dying, or that become unhealthy because of damage, neglect, drainage problems, disease, insect infestation, or other causes shall be replaced.

Replacement materials shall meet all standards of the original installation. Two-year landscaping material warranties/performance bonds will not begin until the entire project is complete OR the open space landscaping is completed per the site plan OR for individual residential lots immediately prior to the request for final zoning compliance.

All warranties shall be submitted as a cash bond or warranty bond. Amounts shall be established per City Council resolution. All landscaping materials must be healthy and in good condition at the time of inspection. Landscaping materials will be warrantied from the date of approval as documented on the field inspection sheet.

Verification of planting date and species information shall be submitted with the Final Zoning Compliance application. Final Zoning Compliance Applications will not be released, and Certificate of Occupancy permits not issued until the planting date and species information has been submitted or a performance guarantee has been submitted.