This Chapter of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Dixon is established to create uniform landscape, buffering, and tree preservation standards for the development of property in accordance with the Site Plan Review process and standards under Chapter 13. The application of these standards is intended to ensure that the City remains an attractive community in which to reside and operate a business, and to enhance the character of existing and new development. (Ord. 1973, 1-6-1997)

   (A)   To promote a functional and attractive development, to minimize adverse impacts, and ensure that development is an asset to the City, site development plans and implementation shall conform to the following standards.

   (B)   The following site development standards shall apply to all developments requiring Site Plan Review in Chapter 13 of this Title unless a waiver from any or all of the conditions is approved pursuant to the same procedures set forth in Part E of Chapter 13.

      1.   Preserve Natural Elements:

         (a)   Each site plan shall be accompanied by an analysis of the site describing: topography, existing vegetation, existing structures and road networks, visual features, and present use of site.

         (b)   The site design shall minimize disruption of existing natural features, and wherever possible incorporate them into the overall design concept.

         (c)   The area necessary for safe and efficient construction activities shall be clearly identified on the site plan and staked on site.

         (d)   The following specific areas shall be preserved as undeveloped open space or shall be mitigated:

            (1)   Wetlands as described in section 404 Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 and delineated on wetlands maps prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, verified by on-site inspection.

            (2)   Lands in a designated flood plain or floodway.

            (3)   Significant trees with a caliper of six (6") inches or greater, or stands of trees.

            (4)   Steep slopes in excess of twenty percent (20%) as measured over a ten foot (10') interval, unless appropriate engineering measures are taken.

            (5)   Natural vegetation cover on all portions of the site outside designated construction zones.

            (6)   Habitats of endangered species as identified by the Federal and/or Illinois Department of Conservation.

         (e)   The site plan shall include evidence that the natural drainage on the subject site:

            (1)   Is not diverted from existing points of exit;

            (2)   The rate of runoff at all points of exit shall remain consistent with previous rates at each point of exit and that the overall velocity at which runoff is discharged is not affected.

            (3)   Erosion control methods shall be employed during construction.

      2.   Lot Coverage:

         (a)   In order to minimize storm water runoff volumes and to assure attractive developments, development is limited to the following maximum lot coverage ratios and includes all primary structures and impervious surfaces.

            (1)   One hundred percent (100%) for all uses in the Central Business District.

            (2)   Seventy percent (70%) for all uses in neighborhood or general business districts.

            (3)   Sixty percent (60%) for office and light manufacturing districts.

            (4)   Eighty five percent (85%) for heavy manufacturing districts.

            (5)   Seventy five percent (75%) for multiple-family residential developments.

      3.   Off-Street Parking:

         (a)   Off-street parking areas shall not be allowed to dominate the image of any development.

         (b)   Parking areas serving the Central Business District shall be well lighted and landscaped.

         (c)   Parking lots serving or adjacent to residential developments shall be located to the rear or sides of buildings.

      4.   Service/Utility Areas:

         (a)   All service and utility areas which include, but are not limited to, loading docks, exterior storage areas, dumpsters and mechanical equipment such as plumbing vent stacks, HVAC transformers, fans and cooling towers, shall be screened from view by:

            (1)   Locating all service/utility areas away from public rights of way and concealing them from building entrances, pedestrian areas and adjacent residential structures.

            (2)   Providing for joint use of service areas by multiple adjoining buildings.

            (3)   Incorporating trash enclosures into building design.

            (4)   Preventing dumpsters in the middle of open spaces, parking lots or along circulation paths.

            (5)   Screening utility service areas from public view with building elements similar in appearance to the main structure.

            (6)   Providing below ground utility connections for all new developments.

            (7)   Screening rooftop mechanical equipment from view from adjoining properties by building elements such as parapet walls.

      5.   Public Spaces And Paths:

         (a)   Public spaces and paths intended for pedestrian use should be designed to incorporate natural features, building and landscape elements to create safe and comfortable environments.

            (1)   All areas intended for pedestrian use shall be well lighted.

            (2)   Pedestrian paths or sidewalks should be clearly distinguished from vehicular paths by landscaping, paving materials or architectural elements.

            (3)   All pedestrian paths shall be handicap accessible, using ramps and curb cuts conforming to State and Federal A.D.A. standards.

      6.   Site Design Within The Context Of The Surrounding Environment: Visual continuity between new and existing development shall be maintained by:

         (a)   Building Setbacks: In developed areas of the City new "infill" development shall conform to established building setback lines.

         (b)   Parking Setbacks: Any parking located within a front yard building setback shall be located no closer to the right of way than five feet (5') in the B-1, B-2 and CBD Zoning Districts; and no closer than fifty feet (50') in the BH-X, LM and GM Zoning Districts.

         (c)   Shared Access: In general business areas and planned unit developments access from arterial roads shall be minimized, and used jointly where feasible. Site to site access shall be granted through cross-easement agreements. (Ord. 1973, 1-6-1997; amd. Ord. 2274, 10-2-2000; Ord. 2329, 6-18-2001)

The following shall establish the standards for the preparation and submission of required plans for landscape, buffering and tree preservation unless a waiver from any or all of the conditions is approved pursuant to the procedures set forth in Part J of Chapter 13.

   (A)   Landscape Plan Required: A landscape plan shall be required for all projects requiring Site Plan Review approval.

   (B)   Content Of Landscape Plan: The Building Official may require that landscape plans include or have attached thereto some or all of the following information:

      1.   Titled: "Landscape Plan", name and location of project, name and address of project developer, location and names of abutting streets and rights of way, graphic and written scale, date of plan and any subsequent revision. The landscape plan shall be drawn at a scale not smaller than 1"=20'0".

      2.   The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed property lines, buildings, structures, parking lots and driveways, roadways and rights of way, easements, sidewalks, bicycle paths, ground signs, refuse disposal areas, fences, freestanding electrical equipment, light fixtures, other surface utility structures, signs and other freestanding structural features, recreational facilities, setbacks and easements.

      3.   The location, quantity, installation size, mature size, and both scientific and common names of all proposed plant materials.

      4.   Existing and proposed contours, including the location, slope ratios (horizontal:vertical) of all proposed berming, at one foot (1') contour intervals. Location, extent and general elevations and slope ratios of all detention and retention areas and drainage ways. The elevations at top and bottom of all proposed retaining and screening walls and fences.

      5.   The designation, location, type and size of all existing trees six inches (6") and larger in diameter measured four feet (4') above natural grade. Any trees to be removed should be clearly identified. In the event a significant number of trees exist in concentrated areas on the site, the boundaries of the tree grove/forest or woodland area shall be shown with only trees ten inches (10") and larger in diameter indicated within the woodland area.

      6.   Details of all fences and walls proposed to be constructed on the site.

      7.   Elevation, cross sections and other site or construction details determined to be necessary by the Building Official.

      8.   Quantities indicating the number and total square feet of parking areas, percentage and number of square feet of the interior parking lot landscape area, total linear length of buffer yards, plant quantities provided within buffer yards, and number of square feet provided for property's interior open space.

   (C)   Timing Of Landscape Improvements: All required landscaping shall be installed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. However, a conditional certificate of occupancy may be issued if weather conditions or other circumstances beyond the developer's control prevent installation of all or portions of the landscape materials. (Ord. 1973, 1-6-1997; amd. Ord. 1975, 1-6-1997; Ord. 2274, 10-2-2000; Ord. 2329, 6-18-2001)

The following shall establish standards for the landscape improvements required to be installed as part of the development of new buildings, structures and uses of land governed by Chapter 13, Part B "Site Plan Review" unless a waiver from any or all of the conditions is approved pursuant to the procedures set forth in Part J of Chapter 13 or as set forth below.

   (A)   Minimum Landscaped Open Space: Except as may be otherwise permitted pursuant to paragraph B below, for all sites a minimum of thirty percent (30%) of total land area of the parcel shall be devoted to landscaped open space.

   (B)   Flexibility In The Administration Of Required Landscape Standards: To meet the objectives of this Section, the following landscape requirements are hereby established. These standards provide specific requirements for site landscaping. However, the City recognizes that, because of the wide variety of types of developments and the relationships between them, it is neither possible nor prudent to establish inflexible landscape requirements. Therefore, the City may permit less intensive landscaping or flexible landscape design if approval for such changes is made pursuant to Section 6-14-2 or whenever such changes are (i) appropriate under this particular circumstances, and (ii) do not constitute a change of more than 33% from the requirements set forth in subsection A above, and (iii) have been approved by a majority vote of a committee consisting of the Building Official, the Plan Commission Chairman and a duly appointed member of the City Council. (Ord. 1973, 1-6-1997; amd. Ord. 1975, 1-6-1997; Ord. 2274, 10-2-2000; Ord. 2329, 6-18-2001)

This Chapter regulates landscaping of four (4) distinct areas of a parcel as follows: (see illustration 14.1)

   Interior Parkway

   Buffer Yard Areas

   Parking Lots

   Site Interior

The following shall establish landscape standards for the four (4) distinct areas of a parcel unless a waiver from any or all of the conditions is approved pursuant to the procedures set forth in Part E of Chapter 13. The landscape standards herein designated with an asterisk (*) are recommended, but not required by this Title.

   (A)   Interior Parkway Planting: Except as otherwise provided in Section 6-14-4 B, interior parkway planting is required of developments in order to achieve two (2) goals: 1) to screen vehicles which may be viewed from the public rights of way, and 2) to enhance the image and character of the City along roadway corridors.

      1.   Multiple Family Residential Districts:

         (a)   In multiple family residential areas there shall be at minimum a twenty-foot (20') interior parkway provided adjacent to all public rights of way.

         (b)   Shade trees shall be planted at a quantity of not less than one (1) tree for every forty (40') linear feet of frontage, excluding driveways, parallel to and within the right of way, interior parkway, or within the first five (5') feet of the front property line. No trees shall be planted in the public parkway without a permit as required in Section 3-6-1 of the City Code .

         (c)   All surface areas of interior parkways shall be sodded, seeded, or to have installed an approved alternate ground cover, where not otherwise planted.

         (d)   Where parking lots providing for five (5) or more parking spaces are in view of the public right of way, there shall be installed within the interior parkway:

            (1)   One two inch (2") caliper shade tree for every thirty (30) linear feet of parkway frontage.

            (2)   A one hundred percent (100%) screen of the parking lot frontage to a minimum height of three feet (3') except for where vehicular sight lines may be impaired. Screening will consist of one or a combination of the following: (see illustration 14.2)

   A.   Masonry walls compatible with proposed building design, and landscaped as a foundation wall.

   B.   Ornamental and evergreen trees, shrubs and ground covers.

      2.   Business Districts:

         (a)   Commercial developments shall provide at minimum a ten foot (10') wide interior parkway adjacent to all public rights of way.

         (b)   Shade trees shall be planted at a quantity of not less than one (1) tree for every forty (40') linear feet of frontage, excluding driveways, parallel to and within the right of way or interior parkway, or within the first five (5') feet of the front property line. No trees shall be planted in the public parkway without a permit as required in Section 3-6-1 of the City Code.

         (c) All surface areas of interior parkways shall be sodded where not otherwise planted.

         (d)   Where parking lots providing for five (5) or more parking spaces are in view of the public right of way, there shall be installed:

            (1)   At minimum, one eight-foot (8') ornamental or evergreen tree for every thirty feet (30') of parkway frontage.

            (2)   A one hundred percent (100%) screen of the parking lot frontage to a minimum height of three feet (3') in the interior parkway, except for where vehicular sight lines may be impaired. Screening will consist of one or a combination of the following: (see illustration 14.2)

   A.   Masonry walls compatible with proposed building design, and landscaped as a foundation wall.

   B.   Screen fence of wood or approved material at least seventy five percent (75%) opaque.

   C.   Ornamental and evergreen trees, shrubs and ground covers.

      3.   Manufacturing Districts:

         (a)   Manufacturing properties, and properties in the BH-X Zoning District shall provide a minimum fifty foot (50') wide interior parkway adjacent to all public rights of way, except for properties in the GM District that meet the criteria in Chapter 11, Section 6-11-13 D.1.

         (b)   Shade trees shall be planted at a quantity of not less than one tree for every forty (40) linear feet of frontage, excluding driveways, parallel to and within the right of way, interior parkway, or within the first five feet (5') of the front property line. No trees shall be planted in the public parkway without a permit as required in Section 3-6-1 of the City Code.

         (c)   All surface areas of interior parkways shall be sodded, seeded or to have installed an approved alternate ground cover where not otherwise planted.

         (d)   Where parking lots are in view of the public right of way, the developer shall provide within the parkway:

            (1)   At minimum, one eight-foot (8') ornamental or evergreen tree for every thirty feet (30') of parkway frontage.

            (2)   A one hundred percent (100%) screen of the parking lot frontage to a minimum height of three feet (3'), except for where vehicular sight lines may be impaired. Screening will consist of one or a combination of the following: (see illustration 14.2)

   A.   Masonry walls compatible with proposed building design, and landscaped as a foundation wall.

   B.   Ornamental and evergreen trees, shrubs and ground covers. At a minimum, thirty percent (30%) of a planted screen shall be evergreen.

      4.   Additional Requirements In All Districts:

         (a)   Interior parkways shall also contain shade, ornamental and evergreen trees, shrubs and ground covers along with earth berming in quantities and heights adequate to substantially screen open storage and service/utility areas from view of public rights of way.

   (B)   Buffer Yards: Except as otherwise provided in Section 6-14-4 B., all developments shall create a substantial buffer between land uses promoting a sense of privacy and security. Buffers may be composed of landscape plantings, earth berming and screen fencing as required for intended land-use, using one or both of the alternatives described below:

      1.   Multiple Family Residential (R-3 or R-4) Districts Abutting R-1, R-2, CR or ER Districts

         (a)   Alternative A:

            (1)   A minimum fifteen foot (15') wide planting strip shall be provided along the entire length of the buffer yard, except where cross access, utilities or special circumstances prohibit.

            (2)   At minimum, thirty percent (30%) of the length of the buffer yard shall be planted with three-foot (3') high shrubs. Shrubs are intended to be planted in groupings or hedges throughout the buffer yard.

            (3)   Twenty five percent (25%) of all required shrubs and trees shall be evergreen.

            (4)   There shall be a minimum total quantity of one (1) - two inch (2") caliper tree provided for every fifty (50) lineal feet of buffer yard. Spacing of the required trees may vary according to design intent.

            (5)   There shall be a minimum total quantity of one (1) - eight foot (8') high ornamental/evergreen tree provided for every eighty feet (80') of lineal length of buffer strip.

            (6)   Earth berming at a maximum slope of 3:1 should be incorporated along a minimum of seventy five percent (75%) of the linear length of the buffer strip.

         (b)   Alternative B:

            (1)   A minimum twenty five foot (25') wide planting strip shall be provided along the entire length of the buffer yard, except where cross access, utilities or special circumstances prohibit.

            (2)   At minimum, twenty percent (20%) of the linear length of the buffer strip shall be planted with three foot (3') high shrubs. Shrubs are intended to be planted in groupings or hedges throughout the buffer strip.

            (3)   Twenty five percent (25%) of all required shrubs and trees shall be evergreen.

            (4)   There shall be a minimum total quantity of one (1) - two inch (2") caliper tree provided for every sixty (60') linear feet of the buffer yard. Spacing of the required trees may vary according to design intent.

            (5)   There shall be a minimum total quantity of one (1) - six foot (6') high ornamental/evergreen tree provided for every one hundred feet (100') of linear length.

            (6)   Earth berms at a minimum height of three feet (3') and maximum slope of 3:1 shall be incorporated along at least fifty percent (50%) of the length of the buffer yard.

      2.   Business Districts:

         (a)   Business Property Abutting Residential Property: (see illustration 14.3)

            (1)   A minimum ten foot (10') wide planting strip shall be provided along the entire length of the buffer yard, except where cross access, utilities or special circumstances prohibit.

            (2)   There shall be a screened fence or wall of wood or other approved material six feet (6') high and at least seventy five percent (75%) opaque, installed along the property line.

            (3)   At minimum, twenty five percent (25%) of the buffer strip linear length shall be planted with shrubs three feet (3') or greater in height.

            (4)   At minimum, twenty five percent (25%) of all required shrubs shall be evergreen.

            (5)   There shall be a minimum quantity of one (1) - two inch (2") caliper tree(s) provided for every sixty (60') linear feet of the buffer yard. Spacing of required trees may vary according to design intent.

            (6)   Up to twenty five percent (25%) of the trees may be ornamental or evergreen trees.

         (b)   Business Property Abutting Business Or Manufacturing Property: One or both of the following alternatives should be used:

            (1)   Alternative A: (see illustration 14.3)

   A.   A minimum five foot (5') wide planting strip shall be provided along the entire length of the buffer yard, except where cross access, utilities or special circumstances prohibit.

   B.   At minimum, twenty percent (20%) of the buffer strip linear length shall be planted with shrubs three feet (3') or greater in height.

   C.   At minimum, twenty five percent (25%) of all required shrubs shall be evergreen.

   D.   There shall be a minimum quantity of one (1) - two inch (2") caliper tree provided for every sixty-five feet (65') of buffer strip linear length. Spacing of required trees may vary according to design intent.

   E.   Up to twenty five percent (25%) of the trees may be ornamental or evergreen trees.

   F.   At minimum, thirty percent (30%) of the buffer strip linear length shall be earth bermed to a minimum height of three feet (3') and a maximum slope of 3:1 (vertical:horizontal).

            (2)   Alternative B:

   A.   A minimum twenty five foot (25') wide planting strip shall be provided along the entire length of the buffer yard, except where cross access, utilities or special circumstances prohibit.

   B.   At minimum, ten percent (10%) of the buffer strip linear length shall be planted with shrubs three feet (3') or greater in height.

   C.   At minimum, twenty five percent (25%) of all required shrubs shall be evergreen.

   D.   There shall be a minimum quantity of one (1) - two inch (2") caliper tree provided for every seventy feet (70') of the buffer yard. Spacing of required trees may vary according to design intent.

   E.   Up to twenty five percent (25%) of the trees may be ornamental or evergreen trees.

   F.   At minimum, twenty percent (20%) of the buffer strip linear length shall be earth bermed to a minimum height of three feet (3') and a maximum slope of 3:1 (vertical:horizontal).

      3.   Manufacturing Districts:

         (a)   Manufacturing Property Abutting Residential Property:

            (1)   A minimum fifty foot (50') wide planting strip shall be provided along the entire length of the buffer yard, except where cross access, utilities or special circumstances prohibit. (see illustration 14.4)

            (2)   There shall be a screened fence or wall of wood or other approved material six feet (6') high and at least seventy five percent (75%) opaque installed by the manufacturer. The fence may be installed along the property line.

            (3)   At minimum, twenty five percent (25%) of the buffer strip linear length shall be planted with shrubs three feet (3') or greater in height.

            (4)   At minimum, twenty five percent (25%) of all required shrubs shall be evergreen.

            (5)   There shall be a minimum quantity of one (1) - two and one-half inch (2 1/2") caliper tree provided for every forty (40) linear feet of the buffer yard. Spacing of required trees may vary according to design intent.

            (6)   Up to twenty five percent (25%) of the trees may be ornamental or evergreen trees.

         (b)   Manufacturing Property Abutting Business Property: One or both of the following alternatives should be used:

            (1)   Alternative A:

   A.   A minimum fifteen foot (15') wide planting strip shall be provided along the entire length of the buffer yard, except where cross access, utilities or special circumstances prohibit. (see illustration 14.4)

   B.   There shall be a screen fence or wall of wood or other approved material six feet (6') high and at least seventy five percent (75%) opaque, to screen any open storage areas.

   C.   There shall be a minimum quantity of one (1) - two inch (2") caliper tree provided for every sixty feet (60') of buffer strip linear length. Spacing of required trees may vary according to design intent.

   D.   Up to twenty five percent (25%) of the trees may be ornamental or evergreen trees.

   E.   At minimum, fifty percent (50%) of the buffer strip linear length shall be earth bermed to a minimum height of three feet (3') at a maximum slope of 3:1 (vertical: horizontal).

   F.   At minimum, twenty percent (20%) of the buffer yard shall be planted with shrubs three feet (3') or greater in height.

            (2)   Alternative B:

   A.   A minimum twenty five foot (25') wide planting strip shall be provided along the entire length of the buffer yard, except where cross access, utilities or special circumstances prohibit.

   B.   At minimum, ten percent (10%) of the length of the buffer yard shall be planted with shrubs three feet (3') or greater in height.

   C.   At minimum, twenty five percent (25%) of all required shrubs shall be evergreen.

   D.   There shall be a minimum quantity of one (1) - two inch (2") caliper tree provided for every seventy feet (70') of buffer strip linear length. Spacing of remaining trees may vary according to design intent.

   E.   Up to twenty five percent (25%) of the shade trees may be ornamental or evergreen trees.

   F.   At minimum, twenty five percent (25%) of the buffer strip linear length shall be earth bermed to a minimum height of three feet (3') at a maximum slope of 3:1 (vertical:horizontal).

   G.   There shall be a screen fence or wall of wood or other approved material six feet (6') high and at least seventy five percent (75%) opaque, to screen any open storage areas.

         (c)   Manufacturing Property Abutting Manufacturing Property:

            (1)   A minimum ten foot (10') wide planting strip shall be provided along the entire length of the buffer yard, except where cross access, utilities or special circumstances prohibit. (see illustration 14.4)

            (2)   A minimum of thirty percent (30%) of the length of the buffer yard shall be planted with shrubs three feet (3') or greater in height.

            (3)   There shall be a minimum quantity of one (1) - two inch (2") caliper shade tree provided for every seventy (70') linear feet of the buffer yard. Spacing of required trees may vary according to design intent.

            (4)   Up to twenty five percent (25%) of the shade trees may be ornamental or evergreen trees.

   (C)   Parking Lot Landscaping:

      1.   Except as otherwise provided in Section 6-14-4 B., landscaping shall be provided within all parking lots containing twenty (20) or more parking spaces. Parking lot plantings are intended to provide screening, shade, subdivide space, and reduce glare and heat from pavement surfaces by meeting the following standards:

      2.   Each parking row, regardless of its length, shall begin and end with a landscape island.

      3.   All parking lots or portions of parking lots adjacent to buffer yards or interior parkways, and which are also adjacent to any residential property, shall be screened from view along its entire length.

      4.   Parking lot landscape islands shall have barrier-type curbs.

      5.   All parking lot landscape islands shall maintain a thirty inch (30") clear area measured from face of curb to vehicular overhang. This may be provided through the use of concrete carriage walks or the planting of ground cover or sod.

      6.   All parking lot island planters should be over-excavated to a two foot (2') depth for their entire width and length, backfilled with an appropriate mix of topsoil, peat moss and nutrients to replace the excavated material, and shall be compacted, leaving a crowned or mounded top.

      7.   Parking lot landscape islands shall have a minimum width of seven feet (7') (measured from back of curb to back of curb) and a depth equal to the depth of the parking stall.

      8.   Parking lot layout and planting designs shall account for and provide adequate room within buffer yard and/or interior parkway areas for snow storage.

      9.   Berming in parking islands shall not exceed a maximum slope of 2:1.

      10.   To insure visibility all tree branching shall start no less than six feet (6') above the parking lot pavement level, and shrubs shall not exceed a mature height of thirty inches (30") above parking lot pavement level at the end of parking rows.

      11.   To break up large expanses of parking landscape islands shall be required such that no parking space may be greater than ninety (90') linear feet away from either a landscape island or landscaping within a buffer yard, interior parkway or site interior landscaping. To achieve these objectives, one or both of the following alternatives shall be used:

         (a)   Alternative 1: A continuous curbed landscape island between rows of parking shall be provided. When such a continuous island is provided, it shall be a minimum of seven feet (7') in width and contain a minimum of one two inch (2") caliper shade tree for every twenty (20) parking spaces.

         (b)   Alternative 2: A maximum of twenty (20) parking spaces shall be permitted in length of any parking row. A curbed island at least seven feet (7') wide and as deep as the parking stalls shall be provided to divide the row length. There shall be a minimum of one two inch (2") caliper shade tree for each island.

      12.   Adjustments To Parking Lot Landscaping Requirements For Manufacturing Districts: Applicants proposing parking lots in industrial areas, other than for designated visitor parking, may propose a landscape option of effectively screening parking lots from of-site view. The applicant would not be required to comply with the location and number of landscape islands as required in Section 6-14-4 G.14 above. Designated visitor parking areas and major entry drives are not included in this adjustment.

   (D)   Site Interior Landscaping:

      1.   Except as otherwise provided in Section 6-14-4B., site interior landscaping shall utilize plant materials, earth berming and other elements to screen and aesthetically enhance site and building(s), through the implementation of the following standards:

         (a)   All Zoning Districts Subject To The Requirements Of Chapter 14:

            (1)   Foundation Planting:

               A.   A minimum four foot (4') wide landscape area shall be provided along fifty percent (50%) of building walls (excluding driveways, entrance areas, patios and decks), when adjacent to or facing off-street parking areas or a public street.

               B.   One hundred percent (100%) of this landscape area shall be planted with a mixture of ornamental and evergreen trees, shrubs or ground cover (including sod).

               C.   These plantings shall emphasize the softening of large expanses of the building walls, accent building entrances and architectural features, and screen mechanical equipment adjacent to buildings.

            (2)   Service Areas Screening: (see illustration 14.5)

               A.   All freestanding utility and mechanical equipment shall be screened from view through the use of evergreen plant materials or masonry or wood screen walls compatible with proposed building design.

               B.   Trash dumpsters and other similar waste receptacles or equipment shall be screened with three (3) sided wood, brick or other approved masonry walls at least six feet (6') in height, with a solid, attractive single or double access gate on one side only.

            (3)   Intersection Visibility:

               A.   Landscaping must be designed and installed to minimize potential obstruction of critical sight lines at intersections as defined in Section 6-3-5 H. of Chapter 3.

   B.   Trees are allowed in these critical visibility areas if the lowest branching begins not less than six feet (6') above the pavement.

(Ord. 1973, 1-6-1997; amd. Ord. 1975, 1-6-1997; Ord. 2274, 10-2-2000)

(Ord. 1973, 1-6-1997)