A.

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 intended to help achieve a number of functional and environmental objectives such as: defining and articulating outdoor spaces and architectural elements; obscuring, integrating and complementing various site elements; reducing the physical impact between adjacent land uses; assisting in directing safe and efficient movement of vehicular and pedestrian circulation; providing incentives to preserve quality existing plant material; and providing reasonable standards to bring developed sites, which existed prior to the adoption of these standards, into compliance with the requirements contained herein.

B.

The standards contained in this article are considered the minimum necessary to achieve the objectives identified above. In several instances these standards are intentionally flexible to encourage flexibility and creative design. Additional landscaping beyond the minimum specified is encouraged to further improve the function, appearance and value of the property. It is further the intent of these regulations to ensure landscaping is placed on a site in a manner that provides adequate sight visibility for motorists, adequate clearance for pedestrians and vehicles, clearance from overhead utility lines, adequate separation from underground utilities and accessibility to fire hydrants.

(Ord. No. C-746-2010, § 1, 4-19-10)

A.

The requirements set forth in this article shall apply to all uses, lots, sites and parcels that are developed, expanded or otherwise modified. Landscape plans shall be submitted as part of site plan review in accordance with section 35-163, site plan review procedures.

B.

The planning commission or building official may approve variations from the strict compliance with this article when it can be demonstrated that the following apply to a specific development site:

1.

Existing natural features or other quality plant material is preserved as described herein.

2.

Topography, shape, size or other natural features make full compliance impractical or impossible.

3.

Space limitations or prevailing development patterns in the surrounding area justify alternative compliance for infill and redevelopment areas of the city.

4.

Safety considerations warrant alternative compliance.

5.

The overall design meets the intent of this article.

(Ord. No. C-746-2010, § 1, 4-19-10)

A.

The intent of this section is to preserve existing vegetation unless there are no other site design alternatives. Where healthy plant material exists on a site prior to its development or redevelopment, as determined by the building official or the planning commission, variations from the strict requirements of this article may be approved to allow credit for such plant material if such adjustment is keeping with the intent of this article.

B.

All existing vegetation shall be inspected by the city to ensure the vegetation is high quality and will fulfill the requirements of this article.

C.

Credit for tree preservation shall be applied at the following rate:

Greater than 12 inches: Two (2) trees.

Less than 11.9 inches: One (1) tree.

D.

Shrubs may be credited toward shrub requirements on a one-for-one basis.

E.

In the event that healthy plant material used to meet the requirements of this article are removed, damaged or destroyed, as determined by the building official, they shall be replaced with new plant material meeting the standards of this article.

(Ord. No. C-746-2010, § 1, 4-19-10)

A.

Interior Landscaping.

1.

All areas not covered by buildings, parking areas, driveways, pedestrian pathways and other pedestrian impervious surfaces, signs, water surfaces and essential services shall include only living plant material and planting beds.

2.

Landscape areas shall be designed to soften the appearance of buildings, screen service areas and provide shade.

B.

Frontage Landscaping.

1.

A landscaped greenbelt shall be provided to buffer vehicular and pedestrian circulation, screen parking lots and define driveway entrances.

2.

Frontage greenbelt requirements shall be as follows:

a.

The width of the greenbelt between the parking lot and the right-of-way shall be equal to at least ten (10) feet.

b.

The greenbelt shall contain a minimum of one (1) canopy tree and six (6) shrubs per thirty (30) linear feet, or fraction thereof, of road frontage including any openings for driveways, pathways or easements. A hedgerow with upright shrubs planted four (4) feet to five (5) feet on center along the entire road frontage may also be utilized.

c.

Ornamental trees may be used to diversify greenbelt planting requirements, provided two (2) ornamental trees shall be provided for each one (1) required canopy tree.

3.

In locations where the greenbelt standards can not be accommodated due to existing conditions, an alternative such as a brick street wall, hedgerow or landscaped terrace may be provided in order to meet the intent of the frontage requirements.

4.

In locations designated in the city Master Plan for a "gateway" shall include design elements along the frontage that reflect the key location at the entrance to the community or at a distinctive node of development along the corridor. Elements may include landscaping, knee-walls, sculptures or other structural elements that create a visual landmark. The landowner has the option to offer an agreement with the city to provide locations for "Welcome to Farmington" signs along the street frontage.

C.

Buffer Zones.

1.

A buffer shall be provided between the subject site and all adjacent properties as follows:

Multiple-family district or use adjacent to single-family residential district or use

Institutional uses adjacent to any residential district or use

Commercial and office district or use adjacent to any residential district or use

Industrial district or use adjacent to any residential or commercial district or use

2.

The planning commission shall determine whether landscaping, a wall or combination of these elements are needed to attain the intended screening.

3.

At a minimum, the width of the buffer shall be equal to the required setback. This setback may be reduced or waived by the planning commission where a six-foot screening wall is provided meeting the requirements of subsection 5., below, and parking lot landscape islands with canopy trees are provided along the wall at a rate of one (1) per each fifty (50) feet of the property line.

4.

Landscape Buffer. Where landscape material is required, the buffer shall contain at minimum: two (2) canopy trees and four (4) shrubs, or one (1) canopy tree, one (1) evergreen and four (4) shrubs per twenty (20) linear feet along the property line, rounded upward.

5.

Walls. Where a wall is required, the following requirements shall be met:

a.

Walls cannot extend into required front setback.

b.

Wall height shall not be less than four (4) feet nor more than six (6) feet, except the height may not be more than eight (8) feet in commercial and industrial districts.

c.

Where there are topographical changes along the length of a wall or between properties on either side of the wall, the height of the wall may vary between four (4) feet and eight (8) feet; provided the height of the wall shall be no less than four (4) feet on the nonresidential side and no greater than eight (8) feet on the residential side. Where grade changes between properties require a retaining wall in conjunction with a screening wall having a total height greater than eight (8) feet, this may be approved by the planning commission; provided the retaining wall is stepped back with landscaping on each step and plans for the wall are approved by the city engineer.

d.

Walls must be constructed on lot line however this location may be modified by the planning commission upon recommendation of the city engineer due to special circumstances, such as conflicts with underground utilities and better screening provided at alternative locations.

e.

Walls shall be continuous except for openings for pedestrian connections as approved by the planning commission.

f.

Walls shall be constructed of brick or other masonry material compatible with the principal structure as determined by the planning commission. They shall be made of unpierced and reinforced poured concrete with false brick design or a capped brick wall, masonry brick or poured masonry decorative wall. Cement or slag blocks shall not be permitted. Building materials must be reviewed and approved by the planning commission during site plan review. The planning commission may approve the use of a privacy fence where it is determined to be more compatible with adjacent residential uses.

g.

Supplemental plantings may be required by the planning commission to break up the mass of the wall.

D.

Parking Lot Landscaping. Parking lot landscaping shall be arranged in a manner that improves the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, guides traffic movement, improves the environment and improves the appearance of the parking area and site. Parking lot landscaping shall be provided in accordance with the following standards:

1.

Landscaping shall be dispersed throughout the parking lot in order to break up large expanses of pavement, direct traffic and assist with vehicular and pedestrian flow.

2.

At least one (1) canopy tree and one hundred (100) square feet of landscape area shall be provided per eight (8) parking spaces.

3.

All of the required parking lot trees and landscape areas shall be placed within landscape islands inside of the parking lot or the area within ten (10) feet surrounding the parking lot.

4.

Only shrubs, grass or other living ground cover shall be used to supplement trees within parking lot islands and surrounding landscape areas.

5.

The design and layout of the parking islands shall not block view of motorist entering and exiting the site.

6.

Where parking is visible from the public street, a greenbelt shall be located between the parking lot and the right-of-way line in conformance with the standards in subsection 35-184.B.

E.

Condominium and Multiple-Family Residential Developments. Landscaping for single-family condominium and multiple-family developments shall be provided in accordance with the following requirements:

1.

Street trees shall be provided at a rate of one (1) tree per forty (40) linear feet of frontage, or portion thereof, along all interior roads. The planning commission may determine that existing trees preserved within ten (10) feet of the road edge fulfill the street tree requirement for that portion of the road. Trees should generally be planted between the sidewalk and road curb, in consideration of intersection sight distance.

2.

The landscape plan shall also include details of the cul-de-sac islands, project entrances, accessory buildings and common open space areas.

F.

Waste Receptacle, Mechanical Equipment and Utility Screening. Necessary site elements such as waste receptacles and ground-mounted and building-mounted mechanical equipment such as air conditioner units, utility boxes and other similar components shall be appropriately screened with plant material where appropriate as determined by the planning commission or building official. Screens shall include a wall, wood fencing or combination of plantings of sufficient height, length, and opacity to form a visual barrier. If the screen is composed of nonliving material, such material shall be compatible with materials used in construction of the main building, but in no case shall include wire fencing.

(Ord. No. C-746-2010, § 1, 4-19-10)

A.

Plant Material. All plant material shall be hardy to the City of Farmington, be free of disease and insects and conform to the American Association of Nurserymen landscape standards.

B.

Minimum Sizes and Spacing. Wherever screening is required, screening shall consist of closely spaced evergreen plantings that can be reasonably expected to form a complete visual barrier. Deciduous plant material may be used for variety to supplement evergreen plantings. The minimum plant sizes and spacing shall be provided in accordance with the following:

C.

Mixing of Species. The overall landscape plan shall not contain more than thirty-three (33) percent of any one (1) plant species. The use of native species and mixture of trees from the same species association is strongly encouraged.

D.

Trees Not Permitted. The following trees are not permitted as they split easily, their wood is brittle, their roots clog drains and sewers, and they are unusually susceptible to disease or insects: Box Elder, Elms, Tree of Heaven, Willows, Soft Maples (Silver), Poplars, Horse Chestnut (nut bearing), Ginkgo (female), Cottonwood, Mulberry, Black Locust and Honey Locust (with thorns). The planning commission may however allow trees from this list when associated with an appropriate ecosystem.

E.

Planting Beds. Bark used as mulch shall be maintained at a minimum of two (2) inches deep. Planting beds shall be edged with either plastic or metal edging in residential districts and metal edging in all other zoning districts.

F.

Topsoil. Topsoil shall consist of a four-inch base for lawn areas and an eight-inch to twelve-inch base within planting beds.

G.

Proximity to Utilities. Plant material shall not be located in a manner that will interfere with or cause damage to underground utility lines, public roads or other public facilities.

(Ord. No. C-746-2010, § 1, 4-19-10)

A.

Timing of Planting. All required plant material shall be planted prior to issuing a final certificate of occupancy. In the event that the project is completed during a time of year when planting is impractical, a financial guarantee in the amount of the remaining improvements shall be provided in a form of payment acceptable to the city.

B.

Completion of Improvements. Tree stakes, guy wires and tree wraps shall be removed after completion of the initial growing season.

C.

Irrigation. All landscaped areas shall be provided with an underground irrigation system. Alternate means of irrigation that reduce potable water consumption for irrigation shall be permitted such as captured rainwater or recycled wastewater.

D.

Maintenance. Landscaped areas and plant materials required by this chapter shall be kept free from refuse and debris. Plant materials, including lawn, shall be maintained in a healthy growing condition, and be neat and orderly in appearance in accordance with the approved site plan. If any plant material dies or becomes diseased, it shall be replaced within thirty (30) days' written notice from the city or within an extended time period as specified in said notice.

(Ord. No. C-746-2010, § 1, 4-19-10)