Franklin Park City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 2000
Buffering and Landscaping
§ 212-2001 Purpose and intent.
The purpose of this article is to promote a positive image for the Borough; to improve the physical appearance and environmental quality of the community; to protect property values; to abate noise, glare, dust and heat; to help air purification, oxygen regeneration, groundwater recharge, stormwater runoff retardation and erosion control. This article recognizes the important and diverse benefits that landscaping provides in terms of protecting the health, safety and general welfare of the community and implementing the Borough's Comprehensive Plan.
§ 212-2002 Use of this article.
A.
This article contains the standards that govern the amount, size, type, installation and maintenance of required landscaping.
B.
Applicability. This article shall apply to all public and private nonresidential development projects, as well as private residential developments, but shall not be applicable to individual private residential lots.
C.
Landscaping areas. This article is oriented to specific areas of required landscaping. The requirements described in this article are cumulative in nature and are required in the following landscaping areas:
D.
In each instance, a landscaping point concept is used to provide a maximum amount of flexibility in terms of the selection of plant materials. Section 212-2013 provides a list of example plant species that fit into the apex tree, tall deciduous tree, medium deciduous tree, low deciduous tree, tall evergreen tree, medium evergreen tree, low evergreen tree, tall deciduous shrub, medium deciduous shrub, low deciduous shrub, medium evergreen shrub, low evergreen shrub, and noncontributory plants categories used by this article.
§ 212-2003 Landscaping points; placement in landscaping area.
A.
All landscaping requirements are stated in terms of landscaping points. The required number of landscaping points is dependent upon the type of land use, the zoning district and the size of the development. A different number of points are awarded for each plant, depending upon its typical growth rate, its mature height and whether it is a deciduous or evergreen species. A minimum size is required for each of these plant categories. These requirements are described in § 212-2004.
B.
Landscaping points required in each landscaping area (see § 212-2002C) must be satisfied by the developer installing planting materials within the same landscaping area. For example, landscaping points required for the "building foundation" standards in Table 20-2 (§ 212-2006A) shall be satisfied by plantings within the building foundation area described in Table 20-2 (§ 212-2006A).[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 20-2, Landscaping Requirements, is included as an attachment to this chapter.
C.
In areas where two or more landscaping areas overlap, each plant shall only be used to satisfy the requirements of one landscaping area. For example, plants used to satisfy the "paved areas" requirements cannot be used toward satisfying the "building foundation" requirements if these areas overlap.
§ 212-2004 Landscaping points and minimum sizes.
Table 20-1: Landscaping Points and Minimum Plant Sizes. | ||
|---|---|---|
Plant Category | Landscaping Points Per Plant | Minimum Permitted Size |
Apex tree | 40 | 3 inches' caliper |
Tall deciduous tree | 15 | 1.5 inches' caliper |
Medium deciduous tree | 8 | 6 feet tall |
Low deciduous tree | 5 | 4 feet tall |
Tall evergreen tree | 20 | 5 feet tall |
Medium evergreen tree | 10 | 4 feet tall |
Low evergreen tree | 6 | 3 feet tall |
Tall deciduous shrub | 3 | 36 inches tall |
Medium deciduous shrub | 2 | 24 inches tall |
Low deciduous shrub | 1 | 18 inches tall |
Medium evergreen shrub | 3 | 18 inches tall/wide |
Low evergreen shrub | 2 | 12 inches tall/wide |
Noncontributory plants | 0.5 | n/a |
§ 212-2005 Examples of landscaping and buffering.
Figures 20-1 through 20-5, shown on the following pages, depict sample landscaping schemes (alternatives A, B, C, D and E) that may be used for building foundations, developed lots, paved areas and buffer yards. In general, landscaping schemes similar to Alternative A are best for building foundations; landscaping schemes similar to Alternative B are best for developed lots, ;landscaping schemes similar to Alternative C are best for street frontages; landscaping schemes similar to Alternative D are best for paved areas (including parking lots, walkways and plazas); and landscaping schemes similar to Alternative E are best for buffer yards. A detailed listing of which plant species fit each plant type is provided in § 212-2013.
Figure 20-1: Alternative A | |
Alternative A: best suited for building foundations. | |
750 landscaping points: | |
20 medium trees | |
15 small shrubs | |
60 shrubs | |
 |
Figure 20-2: Alternative B | |
Alternative B: best suited for developed lots. | |
1,250 landscaping points: | |
6 apex trees | |
8 tall trees | |
20 medium trees | |
41 evergreen plantings | |
 |
Figure 20-3: Alternative C | |
Alternative C: best suited for street frontages. | |
Option 1, 280 landscaping points: | |
2 apex trees | |
2 tall trees | |
8 small trees | |
Option 2, 280 landscaping points: | |
2 apex trees | |
2 tall trees | |
4 small trees | |
8 evergreen shrubs | |
 |
Figure 20-4: Alternative D | |
Alternative D: best suited for paved areas. | |
Option 1, 880 landscaping points: | |
2 apex trees | |
13 tall trees | |
68 evergreen shrubs | |
Option 2, 880 landscaping points: | |
5 apex trees | |
6 tall trees | |
68 evergreen shrubs | |
 |
Figure 20-5: Alternative E |
Alternative E: best suited for buffer yards. |
Option 1: |
Six-foot opaque fence on property line, minimum five-foot setback to paving (no plants). |
 |
Option 2: |
|---|
Four-foot transparent fence, 20 feet from property line. Stagger plants to both sides. (Stay out of ten-foot utility easement.) |
 |
Option 3: |
|---|
Ten-foot zone with no plantings adjacent to property line. Ten-foot-wide berm minimum (1.5-foot height minimum) and plantings. |
 |
§ 212-2006 Landscaping requirements and measurement.
A.
The landscaping requirements for the "building foundation," "street frontage," "paved area," and "developed lot" landscaping areas are included in Table 20-2.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 20-2, Landscaping Requirements, is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B.
Calculation of minimum amount of landscaping points per landscaping area.
(2)
Figure 20-6 illustrates the measurements and formulas used to determine these requirements:
Figure 20-6: Illustrated Measurements for Landscaping Requirement Formulas  |
(3)
Landscaping calculation equations for this example:
Paved Areas = (P1 x P2) + (P3 x P4) + (P5 x P6) | |
Building Foundation Perimeter = F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 | |
Gross Floor Area = B1 x B2 |
§ 212-2007 Landscaping requirements for building foundations.
A.
This section requires that certain buildings or building additions, constructed after the effective date of this article, be accented by a minimum amount of landscaping placed near the building foundation.
B.
Landscaping required by this article shall be placed so that at maturity the plant's dripline is located within 10 feet of the building foundation. Such landscaping shall not be located in those areas required for street frontages, paved areas or buffer yards. See § 212-2005 for a suggested scheme.
C.
For each 100 feet of building foundation perimeter, a specific number of landscaping points (per Table 20-2[1] in § 212-2006A) shall be provided on a prorated basis and installed and permanently maintained per the requirements of § 212-2014.
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 20-2, Landscaping Requirements, is included as an attachment to this chapter.
D.
Apex trees and tall trees shall not be used to meet this requirement. The intent of this article is to require a visual break in the mass of buildings and to require a visual screen of a minimum of six feet in height for all exterior perimeter appurtenances (such as HVAC/utility boxes, standpipes, stormwater discharge pipes and other pipes).
E.
Where the site plan depicts a future building extension, the foundation landscaping requirement shall be calculated by measuring the length of the total perimeter. However, foundation plantings need only be installed based on the landscape points calculated from the portions of the building perimeter that will not be affected by building extension. If this results in point requirements that are not met through the initial planting, then said requirement shall be met within five years of building permit issuance, or as extended in writing by the Planning Commission.
F.
The Environmental Advisory Council or Planning Commission may recommend, and Borough Council may approve, a modification in the applicable landscaping requirements where it determines that greater or less landscaping is required to accomplish the purposes and intent of this article.
§ 212-2008 Landscaping requirements for street frontages.
A.
Landscaping requirements for street frontages are detailed in § 184-905D(15). The landscaping point system of this article does not apply to street frontages.
§ 212-2009 Landscaping requirements for paved areas.
A.
This article requires that paved areas on certain lots, developed after the effective date of this article, contain a minimum amount of landscaping within or within 10 feet of the paved area. The intent is to require a continuous visual screen of parking areas from public rights-of-way at a minimum height of 40 inches.
B.
A minimum of 360 square feet of landscaped area, which shall be located within 10 feet of the paved area, is required for the placement of every 100 landscaping points. Said area shall not be required to be provided in one contiguous area. Sample configurations are depicted in § 212-2005. Plants used to fulfill this requirement shall visually screen parking, loading and circulation areas from view from public streets.
C.
For every 20 off-street parking stalls or 10,000 square feet of pavement (whichever yields the greater landscaping requirement) located in a development, the following number of landscaping points required in Table 20-2[1] in § 212-2006A shall be provided on a prorated basis and installed and maintained per the requirements of § 212-2014: A minimum of 30% of all points shall be devoted to apex and/or tall trees, and a minimum of 40% of all points shall be devoted to shrubs.
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 20-2, Landscaping Requirements, is included as an attachment to this chapter.
D.
Parking lot design shall employ interior landscaped islands with a minimum of 400 square feet at all parking aisle ends and in addition shall provide a minimum of one landscaped island of a minimum of 400 square feet in each parking aisle for every 20 cars in that aisle. Aisle-end islands shall count toward meeting this requirement. Landscaped medians shall be used to break large parking areas into distinct pods, with a maximum of 100 spaces in any one pod.
E.
In its sole and reasonable discretion, the Environmental Advisory Council or Planning Commission may recommend a modification in, and Borough Council may modify, the applicable landscaping requirements where it is determined that greater or less landscaping is required to accomplish the purposes and intent of this article.
§ 212-2010 Landscaping requirements for developed lots.
A.
This article requires that certain lots developed after the effective date of this article contain a minimum amount of landscaping.
B.
The following number of landscaping points required in Table 20-2[1] in § 212-2006A shall be provided on a prorated basis for every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area and installed and maintained per the requirements of § 212-2014.
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 20-2, Landscaping Requirements, is included as an attachment to this chapter.
C.
The intent of this article is to provide yard shade and to require a visual screen of a minimum of six feet in height for all detached exterior appurtenances (such as HVAC, utility boxes, standpipes, stormwater discharge pipes and other pipes).
D.
In its sole and reasonable discretion, the Environmental Advisory Council or Planning Commission may recommend a modification in, and Borough Council may modify, the applicable landscaping requirements where it is determined that greater or less landscaping is required to accomplish the purposes and intent of this article.
§ 212-2011 Landscaping requirements for permanently protected open green spaces.
A.
This article requires that each acre of other permanently protected green space after the effective date of this article be planted with a minimum amount of landscaping.
§ 212-2012 Landscaping requirements for buffer yards.
A.
Purpose. This article provides the landscaping and width requirements for buffer yards on lots developed after the effective date of this article. A buffer yard is a combination of distance and a visual buffer or barrier. It includes an area, together with the combination of plantings, berms and fencing, required to eliminate or reduce existing or potential negative impacts. These negative impacts can often occur between adjacent land uses. Such negative impacts are dirt, litter, noise, glare of lights, signs and incompatible land uses, buildings or parking areas.
B.
Required locations for buffer yards. Buffer yards shall be located along (and within) the outer perimeter of a lot wherever two different uses abut one another or where a lot abuts an interstate highway. Buffer yards shall not be required in front yards.
[Amended 3-16-2022 by Ord. No. 665-2022]
C.
Determination of required buffer yard. The determination of buffer yard requirements is a two-stage process. First, the required buffer yard type is determined using Table 20-3 (§ 212-2012O).[1] There are six buffer yard types: A, B, C, D, E and N. The required buffer yard type indicated by Table 20-3 is directly related to the degree to which the proposed use and the adjacent use differ. The provisions of this article indicate the minimum requirements for buffer yards located along different uses' boundaries.
(1)
Identification of required buffer yard type. Table 20-3 shall be used to determine the required buffer yard type. The required buffer yard type is determined by the value given in the cell of the table at which the column heading along the top row of the table (representing the adjacent property's use) intersects with the row heading along the left-hand side of the table (representing the subject property's proposed use). The value listed at the intersection is the required buffer yard type for the subject property.
(2)
Identification of detailed buffer yard requirements.
(a)
If a proposed use adjoins a parcel for which a buffer yard is required, the proposed use shall provide a buffer yard of the type indicated in Table 20-3.
(b)
There are six types of buffer yards. Table 20-4 (§ 212-2012O)[2] shows the minimum width and number of landscaping points required for each 100 linear feet for each buffer yard type. The applicant may either plant new trees or plants or preserve existing trees or plants within the required buffer yard that meet the requirements of this article.
[2]
Editor's Note: Table 20-4 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 20-3 is included as an attachment to this chapter.
D.
It shall be the goal of these regulations to achieve effective screening at a minimum of 60% of the view from the adjoining property at a height five feet above the ground line at maturity.
E.
The buffer yard shall be continuous along all property lines where it is required, except for points of vehicular and pedestrian access. The provisions for a clear sight triangle at all street and driveway intersections shall apply.
F.
Structures shall not be permitted within the required buffer yard, except for an approved fence or wall.
G.
Parking, loading, storage, vehicular circulation or any other use shall not be permitted in a required buffer yard.
I.
Berms or mounding of soil may be utilized where screening value is enhanced, aesthetic benefit is assured and the berm or mound slopes comply with Chapter 124, Grading.
J.
Screen walls may be implemented as part of the buffer yard design and shall be in compliance with existing height control regulations.
K.
Wood fencing may be an option, provided that it is in compliance with existing height control regulations and has a minimum opacity of 60%.
L.
Chain-link fencing is prohibited.
M.
Natural buffer yards:
(1)
Applicability. In order to encourage the preservation of natural vegetation, the applicant may substitute a Type N buffer consistent with Table 20-4 for any category required. Natural areas with native vegetation may be used to meet any of the above buffer yard requirements if the criteria of Table 20-4 are met.
(2)
Buffer yard width reduction. The width of a buffer yard shall be reduced by 20% when the criteria of § 212-2012M(1) are met, provided that the minimum width shall be at least 10 feet.
N.
In its sole and reasonable discretion, the Environmental Advisory Council or the Planning Commission may recommend a modification in, and Borough Council may modify, the applicable landscaping requirements where it is determined that greater or less landscaping is required to accomplish the purposes and intent of this article.
§ 212-2013 Classification of plant species.
A.
For the purpose of this article, plant materials are classified into 12 groupings: apex tree, tall deciduous tree, medium deciduous tree, low deciduous tree, tall evergreen tree, medium evergreen tree, low evergreen tree, tall deciduous shrub, medium deciduous shrub, low deciduous shrub, medium evergreen shrub, low evergreen shrub, and noncontributory plants. The plants listed in Table 20-5 are examples of species that may be utilized to meet the requirements of this chapter.[1] All plants must be deer-resistant, disease-resistant and pest-resistant for the area. All plantings must be U.S. Zone 6 hardiness or hardier per the United States Department of Agriculture's Hardiness Zone Map.
[1]
Editor's Note: Table 20-5, Classification of Plants, is included as an attachment to this chapter.
B.
The Borough's Environmental Advisory Council may periodically publish a list of undesirable or prohibited plants. Justification for placing a plant on this list must be provided and shall be based on objective (i.e., Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture directive, diseased, invasive, etc.) criteria. Such a list shall be distributed to the Planning Commission and Borough Council and shall become effective 30 days after the date of issuance, unless amended by Borough Council.
§ 212-2014 Installation, maintenance and use of landscaping and buffer yard areas.
A.
It shall be the intent of this article to encourage the use of well-chosen plant materials arranged in a symbiotic relationship with the landscaped area and contributing to a pleasant visual experience through the four seasons.
B.
Installation.
(1)
Any and all landscaping and buffer yard material required by the provisions of this article shall be installed on the subject property in accordance with the approved site plan (see § 212-2016) within one year of the issuance of an occupancy permit for any building on the subject property. Landscaping and buffer yard material shall be guaranteed for a minimum of two years following installation.
(2)
Surety. If the subject property is to be occupied prior to the installation of all required landscaping and buffer yard material, the property owner shall sign an agreement stating the intent to install the landscaping within the one-year period. This agreement shall also contain a statement indicating that there are fines associated with not complying with this agreement per the enforcement provisions of this chapter.
(3)
As part of the review of the proposed landscaping and buffer yard plan, the Environmental Advisory Council and the Planning Commission shall consider recommending the preservation and utilization of existing plant material to satisfy all or part of the landscaping and buffer yard requirements. Existing plant material which meets the requirements of §§ 212-2003 through 212-2006, and which will be preserved on the subject property following the completion of development, may be counted as contributing to the landscaping requirements.
C.
The following specifications shall be met for plantings in required landscaping areas:
(1)
All plant materials shall comply with the standards of the plant industry issued as document ANSI Z60 by the American Association of Nurserymen, or its successor document(s).
(2)
Utilization of other horticultural selections which enhance the required plantings may be considered. These plant materials may include annuals and perennials, including ornamental grasses.
(3)
Turf grass, ground covers and mulches are acceptable for the prevention of erosion and for ground enrichment.
(4)
Crown vetch shall not be considered a ground cover of choice. Where its invasive qualities can be demonstrated to be not in conflict with the required landscaping area plantings and its required maintenance program, the Planning Commission may recommend that its use be authorized by Council.
D.
The exact placement of required plants and structures shall be depicted on the required detailed landscaping plan and shall be the decision of each property owner within the requirements of this article, except that the following requirements shall be met:
(1)
Evergreen shrubs shall be planted in a manner that will maximize their chance for survival.
(2)
Where a combination of plant materials and/or berming and/or fencing is used in a buffer yard, the fence and/or berm shall be located toward the interior of the subject property, and the plant material shall be located toward the exterior of the subject property.
(3)
A property owner may establish through a written agreement, recorded with the Allegheny County Department of Real Estate, that an adjacent property owner shall agree to provide a partial or full portion of the required buffer yard on an immediately adjacent portion of their land, thereby exempting the developer from providing all or a portion of the buffer yard on his property.
(4)
Landscaping or buffer yard materials shall not be selected and/or located in a manner that results in the creation of a safety or visibility hazard.
E.
Maintenance. The continued and continual maintenance of all required landscaping and buffer yard materials shall be a requirement of this article and shall be the responsibility of the owner of the property on which said materials are required. The area shall be kept free of debris, rubbish, weeds and unkempt turf grass. Dead plant material is to be replaced within 30 days of its failure to survive or, if out of normal planting time, the following season. This requirement shall run with the property and is binding upon all future property owners. Development of any and all property following the effective date of this chapter shall constitute an agreement by the property owner to comply with the provisions of this article. Failure to comply with this requirement shall be considered a violation of this article and shall be subject to any and all applicable enforcement procedures and penalties per the enforcement provisions of this chapter.
F.
Use of required buffer yard and landscaping areas. Any and all required buffer yards or landscaping areas may be used for passive recreation activities. Said areas may contain pedestrian, bike or equestrian trails, provided that no required material is eliminated; the total width of the required buffer yard or the total area of required landscaping is maintained; and all other regulations of this article are met. In no event, however, shall swimming pools, tennis courts, sports fields, golf courses, or other such active recreation uses be permitted in such areas. Furthermore, in no instance shall any parking be permitted in such areas, nor shall any outdoor display or storage of materials be permitted in such areas. Paving in such areas shall be limited to that required for necessary access to, through or across the subject property.
G.
Utility easements. Landscaping materials, fences and berms which are located within a duly recorded utility easement and/or a pedestrian easement shall not count toward meeting a landscaping requirement. However, the width of such areas may be counted as part of a landscaping requirement.
§ 212-2015 Calculating landscaping and buffer yard requirements.
In calculating the number of required landscaping points under the provisions of this article, all areas and distances on which required calculations are based shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number of square feet or linear feet. Any partial plant derived from the required calculations of this article (for example 23.3 trees) shall be rounded up to the nearest whole plant (24 trees).
§ 212-2016 Depiction on required site plan.
A.
Any and all proposed landscaping on the subject property, required to meet the standards of this article, shall be clearly depicted and labeled as to its location and makeup on the planting plan required for the development of the subject property. The planting plan shall include, at a minimum, the following:
(1)
The planting plan shall be prepared by and shall bear the seal of a professional landscape architect registered in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(2)
The planting plan shall be prepared in an understandable scale no smaller than one inch equals 30 feet.
(3)
The planting plan shall include a plant material schedule showing scientific and common names, specified sizes and quantities. Where appropriate, a reference key designation shall be included.
(4)
The Borough may award landscaping points for these features, provided that they are utilized in a creative fashion to produce an attractive maintainable landscape within the landscaped areas: land forms, screen walls, wood fencing, sculpture, noninvasive lighting, water features, site features, natural stone and boulders.