The landscaping, screening and site design requirements specified herein are intended to foster aesthetically pleasing and functional development. The regulations are intended to increase the compatibility between adjacent land uses and accessory structures and uses within and between developments. It is also the intent of this chapter to establish regulations limiting the removal and ensuring the replacement of trees within the city to safeguard the ecological and aesthetic environment of the community.

The requirements serve to minimize impacts from noise, dust, debris and motor vehicle headlight glare to surrounding land uses. To assist the user in understanding the requirements of this chapter, the illustrations set out in chapter 15 of this title provide examples of the intent of a number of the regulations. (Ord. 95-28, 5-1-1995; Ord. 2017-19, § 3, 7-17-2017)

Landscape plans shall be required for all developments proposing exterior modifications or alterations which require:

A.

Site plan approval.

B.

Special use permit approval.

The procedure for landscape plan approval shall follow the procedure for site plan approval or special use permit approval, as applicable. When required, landscape plans shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 95-28, 5-1-1995; Ord. 2017-19, § 3, 7-17-2017)

All landscape plans should be prepared by a state of Illinois registered landscape architect. (Ord. 95-28, 5-1-1995; Ord. 2017-19, § 3, 7-17-2017)

A landscape plan shall include the following elements:

A.

A completed application form and appropriate fee.

B.

Location and dimensions of existing and proposed buildings and structures within the development site and within one hundred feet (100') of the development site.

C.

The locations and dimensions of all existing and/or proposed parking lots, drives, roadways and rights-of-way, sidewalks, bicycle paths, freestanding signs, refuse disposal areas, bicycle parking areas, freestanding electrical equipment, freestanding signs, building mounted, heating, ventilating and air circulation equipment and all fences.

D.

Species, planting size and location of proposed plant material required under this chapter.

E.

All proposed building and parking facilities and all forms of ornamental or other lighting, including specifications as to the height, type of lamp, luminaries and light reflective shields to be used.

F.

Methods of required screening for refuse disposal areas, and horizontal elevations and sections of construction design.

G.

The location of all off-street loading areas, including an indication whether loading docks will be enclosed and methods of proposed screening.

H.

Locations of hose connections and other water system sources or devices, if any.

I.

The location and placement of all proposed water lines and sprinkler heads of irrigation systems proposed.

J.

The location of existing and proposed utility easements and the type of utilities anticipated for placement within proposed easements and existing utility lines, both above and below ground.

K.

As a separate drawing, an existing tree survey and preservation plan required under this title.

L.

As a separate drawing, a grading plan indicating existing and proposed contours at one foot (1') contour intervals, including any proposed berming which should be shown in two foot (2') contour intervals.

M.

The following calculations, in square feet, displayed on the landscape plan:

1.

Total site area.

2.

Total area devoted to off-street parking (including access drives).

3.

Total area devoted to impervious surfaces.

4.

Total landscaped area.

5.

Total parking lot landscaped area.

6.

Total internal landscaping.

N.

The delineation of the sight distance triangle where applicable.

O.

Any other plan documentation requirements, including elevations, cross sections and other plan details as deemed necessary by the director of community development. (Ord. 95-28, 5-1-1995; Ord. 2017-19, § 3, 7-17-2017)

A.

Tree Preservation: (Rep. by Ord. 2004-11, 2-17-2004, eff. 5-3-2004) ^[17]

B.

Requirements For Parkway Trees:

1.

When Required: Parkway trees shall be required for new developments within all zoning districts, except the special purpose districts.

2.

Location And Number Of Parkway Trees: Parkway trees shall be provided at a ratio of one tree for each forty (40) linear feet, or fraction thereof, of street frontage. There shall be a minimum spacing of twenty feet (20') and a maximum spacing of forty feet (40') in either a linear or clustered pattern. Trees shall be located within the right-of-way on an alignment parallel to the back of curb and an equidistant dimension between the right-of-way and back of curb. Trees shall have a minimum spacing of twenty feet (20') from streetlight poles, fire hydrants or any other obstruction or hazard the director of community development deems reasonable cause for separation.

3.

Tree Selection:

a.

Tree selection shall be in accord with the provisions of section 11-10-8 of this chapter.

b.

For trees within the public right-of-way, or trees otherwise to be maintained by the city, there shall be no more than twenty percent (20%) in total of any single species in proportion to the planting requirement.

4.

Planting Requirement; Timing: Parkway trees shall be planted at the time of development, unless a performance bond is approved in accordance with subsection 11-10-9A of this chapter.

C.

Requirements For Interior Parking Lot Landscaping:

1.

Applicability: Parking lot landscaping shall apply in all zoning districts with the exception of the RR, RE, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 zoning districts. However, all nonresidential developments within all residential zoning districts shall meet the requirements of this subsection. Interior parking lot landscaping shall apply to developments requiring five (5) or more off-street parking spaces.

2.

Interior Parking Lot Landscaping:

a.

Coverage: Not less than ten percent (10%) of the interior of a parking lot shall be devoted to landscaping. The "interior" of a parking lot shall mean the area encompassed between the backs of curbs encompassing the drives and parking area serving the site. Perimeter landscaping islands penetrating the parking area may count toward the ten percent (10%) minimum landscaping requirement, provided all other requirements are met. Perimeter yards, transition setbacks or internal landscaping shall not count toward parking lot landscaping.

b.

Landscape Areas:

(1)

Dispersion: Interior parking lot landscaping is intended to be distributed throughout the parking, lot. The design should facilitate pedestrian access through the site and seek to separate vehicle traffic from pedestrian traffic. Any additional interior parking lot landscaped area in excess of twenty percent (20%) may be credited against required internal landscaping.

(2)

Minimum Area: Where provided, full midrow and endrow landscaping islands shall be a minimum of one hundred forty-eight (148) square feet in area with no dimensions generally not less than eight feet (8') from back to back of curb.

c.

Landscaping Material:

(1)

Type: The primary landscaping materials used in parking lots shall be shade trees which provide for shade. Ornamental trees, shrubbery and other live planting material may be used to supplement shade trees.

(2)

Quantity: One (1) large to medium shade tree shall be provided for each one hundred eighty (180) square feet of landscaped area.

(3)

Ground Cover: A minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) of each interior parking lot landscaping area shall be composed of live landscape material.

D.

Requirements For Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping:

1.

Applicability: Perimeter parking lot landscaping shall be required in addition to all other landscaping areas, except where parking lots are adjacent to a required transition setback. Perimeter parking lot landscaping shall apply to all off street parking areas.

2.

Landscaping:

a.

Planting Material:

(1)

Across From Or Adjoining Nonresidential Property: Where a parking lot is located across a dedicated public right-of-way from or adjoins property zoned for a nonresidential use, or designated for nonresidential use in the comprehensive plan, landscaping shall be provided across fifty percent (50%) of the street frontage to a minimum of three feet (3') in height. Such landscaping shall consist of shrubbery.

(2)

Across From Residential Property: Where a parking lot is located across a dedicated public right-of-way from property zoned for a residential district, or designated for a residential use in the comprehensive plan, landscaping shall be provided across one hundred percent (100%) of the parking lot perimeter facing the public street (except for intersecting drives, signs and other obstructions to landscaping) to a minimum of three feet (3') in height. Such landscaping shall consist of shrubbery.

b.

Ground Cover: Except where occupied by planting beds, all perimeter parking lot landscaped areas located in a street yard shall be seeded or sodded.

3.

Special Provisions In D-CM And D-RSCM Districts: See subsection 11-11A-4C for special parking lot and right-of-way screening requirements.

E.

Requirements For Perimeter Yard Landscaping:

1.

Applicability: Except in the D-CM district, perimeter yard landscaping is required in all developments requiring landscape plan approval. Perimeter yards shall meet the requirements of this subsection, except where a transition setback may be required.

2.

Landscaping And Clustering: Landscaping shall be provided at a rate of one shade tree for each sixty feet (60') along the lot lines encompassing the boundary of the lot or zoning lot. Subject to plan approval, trees may be clustered and need not be spaced at the intervals described under the minimum planting requirement stated above.

3.

Ground Cover: Perimeter yards shall maintain a minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) of living landscaped ground cover.

4.

Planting In Right-Of-Way: Required plantings may be located within public right-of-way, or within special landscaped setback areas upon approval by the director of community development and the director of public works.

F.

Requirements For Internal Landscaping:

1.

Applicability: Except for the D-CM and D-RSCM Districts, internal landscaping is required in all developments requiring landscape plan approval. Internal landscaping is intended to visually soften the mass of buildings and to visually separate building areas from parking areas. Internal landscaping generally includes areas surrounding the perimeter of site buildings and improvements.

2.

Landscaping:

a.

A minimum of two percent (2%) of the site's net area shall be dedicated and improved with shrubs and/or trees.

b.

A minimum of one (1) tree for each five hundred (500) square feet of required interior landscaping shall be provided.

c.

Minimum Number Of Shrubs: Up to one-half (½) of the required trees may be substituted by shrubs adjacent to retail storefronts where the view of signs may be disturbed. Ten (10) shrubs, a minimum height of three feet (3'), may be provided in replacement of each tree to be removed.

3.

Location Of Minimum Required Landscaped Areas: Internal landscaping shall be located as follows. Sod shall not be included in the calculation of minimum landscape areas required unless approved by the director of community development:

a.

Adjacent to those building elevations which form major public views of the project from adjacent streets and properties; or

b.

Within a plaza or courtyard, in front of, or between buildings or patterns of buildings; or

c.

Paved plazas or courtyards may qualify provided plazas have trees which provide visual relief to building elevations from public views; or

d.

In a similar location which substantially meets the intent of this subsection, if approved as part of the landscape plan.

4.

Landscape Materials: Planting spacing should allow for the growth characteristics of the plant material without adversely altering the maintenance of structures, walks or drives. The types of ground cover shall be subject to the approval of the director of community development.

G.

Transition Setbacks:

1.

Applicability: A transition setback is intended to provide a physical separation between potentially incompatible uses with landscaping and screening. In all cases where a transition setback is required, the requirements of this subsection shall substitute for any perimeter yard or parking lot screening requirement along the portion of any affected yard. Transition setbacks are required under the following situations:

a.

Along and within the yard(s) of a multiple family development where such multiple-family zoning or proposed multiple family development directly adjoins land zoned RE, RR, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 or R6 or directly adjoins land designated for low density residential use in the comprehensive plan. This requirement does not apply to a multiple-family development which lies across public street right-of-way of land zoned RE, RR, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 or R6, or otherwise designated for a low density residential use.

b.

Along and within the yard(s) of a nonresidential development where the nonresidential development or zoning district (excluding the special purpose districts) directly adjoins a residential district or land designated for any residential use in the comprehensive plan. This requirement does not apply to a nonresidential development which lies across public street right-of-way of land zoned or designated in the comprehensive plan for residential use.

2.

Landscaping:

a.

Quantity: Transition setbacks shall be improved with one medium to large shade tree for each four hundred (400) square feet of area within the setback. Sixty-six percent (66%) of the total trees required shall be evergreen trees. However, evergreen trees may replace the required number of deciduous trees at a rate of two (2) evergreen trees for each deciduous tree.

For transition setbacks greater than twenty feet (20') in depth, two (2) shrubs or one ornamental tree shall be provided for each five (5) medium to large shade trees required.

b.

Berming: Transition setbacks may include earth berms. The placement of berms is encouraged to provide a change in orientation and undulation, and not necessarily be designed in a straight and linear pattern. Plantings placed on top of berms are restricted to species compatible with the terrain.

c.

Screening: In a transition setback, berming, fencing and landscaping shall be used to provide a visual year round screen to a minimum height of six feet (6').

(1)

Exceptions In D-CM, D-RSCM And GO Districts: In the D-CM, D-RSCM and GO districts where a transition setback is required on a site proposed for adaptive reuse of an existing residential structure, or the construction of a new commercial structure, the planning and zoning commission may consider, and city council approve, alternative approaches to site screening and transition setback design which are deemed to be compatible with surrounding residential uses. In the GO district, this exception applies to land located within Area 1 only. For reuse of residential structures where no changes to the exterior of the dwelling and property are proposed for the rear yard, nor any extension of use or outdoor activity proposed, the planning and zoning commission and city council, subject to reasonable conditions, may waive the transition setback requirement. Such waiver and any conditions shall be stipulated as part of plan approval.

d.

Ground Cover: All transition setbacks, except where occupied by other landscape material shall be seeded or sodded.

H.

Landscaped Corridors:

1.

Applicability: These landscaping requirements will apply where special corridor setbacks are required as part of the CO corridor overlay zoning district which overlays a residential zoning district. The landscaping requirements for nonresidential areas shall be governed by applicable standards of this title.

2.

Landscaping Material: Setbacks in the CO corridor overlay district shall be improved with two (2) deciduous trees, one (1) ornamental tree, two (2) evergreen trees and thirty (30) shrubbery per each two hundred (200) lineal feet. Landscaping may be permitted in public street right-of-way, if authorized as part of plan approval.

Additionally, plant materials used shall include salt resistant varieties as recommended by the Illinois department of transportation.

I.

Screening And Landscaping Requirements For Building Appurtenances And Related Elements:

1.

Rooftop Mechanical Equipment: All roof mounted mechanical equipment shall be screened on all sides visible from any property line. Screening may include parapet walls or other opaque screening materials similar and compatible in color and texture to the exterior building materials on which the unit is located.

2.

Exterior Electrical And Utility Equipment: All ground mounted electrical and utility related connection and service boxes shall be effectively screened with shrubbery or other forms of living plant material to a minimum of fifty percent (50%) opacity at the time of planting. Alternative methods of screening may be approved by the director of community development where it is found that the size or positioning of the equipment to be screened presents unique conditions or difficulty in accomplishing the intent of this subsection. This provision is not intended to apply to individual service pedestals not less than eight inches by eight inches (8" × 8").

3.

Freestanding Signs: All freestanding sign locations shall provide for landscaping around the base of the sign a minimum of two feet (2') from any portion of the base of the sign. Landscaping shall include shrubbery or annual flowering plant material or other plant material, subject to the approval of the director of community development. (Ord. 95-28, 5-1-1995; Ord. 2017-19, § 3, 7-17-2017; Ord. No. 2019-17, §§ 44—47, 8-5-2019)

A.

General Design Criteria: The following general design criteria shall be observed:

1.

Softening Of Fences And Walls: Plant materials should be intermittently placed along long expanses of buildings, walls, fences and other barriers to create a softening effect.

2.

Detention And Retention Basins And Ponds: Detention and retention basins and ponds shall be landscaped and should include shade and ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubbery, hedges and other live planting material.

3.

Berming: Earthen berms and existing topography should, wherever practical, be incorporated into the landscape treatment of the site.

B.

Minimum Planting Requirements:

1.

Minimum planting sizes shall be as follows:

a.

Large Deciduous Shade Trees: Three inches (3") caliper as measured six inches (6") aboveground.

b.

Medium Deciduous Shade Trees: Two and one-half inches (2.5") caliper as measured six inches (6") aboveground.

c.

Small Deciduous And Ornamental Trees: Six feet (6') in height, with the exception of true dwarf species.

d.

Evergreens: Six feet (6') in height.

e.

Shrubs: Twenty-four inches (24").

f.

Ground Cover Plants: Whether in the form of crowns, plugs or containers, shall be planted in numbers appropriate by species to provide fifty percent (50%) surface coverage after one (1) growing season.

2.

Methods of determining planting sizes shall be as follows. This section outlines acceptable specifications for shade trees and flowering trees:

a.

Shade And Flowering Trees: In size grading balled and burlapped trees, caliper size shall take precedence over tree height. For purposes of simplicity, only one (1) size per "grade" will be listed. That size will be the minimum size allowable for that grade and shall include plants from that size up to but not including the next larger grade size. (Example: Acer rubrum, two inch (2") caliper. This could include Acer rubrum calipering two inches (2") up to but not including 2½ inches (2½") in caliper, measured six inches (6") above the ground line.)

The caliper of the trunk shall be taken six inches (6") above the ground up to and including four inch (4") caliper size, and twelve inches (12") above the ground for larger sizes. Seldom are tree trunks perfectly round. Therefore, caliper measurement may be taken with "slot" type caliper, "pincer" type caliper, or diameter tape.

b.

Conifers And Evergreens: This subsection outlines acceptable specifications for conifers and evergreens.

For purposes of simplicity, only one (1) size per "grade" will be used. That size will be the minimum size allowable for the grade, and the grade shall include plants from that size up to but not including the next larger grade size. (Example: Taxus media "Brownii", fifteen inches (15"). This could include Taxus media "Brownii" fifteen inches (15") in height up to, but not including, eighteen inches (18") and having a minimum spread of twelve inches (12").

The following height measurement units shall apply:

3 inch intervals up to eighteen inches (18") in height.

6 inch intervals from eighteen inches (18") to four feet (4').

1 foot intervals greater than four feet (4').

c.

Deciduous Shrubs: This subsection outlines acceptable specifications for deciduous shrubs, dwarf and semi-dwarf shrubs and strong growing shrubs.

For purposes of simplicity, only one (1) size per "grade" will be used. That size will be the minimum size allowable for that grade, and the grade shall include plants from that size up to but not including the next larger grade size. (Example: Forsythia, two feet (2'). This could include Forsythia plants with not less than three (3), two-foot (2') canes up to but not including four (4), three-foot (3') canes.)

(1)

Dwarf And Semi-Dwarf Shrubs: Determine height in inches up to twenty four inches (24"); above twenty four inches (24") determine height in feet. Grade in three inch (3") series to eighteen inches (18"), six inch (6") series, eighteen inches (18") to twenty four inches (24"). (Example 12 inch; 15 inch; 18 inch; 2 feet; 2½ feet.)

(2)

Strong Growing Shrubs: Determine height in six inch (6") series up to twenty four inches (24") tall (example: 12 inches; 18 inches); over twenty four inches (24"), measure in single feet up to six feet (6') tall; over six feet (6'), measure in two foot (2') increments. (Example: five feet (5'), six feet (6'), eight feet (8'), ten feet (10').

3.

Ground Cover Specifications:

a.

Areas To Be Graded And Sodded: Areas to be sodded shall be graded smooth and topped with at least four inches (4") of black dirt after compacting and removal of stumps, trees that cannot be saved, boulders and other debris. Swales, which require sodding, shall have a minimum sodding width of ten feet (10').

b.

Areas To Be Graded And Seeded: All open areas of the development which are not paved, sodded or otherwise landscaped shall have a new lawn established through seeding. (Ord. 95-28, 5-1-1995; Ord. 2017-19, § 3, 7-17-2017)

A.

Prohibited Plant Varieties: The following list of plants are restricted from use in any areas covered by this title. The city encourages the use of native plant species indigenous to the greater Geneva region.

B.

Planting Methods: This subsection outlines guidelines for the installation of all landscape material.

1.

Most small, deciduous trees may be moved bare rooted unless otherwise indicated. Roots of bare rooted trees must be protected against drying out.

2.

All coniferous trees shall be moved balled and burlapped. Balled roots should be prevented from drying out at the surface of their ball, and they should be protected from freezing.

3.

Pits for the planting of bare root plans shall be least twelve inches (12") larger in diameter than the diameter of the root system in order to accommodate the roots without crowding. For balled trees, the pits should be a minimum of twelve inches (12") larger than the diameter of the ball of soil to allow proper backfill.

4.

Plants shall be planted no deeper than previously grown with due allowance for settling.

5.

In planting containers, artificial drainage shall be provided for the root system of any species intolerant of wet sites, or a species tolerant to wet sites shall be used.

6.

Top soil, compost, peat moss or an acceptable soil mixture may be placed about the roots of bare root stock or in the backfill around balled stock. When the planting is completed, the entire root system shall be thoroughly saturated with water and cord and burlap wrapping shall be cut and/or removed.

7.

Although pruning should be done to develop a balance with the root system, excessive pruning at the time of transplanting should be avoided.

8.

Tree trunks shall be suitably wrapped and guyed, or supported in an upright position, according to accepted arboricultural practices. The guys or supports shall be installed so that they will neither girdle nor cause serious injury to the tree nor endanger public safety. (Ord. 95-28, 5-1-1995; Ord. 2017-19, § 3, 7-17-2017)

A.

Performance Guarantee: All required landscaping materials, both living and nonliving, shall be in place prior to the time of issuance of a final certificate of occupancy, weather permitting. In periods of adverse weather conditions, a temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued, subject to the posting a performance guarantee in the form of a cash escrow, letter of credit, surety bond, or letter of commitment, issued by a bank, savings and loan association, surety, or insurance company, in favor of the city, which guaranty is deemed good and sufficient by the city, in an amount equal to one hundred ten percent (110%) the estimated cost of the landscaping. The estimated cost shall be certified by a landscape contractor. The performance guaranty may be forfeited if the landscaping is not completed within one (1) year after the issuance of the temporary certificate of occupancy. Forfeiture of any performance guarantee shall not relieve the owner of the responsibility to complete the required landscaping. The performance guarantee shall also be accompanied by a statement of the owner giving the city the right to enter upon the property to complete landscaping in the case of forfeiture.

B.

Maintenance Of Landscaping And Maintenance Bond:

1.

Trees, shrubs, and other landscaping materials depicted on landscaping plans approved by the city shall be considered to be elements of the project in the same manner as parking, building materials and other details. The developer, its successor and/or subsequent owners and their agents shall be responsible for maintenance of landscaping on the property on a continuing basis for the life of the development. Plant materials which exhibit evidence of insect pests, disease and/or damage shall be appropriately treated, and dead plants promptly removed and replaced within the next planting season after installation. All landscaping will be subject to periodic inspection by the zoning administrator, or his designee. Should landscaping not be installed, maintained and replaced as needed to comply with the approved plan, the owner and its agent or agents shall be considered in violation of the terms of the certificate of occupancy. The director of community development is empowered to enforce the terms of this chapter.

2.

As a condition to issuance of a final certificate of occupancy, a cash escrow, irrevocable letter of credit, surety bond, or letter of commitment, issued by a bank, savings and loan association, surety, or insurance company in favor of the city in the amount of twenty-five percent (25%) of the initial landscaping costs shall be posted to ensure the needed replacement of materials and the continued maintenance of the same for a period of two (2) years after initial installation. Surety may be forfeited if the necessary maintenance and replacement has not been performed in a satisfactory manner within the two-year period. Further, should it be determined that the landscaping as approved on the landscaping plan is not being maintained as specified beyond the initial two-year maintenance period, resubmission of the approved plan and the posting of an additional maintenance surety may be required by the city.

(Ord. 95-28, 5-1-1995; Ord. No. 2011-04, §§ 3, 4, 1-18-2011; Ord. 2017-19, § 3, 7-17-2017)

A.

Administrative Relief: Application for administrative relief of the requirements in this chapter may be filed with the director of community development. Ten (10) copies of the application and all supporting documentation shall be submitted. Such application shall be submitted with the landscape plan and demonstrate the following:

1.

The strict application of the regulation in question is unreasonable given the development proposal or the measures proposed by the applicant, or, that the property has extraordinary or exceptional physical conditions that do not generally exist in nearby properties in the same zoning district and such conditions will not allow a reasonable use of the property in absence of relief.

2.

Dependent upon the approval process under which the application for relief is sought, the approving authority shall make the final decision upon whether any relief from these requirements may be approved.

B.

Effect Of Approval; Plan Revisions: An application may be made following the initial submission of a landscape plan to propose alternatives or changes to the approved plan or any plans pending approval, or as may be requested by the city. Any alterations or changes to a plan document upon resubmission to the director of community development shall include plan copies required under section 11-10-5 of this chapter, above together with a written statement indicating all changes made and a revision block on the face of the plans indicating each date of revision.

All plan changes shall be represented on the face of the plans 1) by notation encompassing the area of change and with reference to the written statement of changes. Except where changes are noted, the content of the plan is presumed to be that of the last plan accepted by the director of community development. The director of community development may reject any plan changes where insufficient documentation of the location and nature of the changes 2) lends the proposed revisions uninterpretable.

Any proposed changes to a landscape plan following final action on the plan shall constitute a new application subject to the procedures and requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 95-28, 5-1-1995; Ord. 2002-53, 9-3-2002; Ord. 2017-19, § 3, 7-17-2017)