Glenville Town City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIX
Landscaping
§ 270-139 Purpose.
The purposes of this article are to:
A.
Provide visual screening of parking areas and along property boundaries so as to preserve the existing visual qualities of adjacent properties, and to generally improve aesthetics.
B.
Reduce surface runoff and minimize soil erosion through the filtering and soil-retention capabilities of landscaped areas and green space.
C.
Moderate the microclimate associated with large development schemes by using vegetation that provides shading, heat absorption, carbon dioxide absorption, and oxygen production.
D.
Enhance the overall visual quality of new development by providing a variety of plant materials, in addition to green space, that is consistent with native vegetation.
§ 270-140 Applicability.
All projects requiring site plan review as identified in Article V of this chapter (including Planned Development Districts), all conditional use permits, and all use variances that involve new construction shall be subject to the requirements of this article. Single-family dwellings, individual buildings used for two-family dwelling purposes, and residential accessory structures are not subject to the provisions contained herein.
§ 270-141 Site and landscape design standards.
A.
Preservation of existing conditions.
(1)
All landscaping will attempt to preserve and retain, insofar as possible, the natural contours, soil, trees and plant life existing on the site.
(2)
Where possible and reasonable, any trees greater than 10 inches in diameter at breast height of desirable species and in good health and sound structure shall be retained on the site and protected during development with a substantial fence not less than four feet high installed at the critical root zone.
B.
Minimum landscape area.
(1)
All nonresidential uses will retain at least 35% of the property as green space.
(2)
All multifamily projects will retain at least 40% of the property as green space.
(3)
Any property being developed for nonresidential purposes or multifamily development will maintain a minimum of 25 feet of green space between the street right-of-way and the parking lot. Landscaping and/or curbing is required in order to prevent vehicle incursion. Furthermore, no vehicles will be parked in this twenty-five-foot green area.
C.
Landscape areas in parking lots.
(1)
All parking lots shall be landscaped around the periphery of the lot to buffer the visual impact of the parking lot on adjacent properties and streets.
(2)
Parking lots with 20 or more spaces are to be subdivided by internal landscape islands. Landscape islands are to be equally distributed for maximum environmental and visual effect, with not less than one island for every 10 parking spaces. Each landscape island should contain at least one medium or large shade tree.
(3)
Landscape areas in parking lots may be used for stormwater management. Stormwater management areas which abut parking lots and do not have curbs must have concrete curb stops for each parking space to prevent vehicle intrusion into landscape areas. Landscape areas which are not to be used as part of stormwater management must have six-inch concrete or granite curbs.
D.
Pedestrian amenities.
(1)
All landscape plans must include grass strips and sidewalks along streets and roadways as specified in Chapter 221, Sidewalks. These should be located within the street right-of-way whenever possible. The Planning and Zoning Commission or Zoning Board of Appeals may, at its discretion, allow applicants to reserve eight feet along the pavement edge for future sidewalk construction.
(2)
All landscape plans must include shade trees planted in a tree lawn located between 10 and 15 feet from the edge of pavement. Trees shall be planted no more than 30 feet apart.
E.
Plant material and installation.
(1)
Only nursery-grown plant materials shall be acceptable. All trees, shrubs and ground cover shall be planted according to the accepted standards of the American Association of Nurserymen.
(2)
Minimum size. All deciduous trees shall have a minimum caliper of 2 1/2 inches DBH (diameter at breast height). The size of evergreen trees and shrubs shall be allowed to vary depending on location and type of plant material (species). Landscaping meant to screen will be effective immediately upon planting and will retain its usefulness as a screen year-round. Consequently, trees and shrubs meant to serve as a screen will be of such a height, width and density as to immediately act as an effective screen.
(3)
Minimum planting area.
(a)
No landscape island will be less than 81 square feet in area, and landscape islands shall have no dimensions less than nine feet. Landscape islands may be smaller if structural soil is used to create soil volume adequate for the chosen plant material.
(b)
All landscape areas in parking lots shall be excavated to a depth of three feet and backfilled with amended soil. Backfill should be free of aggregate base, construction debris, or other materials detrimental to optimal plant growth.
(4)
Plant material shall be selected with respect to scale, purpose/function, and allotted amount of space. In addition, although plant materials may be listed under one category, they may also meet the requirements of another, depending on usage. A list of recommended plant material is on file with the Town of Glenville Economic Development and Planning Department.
[Amended 10-1-2014 by L.L. No. 7-2014]
(a)
Landscape plans specifying more than 10 trees must provide a mix of tree species or cultivars.
(5)
All areas not covered by main or accessory structures, walks, and vehicular use areas must be covered by one or more of the following materials: turf grass, organic mulch, ground cover, shrubs, vines, hedges, or landscape pebbles or rock.
§ 270-142 Maintenance.
A.
All owners of land or their agents shall be responsible for the maintenance of all landscaping. This includes mowing and maintaining abutting rights-of-way, swales, and stormwater treatment areas. Landscaping shall be maintained in a good condition so as to present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance at least equal to the original installation and shall be mowed or trimmed in a manner and at a frequency so as not be detract from the appearance of the general area. Landscaping shall be maintained to minimize property damage and public safety hazards, including removal of living, dead or decaying plant material, removal of low-hanging branches and those obstructing street lighting.
B.
The owner shall replace dead, dying and/or seriously damaged plant materials within a reasonable period during the current (or immediate next) planting season. Any other damaged or missing elements, including but not limited to fences, bollards, signs, shrubs, street furniture, etc., of the approved plan must be similarly replaced by the owner. This will ensure that landscaping remains in compliance with the final site plan as approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
§ 270-143 Landscape plan required.
All projects subject to the requirements of this article shall submit a landscape plan as part of the application for site plan review, conditional use permit, or use variance. Landscape plans must be prepared by a licensed landscape architect, architect, or engineer and must contain the following information:
A.
A legible planting plan illustrated on reproducible material drawn to a scale of no smaller than 50 feet to one inch. The planting plan may be included on the site plan. The planting plan will show all existing significant vegetation. Trees over 10 inches DBH must be shown individually with accurate dimensions for driplines and caliper as well as species. Masses of trees less than 10 inches DBH, and other vegetation, may be illustrated by dripline only. The planting plan must clearly indicate which existing vegetation is slated for removal.
B.
A planting schedule listing the botanical name, common name, cultivar (if appropriate), quantity, and initial size of all planting material specified on the planting plan.
C.
Construction details illustrating planting techniques and tree protection (if appropriate).
D.
Calculations showing that minimum landscape area requirements have been met.
E.
Name and signature of the professional engineer, landscape architect, and/or architect who prepared the plan.
F.
Graphic scale and North arrow.
§ 270-144 Conflicts.
In the event that conflicting provisions are discovered within this chapter relative to any other Town ordinances or local laws, the regulations or provisions which are more restrictive shall apply.