Consistent with the objectives established in this chapter, landscaping shall be provided according to the following standards for the following districts, with the new construction, enlargement, addition, or alteration of any principal building:

   (a)   R-3 Multiple-Family Residential District

   (b)   GB General Business District

   (c)   CB Central Business District

   (d)   PO Professional Office

   (e)   LI Light Industrial District

   (f)   GI General Industrial District

   (g)   IP Industrial Park

   (h)   ID Institutional Development District

   (i)   PUD Planned Unit Development

   (j)   SR57 State Route 57 Corridor Overlay District

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   The Village shall recognize that, in some cases, the landscaping requirements may be difficult or impractical to meet due to specific site characteristics. In these cases, an alternate landscaping plan may be approved by the Planning Commission as part of the site plan review process.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   For all uses that include areas used for service, loading, and unloading activities, such areas shall be screened along the entire rear lot line and side lot lines from the rear lot line to the rear building line to the following minimum standards:

   (a)   The width of the screening area shall be a minimum of 5 feet. Screening shall consist of walls, hedges, fences, vegetation, or an acceptable combination of these elements, provided that screening must be at least 7 feet in height.

   (b)   Vegetation used for screening shall have a minimum opaqueness of 75% at all times within 2 years of planting.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   Trash containers shall be screened according to the following minimum standards:

   (a)   Trash containers designed to service more than 1 residential unit or to service a nonresidential structure shall be screened on 3 sides by walls, fences, or natural vegetation or an acceptable combination of these elements.

   (b)   The height of such screening shall be at least 6 feet. The maximum height of walls and fences shall not exceed 10 feet. Vegetation shall have a minimum opaqueness of 75% at all times within 2 years of planting. The use of evergreen vegetation is encouraged. Vegetation shall be a variety and size that will attain 6 feet in height within 2 years of planting.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   Landscaping within parking areas, whether ground cover or upright plant material, is necessary not only to reduce the generation of heat and water runoff, but to break up visually the expanse of paved areas. The use of parking islands or peninsulas strategically placed throughout the parking lot is required to landscape parking lot interiors. The use of shade trees in these landscape areas is encouraged. Any open parking area containing more than 6,000 square feet or 15 or more parking spaces shall provide the following interior landscaping in addition to the required perimeter screening:

   (a)   An area equal to 5% of the total area devoted to parking space and parking lanes shall be landscaped and permeable.

   (b)   Whenever possible, large parking areas of 30,000 square feet or larger shall be designed so as to break up their visual expanse and create the appearance of smaller parking lots. This distinction or separation can be achieved by interspersing yard space and buildings in strategic areas and by taking advantage of natural features such as slope, existing woodland or vegetation, drainage courses, and retention/detention areas that contain water throughout the year.

   (c)   Landscaping in parking areas shall be dispersed throughout in peninsulas or islands. The minimum island or peninsula size shall be 180 square feet with a 2-foot minimum distance between all trees or shrubs and the edge of pavement where vehicles overhang and should have a minimum width of 10 feet. Islands shall typically be located every 10 to 12 parking spaces and may be curbed.

   (d)   The required plant materials for the interior of parking areas shall be 1 deciduous tree for every 3,000 square feet. Where sight distance or maneuvering conflicts exist, trees shall have a clear trunk of at least 5 feet above the ground, and the remaining required landscape areas shall be planted with shrubs or ground cover not to exceed 2 feet in height.

   (e)   Areas located between any parking area and public right-of-way shall be landscaped with elements such as mounding, trees, ground cover, and shrubs.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   The following sections include specifications for plant materials. Alternatives to these materials that can be shown to meet both the intent and requirements of this Zoning Code may be approved as part of a site plan:

   (a)   Shrubs. Shrubs shall be at least 24 inches average height and spread at the time of planting, and, where required for screening, shall form a continuous, year-round, solid visual screen within 5 years after planting.

   (b)   Ground Cover and Grass. Ground cover shall be planted a minimum of 8 inches on center and shall be planted in such a manner to present a finished appearance and 75% coverage after 1 complete growing season. If approved as part of a site plan, ground cover may also consist of rocks, pebbles, wood chips, and other material. Grass shall be planted in species normally grown as permanent lawns.

   (c)   Prohibited Tree Species.

      (1)   Within any required landscaping, the following tree species may not be used:

 

 

      (2)   In addition to the species listed above, trees which produce nuts, seeds, or fruit that can create a hazard to pedestrians or vehicles, shall not be planted in such a manner that the natural dripline of an average adult tree of the species planted will be any closer than 3 feet of a pedestrian walkway or parking lot.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   Exterior components of plumbing, processing, heating, cooling, and ventilating systems, including but not limited to piping, tanks, stacks, collectors, heating, cooling, and ventilating-equipment fans, blowers, duct work, vents, louvers, meters, compressors, motors, incinerators, ovens, etc., shall not be directly visible at ground level. Any landscaping or structural means employed to screen exterior components of plumbing, processing, heating, cooling, and ventilating systems from direct view shall appear as integrated parts of the buildings; shall be constructed of complementary and durable materials; and finished in a texture and color scheme complementary to the overall architectural design. Any exterior components of plumbing, processing, heating, cooling, and ventilating systems, and their screening devices which will be visible from upper floors of adjacent buildings shall be kept to a visible minimum, shall be installed in a neat and compact fashion, and shall be painted such a color as to allow their blending with their visual backgrounds.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   (a)   In all side and rear yards in the CB, GB, LI, GI, IP, ID, SR57 Overlay, and PO Districts that adjoin a residential district, there shall be a buffer strip that is not less than 10 feet in width, and running the length of the side and/or rear yards adjacent to the residential district.

   (b)   Required buffer strips shall consist of maintained living vegetative material such as trees, shrubs, ornamental plants; earth mounding or fencing made of wood that results in 100% opacity to a height of 6 feet or more within 1 year of planting.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   The owner shall be responsible for maintaining all landscaping in good condition to present a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance. This should be accomplished by the following standards:

   (a)   All plant growth in landscaped areas shall be controlled by pruning, trimming, or other suitable methods so that plant materials do not interfere with public utilities, restrict pedestrian or vehicular access, or otherwise constitute a hazard.

   (b)   All planted areas shall be maintained in a weed-free condition, clear of undesirable undergrowth; and free from refuse and debris.

   (c)   Replacement plants shall conform to the standards that govern original installation. Dead or unhealthy plants shall be replaced within the next planting season.

   (d)   Representatives of the Village shall have the authority to inspect landscaping and check it against the approved plan on file.

(Ord. 01-014. Passed 7-17-01.)

   EDITOR’S NOTE: This chapter has been renumbered due to the adoption of a new Village Zoning Code on July 17, 2001. This was formerly Chapter 1290.