5. E.
   USES WITH FLEXIBLE PARKING DEMAND CHARACTERISTICS

   Uses that reference this Subsection in Table 6-1-1, have widely varying parking and loading demand characteristics, making it difficult to establish a single off-street parking or loading standard. Upon receiving a plan review application for a use subject to this Subsection, the Planning & Development Director is authorized to apply the off-street parking standard in the table that is deemed most similar to the use, or establish the off-street parking requirements by reference to standard parking resources published by the National Parking Association or the American Planning Association. Alternatively, the Planning & Development Director may require the applicant to submit a parking demand study that justifies estimates of parking demand based on the recommendations of the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE), and includes relevant data collected from uses or combinations of uses that are the same or comparable to the proposed use in terms of density, scale, bulk, area, type of activity, and location.

6. F.
   PARKING CREDITS

   1. 1.
      For office or manufacturing uses that require forty (40) or more spaces, total required parking may be reduced by one (1) space for every carpool space provided, up to a maximum of twenty percent (20%) of the total required parking. Certified carpool spaces must be clearly marked and must be located closest to the building entrance, but not closer than any required handicapped spaces.
   2. 2.
      For every four (4) bicycle parking spaces provided, the total parking requirement may be reduced by one (1) space, up to a maximum of five percent (5%) of the total required parking. Bicycle parking racks shall be located close to the building entrance and shall be separated from vehicle parking areas to minimize motor vehicle damage to bicycles. Bicycle racks shall be securely anchored to the supporting surface and shall be at least three (3) feet in height and able to support a locked bicycle in an upright position.
   3. 3.
      For all uses within five hundred (500) feet of a fixed-route transit stop, total required parking may be reduced by five percent (5%).
   4. 4.
      A combination of parking credits may be used but may not exceed a total reduction in required parking of twenty percent (20%).
7. G.
   UNLISTED USES

   For any use not specifically listed in this Subsection, the parking, stacking and loading requirements shall be those of the most similar use.

8. H.
   PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR CHANGE IN USES

   If a change in use causes an increase in the required number of off-street parking, stacking or loading spaces, such additional spaces shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of this Ordinance; except that if the change in use would require an increase of less than five percent (5%) in the required number of parking spaces or fewer than five (5) spaces, no additional off-street parking shall be required.

9. I.
   DESIGN STANDARDS

   1. 1.
      Design

      Parking facilities shall be designed and constructed to:

      1. a.
         Allow unobstructed movement into and out of each parking space (without interfering with fixed objects or vehicles).
      2. b.
         Minimize delay and interference with traffic on public streets and access drives.
      3. c.
         Maximize sight distances from parking lot exits and access drives.
      4. d.
         All off-street parking spaces in parking lots shall have access from parking lot driveways and not directly from streets.
   2. 2.
      Cross-Access Encouraged

      In order to reduce the traffic burden created by vehicles traveling short distances on the public roadway, cross-access driveways constructed between adjoining properties to provide unified circulation and access between sites without entering and exiting the roadway are encouraged. These cross-accesses are intended to link parking areas on neighboring developments.

      1. a.
         Applicability

         1. (1)
            Cross-access is encouraged for all non-residential sites within a related project (as evidenced by a common development plan or site plan); even if the properties are subdivided.
         2. (2)
            [Reserved]
      2. b.
         Standards

         1. (1)
            Cross-access, where utilized, should be designed to provide an alternative passageway to access adjoining developments without entering and exiting the roadway.
         2. (2)
            The minimum paved width for a cross-access driveway is twenty-four (24) feet.
         3. (3)
            Cross-access should be set back outside the required street planning yard (see Section 6.2.C).
         4. (4)
            If a site is developed adjoining to an undeveloped piece of property, consideration should be given to the parking and circulation design so that its parking, access and circulation are easily tied together to create a unified system, if feasible.
      3. c.
         Maintenance and Operation

         1. (1)
            In order to maintain a clear passage for emergency and non-emergency travel, no parking shall be allowed within a cross-access.
         2. (2)
            [Reserved]
   3. 3.
      Dimensional Requirements

      Parking facilities shall be designed and constructed to meet minimum standards found in Table 6-1-2.

   4. 4.
      Improvements

      1. a.
         Paving

         1. (1)
            Required parking spaces, access drives, and loading areas shall be paved and maintained with concrete, asphalt, or similar hardened dustless materials (not gravel) of sufficient thickness and consistency to support anticipated traffic volumes and weights.
         2. (2)
            Though some operations are exempt from the paving requirements of this Ordinance, access drives, which support/serve these operations, are still required to be paved and maintained from the curb line to a point at least ten (10) feet beyond the public right-of-way line. This is to ensure that gravel is kept off of roadways.
         3. (3)
            Paving shall not be required for:

            1. (i)
               Parking facilities used on an irregular basis for churches, private clubs or other similar nonprofit organizations.
            2. (ii)
               Parking facilities for residential uses where six (6) or fewer spaces are required.
            3. (iii)
               Parking areas, isles and loading for agricultural uses in the Agricultural (AG) District.
            4. (iv)
               Parking areas in the Heavy Industrial (HI) District or manufacturing and industrial uses in the Light Industrial (LI) District, provided they are constructed with an all-weather surface.
            5. (v)
               Parking areas for tracked heavy construction equipment, skid-mounted equipment and similar equipment, provided they are constructed with an all-weather surface.
         4. (4)
            Where parking facilities are paved, curb and gutter or an equivalent drainage system shall be provided along the periphery of the parking lot, except where it is determined by the Planning and Development Director that such system is not practical for storm drainage purposes.
         5. (5)
            All facilities shall be graded, properly drained, stabilized and maintained to minimize dust and erosion.
         6. (6)
            All parking spaces and stacking lanes shall be clearly identified with paint lines, bumper guards, curbs, or similar treatment.
         7. (7)
            All parking spaces shall be provided with wheel guards or curbs located so that no part of the parked vehicle will extend beyond the property line or encroach more than two (2) feet into a required planting area. (Vehicle encroachment is calculated as two (2) feet beyond curb.)
         8. (8)
            Parking lots shall be designed and constructed such that walkways maintain a minimum unobstructed width of four (4) feet.

FIGURE 6-1-3: PARKING STALL MEASUREMENTS

10. J.
    HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE PARKING

    1. 1.
       A handicapped accessible parking space can be reduced to an eight-foot width as long as the space is adjacent to a minimum five-foot access aisle marked and constructed to ADA standards. Otherwise, the parking space shall be sized as a standard parking space.
    2. 2.
       All off-street handicapped accessible parking spaces shall be located in the closest parking area to a public entrance to the building but no more than two hundred fifty (250) feet from such entrance.
    3. 3.
       All off-street handicapped accessible parking spaces shall be designated by a sign or other means as specified by North Carolina Building Code and any other state requirements.
    4. 4.
       The minimum number of spaces shall be provided according to the following table:

11. K.
    LOCATION

    1. 1.
       Off-site Parking Lots

       When required off-street parking may be located off site, it shall begin within four hundred (400) feet of the zone lot containing the principal use. Required off-site parking shall not be located across an intervening major or minor thoroughfare.

    2. 2.
       Parking in Nonresidential Districts

       Automobile parking for any use may be provided in any nonresidential district.

    3. 3.
       Parking in Residential Districts

       Auto parking in a residential district for any use not permitted in that district is allowed under the following conditions:

       1. a.
          Property on which the parking is located must abut the lot containing the use which the parking serves. The property must be under the same ownership or subject to a parking encumbrance agreement approved by the Enforcement Officer. All access to such property shall be through non-residentially zoned property;
       2. b.
          Parking shall be used only during daylight hours except by Special Use Permit. No parking shall be located more than one hundred twenty (120) feet into the residential zoning district.
       3. c.
          No parking shall be permitted closer than one hundred fifty (150) feet to any public street right-of-way upon which the principal use would not be permitted driveway access. Parking may be allowed to extend up to four hundred (400) feet into the residential zoning district with approval of a Special Use Permit.
       4. d.
          Long-term or dead storage of vehicles for more than sixty (60) days, loading, sales, repair work or servicing of vehicles is prohibited.
    4. 4.
       Townhouse Developments

       In developments using individual driveways and garages to meet parking requirements, visitor parking areas shall be distributed such that the front entrance to each unit is not farther than two hundred (200) feet from such area.

12. L.
    COMBINED PARKING

    1. 1.
       Separate Uses

       The required parking for separate or mixed uses may be combined in one (1) facility.

    2. 2.
       Shared Parking

       A maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the parking spaces required for a church, theater, auditorium, special events center or assembly hall or other similar use also may serve as required spaces for another use located on the same zone lot. Shared spaces also may be located off-site. In either case, the Planning & Development Director must determine that the various activities will have peak parking demands at different periods of the day or week. Otherwise, no off-street parking required for one (1) building or use shall be applied toward the requirements of any other building or use.

    3. 3.
       Documentation

       Documentation approving such combined parking arrangement is required.

    4. 4.
       Reassignment

       Required off-street parking spaces shall not be leased or otherwise assigned to another use except as provided Subsection H – Location of this Subsection.

13. M.
    LOADING AREAS

    1. 1.
       Off-street loading areas shall be located on the same zone lot as the use they serve.
    2. 2.
       The following table provided the minimum number of loading spaces required:

1.  
   3. 3.
      Standards

      1. a.
         Minimum Dimensions

         Each loading space required by this Subsection shall be at least twelve (12) feet wide by thirty (30) feet long (or deep), with at least fifteen (15) feet of overhead clearance. Each off-street loading space shall have adequate, unobstructed means for the ingress and egress of vehicles.

FIGURE 6-1-6: LOADING SPACE CONFIGURATION

1.  
   1.  
      2. b.
         Location

         Where possible, loading areas shall be located to the rear of the use they serve. In addition, the loading area shall be located adjacent to the buildings loading doors, in an area that promotes their practical use.

      3. c.
         Delineation of Loading Spaces

         All loading spaces shall be delineated by signage, striping, and labeling of the pavement.

      4. d.
         Access to a Street

         Every loading area shall be provided with safe and convenient access to a street, but in no case shall the loading space extend into the required aisle of the parking lot. Off- street loading spaces shall be configured to avoid the need for vehicles to back up within the street right-of-way, to the maximum extent practicable.

      5. e.
         Paving

         The ground surface of loading areas shall be paved with a durable, dust free, and hard material, such as surface and seal treatment, bituminous hot mix, Portland cement, concrete, or some comparable material. Such paving shall be maintained for safe and convenient use at all times.

14. N.
    STACKING AREAS

    In addition to meeting the off-street parking standards in Table 6-1-1, uses with drive-through facilities and other auto-oriented uses where vehicles queue up to access a service shall provide the minimum number of stacking/standing spaces established in Table 6-1-7 below:

(File No. 21-01-GCPL-00607, 04/01/2021; File No. 22-09-PLBD-00021, 01/05/2023; File No. 22-09-PLBD-00020, 02/23/2023; File No. 23-09-PLBD-00064, 11/06/2025) 

Effective on: 11/6/2025

TABLE 6-2-1: PLANTING AREA DESCRIPTIONS
Planting Yard Type	Description	Min. Width	Min. Average Width	Max. Width	Planting Requirement Rate
STREET PLANTING YARD
	A planting area parallel to a public street designed to provide continuity of vegetation along the right- of-way and a pleasing view from the road. No more than fifteen percent 15% of the street planting yard may be used for walkways or signs. Parking, merchandise display and off-street loading are prohibited in the street planting yard.	8’	8’	25’	Tree Canopy: 2 per 100 lf. Tree Understory: No requirement Shrubs: 17 per 100 lf.
PARKING LOT PLANTINGS
	Planting areas within and adjacent to parking areas designed to shade and improve the attractiveness of large areas of pavement.	10’	N/A	N/A	Interior: 1 canopy tree per 12 spaces; Perimeter: 1 canopy tree every 30’, continuous row of evergreen shrubs
TYPE A PLANTING YARD
	A high density screen intended to block substantially visual contact between adjacent uses and create spatial separation. A Type A Planting Yard reduces lighting and noise which would otherwise intrude upon adjacent uses.	40’	50’	75’	Canopy: 4 per 100 lf. Understory: 10 per 100 lf. Shrubs: 33 per 100 lf.
TYPE B PLANTING YARD
	A medium density screen intended to partially block visual contact between uses and create spatial separation.	25’	30’	50’	Canopy: 3 per 100 lf. Understory: 5 per 100 lf. Shrubs: 25 per 100 lf.
TYPE C PLANTING YARD
	A low-density screen intended to partially block visual contact between uses and create spatial separation.	15’	20’	40’	Canopy: 2 per 100 lf. Understory: 3 per 100 lf. Shrubs: 17 per 100 lf.
TYPE D PLANTING YARD
	A peripheral planting strip intended to separate uses, provide vegetation in densely developed areas and enhance the appearance of individual properties.	5’	5’	10’	Canopy: N/A Understory: 2 per 100 lf Shrubs: 18 per 100 lf

TABLE 6-2-1: PLANTING AREA DESCRIPTIONS
Planting Yard Type	Description	Min. Width	Min. Average Width	Max. Width	Planting Requirement Rate
STREET PLANTING YARD
	A planting area parallel to a public street designed to provide continuity of vegetation along the right- of-way and a pleasing view from the road. No more than fifteen percent 15% of the street planting yard may be used for walkways or signs. Parking, merchandise display and off-street loading are prohibited in the street planting yard.	8’	8’	25’	Tree Canopy: 2 per 100 lf. Tree Understory: No requirement Shrubs: 17 per 100 lf.
PARKING LOT PLANTINGS
	Planting areas within and adjacent to parking areas designed to shade and improve the attractiveness of large areas of pavement.	10’	N/A	N/A	Interior: 1 canopy tree per 12 spaces; Perimeter: 1 canopy tree every 30’, continuous row of evergreen shrubs
TYPE A PLANTING YARD
	A high density screen intended to block substantially visual contact between adjacent uses and create spatial separation. A Type A Planting Yard reduces lighting and noise which would otherwise intrude upon adjacent uses.	40’	50’	75’	Canopy: 4 per 100 lf. Understory: 10 per 100 lf. Shrubs: 33 per 100 lf.
TYPE B PLANTING YARD
	A medium density screen intended to partially block visual contact between uses and create spatial separation.	25’	30’	50’	Canopy: 3 per 100 lf. Understory: 5 per 100 lf. Shrubs: 25 per 100 lf.
TYPE C PLANTING YARD
	A low-density screen intended to partially block visual contact between uses and create spatial separation.	15’	20’	40’	Canopy: 2 per 100 lf. Understory: 3 per 100 lf. Shrubs: 17 per 100 lf.
TYPE D PLANTING YARD
	A peripheral planting strip intended to separate uses, provide vegetation in densely developed areas and enhance the appearance of individual properties.	5’	5’	10’	Canopy: N/A Understory: 2 per 100 lf Shrubs: 18 per 100 lf

TABLE 6-2-1: PLANTING AREA DESCRIPTIONS
Planting Yard Type	Description	Min. Width	Min. Average Width	Max. Width	Planting Requirement Rate
STREET PLANTING YARD
	A planting area parallel to a public street designed to provide continuity of vegetation along the right- of-way and a pleasing view from the road. No more than fifteen percent 15% of the street planting yard may be used for walkways or signs. Parking, merchandise display and off-street loading are prohibited in the street planting yard.	8’	8’	25’	Tree Canopy: 2 per 100 lf. Tree Understory: No requirement Shrubs: 17 per 100 lf.
PARKING LOT PLANTINGS
	Planting areas within and adjacent to parking areas designed to shade and improve the attractiveness of large areas of pavement.	10’	N/A	N/A	Interior: 1 canopy tree per 12 spaces; Perimeter: 1 canopy tree every 30’, continuous row of evergreen shrubs
TYPE A PLANTING YARD
	A high density screen intended to block substantially visual contact between adjacent uses and create spatial separation. A Type A Planting Yard reduces lighting and noise which would otherwise intrude upon adjacent uses.	40’	50’	75’	Canopy: 4 per 100 lf. Understory: 10 per 100 lf. Shrubs: 33 per 100 lf.
TYPE B PLANTING YARD
	A medium density screen intended to partially block visual contact between uses and create spatial separation.	25’	30’	50’	Canopy: 3 per 100 lf. Understory: 5 per 100 lf. Shrubs: 25 per 100 lf.
TYPE C PLANTING YARD
	A low-density screen intended to partially block visual contact between uses and create spatial separation.	15’	20’	40’	Canopy: 2 per 100 lf. Understory: 3 per 100 lf. Shrubs: 17 per 100 lf.
TYPE D PLANTING YARD
	A peripheral planting strip intended to separate uses, provide vegetation in densely developed areas and enhance the appearance of individual properties.	5’	5’	10’	Canopy: N/A Understory: 2 per 100 lf Shrubs: 18 per 100 lf

TABLE 6-2-1: PLANTING AREA DESCRIPTIONS
Planting Yard Type	Description	Min. Width	Min. Average Width	Max. Width	Planting Requirement Rate
STREET PLANTING YARD
	A planting area parallel to a public street designed to provide continuity of vegetation along the right- of-way and a pleasing view from the road. No more than fifteen percent 15% of the street planting yard may be used for walkways or signs. Parking, merchandise display and off-street loading are prohibited in the street planting yard.	8’	8’	25’	Tree Canopy: 2 per 100 lf. Tree Understory: No requirement Shrubs: 17 per 100 lf.
PARKING LOT PLANTINGS
	Planting areas within and adjacent to parking areas designed to shade and improve the attractiveness of large areas of pavement.	10’	N/A	N/A	Interior: 1 canopy tree per 12 spaces; Perimeter: 1 canopy tree every 30’, continuous row of evergreen shrubs
TYPE A PLANTING YARD
	A high density screen intended to block substantially visual contact between adjacent uses and create spatial separation. A Type A Planting Yard reduces lighting and noise which would otherwise intrude upon adjacent uses.	40’	50’	75’	Canopy: 4 per 100 lf. Understory: 10 per 100 lf. Shrubs: 33 per 100 lf.
TYPE B PLANTING YARD
	A medium density screen intended to partially block visual contact between uses and create spatial separation.	25’	30’	50’	Canopy: 3 per 100 lf. Understory: 5 per 100 lf. Shrubs: 25 per 100 lf.
TYPE C PLANTING YARD
	A low-density screen intended to partially block visual contact between uses and create spatial separation.	15’	20’	40’	Canopy: 2 per 100 lf. Understory: 3 per 100 lf. Shrubs: 17 per 100 lf.
TYPE D PLANTING YARD
	A peripheral planting strip intended to separate uses, provide vegetation in densely developed areas and enhance the appearance of individual properties.	5’	5’	10’	Canopy: N/A Understory: 2 per 100 lf Shrubs: 18 per 100 lf

1.  
   3. 3.
      Grouping

      For the Type B, C, and D planting yards, shrubs and trees may be grouped or clustered; however, not more than fifty percent (50%) of each required plant material may be grouped or clustered. The remainder of the materials shall be distributed throughout the planting yard. There shall be at least one (1) row of evergreen shrubs or evergreen understory trees in all Type A planting yards.

4. D.
   PLANTING YARD DETERMINATION

   To determine the planting yards required by this Ordinance, the following steps shall be taken:

   1. 1.
      Identify the zoning classification(s)/district(s) of the subject site(s) for proposed development and zoning classification(s)/district(s) of adjacent site(s).
   2. 2.
      Use the Planting Yard Chart, Table 6-2-2 below, to determine the appropriate letter designation for each planting yard.
   3. 3.
      Match the letter designation obtained from the Planting Yard Chart with the Planting Requirement Rate Column in Table 6-2-1 above to determine the types and numbers of shrubs and trees required.

5. E.
   DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE STANDARDS

   1. 1.
      Calculation of Street Planting Yards

      Street planting yard rate and width calculations shall exclude access drives.

   2. 2.
      Plant Species

      Species used in required street planting yards, parking lots and planting yards shall be of a locally adapted nature. Refer to the recommended plant species list.

   3. 3.
      Dimension of Planting Areas or Islands

      Each planting area containing trees, including those located in parking lots, shall have a minimum inside dimension of seven (7) feet and be at least two hundred (200) square feet in area.

   4. 4.
      Parking Lot Spacing

      Required canopy tree areas shall be distributed throughout parking lots and shall be located within or adjacent to parking lots as tree islands, at the end of parking bays, medians, or between rows of parking spaces.

   5. 5.
      Canopy Tree Size

      Canopy trees must be a minimum of eight (8) feet high and two (2) inches in caliper, measured six (6) inches above grade, when planted. When mature, a canopy tree should be at least forty (40) feet high and have a crown width of thirty (30) feet or greater. Height calculations for landscaping must account for future interference with utility lines and shall remain out of any other utility easements. When such conditions exist, an alternative planting plan may be approved by the Planning & Development Director on a case by case basis.

   6. 6.
      Understory Tree Size

      Understory trees must be a minimum of four (4) feet high and one (1) inch in caliper, measured six (6) inches above grade, when planted.

   7. 7.
      Shrub Size

      All approved shrubs shall be installed at a minimum size of eighteen (18) inches, spread or height and are expected to reach a minimum height of thirty-six (36) inches, and a minimum spread of thirty (30) inches within three (3) years of planting.

   8. 8.
      Berms

      Berms may be used in an alternate planting plan as a substitute for some plant materials, subject to approval of the Planning & Development Director.

   9. 9.
      Wall Planters

      Wall planters shall be constructed of masonry, stone, or pressure treated lumber stamped for ground contact. The minimum height of the wall planter shall be thirty (30) inches. The minimum height of shrubs in the wall planter shall be six (6) inches. The effective planting area of the wall planter shall be four (4) feet in width. If the wall planter is to contain trees, the effective planting width shall be seven (7) feet.

   10. 10.
       Encroachments Permitted in Required Planting Yards

       The following are permitted in required planting yards provided the landscaping requirements are met and there is no interference with any sight area:

       1. a.
          Landscaping features, including but not limited to, ornamental pools, planting boxes, sculpture, arbors, trellises, and birdbaths.
       2. b.
          Pet shelters, at-grade patios, play equipment, outdoor furniture, ornamental entry columns and gates, flag poles, lamp posts, address posts, HVAC equipment, mailboxes, outdoor fire places, public utility wires and poles, pumps, wells, fences, retaining walls, or similar structures.
       3. c.
          Cornices, steps, canopies overhanging eaves and gutters, window sills, bay windows or similar architectural features, chimneys and fire places, fire escapes, fire balconies, and fire towers may project not more than two and one-half (2½) feet into any required planting yard, but no closer than three (3) feet to any property line.
       4. d.
          Permanent runoff control structures.
   11. 11.
       Fence Location Within Required Planting Yards

       The setback of fences within a required planting yard shall be subject to the approval of a landscaping plan.

   12. 12.
       Setback Less than Planting Yard

       If the required building setback is less than the required planting yard, the building setback shall control, reducing the required planting yard width only alongside the building. The planting rate of the required planting yard shall still apply unless an alternate method of compliance is approved in accordance with Section 6.2.H – Alternate Method of Compliance.

   13. 13.
       Location of Planting Material Outside Shade of Building

       Where a building is located less than ten (10) feet from a property line, and the planting yard would be heavily shaded by buildings on both sides of the property line, the required trees and shrubs may be planted outside the shaded area to improve survivability.

   14. 14.
       Obstructions

       Landscaping shall not obstruct the view of motorists using any street, driveway or parking access aisle.

   15. 15.
       Location

       Required trees and shrubs shall not be installed in street rights-of-way. Required trees and shrubs may be placed in water quality conservation easements. Required trees and shrubs may be planted in electric utility easements below overhead lines and in drainage maintenance and utility easements by approval of the Planning and Development Director.

   16. 16.
       Plant Protection

       Whenever planting areas are adjacent to parking lots or drives, the planting areas shall be protected from damage by vehicles, lubricants or fuels.

   17. 17.
       Maintenance

       The owner is responsible for maintaining all required plant materials and planting areas in good health and appearance. Any dead, unhealthy or missing plants must be replaced within one hundred and eighty (180) days with vegetation which conforms to the initial planting rates and standards. When plant material is severely damaged due to unusual weather conditions or other acts of God, the owner shall have two (2) years to replant.

6. F.
   SPECIFIC SCREENING REQUIREMENTS

   1. 1.
      Applicability

      These screening standards are required as a means of screening objectionable site features like refuse collection areas, service and loading facilities, ground-based utility equipment, or similar site features from view of adjacent land and streets.

   2. 2.
      General Requirements

      In addition to the site landscaping, vehicular use area landscaping, and perimeter buffer standards in this Section, screening shall be required to conceal specific areas of high visual or auditory impact or hazardous areas from both on-site and off-site views. Such areas shall be screened at all times, unless otherwise specified, regardless of adjacent uses, districts, or other proximate landscaping material.

   3. 3.
      Items to be Screened

      The following areas shall be screened from off-site views in accordance with this Section:

      1. a.
         Dumpsters and refuse collection points (including cardboard recycling containers);
      2. b.
         Loading docks or bays;
      3. c.
         Outdoor storage areas;
      4. d.
         To the extent feasible given access requirements, ground-based utility equipment in excess of twelve (12) cubic feet; and
      5. e.
         Ground level mechanical units from public streets only.
   4. 4.
      Screening Methods

      The following items are permitted for use as screening materials. Alternative screening materials that are not listed may be used if the Planning & Development Director determines they are comparable to the following screening materials:

      1. a.
         Vegetative materials that meet the minimum vegetative screening requirements for a Type D planting yard;
      2. b.
         An earthen berm that is at least two (2) feet in height, covered with grass, and planted with other landscaping material(s) consistent with the function of and requirements for a Type D planting yard is provided; however, that a berm shall not be used if it will replace existing trees of six (6) inches in caliper or more;
      3. c.
         An opaque fence constructed of treated or rot-resistant wood or a plastic or vinyl fence designed to look like an opaque wooden fence, of a minimum height necessary to fully- screen the object being screened;
      4. d.
         A masonry wall that is the minimum height necessary to fully-screen the object being screened, and that is constructed of brick, textured concrete masonry units, or stuccoed block; or
      5. e.
         Use of chain link fencing with wooden or plastic slats shall be limited to access gate only.
   5. 5.
      Exemptions: Screening is not required in the HI district, unless the item listed in Subsection 6.2.F.3, Items to be Screened, of this Ordinance are located within one hundred (100) feet of a residential land use.
7. G.
   PROCEDURES

   1. 1.
      Landscaping Plan Required

      Prior to obtaining a building permit, an applicant must receive approval of a landscaping plan from the Planning & Development Director. Site plans may include a conceptual landscaping plan and delay submission of the landscaping plan for up to ninety (90) days after issuance of the building permit but prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.

   2. 2.
      Installation of Plant Materials

      1. a.
         Installation of plant material shall occur prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy.
      2. b.
         If at the time of a request for a Certificate of Occupancy, the required planting areas are not complete, and it can be determined that:

         1. (1)
            Plant materials are unavailable;
         2. (2)
            Completion of the planting areas would jeopardize the health of the plant materials; or
         3. (3)
            Weather conditions prohibit completion of the planting areas, then the installation of plant materials may be deferred by the Planning & Development Director.

            The developer shall submit a copy of a signed contract for installation of the required planting areas and may be required to post a surety (see Section 8.9 – Performance Guarantees) equal to one hundred twenty-five percent (125%) of the contract cost to comply with the approved landscaping plan. In no instance shall the surety be for a period greater than one hundred eighty (180) days. A Temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be issued but a final Certificate of Occupancy shall not be issued until the planting area(s) have been completed and approved.

8. H.
   ALTERNATE METHOD OF COMPLIANCE

   1. 1.
      General Provisions:

      1. a.
         Alternate landscaping plans, plant materials or planting methods may be used where unreasonable or impractical situations would result from application of landscaping requirements. Such situations may result from utility easements, streams, natural rock formations, topography, lot configuration, or where other physical conditions exist, or where other site conditions exist such as unified development design.
      2. b.
         The Planning & Development Director may approve an alternate plan which proposes different plant materials, planting yard widths, or methods provided that quality, effectiveness, durability and performance are equivalent to that required by this Ordinance.
      3. c.
         The performance of alternate landscaping plans must be reviewed by the Planning & Development Director to determine if the alternate plan meets the intent and purpose of this Ordinance. This determination shall take into account the land use of adjacent property, number of plantings, species, arrangement and coverage, location of plantings on the lot, and the level of screening, height, spread, and canopy of the plantings at maturity.
   2. 2.
      Lot of Record Provisions: For lots less than one hundred (100) feet in width the following provisions may be applied:

      1. a.
         For lots less than one hundred (100) feet and greater than eighty (80) feet in width where Type D planting yards are required, one (1) Type D planting yard may be eliminated from the landscaping plan if the Planning & Development Director finds that strict application of the requirements of this Section prevents reasonable use of the property. However, the plantings required for this yard shall be installed in remaining planting yards.
      2. b.
         For lots less than eighty (80) feet in width where Type D planting yards are required, two (2) Type D planting yards may be eliminated from the landscaping plan if the Planning & Development Director finds that strict application of the requirements of this Section prevents reasonable use of the property. All required plants for these yards shall be installed in remaining planting yards.
9. I.
   TREE PRESERVATION

   1. 1.
      General: Any existing tree or group of trees which stands within or near a required planting area and meets or exceeds the standards of this Ordinance may be used to satisfy the tree requirements of the planting area. The protection of tree stands, rather than individual trees, is strongly encouraged. Trees of greater age shall be prioritized.
   2. 2.
      Protection of Existing Trees: To receive credit, trees must be protected from any root damage and trunk and crown disturbance. The following standards shall apply:

      1. a.
         The protected area around trees shall include all land within the canopy drip line or enough area to ensure the health of the tree.
      2. b.
         Construction site activities such as parking, material storage, soil stock piling and concrete washout shall not be permitted within tree protection areas.
      3. c.
         Protective fencing shall be installed around tree protection areas prior to any land disturbance. Such fences shall be at least four (4) feet high and may consist of snow fence or polyethylene safety fencing. Fencing shall remain in place until construction is complete and other landscaping has been installed.
   3. 3.
      Dead or Unhealthy Trees: No credit will be allowed for any dead tree, any tree in poor health or any tree subjected to grade alterations. The death of any tree used for preservation credit shall require the owner to plant new trees equal to the number of credited trees.
   4. 4.
      Rate of Credit: Credits shall be allowed at the rate of one (1) canopy tree for every three inches of circumference measured at four and one-half (4½) feet above grade. Credits shall be subtracted from the total number of canopy and understory trees required in the same planting yard where the tree is located. In every case, however, there shall be at least one (1) canopy tree for every fifty (50) linear feet of street planting yard, existing or planted.

(File No. 21-01-GCPL-00607, 04/01/2021; File No. 21-08-GCPL-07440, 11/04/2021; File No. 23-09-PLBD-00064, 11/06/2025) 

Effective on: 11/6/2025

FIGURE 6-3-1: LIGHT SHIELDING

1.  
   3. 3.
      Maximum Height

      Except for athletic fields or performance areas, the height of outdoor lighting, whether mounted on poles, walls, or by other means, shall be no greater than thirty-five (35) feet above grade.

   4. 4.
      Maximum Illumination Levels

      All outdoor lighting and indoor lighting visible from outside shall be designed and located so that the maximum illumination measured in footcandles at ground level at a lot line shall not exceed the standards in Table 6-3-2 below:

1.  
   5. 5.
      Canopy LIGHTING

      Lighting under vehicular canopies must not exceed thirty (30) initial foot-candles measured at grade on a horizontal plane and must be designed to prevent off-site glare.

   6. 6.
      Outdoor Recreation

      Sports fields and outdoor recreational areas are subject to the following standards:

      1. a.
         Lighting must be designed and directed to fall within the activity or performance areas, minimize adverse impacts on traffic safety and residentially-zoned property.
      2. b.
         Lighting must minimize glare with glare control packages such as louvers, shields or similar cut-off fixtures or devices.
      3. c.
         Hours of operation for the lighting system must not exceed one hour after the end of the event or until activity/performance area has been cleared and closed.

6. F.
   LIGHTING PLANS

   Required site plans shall indicate compliance with the outdoor lighting standards, fixture types, shielding, and fixture heights.

7. G.
   ALTERNATE METHOD OF COMPLIANCE

   Alternate lighting plans or fixtures may be approved by the Planning and Development Director where unreasonable or impractical situations would result from physical constraints, from other site constraints, or when Federal, State or local law prevents compliance with this Ordinance. Alternate plans or fixtures must provide equal or better performance to meet the intent and purpose of this Ordinance.

(File No. 23-09-PLBD-00064, 11/06/2025) 

Effective on: 11/6/2025

Effective on: 1/1/1901