The landscape design and planting plan is to be an integral part of the site development. All landscape plans will be reviewed by the site plan review committee (SPRC) in conjunction with the overall site development plan. All vegetation used to satisfy requirements of this article shall be indigenous to the appropriate hardiness zone and physical characteristics of the site. Landscape features should be used so as to create a park-like appearance, while addressing the considerations of visual screening, land cooling, drainage and other environmental concerns.

(Ord. No. 10-147, § 9.0(1), 7-27-2010)

Efforts should be made to integrate each new landscape plan with existing trees and vegetation, the natural conditions of the site and adjacent property's landscape designs. For consistency, a naturalistic design theme is preferred. Elements of naturalistic design include:

(a)

Canopy trees distributed over the entire site.

(b)

Meandering lawn spaces formed by masses of shrubs.

(c)

Occasional "accent" plants used in conjunction with masses of background plants to provide visual interest without being chaotic.

(d)

Use of gentle berming to break up the horizontal ground plane.

(e)

The use of landforms and masses of plant material to screen visually obtrusive utilities.

(f)

Appropriately sized and spaced foundation plantings to visually soften the building and provide human scale.

(g)

Excess excavation material shall not be permitted on site after completion of site work.

(Ord. No. 10-147, § 9.0(2), 7-27-2010)

All landscape designs shall meet the following standards:

(a)

The minimum "green space" area shall be the percentage identified in the particular zoning district.

(b)

The street front yard and side yards abutting the front one-third of the building shall be seeded or sodded. All other green areas shall at least be seeded with appropriate seed mix. The following exceptions may be granted by the SPRC.

(1)

The use of mulch materials for shrubs and foundation plantings.

(2)

The seeding of future expansion areas as shown on site development plans.

(3)

Areas designated as green space to be properly planted and maintained in a "natural state".

(c)

Berm siting. When site is abutting residential zonings, a berm may be required which is four feet high and 16 feet wide, with plantings that will provide 75 percent opacity within five years.

(d)

Species of trees. All trees used in site development shall be indigenous to the appropriate hardiness zone and physical characteristics of the site.

(e)

All plant material shall conform to "American Standards for Nursery Stock", latest edition, sponsored by the American Association of Nurserymen, Inc. All vegetation shall be planted in accordance with accepted planting procedures. Plants that die must be replaced within one year. When a height specification is stated, the planted material must obtain said height within five years.

(f)

Landscape points. Landscaping shall be required so as to accumulate 20 landscape points per 1,000 square feet of impervious surface. Landscape points shall be accumulated according to the following:

Table 18. Landscape Points

Landscape points should be distributed so that approximately one-half are from the tree category and one-half are from the shrub category. Landscape points should also be distributed reasonably among the varying classifications with each category.

(g)

Parking lot landscaping. Landscaping shall be provided within all parking lots. Parking lot plantings shall provide screening and shade, and are intended to reduce glare and heat from pavement surfaces, by meeting the following standards:

(1)

Each parking row, regardless of its length, shall begin and end with a landscape island.

(2)

Parking lot landscape areas shall have a minimum width of eight feet, measured from back of curb to back of curb and a depth equal to the depth of the parking stall

(3)

Landscape islands shall include at least one two-inch deciduous caliper tree. They shall also include at least four shrubs, maintained at a height not to exceed three feet.

(h)

Screening or buffer yard. When development abuts or is across a street from a residential zoning or use, or a less intensity use such as a church or school, the following applies:

(1)

When required the landscaped buffer area shall not be less than ten feet in width measured at right angles to property lines and shall be established along the entire length of and contiguous to the designated property line or lines.

(2)

Landscaped areas shall be so designed, planted and maintained to create a visual screen between the subject property and adjacent properties or the public street and shall when adjacent or across the street from residential properties provide 75 percent or more opacity between two feet and six feet above average ground level when viewed horizontally where development abuts the residential district.

(3)

Types and numbers of plantings for landscaped buffers shall be provided on the landscape plan submitted with the site plan review application, along with plans and statements demonstrating how the buffer will be maintained in the future.

(4)

Plantings shall be of a size and type, which will insure the meeting of the 75 percent opacity requirement within 12 months of the date of the first planting.

(i)

Credit for preserved existing plant materials. Every attempt shall be made to preserve existing plant materials, in which case the following applies:

(1)

In both a non-buffer and buffer yard, existing shade trees, evergreens and decorative trees over six feet in height shall replace one equivalent type of required planting.

(2)

In both a non-buffer and buffer yard, existing shrubs over five feet in height shall replace one required shrub planting.

(3)

Plantings to be preserved shall be shown on the submitted landscape plan, including exact location, size and type.

(Ord. No. 10-147, § 9.0(3), 7-27-2010)

(a)

Implementation and replacement. All approved landscaping is to be installed within one planting season of the landscape/site development plan approval. All landscaping shall be maintained in a healthy growing condition, neat and orderly in appearance, and free of refuse and debris. All plantings shall be arranged and maintained so as not to obscure the vision of traffic. Any vegetation which is shown on the approved landscape/site development plan that dies within two years of planting must be replaced within one planting season per approved landscape/site development plan.

(b)

Timing of landscape improvements. All landscaping shall be completed before final occupancy is granted. If it is not possible, due to weather conditions, then the applicant shall enter into a development agreement with the village which specifies a planting schedule and submit a bond or letter of credit in the amount for the cost of completing such landscaping as required in the landscape plan.

(c)

Maintenance. It shall be the responsibility of the owner and/or lessee of the principal use, uses, or building to perform the necessary maintenance of all landscaping, including mowing, trimming, watering, and fertilization of all grass, ground cover shrubs or trees, and the removal of dead or waste material.

(d)

Failure to maintain. Failure to maintain the landscaping in accordance with an approved landscape plan shall be deemed a violation of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 10-147, § 9.0(4), 7-27-2010)