This article establishes the standards for placement of landscaping materials along lot lines and around certain uses, in a manner that will preserve and promote the character of the village and that will minimize the potential adverse impacts on adjacent land uses. The standards set forth herein are intended to provide flexibility in the choices of landscaping materials and the placement of those materials, but at the same time are intended to ensure that the public interests and welfare are protected at all times. (Ord. 2013-12-944, 1-6-2014)

All development shall comply with the provisions of this article and shall provide landscaping in accordance with the provisions of this article, except the following:

   A.   Single-Family Lots: Development of a dwelling in any single- family residential district on a vacant lot of record existing prior to the effective date of this zoning code.

   B.   Previously Approved Development: Development pursuant to plans that received all required final approvals of the village prior to the effective date of this zoning code.

   C.   Minor Additions: Development that increases the floor area of any structure or building in an amount less than ten percent (10%) of the existing floor area. (Ord. 2013-12-944, 1-6-2014)

Landscaping shall be required along every lot line and along the perimeter of parking lots, residential recreational facilities, and antennas and antenna support structures. The landscaping shall extend along the entire length of the lot line, right of way line, or structure in question and, unless otherwise specifically provided, shall have a width at least as wide as that specified in section 9-8A-6 of this article. The required landscaping shall include at least the minimum number of standard plant units as set forth in sections 9-8A-4, 9-8A-5, and 9-8A-6 of this article and such additional number of plant units as may be required to achieve the minimum required opacity within the required landscaped area. The requirement of landscaped yards along the perimeter of parking lots shall not apply to parking lots located in required interior side or rear yards in the I industrial district. (Ord. 2013-12-944, 1-6-2014)

For the purposes of this article, the term "standard plant unit", which has five (5) alternatives, is defined as follows:

   STANDARD PLANT UNIT

 

 

Each standard plant unit alternative is intended to be similar in landscape value to the other four (4) standard plant unit alternatives. Five (5) alternative standard plant units are provided so that an applicant has flexibility to use different approaches in different applications. In general, one "canopy" (or "shade") tree is equivalent to three (3) "understory" trees or to two (2) evergreen trees. The board of trustees may reduce the required number of plants per unit as part of any exterior appearance review or site plan review, but only if the applicant provides some plants larger than the sizes required for that standard plant unit. (Ord. 2013-12-944, 1-6-2014)

   A.   Lot Line Landscaped Areas: Except for the areas within the B-2 zoning district, every area along a lot line not abutting a street shall be landscaped with at least the number of standard plant units set forth in section 9-8A-6 of this article necessary to achieve the following required levels of opacity. Opacity levels are expressed in percentages, with zero percent (0%) being completely transparent and one hundred percent (100%) being completely opaque. The opacity levels provided for the B-2 zoning district shall apply only for the purpose of determining the applicable required opacity level for a lot abutting a lot classified in the B-2 zoning district, and not for the B-2 lot itself.

   

 

   B.   Street Line Landscaped Areas: Every area along a lot line abutting a street shall be landscaped with at least the number of standard plant units set forth in section 9-8A-6 of this article necessary to achieve the following required levels of opacity. Opacity levels are expressed in percentages, with zero percent (0%) being completely transparent and one hundred percent (100%) being completely opaque. Every lot created in an R-1/2, R-3, R-4, or R-5 district after January 1, 1994, shall comply with the standards for local residential streets and shall have at least the equivalent of one shade tree for each one hundred (100) linear feet or fraction thereof of side and rear lot lines and a minimum landscaped area width of three feet (3') along interior side and rear lot lines.

 

(Ord. 2013-12-944, 1-6-2014)

Every required landscaped area shall be landscaped with at least the number of standard plant units per one hundred feet (100') of required length provided in the following table:

 

Landscaped area widths greater than the minimum widths established in this section may be required to achieve the required minimum levels of opacity. Such areas may vary in width around parking lots, buildings, driveways, and other authorized structures, and the minimum width requirements established in this section are not intended to create ridged, straight lines of plantings throughout the required landscaped area. (Ord. 2013-12-944, 1-6-2014)

   A.   Lot Line Lengths: For each lot line that is more than one hundred feet (100') in length, the following rules shall apply for any fractions of one hundred feet (100'):

      1.   Zero to fifty feet (0 - 50'): Add one-half (1/2) plant unit; and

      2.   Fifty one to ninety nine feet (51 - 99'): Add one plant unit.

Accordingly, a lot line of one hundred twenty five feet (125') in length will require the minimum applicable plant units listed in section 9-8A-6 of this article times one and one-half (11/2). A lot line of one hundred seventy five feet (175') in length will require the minimum applicable plant units listed in section 9-8A-6 of this article times two (2).

For lot lines less than one hundred feet (100') in length, the full number of applicable plant units listed in section 9-8A-6 of this article shall be installed.

   B.   Plant Units: All fractional numbers of required plants shall be rounded to the next highest number. For example, if one and one-half (11/2) plant units are required, and the applicant elects to use standard plant unit C, then the following plants are required:

      1.   Two (2) 3-inch caliper canopy trees (1 x 1.5 = 1.5, rounded up to 2); and

      2.   Eight (8) 3-foot high shrubs (5 x 1.5 = 7.5, rounded up to 8); and

      3.   Three 6-foot high potted evergreens (2 x 1.5 = 3). (Ord. 2013-12-944, 1-6-2014)

Existing trees that are to be preserved may be counted as part of a required standard plant unit; provided, however, that each such tree must be located within a reasonable distance of the required landscaped area, must be clearly indicated for preservation on an approved landscape plan, must be an acceptable species and an acceptable size, must be healthy, and must be approved by the board of trustees. (Ord. 2013-12-944, 1-6-2014)

   A.   Containment Of Landscaped Areas: All landscaped areas located within a parking lot or adjacent to any public right of way shall be designed to properly contain all landscaping materials and to prevent encroachment by vehicles through the use of curbs, ties, depressed construction, or similar techniques.

   B.   Artificial Materials Prohibited: No artificial materials shall be used to satisfy the requirements of this article.

   C.   Location Of Landscaping Materials: Plant materials shall be selected, planted, and maintained so that such materials, at maturity, shall not interfere with utility facilities or public rights of way and related facilities. Plant materials shall be permitted to grow to their natural shapes and sizes except only if there is interference with utilities.

   D.   Maintenance Of Landscaping: All landscaping shall be maintained in good condition at all times. All dead, diseased, or damaged plant material shall be replaced promptly with live plant material in good condition and in quantities and sizes so that the requirements of this article are met at all times. Except for accessory uses expressly permitted to be located in required yards, all yards and open space, whether or not required by this article, shall be kept free of accumulations of garbage, trash, refuse, debris, and other unsightly or nuisance creating materials. All landscaping shall be continually maintained by the owner or other person responsible for maintenance of the premises, and all planting areas shall be kept free of weeds and debris. Undeveloped areas shall be mowed and kept free of accumulations of garbage, trash, refuse, debris, and other unsightly or nuisance creating materials until developed. (Ord. 2013-12-944, 1-6-2014)

   A.   Parking Lot Screening: Except any parking lot owned or leased by the village, all parking lots shall be buffered and screened by a peripheral landscaped area having a width of at least ten feet (10') or the width of the required yard, whichever is less.

The provisions of this subsection A shall apply to parking lots developed prior to the effective date of this zoning code only to the extent that such parking lots have, on said effective date, unpaved area abutting them in which landscaping and screening may be installed.

   B.   Parking Garage Design: Every parking garage constructed after the effective date of this zoning code, other than garages accessory to single-family dwellings or garages constructed or maintained by any governmental agency, shall comply with the following design standards:

      1.   The exterior walls of the garages shall be such as to shield all parked vehicles from view from the exterior of the garage; and

      2.   When a parking structure abuts property zoned in any single- family residential district, a continuous landscape screen of ornamental trees and shrubs with a minimum height of ten feet (10') at the time of planting shall be provided along the entire length of each side of such parking structure that faces such district. (Ord. 2013-12-944, 1-6-2014)

   A.   Screening: All refuse containers and all areas of permitted outdoor storage shall be fully enclosed by an opaque fence, wall, or densely planted evergreen hedge of a height sufficient to completely screen such containers or storage areas from view from adjoining properties and public or private streets.

   B.   Location: All authorized refuse containers and carts used for municipal waste, landscape waste and/or recyclable materials shall be kept in a fully enclosed area or at the rear or side of any private premises, except during collection times. No refuse containers or storage areas shall be located between any principal structure and either its front or corner side lot line. When the district regulations allow outdoor refuse container storage areas, such outdoor storage areas shall comply with the use regulations for the district in which they are located.

   C.   Exemption: The requirements of subsection A of this section shall not apply to standard receptacles permitted for use by single-family dwellings. None of the requirements of this section shall apply to receptacles placed and maintained for use by the general public to avoid littering.

   D.   Existing Refuse Containers And Storage Areas: All existing refuse containers or storage areas, except those exempted in subsection C of this section, shall be screened in accordance with the standards of subsection A of this section on or before January 1, 2004.

(Ord. 2013-12-944, 1-6-2014; Ord. 2023-10-529, 10-17-2023)

Ground mounted antennas and antenna support structures, except such antennas and antenna support structures as are permitted pursuant to subsection 9-9-1C7 of this title, shall be buffered and screened by a perimeter landscaped area equal in width to the applicable required yard or ten feet (10'), whichever is more, and consisting of a densely planted evergreen hedge of not less than six feet (6') in height, in combination with other landscaping materials. Such screening shall be provided between any such ground mounted antenna or antenna support structure and each lot line of the property on which such antenna or antenna support structure is located so as to provide the maximum reasonably achievable screening, as determined by the village manager, of such antenna and antenna support structure from view from adjacent properties and public or private streets. See subsections 9-9-1C6 and C7 of this title for additional requirements applicable to antennas and antenna support structures. (Ord. 2013-12-944, 1-6-2014)

   A.   All Districts Other Than The Industrial District: In all zoning districts other than the industrial district, all mechanical equipment located on the roof of any building, except for antennas, vent pipes, chimneys, and exhaust fans, shall be fully screened by a parapet wall or similar structure to a point not less than twelve inches (12") higher than the highest point of such equipment. This requirement shall apply, without limitation, to a newly constructed building, to all newly installed equipment whether on a new building or an existing building, and to any building to which significant changes to the exterior of the building are made. The parapet wall or similar structure shall be made of the same materials as the principal facade of the building except only if other materials are approved in advance by the village manager.

   B.   Industrial District:

      1.   General Requirement: All mechanical equipment located on the roof of any building, other than antennas, vent pipes, chimneys, and exhaust fans, shall either be located in such a position, or shall be fully screened, so that the equipment shall not be visible from any point located at the end of an eighty foot (80') line drawn at a ninety degree (90°) angle in any direction from any exterior wall of the building at an elevation five feet (5') above the grade at the base of the exterior wall at the point where the line is drawn.

      2.   Material, Color, And Texture Of Screening: The screening wall or other structure shall be constructed of: a) the same material as the principal facade of the building, or b) material having the same color and texture as the principal facade of the building, or c) such other material as may be approved in advance by the village manager. The finished exterior surface of the screening wall or other structure shall not include wood, fabric, chainlink, or any similar material.

      3.   Portable Or Temporary Screening Prohibited: Portable, movable, and temporary screening walls and other structures are prohibited. The screening wall or other structure shall be securely affixed to the building or the mechanical equipment being screened.

      4.   Applicability: The requirements of this subsection B shall apply, without limitation, to every building constructed after January 1, 2007; to all equipment installed after January 1, 2007, whether on a new building or an existing building; and to any building to which significant changes to the exterior of the building are made after January 1, 2007. The requirements of subsection A of this section shall apply to every building and all equipment not governed by the requirements of this subsection B. (Ord. 2013-12-944, 1-6-2014)

The regulations established in this article are designed and intended to prevent excessive spillover of light and glare from the zoning lot on which the light source is located. The standards contained in this article are deemed to be the minimum standards necessary to prevent nuisance and adverse impacts on the public health, safety, and welfare. (Ord., 10-2004)

The provisions of this article shall not apply to village owned and operated lighting and facilities or to street lighting. (Ord., 10-2004)

All exterior lighting shall comply with the following standards:

   A.   Maximum Illumination At Property Lines If No Luminaire Cutoffs: When a luminaire has no cutoff, the maximum permitted illumination and luminaire height shall be as follows:

 

 

   B.   Maximum Illumination At Property Lines If Luminaire Cutoff Greater Than Ninety Degrees: When a luminaire has a cutoff angle greater than ninety degrees (90°), the maximum permitted illumination and luminaire height shall be as follows:

 

 

   C.   Maximum Illumination At Property Lines If Luminaire Cutoff Less Than Ninety Degrees: When a luminaire has a cutoff angle less than ninety degrees (90°), the maximum permitted illumination and luminaire height shall be as follows:

 

 

   D.   Maximum Illumination At Any Point Within Interior Of Property: The maximum permitted illumination at any time at any point within the property shall be 10.0 foot-candles.

   E.   Prevention Of Direct Glare: All exterior lighting shall be so arranged as to prevent direct glare of beams to any point off of the property.

   F.   Residential Recreational Facilities: Residential recreational facilities shall not be illuminated by lighting fixtures exceeding fifteen feet (15') in height.

   G.   Measuring Maximum Illumination:

      1.   Light Metering Equipment: Light levels (Illumination) of both direct and indirect light shall be measured in foot-candles with a direct-reading portable light meter. Readings shall be taken only after the cell and instrument has been fully calibrated to provide a constant reading.

      2.   Method of Measurement: Foot-candle horizontal measurements shall be taken at a height of three and one-half feet (3.5') above the average grade below where the light source is located.

(Ord., 10-2004; amd. Ord. 2023-10-529, 10-17-2023)