(a)

Intent. The requirements for landscaping, buffering, and screening are intended to:

(1)

Enhance the physical appearance of City development.

(2)

Buffer potentially incompatible land uses.

(3)

Screen undesirable views.

(4)

Improve the environmental performance of new development by reducing stormwater runoff, air pollution, glare, and noise.

(5)

Promote energy conservation.

(6)

Prevent damage to and unnecessary removal of vegetation.

(7)

Conserve the value of property and neighborhoods.

(b)

Standards; Landscape Manual.

(1)

Standards: Landscaping shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of this Subtitle, Article I, Zoning, and Article V, Forest Conservation of this Code and the City of Laurel Landscape Manual.

(2)

Landscape Manual: The City of Laurel Landscape Manual is the technical manual used to establish performance standards and guidelines for preparing landscape plans. The manual is prepared by the Department of Economic and Community development and adopted by resolution of the Mayor and City Council. The manual shall address, but is not limited to the amount of landscaping materials required, suitable landscaping materials, and alternative means of compliance.

(c)

Landscape plan submissions: A design to fulfill landscaping requirements shall be presented in a landscape plan which shall include sufficient information for the City to determine whether the proposed landscape improvements are in conformance with the requirements of this section and the manual.

(1)

The preliminary subdivision or preliminary site plan submissions shall identify schematically the following:

a.

Required landscape edges and the type of landscape planting for each edge; and,

b.

Intended method of fulfilling obligations (i.e., retention of existing vegetation, planting or other alternative solutions).

(2)

Final subdivision plan submissions (except for resubdivision and correction plats which do not increase the number of units) shall include the final landscape plan in the road construction drawings or for minor subdivisions, the supplemental information sheets. Plans shall specify:

a.

Whether the developer and/or builder will be responsible for installation of specific elements of the overall landscape plan; and,

b.

Which landscaping will be provided as part of the final plan.

(3)

Site plans shall include a landscape plan unless landscaping requirements were met during subdivision.

(4)

Preparation of landscape plans: All landscape plans shall be prepared and sealed by a registered landscape architect or other qualified professional as defined in the landscape manual.

(Ord. No. 1991, 1-10-2022)

(a)

General.

(1)

The type and amount of landscaping required shall be based on the compatibility of the proposed land use with adjacent land uses, including public and private rights-of-way, parking lots, loading areas and residential or nonresidential properties.

(2)

Landscaping requirements shall be met by providing planting as specified in the landscape manual. Optional landscape treatments as defined in the landscape manual may be substituted in full or in part for the required planting. Optional treatments include preservation of existing forests and trees, use of berms or other landforms, and provision of fences and walls.

(b)

Perimeter landscape edges.

(1)

Landscape edges, pursuant to the requirements of the landscape manual, shall be provided in all districts adjacent to public roads and to abutting properties. Required landscaping shall be shown on the final subdivision plan or on the final site plan as specified in the landscape manual.

(2)

Expansion of existing development that increases the developed area by less than fifty (50) percent shall provide perimeter landscaping for only the additional development. Expansion of development by fifty (50) percent or more shall provide perimeter landscaping for the entire development.

(c)

Parking lot and loading area landscaping.

(1)

Landscaping within new parking lots is required in accordance with the landscape manual. Landscaped areas shall divide the parking spaces to relieve the monotony of large expanses of paving and contribute to efficient circulation of traffic. Loading areas shall be screened from adjacent roads and properties.

(2)

Expansions of existing parking lots or loading areas that increase the number of spaces by less than fifty (50) percent shall provide landscaping for the additional development only. Expansion of parking or loading areas by fifty (50) percent or more shall provide landscaping for the entire parking and loading area.

(3)

Parking lot and loading area landscaping shall be shown on the site development plan.

(d)

Single-family attached and apartment developments:

(1)

Internal landscaping within new single-family attached and apartment projects is required in accordance with the Landscape Manual.

(2)

Expansion to existing development that increases the number of units by less than fifty (50) percent shall provide landscaping for the additional development only. Expansion of units by fifty (50) percent or more shall provide internal landscaping for the entire development.

(e)

Stormwater management facilities.

(1)

Landscaping of stormwater management facilities is required in all zoning districts, excluding I-G Industrial General parcels that are not adjacent to residential zoning, in accordance with the Landscape Manual.

The Department of Economic and Community Development may approve an alternative to the landscaping requirements of this Title and the landscaping manual upon determining that the proposal meets the intent of this Subtitle and meets or exceeds the standard requirements. Alternative plans may be approved when unusual topographic constraints, sight restrictions, siting requirements, preservation of existing stands of trees, preservation of specimen trees or when similar conditions prevent strict compliance with the landscape standards.

(Ord. No. 1991, 1-10-2022)

(a)

Street trees with a minimum of at least two and one-half (2½) inch caliper shall be required in all districts. Street tree plantings shall be provided on new internal roads and on existing City roads involving road improvements as described in the Landscape Manual. Existing trees to be preserved in or adjacent to the right-of-way may be approved and may be granted up to one hundred (100) percent credit towards meeting this requirement.

(b)

Street trees shall not be counted towards reforestation or afforestation requirements of the forest conservation program. Street trees shall not be counted towards the landscape requirements of Section 20-27.2, above.

(c)

Street trees requirements shall be shown on the final plan.

(a)

Required landscaping shall be included in the developer's agreement for the subdivision or development; additional surety is required. Alternately, a separate developer's agreement for landscaping, with surety, may be executed.

(b)

All landscaping shown on the approved final plan or site development plan shall be completed in accordance with the approved landscape plan before a release of surety. Prior to such release, the plan preparer shall submit written certification to the Department of Planning and Zoning that healthy plant materials were properly installed in accordance with the approved landscape plan and that a one (1) year guarantee has been executed.

(a)

The owner, tenant, and their respective agents, if any, shall jointly and severally be responsible for the maintenance of the required landscaping. All required plantings shall be maintained in good growing condition and, whenever necessary, replaced with new plant materials to ensure continued compliance with applicable regulations.

(b)

No plant material shall be allowed to encroach on road rights-of-way so that sight distance is impeded.

(c)

Required berms, fences and walls shall be permanently maintained in good condition and, whenever necessary, repaired or replaced.