Regulations relating to landscaping and tree preservation are listed below. When this ordinance refers to landscaping or tree preservation, it is referring to this Chapter. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

This purpose of this Chapter is to establish uniform landscaping and tree preservation standards for development of property in the Village in order to ensure that the Village remains attractive, safe and comfortable:

   (A)   To promote, protect and preserve the general health and safety of the people of the community and, as part of the general welfare, ensure aesthetic compatibility among land uses within the community;

   (B)   To conserve soil and reduce soil erosion, reduce stormwater runoff, to provide oxygen regeneration to enhance air quality, and to reduce the effects of urban heat islands;

   (C)   To minimize the harmful or nuisance effects resulting from noise, dust, debris, motor exhaust, headlight glare, artificial light intrusions, objectionable sight or activities, or similar incompatible impacts conducted or created by adjoining or nearby land use;

   (D)   To safeguard the environmental quality and aesthetic character of the community by limiting the removal and ensuring replacement of trees upon private property within the Village;

   (E)   To preserve, insofar as practical, existing vegetation and topographical features by limiting unnecessary clearing and modification of land, encouraging the retention of existing mature trees, requiring the replacement of indigenous trees with approved species; and

   (F)   To encourage the energy efficient operation of land uses in the public interest. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

The landscaping requirements of this Chapter apply as set forth in the individual sections. The landscaping requirements apply to new development and expansion of existing developments, unless otherwise specified. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

   (A)   Applicability

The parkway landscaping standards of this section apply when any of the following occurs:

      1.   When a new principal building is constructed on the site;

      2.   When the gross floor area, number of dwelling units, or impervious surface on an existing development is expanded by more than 25%; or

      3.   When the development is associated with a plat of subdivision or re-subdivision.

   (B)   Standards

      1.   Parkway Turf

         (a)   All parkways shall be fine graded with a minimum of six inches (6") of topsoil and sodded. Sod shall be a Kentucky bluegrass blend and grown on a mineral soil base.

         (b)   In situations where establishment watering is not possible, seeding with a straw blanket cover will be permitted.

      2.   Parkway Trees

         (a)   Minimum parkway width. Parkway trees shall be planted in all parkways having a width of five feet or more. The Village shall have the right to require trees to be planted outside of the right of way if the parkway is less than five feet wide, or in the case of utility conflicts.

         (b)   Number of trees required. One parkway tree shall be provided for every 40 feet of road frontage. For road frontages of less than 40, a minimum of one parkway tree is required. When measurement for the number of parkway trees required results in a fractional number, any fraction of less than one-half (0.5) is rounded down to the next whole number, and any fraction of one-half (0.5) or more is rounded up to the next whole number.

         (c)   Required spacing of trees. Parkway trees may be clustered or irregularly spaced, but the maximum spacing of parkway trees shall not exceed 60 feet.

         (d)   Parkway trees shall comply with the following separation requirements:

 

 

         (e)   Recommended Primary Species. The following deciduous tree species and varieties are recommended for parkway trees. This list may be periodically reviewed and revised by the Zoning Administrator in consultation with the Village Arborist. All other tree species proposed must be approved by the Zoning Administrator.

 

         (f)   Recommended Alternative Species. The following tree species are recommended for use in restricted height areas such as under overhead wires. This list may be periodically reviewed and revised by the Zoning Administrator in consultation with the Village Arborist. All other tree species proposed must be approved by the Zoning Administrator.

 

   (A)   Applicability

      1.   The building foundation landscaping standards of this section apply when any of the following occurs:

         (a)   When a new multi-unit or nonresidential principal building is constructed on the site; or

         (b)   When the gross floor area of an existing building is increased, in which case the requirements of this section would apply to any ground level building addition.

      2.   Exemption. Detached houses, duplexes, and townhouses.

   (B)   Standards

      1.   Minimum width. Building foundation landscape areas shall be a minimum of five (5) feet around the entire perimeter of the foundation, excluding pedestrian and vehicle access points.

      2.   This landscape area shall be one hundred percent 100% planted along the street facing building elevation, 50% planted along each side yard facing building elevation, and twenty five percent 25% planted along the rear yard facing building elevation. Plantings shall be a combination of trees, shrubs, perennials and ground covers. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

   (A)   Applicability

The perimeter / buffer yard landscaping standards of this section apply when any of the following occurs:

      1.   When a new multi-unit or nonresidential principal building is constructed on the site;

      2.   When a change in the principal use of a lot that abuts a residential zoning district or lot used for residential purposes occurs; or

      3.   When the gross floor area, number of dwelling units, or impervious surface on an existing development is expanded.

   (B)   Standards

      1.   Nonresidential Property or Multi-Unit Abutting Residential Property

Where nonresidential or multi-unit property abuts property in a residential district, one of the following options shall be implemented to satisfy the perimeter / buffer yard landscaping requirement:

         (a)   A landscape area with the following plantings:

            (1)   One shade tree shall be provided for every 30 feet of the common lot line(s);

            (2)   One evergreen tree shall be provided every 30 feet of the common lot line(s);

            (3)   One shrub every 5 feet of the common lot line(s).

         (b)   A landscape area with a solid fence a minimum of 6 feet in height with the following plantings:

            (1)   One shade tree shall be provided for every 30 feet of the common lot line(s);

            (2)   One evergreen tree shall be provided every 30 feet of the common lot line(s).

         (c)   A berm with a minimum height of 3 feet with the following plantings located on the berm:

            (1)   One shade tree shall be provided for every 30 feet of the common lot line(s);

            (2)   One evergreen tree shall be provided every 30 feet of the common lot line(s).

         (d)   Required plant spacing. Shade trees, shrubs, and evergreens may be clustered or irregularly spaced.

      2.   Nonresidential or Multi-Unit Property Abutting Nonresidential Property

Where nonresidential or multi-unit property abuts nonresidential property, landscaping shall be provided on the common property line(s) as follows:

         (a)   One shade tree shall be provided for every 50 feet of the common lot line(s).

         (b)   One evergreen tree shall be provided for every 50 feet of common lot line(s).

         (c)   One shrub shall be provided for every 10 feet of common lot line(s).

         (d)   Required plant spacing. Shade trees, shrubs, and evergreens may be clustered or irregularly spaced. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021; amd. Ord. 2023-5042, 12-18-2023)

   (A)   Applicability

The perimeter parking lot landscaping standards of this section apply when any of the following occurs:

      1.   The construction of any new surface parking lot; or

      2.   The expansion of any existing surface parking lot if the expansion would result in 6 or more total parking spaces, in which case the requirements of this section apply only to the expanded area.

   (B)   Standards

      1.   Front Street and Side Street Yards

         (a)   Minimum landscaping width. The perimeter parking lot landscaping area shall be a minimum of five feet in width.

         (b)   Minimum plant height. The minimum mature plant height for perimeter parking lot landscaping is three feet.

         (c)   Adjacent to a residential zoning district. When a parking lot is adjacent to a residential zoning district, continuous landscaping consisting of berms, shade trees, ornamental trees, evergreens, or shrubs shall be provided across 100% of the parking lot perimeter opposite the residential zoning district.

            (1)   50% of plantings provided shall be evergreens.

         (d)   Adjacent to nonresidential zoning district. When a parking lot is adjacent to a nonresidential zoning district, continuous landscaping consisting of berms, shade trees, ornamental trees, evergreens, or shrubs shall be provided across 60% of the parking lot perimeter opposite the nonresidential zoning district.

      2.   Rear and Side Yards

         (a)   Adjoining to residential zoning district. When a parking lot is adjoining to a residential zoning district, continuous landscaping consisting of a fence or wall, berm, shade trees, ornamental trees, evergreens, or shrubs shall be provided along 100% of the parking lot perimeter adjoining to the residential zoning district.

            (1)   Minimum height. The minimum fence or wall, berm, shade tree, ornamental tree, evergreen, or shrub height for perimeter parking lot landscaping in the rear and side yard is six feet.

            (2)   Number of shade trees required. One shade tree shall be provided for every 30 feet of the parking lot perimeter adjoining to the residential zoning district.

            (3)   Required spacing of shade trees. Shade trees may be clustered or irregularly spaced.

         (b)   Adjoining to nonresidential zoning district. When a parking lot is adjoining to a nonresidential zoning district, continuous landscaping consisting of a fence or wall, berm, shade trees, ornamental trees, evergreens, or shrubs shall be provided along 50% of the parking lot perimeter adjacent to the nonresidential zoning district.

            (1)   Minimum height. The minimum fence or wall, berm, shade tree, ornamental tree, evergreen, or shrub height for perimeter parking lot landscaping in the rear and side yard is three feet. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

   (A)   Applicability

The internal parking lot landscaping standards of this section apply when any of the following occurs:

      1.   The construction of any new surface parking lot; or

      2.   The expansion of any existing surface parking lot if the expansion would result in 10 or more total parking spaces, in which case the requirements of this section apply only to the expanded area.

   (B)   Standards

      1.   Landscape islands required. Parking lots must contain a minimum of one landscape island for every 10 parking spaces.

      2.   Landscape Island Required Locations

         (a)   At the end of every row of parking; and

         (b)   A landscape island shall be provided every 15 parking spaces.

      3.   Landscape Island Minimum Dimensions. Landscape islands shall be a minimum of 144 square feet.

      4.   Landscape Island Required Plantings

         (a)   Landscape islands shall contain one shade tree for single row islands and two (2) shade trees for double islands.

         (b)   In addition to required shade trees, all islands must be fully sodded, seeded (with erosion blanket) or planted with low shrubs, perennials or ground cover and maintained at a maximum height of thirty inches (30"). (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

   (A)   Applicability

The stormwater management basin landscaping standards of this section apply when any of the following occurs:

      1.   The construction of any new stormwater management basin; or

      2.   The expansion of any existing stormwater management basin, in which case the requirements of this section apply only to the expanded area.

   (B)   Standards

      1.   Number of shade trees required. A minimum of two shade trees for every 100 feet of the basin perimeter.

      2.   Number of ornamental tree required. A minimum of one ornamental tree for every 100 feet of the basin perimeter.

      3.   Number of evergreen trees required. A minimum of one evergreen tree for every 100 feet of the basin perimeter.

      4.   Required spacing of shade, ornamental, and evergreen trees. Shade, ornamental, and evergreen trees may be clustered or irregularly spaced.

      5.   High water level considerations. Only trees adapted to temporary flooding may be planted below the high water level.

      6.   Basin turf requirements. Turf selection and establishment around detention/retention basins should also tolerate temporary flooding. A turf type tall fescue grass seed mix, drill seeded at a rate of five pounds per acre and covered with a straw erosion blanket is recommended. For wet basins the area from 18 inches below normal water level to five feet above normal level shall be reinforced to prevent erosion from wave action. A five year coconut erosion blanket, or equivalent, is recommended.

   (C)   Alternative Native Basin Landscaping

As an alternative to traditional basins, wetland bottom storm water basins with native vegetation slopes are encouraged to slow water runoff, increase infiltration, improve water quality and reduce goose populations. These basins must be properly designed and graded utilizing best management practices. Vegetation shall be established using a combination of seeding and plugs. For alternative wetland basins, the ornamental and evergreen tree requirement shall be waived in lieu of an equal dollar value of wetland plug plantings. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

   (A)   Applicability

New buildings and development in the B-3A; Central Business District and B-3B; Central Perimeter Business District shall improve adjacent sidewalk areas from the street curb to the face of the building. This requirement shall also apply to building additions or renovations as determined by the Zoning Administrator.

      1.   Exemption. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to waive the requirements of this Section if it is determined that the Village’s adopted plans do not recommend construction of the Village’s streetscape at the site of the proposed development.

   (B)   Standards

      1.   The types of streetscape improvements required shall include decorative sidewalk paving, plant material, and ornamental lighting and streetscape accessories.

      2.   Plans for streetscape improvements shall be incorporated into project plans submitted for building permit applications.

      3.   Streetscape shall conform to the adopted plans or specifications of the Village. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

   (A)   In order to encourage creativity in landscape and screening design and to allow for flexibility in addressing atypical, site-specific development/redevelopment challenges, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to approve alternative compliance landscape plans when the Zoning Administrator determines that one or more of the following conditions are present:

      1.   The site has space limitations or an unusual shape that makes strict compliance impossible or impractical;

      2.   Conditions on or adjacent to the site such as topography, soils, vegetation or existing structures or utilities are such that strict compliance is impossible, impractical or of no value in terms of advancing the general purposes of this Chapter;

      3.   Safety considerations such as intersection visibility, utility locations, etc., make alternative compliance necessary; or

      4.   Creative, alternative landscape plans will provide an equal or better means of meeting the intent of the landscaping and screening regulations of this article. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021)

   (A)   Existing Plants

      1.   Existing trees and shrubs count toward satisfying the landscaping regulations of this Chapter if they are located within the subject area (e.g., existing trees within the parkway landscape area may be used to meet the parkway landscaping requirements) and they comply with the plant height and size requirements of this Chapter.

      2.   Preserved trees up to 6 inches in diameter at breast height will be credited on a 1:1 basis. In order to encourage the preservation of existing mature trees, existing trees larger than 6 inches in diameter at breast height, up to 12 inches in diameter at breast height will be credited at a ratio of 2:1. Trees that are more than 12 inches in diameter at breast height will be credited at a ratio of 3:1.

   (B)   Minimum Plant Size

Unless otherwise expressly stated, plants must comply with the following minimum size requirements at the time of installation:

 

   (C)   Plant Selection

      1.   Plant materials installed pursuant to this Chapter shall be of good quality and of species normally grown in northeastern Illinois and shall be capable of withstanding the extremes of the individual site microclimates. The size and density of selected plant materials at the time of planting, and at maturity, are additional criteria which shall be considered in preparing the landscape plan.

      2.   All plant material installed must be either balled and burlapped (B&B) or containerized. The use of bare root material is prohibited.

   (D)   Prohibited Trees

Tree species that detract from the Village’s appearance due to their tendency to produce numerous “weed seedlings” or which produce dead wood due to their soft wood nature or short span of life shall be prohibited. Specifically, prohibited tree species for new planting shall include, but not be limited to:

      1.   Black locust

      2.   Box elder

      3.   Buckthorn

      4.   Elm (except new hybrids)

      5.   Mountain ash

      6.   Osage orange

      7.   Poplar (all species)

      8.   Red mulberry

      9.   Russian olive

      10.   Silver maples (except new hybrids)

      11.   Tree of heaven

      12.   Weeping willow (except in large, wet areas)

      13.   White birch.

      14.   The Zoning Administrator shall have the right to prohibit plant materials other than those listed above based on current agricultural practices, regional diseases/insect infestations and recommendations of the American Association of Nurserymen.

   (E)   Plant Installation. All plant material shall be installed in accordance with the planting procedures established by the American Standards for Nursery Stock (ASNS).

   (F)   Plant Diversity

      1.   If more than 8 trees are required, no more than 40% shall be of a single species. If more than 25 trees are required, no more than 25% shall be of a single species. This requirement applies to trees being planted, but not to existing trees.

      2.   If more than 50 shrubs will be used, a mixture of three or more shrub species must be used.

   (G)   Planting Beds. All planting beds shall be mulched in their entirety with shredded hardwood bark mulch or other similar organic material, three inches deep. Color dyed mulch, lava rock or large diameter bark chips (“chunk bark”) are not acceptable. Gravel and stone mulches are not permitted. Mulch beds at time of planting shall extend a minimum of two feet beyond the center of all shrubs and have a four inch deep spaded edge around the perimeter.

   (H)   Maintenance

The property owner, occupant, tenant and respective agent of each, if any, are jointly and severally responsible for the maintenance and protection of all required landscaping, in accordance with all of the following regulations:

      1.   Necessary irrigation,

      2.   Integrated pest management,

      3.   Tree care and pruning,

      4.   Replacement of lost vegetation, and

      5.   Weed management. (Ord. 2021-4931, 11-15-2021; amd. Ord. 2023-5042, 12-18-2023)

   (A)   Landscape Architect: All landscape plans must be prepared by a State of Illinois registered landscape architect. Under special circumstances, a request to waive this requirement may be submitted to the Zoning Administrator for his consideration.

   (B)   Landscape Plan Content

      1.   Location and dimensions of existing and proposed buildings and structures within the development site and within one hundred feet (100') of the development site.

      2.   The locations and dimensions of all existing and/or proposed parking lots, drives, roadways, loading areas, and rights of way, sidewalks, freestanding signs, refuse disposal areas, bicycle parking areas, freestanding electrical equipment, building mounted signs, heating, ventilation and air circulation equipment, and all fences.

      3.   The location of all existing and proposed utilities and easements.

      4.   The location, quantity, size, root ball condition and type, scientific and common names of all proposed plant materials. All trees used to satisfy a tree replacement requirement must be clearly identified.

      5.   If berms are proposed to satisfy the landscaping requirements, berms must be depicted with one foot contours.

      6.   Specification of the type, boundaries, size and spacing of all proposed ground cover, turf and method of installation including grass seed mixes.

      7.   The location, size, and common name of all existing plant material intended to be preserved on the site and within twenty five feet (25') of the site.

      8.   A tree survey and tree preservation plan as set forth in this Chapter.

      9.   Section details of all fences, bridges, retaining walls, or other similar elements proposed to be located on the site.

      10.   Section details of typical planting methods.

      11.   Final opinion of probable landscape construction costs.

   (A)   Parkway Trees

No person, unless permitted by the Village, shall:

      1.   Plant, treat, prune, remove or otherwise disturb any parkway tree except that normal watering and fertilizing will be permitted.

      2.   Place on Village property any planters or plant containers.

      3.   Damage, cut, tap, carve or transplant any parkway tree.

      4.   Attach any rope, wire, nail, sign, poster or other manmade object to any parkway tree.

   (B)   Tree Preservation and Removal Applicability

      1.   It shall be unlawful for any person to remove or cause the removal of any tree without having first obtained approval from the Village of a tree preservation and removal plan as described herein. Tree preservation and replacement requirements do not apply to the following exemptions:

         (a)   Removal of a tree having a diameter at breast height of less than six inches.

         (b)   Detached houses, duplexes, and townhouses, provided that the tree(s) are not part of an adopted or approved landscape plan.

         (c)   Removal of the tree is necessary due to a safety hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic or threatens to cause disruption of public safety.

         (d)   Removal of the tree is necessary to remove a tree, which poses a safety hazard to structures.

         (e)   Removal of the tree is necessary due to death or disease of the tree has been weakened by age, storm, fire or other injury.

         (f)   Removal of the tree is necessary to observe good forestry practice; i.e., the number of healthy trees a given parcel of land will support.

         (g)   New subdivisions consisting of two or less lots to be improved with detached houses, duplexes, or townhouses.

         (h)   Removal of the following species:

            (1)   Black locust (Robinia psueodoacacia)

            (2)   Box elder (Acer negundo)

            (3)   Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)

            (4)   Cottonwood (Populus deltroides)

            (5)   Mulberry (Morus sp.)

            (6)   Osage orange (Maclura pomifera)

            (7)   Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

            (8)   Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila)

            (9)   Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

            (10)   White willow (Salix alba)

   (C)   Tree preservation and removal plan required. A tree preservation and removal plan shall be required for any parcel of land involving the construction of any new principal building(s) or structure(s) or other site improvements or the removal of any parkway tree, or a tree having a diameter at breast height of six inches or greater.

   (D)   Tree Preservation and Removal Plan Requirements

      1.   A tree location survey, prepared by a licensed Illinois arborist, landscape architect, or other qualified professional is required for all areas to be developed.

         (a)   The tree location survey shall show all trees six inches diameter at breast height (DBH) and larger, and all parkway trees. All trees over twelve inches in DBH must be identified by size and species. In addition, all key trees (i.e., a tree classified by the arborist as significant, or those trees which are exceptionally good examples of their species) shall be identified on the tree survey. Each tree surveyed must be identified with a number on the drawing and tagged in the field. The survey must be accompanied by a listing of each tree including the tag number, species, DBH, condition, and if the tree will be removed or saved.

      2.   The location of those trees to be removed, those to be preserved, and the methods which are to be used to preserve such trees during site development.

      3.   A written statement indicating the reason for removal of the tree(s). A report from a licensed Illinois arborist or landscape architect may be requested by the Zoning Administrator if deemed appropriate.

      4.   Details, specifications and/or technical information of procedures to be used to preserve and protect trees.

   (E)   General Tree Preservation And Removal Standards

      1.   Grading and construction equipment shall be forbidden from encroaching within the drip line of a tree. The drip line area is the ground area under a tree canopy from the trunk to the outermost branches.

      2.   Crushed limestone and other material detrimental to trees shall not be placed within the drip line of any tree nor at any higher location where drainage toward the tree could conceivably affect the health of the tree.

      3.   Snow fencing shall be temporarily installed at the periphery of the tree’s drip line and maintained throughout the entire project. The ground area inside of this fencing shall be protected and storage of any material in this area is prohibited.

      4.   Tree trunks and branches shall be protected when construction must occur within tree drip line areas.

      5.   No grade changes shall be allowed under the drip line of any trees designated for preservation.

      6.   To improve the survival rate of trees, root pruning and/or thinning shall be performed in accordance with industry standards and practices.

      7.   In the event that underground utility lines are proposed within ten feet of the trunk of a tree, auguring of the utility line should be considered and may be required by the Village.

   (F)   Tree Replacement for Non-Designated Trees

Any tree intended to be removed, or unintentionally removed or damaged during construction shall be replaced with new trees in accordance with the following schedule:

 

 

   (G)   Tree Replacement for Designated Trees

In the event that a tree designated for preservation is destroyed, damaged, or removed during the construction process, such tree shall be replaced with new trees in accordance with the following schedule:

 

 

   (H)   Tree replacement alternative. If it is impractical to plant the required number of replacement trees on the same zoning lot due to space limitations or the density of existing trees, the Village shall require the property owner to plant said tree(s) at the Village’s discretion on other public property or require a cash donation to be used for Village tree maintenance activities.

   (I)   Tree Replacement Standards

      1.   All replacement trees shall have a minimum caliper size of three inches.

      2.   Replacement trees shall not be tree species identified as Prohibited Trees as provided in this Chapter.