Per District. Landscaping shall be provided according to the requirements of this chapter in the following districts:

   (a)   R-1, R-2 and R-3 Residential Districts.

   (b)   RO Residential Office District.

   (c)   GC and HOC Commercial Districts.

   (d)   GI and LI Industrial Districts.

   (e)   OS Open Space and Public Lands District.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   (a)   Variances. The village shall recognize that, in some cases, the landscaping requirements may be difficult or impractical to meet due to specific site characteristics. Applicants for a zoning certificate may request a variance from landscaping requirements, including yard or setbacks in conjunction with a plan for screening. The Board of Zoning Appeals may, in addition to factoring in the variance standards set forth in Chapter 1280, weigh the relationship of the proposed screening plan and the requested variance(s) with respect to their joint impact upon neighboring properties.

   (b)   Exceptions.

      (1)   Clear sight distance. The requirements of this chapter apply except where adherence to any provision(s) of this chapter will interfere with the clear sight distance requirements of § 1266.21 Clear Sight Distance at Street and Access Road Intersections.

      (2)   Overlap of landscaping and buffer requirements. In any instance where more than one landscaping or buffer requirement of this chapter applies to any particular location on a parcel, the more restrictive provision shall apply in that instance.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   (a)   Generally.

      (1)   Applicability. These landscaping requirements apply to all nonresidential uses located within the districts set forth in § 1266.01(a) through (d) whenever a zoning certificate is required per the requirements of Chapter 1246 Enforcement.

      (2)   Purpose. Landscaping may be provided for one or more of the following purposes:

         A.   A visual barrier to partially or completely obstruct the view of structures and/or parking areas or activities.

         B.   An acoustic screen to aid in absorbing or deflecting noise.

         C.   A physical barrier to contain debris and litter.

         D.   To reduce adverse impacts between residential and nonresidential uses.

         E.   To promote LEED-certified development.

      (3)   Landscaping plan required. For any landscaping or buffer required by this chapter. A plan shall be submitted to the Planning Commission to review for compliance with these and any other applicable regulations. The plan shall show the following:

         A.   Location of driveway entrances;

         B.   Provisions for vehicular and pedestrian circulation;

         C.   Location of sidewalks on subject or adjacent properties;

         D.   Location of utilities, barriers, shelters, and signs;

         E.   Location of landscaping and buffer areas that include details on any proposed fences and size and species of plants; and

         F.   Any other relevant information requested by the Planning Commission.

   (b)   Residential. In the R-1, R-2, and R-3 Districts there are no additional landscaping or buffering requirements except those otherwise required by this chapter.

   (c)   Residential Office. In the RO District there are no additional landscaping or buffering requirements except those otherwise required by this chapter.

   (d)   Commercial. In the GC and HOC Districts, the following landscaping requirements found in Table 1266.05-A shall apply to all non-residential uses abutting a residential district, in addition to any other landscaping or buffer requirements imposed by this chapter.

   TABLE 1266.05-A

 

 

 

 

   (f)   Open space and public lands. In the OS District, there are no additional landscaping or buffering requirements except those otherwise required by this chapter.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   For all uses that include areas used for service, loading, and unloading activities that are visible from any residential district. Such areas from the rear lot line to the rear building line shall be screened along the entire rear and both side lot lines to the following minimum standards:

   (a)   The width of the screening area shall be a minimum of five feet. Screening shall consist of walls, hedges, fences, vegetation, or an acceptable combination of these elements, provided that screening must be at least six feet in height.

   (b)   Vegetation used for screening shall have a minimum of 75 percent opacity at all times within two years of planting.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   Exterior components of plumbing, processing, heating, cooling, and ventilating systems (including, but not limited to piping, tanks, stacks, collectors, heating, cooling, and ventilating-equipment fans, blowers, ductwork, vents, louvers, meters, compressors, motors, incinerators, ovens, etc.) shall not be directly visible at ground level. Any landscaping or structural means employed to screen exterior components of plumbing, processing, heating, cooling, and ventilating systems from direct view shall appear as integrated parts of the buildings; shall be constructed of complementary and durable materials; and finished in a texture and color scheme complementary to the overall architectural design. Any exterior components of plumbing, processing, heating, cooling, and ventilating systems and their screening devices which will be visible from upper floors of adjacent buildings shall be kept to a visible minimum; shall be installed in a neat and compact fashion; and shall be painted such a color as to allow their blending with their visual backgrounds.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   Trash containers shall be screened according to the following minimum standards:

   (a)   Trash containers designed to service more than one residential unit or to service a non-residential structure shall be screened on all sides on four sides by walls, fences, or natural vegetation or an acceptable combination of these elements.

   (b)   The height of such screening shall be at least six feet. Vegetation shall have a minimum opaqueness of 75 percent at all times within two years of planting. The use of evergreen vegetation is encouraged. Vegetation shall be a variety that will attain six feet in height within two years of planting.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   (a)   Purpose. Landscaping within parking areas, whether ground cover or upright plant material, is necessary not only to reduce the generation of heat and water runoff, but to break up visually the expanse of paved areas. The use of parking islands or peninsulas strategically placed throughout the parking lot is required to landscape parking lot interiors. The use of shade trees in these landscape areas is encouraged.

   (b)   Applicability. The provisions of this section apply to nonresidential parking areas within the R-1, R-2, R-2, RO, GC, HOC, LI and GI districts. If a requirement for landscaping in conjunction with off-street parking coincides with any other landscaping or buffer requirement of this chapter, the other landscaping or buffering requirement shall control.

   (c)   Required landscaping. Any open parking area containing more than 6,000 square feet of area or 15 or more parking spaces shall provide the following landscaping:

      (1)   Perimeter of parking area. Except where the parking is adjacent to a main building, a landscaped perimeter strip of no less than ten feet in width shall surround the perimeter of the parking lot. The edge of the parking lot shall be the edge of the perimeter strip. No parking or pavement shall be allowed in the perimeter strip except for intersecting drives and walkways. One tree is required for every 40 linear feet of perimeter.

      (2)   Interior parking area landscaping.

         A.   An area equal to five percent of the total area devoted to parking space and parking lanes shall be landscaped and permeable.

         B.   Whenever possible, large parking areas of 30,000 square feet or larger shall be designed so as to break up their visual expanse and create the appearance of smaller parking lots. This distinction or separation can be achieved by interspersing yard space and buildings in strategic areas and by taking advantage of natural features such as slope, existing woodland or vegetation, drainage courses, and retention areas.

         C.   Landscaping in parking areas shall be dispersed throughout in peninsulas or islands. The minimum island or peninsula size shall be 180 square feet with a two-foot minimum distance between all trees or shrubs and the edge of pavement where vehicles overhang and should have a minimum width of ten feet. Islands shall typically be located every 12 parking spaces and shall be curbed.

         D.   The required plant materials for the interior of parking areas shall be one deciduous tree for every 3,000 square feet.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   (a)   Signage that is required to comply with this Zoning Code per the requirements of § 1264.03 Scope, is also subject to the requirements of § 1266.15 Ground Sign Landscaping if it is one of the following sign types:

      (1)   Ground sign;

      (2)   Pole sign;

      (3)   Monument sign; or

      (4)   Subdivision entry sign.

   (b)   Landscaped area shall be required around the base of a sign and shall be the greater of the two formulations:

      (1)   Two square feet per one square foot of sign area; or

      (2)   Two feet horizontal distance on all sides of the sign's perimeter.

   (c)   Plant material should be selected with careful consideration for height so as to prevent blocking the sign's graphic and message.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   The following sections include specifications for plant materials. Alternatives to these materials that can be shown to meet both the intent and requirements of this Zoning Code may be approved by the Planning Commission as part of a site plan:

   (a)   Shrubs. Shrubs shall be at least 24 inches average height and spread at the time of planting and, where required for screening, shall form a continuous, year-round, solid visual screen within five years after planting.

   (b)   Ground cover and grass. Ground cover shall be planted a minimum of eight inches on center and shall be planted in such a manner to present a finished appearance and 75 percent coverage after one complete growing season. If approved as part of a site plan, ground cover may also consist of rocks, pebbles, wood chips, grass alternatives and other material.

   (c)   Prohibited tree species. Within any required landscaping, the following tree species may not be used:

      (1)   Box Elder Tree of Heaven Catalpa;

      (2)   Black Walnut Poplar Willow Mulberry;

      (3)   Mountain Ash Siberian Elm Black Locust;

      (4)   Hickory;

      (5)   Female Gingko;

      (6)   Emerald Ash Borer;

      (7)   In addition to the specific species listed above, trees which produce nuts, seeds, or fruit that can create a hazard to pedestrians or vehicles, shall not be planted in such a manner that the natural drip line of an average adult tree of the species planted will be any closer than three feet of a pedestrian walkway or parking lot.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   The owner shall be responsible for maintaining all landscaping in good condition to present a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance. This should be accomplished by the following standards:

   (a)   All plant growth in landscaped areas shall be controlled by pruning, trimming, or other suitable methods so that plant materials do not interfere with public utilities, restrict pedestrian or vehicular access, or otherwise constitute a traffic hazard.

   (b)   All planted areas shall be maintained in a relatively weed-free condition, clear of undesirable undergrowth, and free from refuse and debris.

   (c)   Replacement plants shall conform to the standards that govern original installation. Dead or unhealthy plants shall be replaced within the next planting season.

   (d)   Where practicable, an irrigation system should be installed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

   (e)   The Code Enforcement Officer shall have the authority to inspect landscaping and check it against the approved plan on file.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   (a)   Purpose. To insure that landscape materials do not constitute a driving hazard, a “clear sight triangle” will be observed at all street intersections or intersections or driveways with streets.

   (b)   Definition. A clear sight triangle is the triangular area formed by a diagonal line connecting two points located on intersecting right-of-way lines (or a right-of-way line and the edge of an access road), each point being 15 feet from the intersection, and the two intersecting right-of-way lines (or a right-of-way line and an access road). See Figure 1266.21-A on the following page.

   (c)   Design. The entire area of the clear sight triangle should be designed as illustrated in Figure 1266.21-A to provide the driver of the vehicle entering the intersection with an unobstructed view to all points nine feet above the roadway along the centerline. The recommended distance depends upon the design speed of the higher-order street and therefore is greater for arterial streets than for collectors.

   (d)   Restrictions within clear sight triangles. Within the sight triangle no landscape material with a height greater than 12 inches shall be permitted with the exception of trees that conform to the following standards. Trees shall be permitted within the sight triangles as long as, except during early growth stages, only the tree trunk (no limbs, leaves, etc.) is visible between the ground and nine feet above the ground, or otherwise does not present a traffic visibility hazard. Restrictions shall not apply to the following:

      (1)   Existing natural grades which, by reason of natural topography, rise 12 or more inches above the level of the center of the adjacent intersection;

      (2)   Fire hydrants, public utility poles, street markers, governmental signs, and traffic control devices.

(Ord. 2012-20, passed 4-17-2012)

   FIGURE 1266.21A