The landscaping and screening requirements specified herein are intended to foster aesthetically pleasing development which will protect and preserve the appearance, character, health, safety, and welfare of the community. Specifically, these regulations are intended to increase the compatibility of adjacent uses, and, in doing so, minimize the harmful impact of noise, dust and other debris, motor vehicle headlight glare or other artificial light intrusions, and other objectionable activities or impacts conducted or created by an adjoining or nearby use.

(A)

Scope of regulations.

(1)

For all construction of principal buildings, landscaping shall be provided and maintained in full compliance with the standards described below.

(2)

When the intensity of use of any existing building, structure, or premises shall be increased through the construction of a principal building or the construction of a building addition or accessory building in which the combined gross floor area exceeds 20 percent of existing buildings or 2,000 square feet; full compliance with the landscaping required herein shall be provided. The Director of Economic Development and Planning may modify the landscaping standards for such increases in intensity of use if the Director determines that any or all of the following conditions exist or are proposed.

(a)

The location of an existing building prevents full compliance with the landscape standards;

(b)

Compliance with the landscaping standards would reduce the number of existing parking spaces below the required number of parking spaces;

(c)

Additional landscaping would not substantially improve traffic control, perimeter buffering, or streetscape/front yard appearance;

(d)

All existing and proposed landscape planting areas will be provided with the required amount of planting materials;

(e)

Wherever possible, landscape islands are provided at the end of parking rows, landscaping planting strips are provided around the perimeter of parking lots, required parkway landscaping is provided, and appropriate fencing, berming, or landscaping is provided adjacent to residential areas.

(B)

Landscape plan required. A landscape plan shall be required for all exterior construction and development activity. Such landscape plan shall conform with the requirements specified in this section. Landscape plans must be approved by the Director of Economic Development and Planning prior to the issuance of a building permit for exterior construction and development. The construction of single-family residences shall be exempted from this requirement.

(C)

Content of landscape plan. All landscape plans submitted for approval shall contain or have attached thereto the following information:

(1)

The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures, parking lots and drives, roadways and rights-of-way, sidewalks, bicycle paths, ground signs, refuse disposal areas, bicycle parking areas, fences, freestanding electrical equipment, tot lots and other recreational facilities, and other freestanding structural features as determined necessary by the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(2)

The location, quantity, size and name, both botanical and common names, of all proposed planting materials.

(3)

The location of existing buildings, structures and plant materials on adjacent property within 100 feet of the site.

(4)

Existing and proposed grading of the site, including proposed berming, indicating contours, at one-foot intervals.

(5)

Specification of the type and boundaries of all proposed ground cover.

(6)

The location, quantity, size and name, both botanical and common names, of all existing planting materials.

(7)

Elevations of all fences proposed for location on the site.

(8)

Elevations, cross-sections and other details as determined necessary by the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(Ord. No. 8347, § 1, passed 3-20-25)

(A)

Selection. Planting materials used to conform with the provisions of this Section shall be of good quality, of a species normally grown in Northeastern Illinois, and capable of withstanding the extremes of individual site microclimates. Size and density of plant material, both at the time of planting and at maturity, are additional criteria which must be considered when selecting plant materials.

(B)

Installation. All landscaping materials shall be installed in accordance with the current planting procedures established by the American National Standards Institute's ANSI A300 Part 6.

(C)

Maintenance.

(1)

Responsibility. The owner of the premises shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of all landscaping materials and barriers, including refuse disposal areas, as may be required by the provisions of this Section.

(2)

Landscaping materials. All landscaping materials shall be maintained in good condition so as to present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance, and plant material not in this condition shall be replaced when necessary and shall be kept free of refuse and debris.

(3)

Fences and walls. Fences, walls, and other barriers shall be maintained in good repair.

(Ord. No. 7821, § 1, passed 6-18-20)

Landscape plans described above shall be prepared based on the following design criteria. The evaluation and approval shall also be based on these design criteria.

(A)

Scale and nature of landscaping material. The scale and nature of landscaping materials should be appropriate to the size of structures. Large scaled buildings, for example, should generally be complemented by larger scaled plants.

(B)

Selection of plant material. Plant material should be selected for its form, texture, color, and concern for its ultimate growth. The use of Silver Maples, Box Elders, Russian Olives, Lombard Poplars, and other weak wooded species, and plant material which has been shown to be invasive to natural areas such as Callery Pear, should be avoided.

(C)

Evergreens. Evergreens should be incorporated into the landscape treatment of a site, particularly in those areas screening parking lots from dedicated public rights-of-way or property zoned for residential use.

(D)

Shade trees. All shade trees shall have a minimum trunk size of two and one-half inches in diameter upon installation, as measured six inches above the established ground level.

(E)

Softening of walls and fences. Plant material should be placed intermittently against long expanses of building walls, fences, and other barriers to create a softening effect.

(F)

Planting beds. Planting beds should be mulched with bark chips, feather rocks, or similar materials.

(G)

Detention/retention basins and ponds. Detention/Retention basins and ponds shall be landscaped. Such landscaping should include shade and ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubbery, hedges, and/or other planting materials.

(H)

Watering plant material. A permanent means of watering plant material should be provided. Installation of an automatic underground sprinkling system is recommended.

(I)

Energy conservation.

(1)

Deciduous trees should be placed on the south and west sides of buildings to provide shade from the summer sun.

(2)

Evergreens and other plant materials should be concentrated on the north side of buildings to dissipate the effect of winter winds.

(J)

Preservation of existing plant material. Existing plant material should, wherever practical as determined by the Director of Economic Development and Planning, be incorporated into the landscape treatment of a site.

(K)

Berming. Earthen berms and existing topography should be, whenever determined practical by the Director of Economic Development and Planning, incorporated into the landscape treatment of a site, particularly when combined with plant material to facilitate screening.

(Ord. No. 7821, § 1, passed 6-18-20; Ord. No. 8347, § 1, passed 3-20-25)

(A)

Applicability. Where a parcel abuts a dedicated public right-of-way, landscaping shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

(B)

Graded and sodded. The unpaved portion of a public right-of-way shall be fine graded and sodded unless otherwise determined by the Public Works Department.

(C)

Parkway trees.

(1)

Quantity. Parkway trees shall be provided at the equivalent of not more than 40 feet apart in the right-of-way abutting the parcel.

(2)

Species. Parkway tree species shall be selected and installed by the Village as specified in Section 99.04.

(Ordinance 4253, passed 11/7/96; Ord. No. 7572, § 1, passed 9-6-18; Ord. No. 7821, § 1, passed 6-18-20)

(A)

Applicability. All parking lots designed for 15 or more parking spaces, as specified in Section 155.600, shall provide landscaping in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

(B)

Interior landscaping.

(1)

Area required. Not less than five percent of the interior of a parking lot shall be devoted to landscaping. Landscaping areas located along the perimeter of a parking lot as required by subsection 155.706(C), below, shall not be included toward satisfying this requirement. Moreover, foundation landscaping areas as specified in Section 155.708 of this Section shall not be included toward satisfying the interior parking lot landscaping requirements.

(2)

Landscaped areas. The landscaped areas defined in subsection 155.706(B)(1), above, shall be delineated and improved in conformance with the following:

(a)

Interior parking lot landscaping areas (planting islands) shall be dispersed throughout the parking lot in a design and configuration satisfactory to the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(b)

Interior parking lot landscaping areas shall be a minimum of 120 square feet in area and shall be a minimum of seven feet in width, as measured from back of curb to back of curb.

(c)

Landscape material. The plant material used to improve the landscape areas defined above shall conform to the following:

(i)

Type. The primary plant materials used in parking lots shall be tree species in conformance with Section 99.04. Ornamental trees, shrubbery, hedges, and other plant materials may be used to supplement the tree plantings, but shall not be the sole contribution to such landscaping.

(ii)

Quantity. One tree shall be provided for every 120 square feet of landscaping area.

(iii)

Ground cover. A minimum of 50 percent of every interior parking lot landscaping area shall be improved with approved ground cover, as determined appropriate by the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(C)

Perimeter parking lot landscaping. Where a parking lot is located within a required yard, or within 20 feet of a lot line, perimeter landscaping shall be required along the corresponding edge of the parking lot to conform with the following provisions.

(1)

Landscape area. Where perimeter landscaping is required, it shall be provided within landscape areas five feet in width, as measured from the back of curb and excluding any parking space overhang area.

(2)

Requirements along front and corner side yards.

(a)

Across from residential property. Where a parking lot is located across a dedicated public right-of-way from property zoned for residential use the following landscape improvements shall be required.

(i)

Plant material. Continuous landscaping of evergreen or dense deciduous shrubs shall be provided across 100 percent of the street frontage to a minimum height of four feet. The height of such shrubs may be reduced if berming is provided so that the combined height of shrubs and berming is not less than four feet. In addition, shade or ornamental trees shall be provided within this landscape area, with the number of trees not less than one tree per 50 feet of frontage with the number of trees required, rounded to the nearest whole number. However, where parkway trees are required as provided for in subsection 155.705(C), above, such parkway trees may be counted toward compliance with perimeter landscape requirements. Additional plantings may be provided, subject to the approval of the Director of Economic Development and Planning. All landscaping described above shall conform to Section 155.207 of this Chapter.

In lieu of the requirements of this subsection 155.706(C)(2)(a)(i), properties located in the CR Conservation/Recreation Districts, property owners may, at their option, substitute one shade or ornamental tree per 25 feet of frontage.

(ii)

Ground cover. Except where occupied by planting beds, all landscaping areas located in front and corner side yards shall be sodded or planted with another comparable ground cover as determined appropriate by the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(b)

Across from non-residential property. Where a parking lot is located across a dedicated public right-of-way from property zoned for non-residential use the following landscape improvements shall be required.

(i)

Plant material. Landscaping of evergreen or dense deciduous shrubs shall be provided across 50 percent of the street frontage to a minimum height of four feet.

The height of such shrubs may be reduced if berming is provided so that the combined height of shrubs and berming is not less than four feet. Additional plantings may be provided, subject to the approval of the Director of Economic Development and Planning. All landscaping described above shall conform to Section 155.207 of this Chapter.

(ii)

Ground cover. Except where occupied by planting beds, all landscaping areas located in front and corner side yards shall be sodded or planted with another comparable ground cover as determined appropriate by the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(3)

Requirements along rear and interior side yards. Where the provisions of Section 155.707, below, do not apply, landscaping shall be provided to conform with the following requirements.

(a)

Plant material. Where a parking lot abuts property zoned for non-residential use, landscaping shall be provided across 50 percent of that portion of the parking lot abutting the property line to a minimum height of four feet. The height of such shrubs may be reduced if berming is provided so that the combined height of shrubs and berming is not less than four feet. Such plantings shall be concentrated into shrub masses, typically containing seven to nine shrubs per shrub mass. Additional plantings may be provided, subject to the approval of the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

In lieu of the requirements of this subsection 155.706(C)(3)(a), properties located in the CR Conservation/Recreation Districts, property owners may, at their option, substitute one shade or ornamental tree per 50 feet of frontage.

(b)

Ground cover. Except where occupied by planting beds, all side and rear yard perimeter parking lot landscaping shall be sodded, seeded or planted with another comparable ground cover, as determined appropriate by the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(Ord. 4119, passed 1/18/96; Ord. 4119, passed 1/18/96; Ord. No. 7821, § 1, passed 6-18-20; Ord. No. 8227, § 1, passed 12-21-23; Ord. No. 8347, § 1, passed 3-20-25)

Where transitional landscape yards are required in the district regulations of each district, such landscape yards shall be improved in conformance with the following requirements which shall be provided in addition to other required landscaping.

(A)

Size of transitional landscape yards. The size of transitional landscape yards in the districts identified below shall be as follows:

(1)

R3, R4 and R5 Districts. Wherever a rear yard or interior side yard lot used for attached single-family or multiple-family residential use in the R3, R4 or R5 District abuts a lot in the CR, R0, R1, R2 or an existing, detached single-family residence in the R3 District, a transitional landscape yard 30 feet in width shall be provided along such lot line.

(2)

R6 District. Wherever a rear yard or interior side yard lot used for attached single-family or multiple-family residential use in the R6 District abuts a lot in the CR, R1, R2 or an existing, detached single-family residence in the R3 District, a transitional landscape yard 20 feet in width shall be provided along such lot line.

(3)

B1, B2, B5 or B5A Districts. Wherever a rear yard or interior side yard lot in the B1, B2, B5 or B5A District abuts a lot in the CR or a Residence District, a transitional landscape yard 10 feet in width shall be provided along such lot line.

(4)

O, B3 and B4 Districts. Wherever a rear yard or interior side yard lot in the O, B3 or B4 District abuts a lot in the CR or a Residence District, a transitional landscape yard 30 feet in width shall be provided along such lot line.

(5)

B4A District.

(a)

Wherever a rear yard or interior side yard lot in the B4A District abuts a lot in the CR or a residence district, a transitional landscape yard 30 feet in width shall be provided along such lot line.

(b)

For properties in which the full provisions set forth in subsection a above cannot be met due to existing building encroachments, the applicant may also provide a decorative wall and landscape plantings within the requisite transitional landscape yard. The final design of the wall shall be reviewed by the IDRC and shall be constructed of building materials consistent with the principal structure.

(6)

I District. Wherever a rear yard or interior side yard lot in the I District abuts a lot in the CR or a Residence District, a transitional landscape yard 30 feet in width shall be provided along such lot line.

(B)

Transitional landscape yard improvements. Within the transitional landscape yards defined above, required planting and fencing shall be required to conform with the following provisions:

(1)

R3, R4 and R5 Districts. Within required transitional landscape yards the following improvements shall be required:

(a)

Shade trees shall be required in conformance with section 99.04, with one tree every 25 feet along the entire length of the landscape yard. Shade trees may be clustered subject to the approval of the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(b)

Shrub masses, at least two rows deep and with shrubs alternately spaced, shall be provided along 75 percent of the length of the landscape yard. Shrubs shall be installed at a height of three feet and shall reach a mature height of not less than six feet. Shrub masses may be curvilinear in shape.

(c)

Areas not planted with trees or shrubs shall be maintained as lawn.

(2)

R6 Districts. Required transitional landscape yard improvements in the R6 Districts shall be the same as those provided for in the R4 and R5 Districts above.

(3)

B1, B2, B5 and B5A Districts. Within required transitional landscape yards the following improvements shall be required:

(a)

Except within a front or corner side yard, a solid fence, the design of which shall be subject to the approval of the Director of Economic Development and Planning, shall be provided along the entire length of the landscape yard. Such fence shall be six feet in height and shall conform to § 155.205 of this Chapter.

(b)

A continuous evergreen or dense deciduous shrub hedge extending the entire length of the landscape yard shall be planted. The shrub hedge shall be installed at a height of three feet. The spacing of shrubs shall be five feet on center, or as approved by the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(c)

Shade trees shall be required to conform with section 99.04, with one tree every 25 feet along the entire length of the landscape yard. Shade trees may be clustered subject to the approval of the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(d)

Planted areas shall be maintained in mulch and kept free of weeds.

(e)

Areas not planted with trees or shrubs shall be maintained as lawn.

(4)

O, B3 and B4 and B4A Districts. Within required transitional landscape yards the following improvements shall be required:

(a)

All service areas shall be screened by a solid fence or berm, the design of which shall be subject to the approval of the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(b)

Shade trees shall be required in conformance with section 99.04, with one tree every 25 feet along the entire length of the landscape yard. Shade trees may be clustered subject to the approval of the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(c)

Shrub masses, at least two rows deep and with shrubs alternately spaced, shall be provided along 75 percent of the length of the landscape yard. Shrubs shall be installed at a height of three feet and shall reach a mature height of not less than six feet. Shrub masses may be curvilinear in shape.

(d)

Areas not planted with trees or shrubs shall be maintained as lawn.

(5)

I District. Within required transitional landscape yards the following improvements shall be required:

(a)

Except within a front or corner side yard, a solid fence, the design of which shall be subject to the approval of the Director of Economic Development and Planning, shall be provided along the entire length of the landscape yard. Such fence shall be six to eight feet in height.

(b)

Shade trees shall be required in conformance with section 99.04, with one tree every 25 feet along the entire length of the landscape yard. Shade trees may be clustered subject to the approval of the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(c)

Shrub masses, at least two rows deep and with shrubs alternately spaced, shall be provided along 75 percent of the length of the landscape yard. Shrubs shall be installed at a height of three feet and shall reach a mature height of not less than six feet. Shrub masses may be curvilinear in shape.

(d)

Areas not planted with trees or shrubs shall be maintained as lawn.

(Ord. 6091, passed 10-18-07; Ord. No. 8227, § 2, passed 12-21-23; Ord. No. 8347, § 1, passed 3-20-25)

Landscaping shall be required at the base of all principal buildings to help achieve harmony between the buildings and the landscape to conform with the requirements set forth below.

(A)

Required landscape area. Unless otherwise authorized by the Director of Economic Development and Planning, a landscaped area a minimum of ten feet in width shall be located around the perimeter of all buildings. Retail commercial buildings may, at the discretion of the Director of Economic Development and Planning, be exempted from this requirement if such landscape area would interfere with access to the buildings from the parking lot. Where such exemptions are made, landscaping equivalent in area and plantings to required foundation landscaping area shall be added to other required landscaping as described in this section.

(B)

Coverage. Required foundation landscaping areas shall remain open and free of all paving except where walks to buildings and other similar paving is required.

(C)

Plant material. Foundation landscaping shall be provided for all principal buildings. Such landscaping shall consist of shade or ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubbery, hedges, and/or other plant material. Particular attention shall be paid toward screening mechanical equipment, bicycle parking areas and loading docks; softening large expanses of building walls; and accenting building entrances and architectural features.

(D)

Ground cover. Except where occupied by planting beds, all foundation landscaping areas shall be sodded or planted with another comparable ground cover as determined appropriate by the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(Ord. No. 8347, § 1, passed 3-20-25)

To help enhance the attractiveness of individual properties within the village and provide physical and visual separation between individual properties, landscaping along the periphery of each lot shall be required.

(A)

Applicability. All lots, except those in the CR, R0, R1, and R2 Districts, shall provide perimeter landscaping in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. Also, the requirements of this section shall not apply where the provisions of §§ 155.706 or 155.707, above, are applicable. Section 155.713 shall apply when the adjacent lot is a detention pond, wetland, floodplain or similar.

(B)

Required landscape improvements. Landscaping required around the perimeter of a lot shall be located within a landscape yard not less than five feet in width and shall conform with the following:

(1)

Shade trees. Shade trees, conforming to the provisions of section 99.04, shall be provided along the abutting property line. The number of trees required shall be equivalent to one tree for every 75 feet of lot line length. Such trees may be clustered or spaced linearly as determined appropriate by the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(2)

Other plant material. Other landscaping materials including berms, ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubbery, hedges, and/or other planting material, as determined necessary by the Director of Economic Development and Planning, shall be provided at appropriate locations along the abutting property line.

(3)

Ground cover. Except where occupied by planting beds, all perimeter landscape areas shall be sodded, seeded, or planted with another comparable ground cover, as determined appropriate by the Director of Economic Development and Planning.

(Ord. No. 8227, § 3, passed 12-21-23; Ord. No. 8347, § 1, passed 3-20-25)

All refuse disposal and recycling bin areas shall be screened on all sides by a solid wood fence or an equivalent material to a height of not less than six feet but not more than eight feet (except as otherwise provided in subsection 92.13(E) in the Lombard Code of Ordinances).

Innovative landscape designs are encouraged and may be approved by the Director of Economic Development and Planning provided that such designs meet the intent of Section 155.704 and that the alternate species selection and placement of plant materials otherwise does not conflict with this Chapter and is considered a positive attribute in connection with any such approval.

(Ord. No. 7821, § 1, passed 6-18-20; Ord. No. 8347, § 1, passed 3-20-25)

Any change to an approved landscape plan, which conforms with this Section, shall require the approval of the Director of Economic Development and Planning. Changes which do not conform to this Section or are otherwise not deemed to meet the intent of Section 155.711 shall be subject to the procedures for a variation as established in Section 155.100 of this Chapter. Should the zoning relief be approved, it is tied to the property address, not the property owner. Future property owners and future users of the property have an obligation to maintain the approved landscape plan over time.

(Ord. No. 7821, § 1, passed 6-18-20; Ord. No. 8227, § 4, passed 12-21-23; Ord. No. 8347, § 1, passed 3-20-25)

In cases in which the provisions set forth within this Chapter conflict with landscape requirements of the DuPage County Stormwater and Floodplain Ordinance or other State of Illinois or federal regulations, the County, State or federal regulations shall apply.

(Ord. No. 7821, § 1, passed 6-18-20)