The purpose of the requirements in this chapter is to provide for landscaping and screening of parking and other outdoor areas that will:

(Ord. 91-553)

   A.   Protect residential environments from effects of more intensive adjacent uses;

   B.   Protect users of parking areas from excessive wind, glare and temperature extremes;

   C.   Reduce the adverse effects on public streets and adjacent properties of noise, blowing dust and debris and motor vehicle headlight glare;

   D.   Discourage unsafe access to and circulation within off street parking areas;

   E.   Allow for a degree of flexibility to accommodate property owners based upon unique site specific circumstances;

   F.   Contribute to improved community appearance and maintenance of property values;

   G.   Promote environmental conservation; and

   H.   Be functional with deciduous trees providing natural shading for windows in the summer and evergreen trees provided year round screening and protection from the winter wind.

(Ord. 86-382, 12-22-1986; amd. Ord. 20-20, 5-4-2020)

   A.   Residential Screening Strip: The purpose of the residential screening strip is to provide a healthy buffer between residential uses and more intense commercial or industrial uses.

TABLE 1
ZONING DISTRICTS REQUIRING RESIDENTIAL SCREENING STRIPS

 

 

TABLE 2
RESIDENTIAL SCREEN STRIP DESIGN STANDARDS

 

 

   B.   Parking Lot Perimeter Landscaping: The intent of parking lot perimeter landscaping is to screen head lights from view from the right-of-way and from other adjoining properties. The Zoning Administrator has the ability to waive these provisions if the administration of the code is deemed excessive based on the uniqueness of the site and the intent of the ordinance has been met.

TABLE 3
PARKING LOT PERIMETER LANDSCAPING DESIGN STANDARDS

 

 

   C.   Parking Islands: The intent of parking islands is to provide shade trees on hot summer days, reduce the effects of the urban heat island by reducing paved surfaces and visually breaking up the expanse of asphalt. All rows of parking spaces shall be terminated by a parking lot island or landscape area. The Zoning Administrator has the ability to waive the termination island or parking island design standards based upon the uniqueness of the site.

TABLE 4
PARKING ISLAND DESIGN STANDARDS

 

 

TABLE 5
BUILDING PERIMETER LANDSCAPING MINIMUM DESIGN STANDARDS

 

 

 

      4.   Detention Areas: Detention areas shall be designed per the City’s Subdivision Control and Development Ordinance in terms of retaining or detaining water and all engineering requirements. However, it shall be noted that detention areas should be designed to appear as natural as possible. Landscaping shall be required around the perimeter of all retention and detention basins, which shall consist of trees, shrubs and emergent plantings in a quantity, species and arrangement that will create an aesthetically pleasing and ecologically functional environment. All landscaping shall conform with the approved landscape list. Plantings around basins shall be salt tolerant. Such landscaping shall be in conformance with Best Management Practices as determined by the City.

      5.   Natural Areas: Natural areas shall be maintained and protected by all applicable local, state and federal laws and requirements.

      6.   Refuse Enclosures: Refuse enclosures shall be required for all buildings containing three or more dwelling units and all nonresidential-zoned property. Properties located within Business Park and Health Care Districts shall comply with refuse enclosure requirements outlined in Office, Industrial, Business Park, Agricultural and Mining Overlay, and Health Care Districts.

         a.   All refuse shall be stored within an enclosed building, or if located outside of an enclosed building all refuse and refuse containers shall be screened on all sides by a solid wall or fence (chain link fencing is prohibited) a minimum of six (6) feet in height. If a solid wall is utilized the materials of the wall shall be designed of durable materials with finishes and colors similar to the principal building. Refuse shall not be visible from outside the refuse enclosure. All enclosures shall be accessible by vehicles which will be required to access the containers. Refuse disposal areas shall not be located between the front or corner side lot line and the principal building.

         b.   Any site addition, alternation or modification, which requires the re-location of an existing refuse disposal area, which does not comply with the provisions of this chapter, must be brought into compliance with the new ordinance provisions outlined herein.

   F.   Street Plantings: Street plantings must conform to the Subdivision Control Ordinance Section 6.12 Landscaping and the Technical Specifications Manual, Section I, Parkway Trees.

   G.   Business Park And Health Care District Landscape Requirements:

      1.   Curbing In Parking Areas: All parking island strips and parking perimeters shall be separated on all sides from the parking surface by concrete curbing.

      2.   Uses Requiring Landscaping Or Screening: A minimum of five percent (5%) of the parking area in industrial uses and ten percent (10%) in all other uses shall consist of landscaping. Any landscaped strip required hereunder may be credited toward this requirement. A screen for off-street loading shall be a minimum of six (6) feet high.

      3.    Sizes of minimum plant materials at planting:

         a.   Shade Tree: A deciduous tree with a minimum caliper of three inches (3").

         b.   Conifer: A coniferous tree with a minimum six foot (6') height.

         c.   Ornamental: A deciduous tree or large shrub with a minimum caliper of two inches (2") or minimum height of six feet (6').

         d.   Building Perimeter Landscaping: In addition to any before mentioned building perimeter landscaping requirements for the building, health care buildings shall provide a minimum six foot (6') walk and seven foot (7') wide landscape area for safe drop off for patients.

   H.   Sign Landscaping: An effective monument sign not only draws the public’s attention to the business located at that site, but also adds to the aesthetic appeal of the site. Monument signs attract a significant amount of attention so the use of strong landscape design principles, which incorporate a variety of plant materials and provide visual interest throughout the year, should be used.

      1.   A sign landscaping plan drawn to scale must be submitted as part of a sign permit application for all monument signs.

      2.   For every one (1) square foot of gross sign area, there shall be provided a minimum of two (2) square feet of landscape planting area including both plant material and grasses and shall be located within five (5) feet of the base of the sign. The base landscaping shall be composed of at least three (3) different species of plant or shrub.

   A.   When Required: A Landscape Plan shall be filed with an application for:

      1.   Rezoning.

      2.   Conditional use permit.

      3.   Any variance from landscaping or screening requirements.

      4.   Integrated Design District preliminary or final plan approval.

      5.   Preliminary or final plat approval as provided in the Subdivision Control Ordinance.

      6.   Any development, as defined in the Subdivision Control Ordinance.

      7.   Building permit or Certificate of Occupancy.

(Ord. 86-382, 12-22-1986)

      8.   Use variance.

(Ord. 94-614)

      9.   Freestanding monument sign application.

   B.   Waiver: The City Council may waive or defer this requirement in any instance in which the specific use of the premises, and therefor the specific landscaping and screening requirements applicable, are not yet determined, such as in the case of a rezoning for an industrial subdivision.

   C.   Content Of Landscape Plan: The Landscape Plan shall include:

      1.   The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures, parking lots and drives, roadways and right-of-way, sidewalks, bike paths, ground signs, refuse disposal areas, bicycle parking areas, fences, freestanding electrical equipment, utility easements, conservation easements, lighting, tot lots and other recreational facilities, proposed locations of stormwater inlets, valve vaults, hose bibs, manholes, hydrants, Fire Department Siamese connections and other structural features as determined necessary by the Zoning Administrator;

      2.   The location, quantity, size, root ball condition and name, both scientific and common, of all proposed plant materials, and existing plant materials to be preserved, as well as boundaries of all planting beds;

      3.   The location of all proposed berming and drainage swales, indicating contours at one foot (1') intervals, percent of slope and the location of all proposed drainage features with natural vegetation, including, but not limited to, rain gardens and other stormwater detention and infiltration areas;

      4.   Specification and boundaries of all natural landscaping areas, including prairie, woodland and wetland plant communities, identified by specific community type and by scientific and common names of all species;

      5.   Elevations and details of all fences, bridges, retaining walls or other decorative features proposed for location on site shall be included. The details shall include, but are not limited to, materials, colors, styles and sizes;

      6.   Landscape data box, which shall include the required and proposed calculations for the following:

         a.   Total area in square feet of the lot or tract to be developed;

         b.   Total square feet and percentage of landscape area between the buildings and any public or private street;

         c.   Total square feet and percentage of the area being landscaped;

         d.   Total number of trees required and provided, their common and scientific names and their type; evergreen, shade or ornamental;

         e.   Total number of shrubs required and proposed, their common and scientific name and their type; evergreen or deciduous;

         f.   Total area to be turf; and

         g.   Total area to be nonliving material;

      7.   Delineate the different landscape and screening areas, i.e., parking lot screening strip, residential screening strip and right-of-way landscaping.

(Ord. 86-382, 12-22-1986; amd. Ord. 20-20, 5-4-2020)

   A.   City Legislation: The City has adopted a Tree Preservation Ordinance, title 8, chapter 3, article C of this Code.

   B.   Reduction Permitted: The City Council may reduce the number of new trees required in response to preservation by a developer of any existing trees on the site as follows:

 

 

   Note:

      1.    Measured at 54 inches above grade level ([dbh] the diameter at breast height).

   C.   Protection Of Existing Trees: To ensure that existing trees are not damaged during development:

      1.   Protective physical barriers shall be maintained around such trees that prevent the passage of heavy machinery under the drip line.

      2.   No equipment, materials, fill or debris shall be stored under the drip line except as may be necessary for a reasonable time if no other storage area is available.

(Ord. 86-382, 12-22-1986; amd. Ord. 20-20, 5-4-2020)

   A.   Compilation: The City has compiled a list of recommended, acceptable and prohibited landscape.

   B.   Caliper: All on site required trees must be a minimum of two inch (2") caliper (dbh) or six foot (6') coniferous. All street planting must conform to the Subdivision Control Ordinance.

   C.   Materials Used: Living landscape materials used shall be healthy, hardy and drought resistant; be suitable for the climate and environmental influences on the site, such as exposure to sun, wind, water, heat, automobile exhaust fumes and road salt; be compatible with the slope of the site, existing vegetation to be preserved and utilities above or below ground level. Where appropriate, landscape materials shall be protected from damage from pedestrian or vehicular traffic by tree grates, pavers or other measures. Proposed plant materials shall be compatible with Zone 5 conditions as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Hardiness Zone Designations.

   D.   When Curbing Required: All “parking island strips” and “parking screening strips” shall be separated on all sides from the parking surface by curbing. The Zoning Administrator has the ability to waive curbing requirements if a development is incorporating best management practices for stormwater drainage and green infrastructure.

(Ord. 86-382, 12-22-1986; amd. Ord. 20-20, 5-4-2020)

All living landscaping materials shall be installed in conformance with the most current procedures established by the American Association of Nurserymen.

(Ord. 86-382, 12-22-1986; amd. Ord. 20-20, 5-4-2020)

   A.   Responsibility; Replacement: The owner, occupant, tenant and the respective agent of each, if any, shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of all landscaping and screening so as to preserve at least the same quantity and quality as the remainder of the existing material on site. If a mature tree is lost, a replacement tree of at least one-fourth inch (1/4") per one inch (1") of caliper lost, but shall not be less than a four inch (4") minimum. For example, a twenty inch (20") tree requires a replacement by a five inch (5") caliper tree.

   B.   Maintenance; Guarantee: All living and nonliving landscaping, including fences, walls and ornamental lighting, shall be maintained in a good condition at all times, so as to present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance and shall be kept free from refuse and debris. Any dead vegetation shall be promptly replaced with healthy living plantings. The developer shall provide to the City a two (2) year guarantee on all landscape materials in the form of a letter of credit.

(Ord. 86-382, 12-22-1986; amd. Ord. 20-20, 5-4-2020)

Certain conditional uses may be required to provide landscaping or screening that exceeds the requirements of this chapter. Special screening requirements for surface mining operations shall be as provided in the surface mining provisions, chapter 18 of this title.

(Ord. 86-382, 12-22-1986; amd. Ord. 20-20, 5-4-2020)

This list is not an exhaustive list of all plant materials that will be allowed in the City. A registered landscape architect may propose additional species to staff as long as they detail the plant’s specific properties. This list is broken out into three (3) sections; recommended species, approved species and undesirable species. The recommended species were selected to be used in areas along roadways or detention areas because they are salt tolerant and root friendly. The approved species were selected because they are native plants which grow well in the Illinois climate and may also be salt tolerant. The undesirable species are listed because they have problems such as spines, or are an invasive species.

   A.   Recommended Street Trees:

   TABLE 8

   RECOMMENDED STREET TREES

 

Please see the Subdivision Control and Development Ordinance for planting and additional street tree requirements.

   B.   Tree Species Approved For Planting On Private Property Within The Boundary Of The City of McHenry:

   TABLE 9

   TREES SPECIES APPROVED FOR PLATING N PRIVATE PROPERTY

      Acer ginnala (Amur Maple)

      Acer griseum (Paperbank Maple)

      Acer platanoides (Norway Maple)

      Aesculus glabra (Ohio Buckeye)

      Aesculus Hippocastenum (Common Horsechestnut)

      Alnus glutinosa (European Black Alder)

      Betula nigra (Riverbirch)

      Betula platyphylla ‘whitespire’ (Whitespire Birch)

      Carpus caroliniana (American Hornbeam)

      Carya cordiformis (Bitternut Hickory)

      Carya ovate (Shagbark Hickory)

      Catalpa speciosa (Catalpa)

      Cornus alterni folia (Pagoda Dogwood)

      Juglous nigra (Black Walnut)

      Juniperus virginiana

      Larix decidas (European Larch)

      Larix lariocina (American Larch)

      Liquidambar styraciflua (Sweetgum)

      Liriodendram tulipifera (Tulip Tree)

      Magnolia acuminate (Cucumber Tree Magnolia)

      Magnolia stellata (Star Magnolia)

      Magnolia x soulangiana (Saucer Magnolia)

      Malus supp. (Flowering Crabs)

      Metasequoia glyptostroboides (Dawn Redwood)

      Morus rubra (Red Mulberry)

      Nyssa sylvatica (Black Tupelo)

      Picea ables (Norway Spruce)

      Picea glance (White Spruce)

      Piceu glance densata (Black Hills Spruce)

      Pinus cembra (Swiss Stone Pine)

      Pinus strobes (Eastern White Pine)

      Platanus cerifolia (London Planetree)

      Pseudosuga menziesli (Douglas Fir)

      Pyrus calleryana (Callery Pear)

      Quercus acutissima (Sawtooth Oak)

      Quercus alba (White Oak)

      Quercus bicolor (Swamp White Oak)

      Quercus coccinea (Scarlet Oak)

      Quercus imbricario (Shingle Pear)

      Quercus macrocarpa (Burr Oak)

      Quercus muehlengergii (Chinkapin Oak)

      Quercus prinus (Chestnut Oak)

      Quercus robur (English Oak)

      Quercus rubra (Rec Oak)

      Querus velutina (Black Oak)

      Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress)

      Thuja occidentalis (White Cedar)

      Tilia Americana (Basswood)

      Zelkova serrata (Japanese Zeklova)

   C.   Approved Recommended Shrubs:

   TABLE 10

   RECOMMENDED SHRUBS

 

   D.   Approved Plants And Grasses:

   TABLE 11

   APPROVED PLANTS AND GRASSES

Awl-Fruited Sedge (Carex Stipata)

Bebb’s Sedge (Carex Bebbii)

Big Bluestem (Andropogon Gerardii)

Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia Hirta or Goldstrum)

Blue False Indigo (Baptisia Australis)

Bluejoint Reedgrass (Calamagrostis)

Blunt Spikerush (Eleocharis Obtusa)

Bottlebrush Grass (Hystrix Patula)

Bottlebrush Sedge (Carex Comosa)

Buffalograss (Buchlow Dactyloides)

Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)

Canada Wildrye (Elymus Canadensis)

Common Bur Sedge (Carex Grayii)

Common burred (Sparganium Eurycarpum)

Common Wood Reed (Cinna Arundinacea)

Common Wood Sedge (Carex Blanda)

Cream False Indigo (Babtisa Bracteata)

Creeping Spikerush (Eleocharis Smallii)

Crested Sedge (Carex Cristatella)

Curly-Styled Wood Sedge (Carex Rosea)

Dark Green Rush (Scirpus Atrovirens)

Dark Scaled Sedge (Carex Buxbaumii)

Fowl Managrass (Glyceris Striata)

Fox Sedge (Carex Vulpinoidea)

Groundnut (Apios Americana)

Hardstem Bubrush (Scirpus Acutus)

Heartleaf Golden Alexander (Zizia Aurea)

Heath (Aster Ericoides)

Hoary Vervain (Verbena Stricta)

Hop Sedge (Carex Lupulina)

Indiangrass (Sorghastrum Nutans)

Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa Pratensis)

Lake Sedge (Carex Lacustris)

Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis Lanceloata)

Little Blue Stem (Schizachyrium Scoparium)

Little Bluestem (Andropogon Scoparius)

Marsh Spikerush (Eleocharis Palustris)

Penn’s Sedge (Carex Pensylvanica)

Periwinkle (Vinca Minor)

Porcupine Grass (Stipa Spartea)

Porcupine Sedge (Carex Hystericina)

Prairie Brome (Bromus Kalmii)

Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina Pectinata)

Prairie Dropseed (sporobolus Heterolepis)

Prairie Hunegrass (Loeleria Cristata)

Prairie Smoke (Geum Triflorum)

Prairie Switchgrass (Panicum Virgatum)

Purple Coneflower (Echincea Purpurea)

Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea Purpurea)

Red-Rooted Spikerush (Eleocharis Calva)

Rice Cutgrass (Leersia Orysoides)

River Bulrush (Scirpus Fluviatilis)

Riverbank Grape (Vitis Riparia)

Rough Blazing Star (Liatris Aspera)

Showy Goldenrod (Solidago Speciosa)

Showy Penstemon/Beardtongue (Penstemen Grandiflorus)

Sideouts Grama Grass (Boutelous Curtipendula)

Silky Wildrye (Elymus Villosus)

Sky Blue (Aster Asureus)

Slender Spikerush (Eleocharis Acicularis)

Slender Wedge Grass (Sphenopholis Intermedia)

Slender Wheatgrass (Agropyron Trachycaulum)

Smooth (Aster Laevis)

Soft Rush (Juncus Effusus)

Softstem Bulrush (Scirpus Validus)

Stiff Goldenrod (Solidago Rigida)

Streambank Rye (Elymus Riparius)

Sweet Glag (Acorus Calamus)

Three-Square Bulrush (Scirpus Americanus)

Torrey’s Rush (Juncus Torreyi)

Tussock Sedge (Carex Stricta)

Virgin’s Bower (Clematis Virginiana)

Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus Quinquefolia)

Virginia Wildrye (Elymus Virginicus)

Wild Columbine (Aquilegia Candensis)

Woodland Brome (Bromus Pubescens)

Woodland Lily (Lillium)

Woolgrass (Scirpus Cyperinus)

   E.   Undesirable Trees And Plants:

   TABLE 12

   UNDESIRABLE TREES AND PLANTS

Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera Maackii)

Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus Unbellata)

Bird’s-Foot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatas)

Bittersweet (Solanum Dulcamara)

Black Locust (Robinia Pseudo-Acacia)

Bull Thistle (Cirsium Vulgare)

Canada Thistle (Cirsium Arvense)

Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria Sinensis)

Chinese Yam (Dioscorea Batatas)

Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus Cathartica)

Common Privet (Ligustrum Vulgare)

Common Reed (Phragmites Australis)

Common Teasel (Dipsaucus Sylvestris)

Creeping Charlie (Glechoma Hederacea)

Crown Vetch (Coronilla Caria)

Cut-Leafed Teasel (Dipsacus Laciniatus)

Dame’s Rocket (Hesperis Matrionalis)

English Ivy (Hedera Helix)

Eulalia, Japanese Grass (Microstegium Vimineum)

Eurasian Water Milfoil (Myriophyllum Spicatum)

European Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum Opulus)

Garlic Mustard (Alliaria Pertiolata)

Hybrid Honeysuckle (Lonicera X Bella)

Japanese Honeysuckle (lonicera Japonica)

Japanese Knotwood (Polygonum Cuspidatum)

Johnson Grass (Sorghum Halepense)

Kudzu (Pueraria Lobata)

Leafy Spurge (Wuphorbia Esula)

Mimosa (Albizzia Julibrissin)

Moneywort (Lysimachia Nummularia)

Morrow’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera Morrowii)

Multiflora Rose (Rosa Multiflora)

Nodding Musk Thistle (Carduus Nutans)

Oriental Bittersweet (Celastrus Orbiculantus)

Parsnip (Pastinaca Sativa)

Princess Tree (Paulownia Tomentosa)

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria)

Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris Arundinacea)

Rose-of-Sharon (Hibiscus Syriacus)

Sandbar Willow (Salix Interior)

Sawtooth Oak (Quercus Acutissima)

Sericea Lespedeza (Lespedeza Cuneata)

Siberian Elm (Ulmus Pumila)

Smooth Brome Grass (Bromus Inermis)

Smooth Buckthorn (Rhamnus Frangula)

Tall fescue (Festuca Arundinacea)

Tatarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera Tatarica)

Tree of Heaven (Alianthus Altissima)

Wayfaring Tree (Viburnum Lantana)

White Mulberry (Morus Alba)

White Poplar (Populus Alba)

White Sweet Clover (Melilotus Alba)

Yellow Sweet Clover (Melilotus Officinalis)

This planting list was compiled using information from the Conservation Foundation, McHenry County Conservation District, the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Greenway Project, and the University of Minnesota, salt tolerant plant study.

(Ord. 08-960; amd. Ord. 20-20, 5-4-2020)