The landscaping and screening requirements established herein are intended to preserve and enhance the appearance, public health, safety, comfort, convenience and general welfare of the village by fostering an aesthetically pleasing development. The regulations are intended to increase the compatibility of adjacent uses, and minimize the adverse impact of noise, dust, motor vehicle headlight glare or other artificial light intrusions, and other objectionable activities or impacts conducted on, or created by, adjoining or neighboring uses. (Ord. 1650, 10-10-2007, eff. 10-15-2007)

   (A)   Landscape Plan Required: A detailed landscape plan shall be submitted to the village and approved prior to the issuance of building permits.

   (B)   Content Of Landscape Plan:

      1.   The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures, property lines, easements, parking lots and drives, roadways and rights of way, sidewalks, ground signs, refuse disposal and recycling areas, sidewalks, bicycle paths and parking facilities, fences, electrical equipment, recreational facilities, drainage facilities, and other freestanding structures, as determined necessary by the superintendent of buildings.

      2.   The location, quantity, size and name, both botanical and common, of all existing plant materials, including trees and other material in the right of way, and indicating plant material to be retained and removed.

      3.   The location, quantity, size and name, both botanical and common, of all proposed plant material including, but not limited to, shade trees, shrubs, ground cover, annuals/perennials and turf.

      4.   The existing and proposed grading of the site indicating contours at two foot (2') intervals. Proposed berming shall be indicated using one foot (1') contour intervals.

      5.   Elevations of all fences and retaining walls proposed for location on the site.

      6.   Elevations, cross sections and other details, as determined necessary by the superintendent of buildings. (Ord. 1650, 10-10-2007, eff. 10-15-2007)

   (A)   Selection: All planting materials used shall be of good quality and of a species capable to withstand the climate extremes of northeastern Illinois, as well as the individual site microclimates. Size and density of plant material, both at the time of planting and at maturity, are additional criteria that shall be considered when selecting plant material. The use of drought tolerant and salt tolerant plant material is preferred.

   (B)   Installation: All plant materials shall be free of disease and shall be installed in a fashion that ensures the availability of sufficient soil and water to sustain healthy growth. For new construction in residential districts, front and corner side yard lawn areas shall be planted with sod and interior side and rear yards may be seeded prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.

   (C)   Maintenance:

      1.   All landscaping materials shall be maintained in good condition to present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance. Landscaped areas shall be kept free of refuse and debris. Plant material not in this condition shall be replaced when necessary. Fences and barriers shall be maintained in good repair. The owner of the premises shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of all landscape materials, fences, barriers and refuse disposal areas. Irrigation systems, if needed, shall be maintained in good operating condition to promote the health of the plant material and the conservation of water.

      2.   The owner of the premises and any leasee shall be jointly and severally responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of all landscape materials, fences and barriers. Irrigations, where required, shall be maintained in good operating condition to promote the health of the plant material. Violation of this chapter shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of section 11-2-21, "Enforcement And Penalties", of this title. (Ord. 1650, 10-10-2007, eff. 10-15-2007)

Landscape plans described above shall be prepared, evaluated and approved based on the following design criteria:

   (A)   Scale And Nature Of Landscaping Material: The scale and nature of landscaping materials shall be appropriate to the size of the structures. Large scale buildings, for example, should generally be complemented by large scale plants.

   (B)   Selection Of Plant Material: Plant material shall be selected for its form, texture, color, pattern of growth and suitability to local conditions.

   (C)   Shade Trees: All shade trees shall have a minimum trunk size of two and one-half inches (21/2") in caliper, unless otherwise specified.

   (D)   Evergreen Trees: Evergreens trees shall have a minimum height of six feet (6') when year round screening and buffering is required.

   (E)   Shrubs: All deciduous and evergreen shrubs shall have minimum height of twenty four inches (24") at planting, unless otherwise specified.

   (F)   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.

   (G)   Planting Beds: Planting beds should be mulched with bark chips, feather rocks or similar materials. Mulch or lava stones used in landscaping shall be subordinate to and not a substitute for plant material. When used, the material must be compatible and appropriate.

   (H)   Detention/Retention Basins And Ponds: Detention/retention basins and ponds shall be landscaped. Such landscaping should include shade and ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubbery, hedges, turf, ground cover and/or other plant materials. Where appropriate, wetland plants may be utilized for these areas.

   (I)   Irrigation: Landscape design pursuant to the requirements of this chapter must recognize the need for irrigation and water conservation. Sprinkler irrigation systems may be required for certain landscape areas, however, all irrigation systems shall be designed to minimize the use of water.

   (J)   Domestic Turf Grasses: Domestic turf grasses should be used in areas with little or no slope to prevent the runoff of irrigation water.

   (K)   Energy Conservation: Plant material placement should be designed to reduce the energy consumption needs of the development.

      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 and west sides of buildings to dissipate the effect of winter winds.

   (L)   Preservation Of Existing Plant Material: Existing plant material should be incorporated into the landscape treatment of a site. Effort should be made to preserve and protect existing trees with trunk diameters in excess of twelve inches (12"). Construction equipment and personnel should be kept away from such trees and their root systems by the installation of fencing at the drip line of trees.

   (M)   Berming: Earthen berms and existing topographic features should be incorporated into the landscape treatment of a site where there is sufficient space and particularly when combined with plant material to facilitate screening. (Ord. 1650, 10-10-2007, eff. 10-15-2007)

   (A)   Turf Required: All yards within the village shall be landscaped primarily with turf or other acceptable plant materials. Paving of yards is prohibited unless approved by the superintendent of buildings.

   (B)   Required Trees: Shade trees (a minimum trunk size of 21/2 inches in caliper) shall be provided for all yards on multiple- family residential and nonresidential lots at a rate of one tree for every two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet of yard. (Ord. 1650, 10-10-2007, eff. 10-15-2007)

The following requirements shall apply to the ground areas within the public right of way that are not covered by pavement or sidewalks. All parkways shall be landscaped in conformance with the provisions of this title and with the approval of the superintendent of public works. This shall involve improving the ground surface of the parkway with turf or other plant material, including parkway trees, shrubs or hard surface treatments where permitted.

   (A)   Parkway Trees:

      1.   Quantity And Spacing: Parkway trees shall be provided at the equivalent of one tree for every forty (40) linear feet in the right of way adjacent to the parcel. Where appropriate, parkway trees may be clustered or spaced linearly in the right of way as determined by the superintendent of public works.

      2.   Species: A variety of compatible species should be included in the planting plan for a specific site or development. The selecting of tree species shall be reviewed and approved by the superintendent of public works with particular regard for site appropriate species.

   (B)   Other Landscape Materials: No plant material or barrier, except as specified herein, may be located in a dedicated public right of way, without the approval of the superintendent of public works. The remainder of the ground surface area within the parkway shall be planted with turf, with the exception that driveways and walkways may be permitted in all parkways. Materials prohibited in parkways, unless approved by the superintendent of public works, include brick pavers, gravel, asphalt, ground cover and shrubs exceeding eighteen inches (18") in height at maturity, and concrete, except in conjunction with driveways and walkways. (Ord. 1650, 10-10-2007, eff. 10-15-2007)

All parking lots designed for ten (10) or more parking spaces shall provide landscaping in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Parking lots designed for three (3) to nine (9) cars shall only be subject to the parking lot screening requirements from adjacent residential properties. Motor vehicle sales and leasing establishments with outdoor display are not subject to these requirements.

For existing parking lots that currently do not contain the required parking lot landscaping, the required landscaping shall be provided when the parking lot is expanded or when a building addition or exterior remodeling of a building is proposed, unless waived by the zoning board of appeals. Resealing of and repairs to an existing parking lot that do not entail paving or resurfacing by replacement of the asphalt or concrete shall not be subject to this requirement.

   (A)   Interior Parking Lot Landscaping:

      1.   Parking Lot Island Required: In rows of parking spaces, one parking lot island shall be provided for every eight (8) parking spaces. Double rows of parking shall provide islands that extend the entire width of the double row.

      2.   Landscaped Areas: The landscaped areas defined above shall be improved as follows:

         (a)   Location: Interior parking lot landscaped areas (planting islands at least 6 inches above the surface of the parking lot and protected with concrete curbing) shall be dispersed throughout the parking lot in a design and configuration that aesthetically corresponds to the size and shape of the parking lot. Generally, islands should be located at the ends of rows and evenly dispersed in the interior of rows of parking.

         (b)   Size: Interior parking lot landscaped areas shall be a minimum of one hundred twenty (120) square feet in area and shall be a minimum of eight feet (8') in width, as measured from back of curb to back of curb.

         (c)   Type Of Landscape Material: The primary plant materials used in parking lots shall be a tree species approved by the superintendent of public works. Shrubbery, hedges and other plant materials may be used to supplement the tree plantings, but shall not be the sole contribution to such landscaping.

         (d)   Quantity Of Landscape Material: A minimum of one shade tree shall be provided for every one hundred twenty (120) square feet of interior parking lot landscaped area.

         (e)   Ground Cover: A minimum of fifty percent (50%) of every parking lot island shall be planted with an approved ground cover in the appropriate density to achieve complete cover within two (2) years.

   (B)   Perimeter Parking Lot Landscaping: Perimeter parking lot landscaping is to provide for the enhancement and screening of parking lots by requiring a uniform scheme of landscaping along public streets and between uses.

      1.   Applicability: Perimeter landscaping is required for parking lots with ten (10) or more spaces, and shall be established along the corresponding edge of the parking lot in conformance with the provisions of this chapter.

      2.   Landscape Area: Where perimeter landscaping is required, it shall be at least ten feet (10') in width, as measured from the back of curb, and excluding any parking space overhang area.

      3.   Required Improvements: The following landscape improvements shall be provided within the perimeter landscape area:

         (a)   Trees: One tree for every forty feet (40') of yard length. Trees may be clustered based on specific site requirements.

         (b)   Shrubs: One shrub, measuring a minimum of twenty four inches (24") in height at planting and not to exceed four feet (4') in height at maturity, for every three feet (3') of yard length, clustered or spaced linearly as approved by the village. The landscape treatment shall run the full length of the yard when abutting a residential use or the public right of way, and fifty percent (50%) of the yard when abutting a nonresidential use. The number of shrubs may be reduced or combined with a berm or low pedestrian wall, the height of which provides effective screening to a maximum height of four feet (4').

         (c)   Ground Cover: Landscaped areas outside of shrub and tree masses shall be planted in turf or other live ground cover.

      4.   Site Size: Where site size is a constraint, the superintendent of public works may approve alternate location for plantings and/or waive requirements. (Ord. 1650, 10-10-2007, eff. 10-15-2007)

The regulations of this section shall establish the dimensions and improvement requirements of landscape buffers as required for transitions between uses.

Landscape buffers shall be reserved for the planting of material and installation of fencing, as required within this section. No parking, driveways, sidewalks, accessory buildings or other impervious surfaces shall be permitted within the buffer area. Landscape buffers may be located within required yards. Where both landscape buffers and parking lot landscaping is required, the more restrictive shall apply. The village shall have the discretion to require additional landscape material, where necessary, to minimize adverse impacts to adjacent property and maximize screening.

In some instances, a buffer may not be required. These include, but are not limited to, instances where: a) the rear wall of a commercial building is located on the rear property line; b) where an alley is located between a commercial property that abuts a residential property; or c) where a residential property abuts a residential property and the buffer requirements, as written, would mandate two (2) fences. Where it proves excessively difficult to meet the landscape buffer requirements of this section and this title, the site plan review committee may approve alternative approaches, but may not waive requirements. A complete waiver of buffer requirements is subject to the discretion of the village board upon recommendation of the zoning board of appeals.

The minimum size and improvement of landscape buffers for various situations shall be as follows:

   (A)   R-3, R-4, R-5 And B-1 District: Where an R-3, R-4, R-5 or B-1 district abuts an R-1 or R-2 district, a landscape buffer a minimum of five feet (5') in width, a solid opaque masonry fence or wall six feet (6') in height, a berm and/or combination thereof shall be provided unless an alley separates the districts. Within the required landscape buffer, the following improvements shall be provided:

      1.   Shade trees, a minimum of two and one-half inches (21/2") in caliper, shall be planted on an average of one tree for every thirty feet (30') of the yard length.

      2.   A solid opaque masonry fence or wall six feet (6') in height shall be erected along one hundred percent (100%) of the yard length.

      3.   Areas not planted with trees shall be maintained as turf or other ground cover. If required by the village, this buffer shall be supplemented with shrubs.

   (B)   B-2, B-3, Or O/I District: Where a lot in the B-2, B-3 or O/I district directly abuts any residential district, except in areas where the districts are separated by an alley, a row of parking with a landscape buffer a minimum of eight feet (8') in width shall be provided. The exception is that in the B-2 district, the buffer requirement may be reduced when the site lacks sufficient space to provide the full buffer, as determined by the site plan review committee if a permitted use, and village board if a special use or planned unit development. Within the required landscape buffer, one, or a combination of the following improvements shall be provided:

      1.   A mix of shade trees, a minimum of two and one-half inches (21/2") in caliper, and evergreen trees, a minimum of eight feet (8') in height, shall be planted on an average of one (1) tree for every twenty feet (20') of the yard length.

      2.   A solid opaque masonry fence or wall six feet (6') to eight feet (8') in height shall be erected along one hundred percent (100%) of the yard length. A berm, planted with the above required plant material may be substituted for the screen fence or wall, where approved by the village.

      3.   Areas not planted with trees shall be maintained as turf or other ground cover. If required by the village, this buffer shall be supplemented with shrubs.

   (C)   Nonresidential Uses In Residence Districts: Where a nonresidential use within a residential district directly abuts a residential property, a landscaped yard a minimum of five feet (5') in width shall be provided. The buffer and/or screening requirement may also be waived where the zoning board of appeals determines that screening along a property line that abuts an alley may create a hazardous condition or poor visibility. Within the landscape buffer required, the following improvements shall be provided:

      1.   Shade trees, a minimum of two and one-half inches (21/2") in caliper, shall be planted on an average of one tree for every thirty feet (30') of the yard length.

      2.   A solid opaque screen fence or wall six feet (6') to eight feet (8') in height shall be erected along one hundred percent (100%) of the yard length.

      3.   Areas not planted with trees shall be maintained as turf or other ground cover. If required by the village, this buffer shall be supplemented with shrubs. (Ord. 1650, 10-10-2007, eff. 10-15-2007)

Refuse disposal dumpsters in all zoning districts shall not be visible from roadway rights of way. If visible from roadway rights of way, such dumpsters shall be screened on three (3) sides by a solid wood fence or masonry wall to a height of not less than six feet (6') but no more than eight feet (8'). Slatted chainlink fences are prohibited. Where required, the dumpster enclosure shall be gated, and situated on a concrete apron that extends a minimum of six feet (6') beyond the opening of the enclosure so as to support the weight of the waste disposal vehicle during unloading. Refuse shall not be permitted to accumulate such that it is visible above the height of the enclosure. (Ord. 1650, 10-10-2007, eff. 10-15-2007)

Loading berths in all zoning districts shall be screened as much as possible while still allowing access to the use it is serving, unless such screening is determined unnecessary by the site plan review committee for a permitted use, or village board for a special use or planned unit development. Such screening shall consist of a solid wood fence or masonry screen wall to a height of not less than six feet (6') or a continuous evergreen or dense deciduous shrub hedge, or a combination of the two (2). Slatted chainlink fences are prohibited. (Ord. 1650, 10-10-2007, eff. 10-15-2007)

   (A)   All business, operations or processing, except for off street parking and off street loading, shall be conducted within completely enclosed buildings. All storage within twenty five feet (25') of a residential district boundary, except of motor vehicles in operable condition, shall be within completely enclosed buildings.

   (B)   All outdoor storage areas adjacent to a residential or business district shall be screened therefrom by a wall, fence or continuous evergreen or dense deciduous shrub hedge a minimum of six feet (6') in height. In addition, outdoor storage areas shall be screened by a wall, fence or dense hedge six feet (6') in height from the public right of way. Slatted chainlink fences are prohibited. (Ord. 1650, 10-10-2007, eff. 10-15-2007)

Any change to an approved landscape plan shall only be authorized by the superintendent of public works, provided the alternative plan meets the intent of this title. Landscape improvements made to a lot that are not in conformance with an approved landscape plan shall be a violation of this title. The superintendent of public works shall recommend landscape plans that do not fully comply with this chapter, only upon hardship shown by applicant, to the village board, which must approve such landscape plan. (Ord. 1650, 10-10-2007, eff. 10-15-2007)