(A)   This applies to multi-family other than duplexes on individual lots, commercial, industrial and public land uses. Additionally, this section applies to any off-street paved parking areas in any residential zoning district which exceeds 6 parking spaces. Parking decks are excluded from this section.

   (B)   For the purposes of this subchapter, a parking space shall be defined as a location (delineated by painted lines, signage, wheel stops, curbing, landscaping, sidewalks or buildings ) within a paved area for the expressed purpose of parking a motor vehicle . Parking area shall be defined as a lot used exclusively for parking motor vehicles and the required aisles needed to facilitate ingress and egress parking area. Parking area shall also include loading zones, merchandise display areas and driveways.

   (C)   A landscape or site plan must be submitted for all new parking areas at the time of application for a zoning compliance permit . At minimum, the landscape or site plan shall contain the following information.

      (1)   Existing and proposed landscaping, including but not limited to,

         (a)   The location, species, and height of new trees and shrubbery;

         (b)   The location and dimensions of planting areas;

         (c)   The dimensions of the entire parking or paved area;

         (d)   The location and height of fences, walls or earth berms;

         (e)   The location and height of earth berms;

      (2)   The number, location, species and size of existing trees between the principal building and the public street right-of-way which are to be maintained and preserved for credit.

      (3)   The location and description of any barriers to be erected to protect any vegetation from damage both during and after construction.

(Ord. passed 3-1-2004; Am. Ord. 00016, passed 7-29-2004; Am. Ord. passed 10-13-2005; Am. Ord. 00038, passed 11-21-2006; Am. Ord. 2018- 01, passed 1-12-2018; Am. Ord. 2021-06, passed 4-22-2021)

(Ord. passed 3-1-2004; Am. Ord. 00016, passed 7-29-2004; Am. Ord. passed 10-13-2005; Am. Ord. 00038, passed 11-21-2006; Am. Ord. 2021-06, passed 4-22-2021)

   (A)   Street and perimeter planting beds shall be at least 10 feet in width and shall be provided for all commercial or industrial uses that are visible from the public right-of-way.

      (1)   Plantings within this area shall include trees and vegetative ground cover.

      (2)   Earth berms may be used in addition to, but not instead of plantings. Earth berms should have a minimum of 4 feet at its highest point. Walls constructed of similar material as the principal building and not exceeding 3 feet in height may also be used; however, they may not be used instead of plantings.

      (3)   Planting areas shall be protected from vehicular encroachment by curbing or wheel stops at least 4 inches in height.

   (B)   One large shade tree (expected height of 15 feet at maturity) is required for every 40 feet of linear street frontage of the lot minus the width of driveways and access points.

      (1)   Required street trees shall be placed 30 feet apart at minimum or 50 feet at maximum.

Example: If a lot has street frontage of 150 feet on Hwy 280 and a proposed driveway is a total 30 feet in width, the developer will be required to plant 3 trees in the perimeter planting bed.

      (2)   Inclusion of existing trees in the landscape design is encouraged.

   (C)   Shrubbery, ground cover, and other planting materials shall be used to complement the tree planting.

      (1)   No area in the perimeter planting area may be exposed soil, but instead shall be covered with vegetation, whether grass, mulch or shrubbery. The only area which shall remain uncovered is the 6 foot radius surrounding the trunk of any tree; however, it is recommended that this area be mulched.

      (2)   Within the perimeter planting bed, shrubs shall be planted at a minimum rate of three (3) per every 100 square feet.

      Example: If a perimeter planting bed has a total square footage of 950 square feet, then the developer is required to plant 28 shrubs within the planting bed.

      (3)   Shrubs shall be a minimum of 18 inches in height at planting and reach a minimum height of 36 inches in three (3) years . No more than 50% may be deciduous.

      (4)   At the discretion of the Zoning Administrator , the requirement for street trees may be waived if the applicant submits detailed plans which show a suitable vegetation screen will surround the perimeter of the property adjacent to public rights-of-way. An example of a suitable vegetative screen would be an appropriate combination of earth berms and evergreen hedges.

(Ord. passed 3-1-2004; Am. Ord. 00016, passed 7-29-2004; Am. Ord. passed 10-13-2005; Am. Ord. 00038, passed 11-21-2006; Am. Ord. 2018-01, passed 1-12-2018; Am. Ord. 2021-06, passed 4-22-2021)

   All parking areas (not including parking decks) shall provide and maintain landscaped planting areas within the interior of or adjacent to the parking area or both, which planting areas shall exclude and be in addition to the street or perimeter planting beds.

   (A)   Landscaped planting areas are to be located within or adjacent to the parking area as tree islands, at the end of parking bays, inside medians, or between rows of cars. Planting areas shall be protected from vehicular encroachment by curbing or wheel stops at least four (4) inches in height.

   (B)   There shall be one (1) large shade tree for every 10 parking spaces. There shall be one (1) large shade tree for any additional 1,500 square feet of driveway or loading area.

   (C)   There shall be 6 shrubs for every 10 parking spaces. There shall be two (2) shrubs for every 500 square feet of additional area of driveway or loading area. Shrubs must be 18 inches tall at planting and reach a minimum height of 36 inches in 3 years . No more than 50% may be deciduous.

   (D)   All trees and shrubs are to be planted within a landscaped planting area not less than 175 square feet in area.

(Ord. passed 3-1-2004; Am. Ord. 00016, passed 7-29-2004; Am. Ord. passed 10-13-2005; Am. Ord. 00038, passed 11-21-2006; Am. Ord. 2018-01, passed 1-12-2018; Am. Ord. 2021-06, passed 4-22-2021)

   Employee and customer parking areas and the driveway(s) which serve these areas, unless located on or within a structure , shall be separated from the exterior wall of a structure by a paved pedestrian walkway or a landscaped strip at least 5 feet in width. The landscaping may consist of small trees, a variety of shrubs or ground cover appropriate to the area. The Zoning Administrator must approve the planting plans.

(Ord. passed 3-1-2004; Am. Ord. 00016, passed 7-29-2004; Am. Ord. passed 10-13-2005; Am. Ord. 00038, passed 11-21-2006)

   Modifications to these standards may be granted in writing by the Zoning Administrator if the Administrator finds any of the following circumstances exist on the proposed building site, or surrounding properties :

   (A)   Natural land characteristics such as topography or existing vegetation on the proposed building site would achieve the same intent of this section.

   (B)   Innovative landscaping or architectural design is employed on the building site to achieve an equivalent screening or buffering effect.

   (C)   The required screening and landscaping would be ineffective at maturity due to the proposed topography of the site, and or the location of the improvements on the site.

   (D)   The topography of adjacent and surrounding sites is such as to render required screening ineffective at maturity.

   (E)   If, in the opinion of the Zoning Administrator , the landscaping or screening required will interfere with traffic safety.

(Ord. passed 3-1-2004; Am. Ord. 00016, passed 7-29-2004; Am. Ord. passed 10-13-2005; Am. Ord. 00038, passed 11-21-2006)

   Nonconforming parking lots existing at the time of the adoption of this amendment shall be required to comply with this amendment at the time the parking area is increased to a total area greater than 30,000 square feet.

(Ord. passed 3-1-2004; Am. Ord. 00016, passed 7-29-2004; Am. Ord. passed 10-13-2005; Am. Ord. 00038, passed 11-21-2006)

   (A)   Landscaping shall not be installed or retained in any location which constitutes a hazard or infringement to the public health, safety and welfare. Landscaping shall not obstruct the view of motorists using any street , private driveway, parking aisles or the approach to any street intersection.

   (B)   Whenever any planting areas required by this section are adjacent to parking or vehicular circulation areas, the planting areas shall be protected from vehicular intrusion or damage from excessive vehicle fuels.

   (C)   All landscaped planting areas shall be stabilized from soil erosion immediately upon planting and shall be maintained for the duration of the premises.

   (D)   The propertyowner is responsible for maintaining all required plant material in good health. Any dead, unhealthy or missing plants must be removed which conforms with the initial planting standards of this section within 1 planting season.

(Ord. passed 3-1-2004; Am. Ord. 00016, passed 7-29-2004; Am. Ord. passed 10-13-2005; Am. Ord. 00038, passed 11-21-2006)