This article is intended to reduce the negative impacts between zoning districts through requiring buffer landscape and screening, and to provide for landscaping within parking lots to assist in traffic circulation, provide shade, and enhance the environment. It is further intended to preserve and enhance the aesthetic qualities, character, privacy, and land values of property within the City of Montrose. The standards contained herein are considered minimums and not intended to interfere with landscape design flexibility and/or innovative landscape designs meeting the purpose of this article.

The requirements set forth in this section shall apply to all use districts except SF1 and SF2, which are developed or expanded following the effective date of this ordinance. No site plan shall be approved unless said site plan shows landscaping consistent with the provisions of this article. Where landscaping is required, a building permit shall not be issued until the required landscape plan is submitted and approved, and a certificate of occupancy shall not be issued unless provisions set forth in this section have been met.

In cases where the use of an existing building changes or an existing building is changed or otherwise altered or reoccupied, all of the standards set forth herein shall be met.

All portions of a lot or parcel area not covered by buildings, paving, or other impervious surfaces shall be landscaped with vegetative ground cover and other ornamental materials as required below, except where specific landscape elements such as greenbelts, berms, or screening are required.

1.

All portions of the landscaped area shall be planted with grass, ground cover, shrubbery, or other suitable plant material, except that paved patios, terraces, sidewalks, and similarly site features may be incorporated with planning commission [now planning board—see Charter § 5-201] approval.

2.

A mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees shall be planted at the rate of one tree per 3,000 square feet or portion of landscaped open space area.

3.

Required trees and shrubs may be planted at uniform intervals, at random, or in groupings.

4.

Existing vegetation may be used to satisfy the requirements of this section provided they are marked "to remain" on the site plan and are protected during construction. Any tree marked "to remain" that is destroyed, must be replaced with tress that meet ordinance requirements.

(Ord. No. 308, § 4, 5-13-1997)

[A.]

Minimum plant material standards.

1.

All plant material shall be hardy to the county, be free of disease and insects, and conform to the American Standard for Nursery Stock of the American Association of Nurserymen. The overall landscape plan shall not contain more than 33 percent of any one plant species.

2.

All plant material shall be installed in such a manner so as not to alter drainage patterns on site or to adjacent properties, or obstruct vision or safety of ingress or egress.

3.

All plant material shall be planted in a manner so as to not cause damage to utility lines (above and below ground) and public roadways.

4.

Minimum plant sizes at time of installation (caliper measured six inches above grade level):

5.

The majority of the installed plant material shall achieve its horizontal and vertical screening affect within four years of initial installation, or be replaced at the direction of the zoning administrator.

6.

Areas which are intended to be landscaped shall be provided with a minimum topsoil depth of 1½ inches.

7.

The following trees are not permitted as they split easily; their wood is brittle and breaks easily; their roots clog drains and sewers; and they are unusually susceptible to disease or insect pests:

[B.]

Landscaping a parking lot. See section 13.8.

[C.]

Screening of dumpsters. See section 15.10.