The purpose of this chapter is to indicate the minimum landscape, open space and water conservation requirements for all new residential and nonresidential development commenced after the effective date hereof. These provisions do not apply to single- family, duplex dwelling units existing at the time of adoption hereof or the downtown, C-2 district. These standards are established in order to:

   A.   Enhance the visual attractiveness of the city for the enjoyment of residents and visitors;

   B.   Promote community pride;

   C.   Safeguard property values and protect public and private investments;

   D.   Promote high quality development;

   E.   Clarify processes and requirements for water efficient landscape development within the city;

   F.   Improve the livability of residential neighborhoods;

   G.   Protect and preserve water resources within the community;

   H.   Ensure protection of water resources from excessive use of high water using plant materials; and

   I.   Provide landscape design standards which achieve water conservation while also contributing to an aesthetically enriched community landscape. (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)

The landscaping provisions of this chapter shall apply to the following:

   A.   Landscaping shall be required in buffer yards, parking areas and along designated city "gateways" as defined in chapter 3 of this title.

   B.   Any project involving residential, commercial, industrial, manufactured home park, public or quasi-public, civic or multi- family land uses that:

      1.   Involve new construction and/or use of land or construction consisting of a substantial improvement requiring a building permit; or

      2.   Require the provision of new or substantial improvements to a parking area; or

      3.   Result in a change of occupancy classification as listed in the current city adopted building code involving residential, commercial, industrial, manufactured home park, civic and multi- family land uses.

   C.   Any subdivision or planned unit development. (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)

   A.   Reduction Of Existing Landscaping: No landscaping, including buffer yards, parking lot landscaping, and gateway landscaping existing at the time of passage hereof shall be reduced in area below the minimum requirements set forth herein. Landscaping required after the effective date hereof shall meet at least the minimum requirements set forth herein.

   B.   Yard/Lot Minimum: Legally required yards, landscaping or minimum lot area allocated to any building shall not be used to satisfy minimum landscaping or lot area requirements for any other building.

   C.   Location: All buffer yards and other open spaces allocated to a building or group of buildings shall be located on the same lot as such building or group of buildings except as permitted in an approved planned unit development (PUD).

   D.   Irrigation: All landscaped areas shall be served by an automated, underground irrigation system meeting the criteria of this chapter.

   E.   Multiple Dwellings: Multi-family dwellings shall be considered as one building for the purpose of determining front, side and rear yard requirements. The entire group as a unit shall require one front, one rear and two (2) side yards.

   F.   Vision Triangle: On any corner lot in any district, landscaping shall be no more than thirty six inches (36") high in mature height.

   G.   Use Of Required, Landscaped Areas: Required buffer yards and landscaped areas may contain pedestrian, bike or equestrian trails, etc., provided that the total area of required landscaping is maintained. No tennis courts, swimming pools, sports fields, golf courses, parking of vehicles, etc., or other active recreation may be permitted in required landscaped areas unless approved by the city council.

   H.   Access Driveways: Access driveways are permitted in the required landscaped areas if clearly for access to a garage or parking area and meet city design guidelines. Accessway width will be included in the total front yard dimension calculation.

   I.   Weeds: Each landscaped strip shall be kept clean and free of noxious and other weeds.

   J.   Nonpotable Water Supply: Use of nonpotable water shall be used for landscape irrigation if a permanent, legal supply is available. (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)

   A.   Landscape improvements shall be an integral part of the overall site design for each property.

      1.   Landscape areas shall be configured to maximize their interconnectivity within the site and to landscape natural areas in adjacent developments. Except in parking lots and for screening along roadways, small, isolated islands of landscaping shall be avoided;

      2.   Landscape areas shall be compatible with the character of the proposed development and the surrounding areas to reinforce neighborhood identity;

      3.   Landscape design shall enhance natural drainageways and environmental features;

      4.   Spacing of trees shall allow for their natural spread.

   B.   Landscape improvements shall follow water efficient design principles to facilitate water conservation:

      1.   Design planting schemes for water conservation;

      2.   Create lawns of appropriate size, shape and type of turf;

      3.   Use mulch to maintain soil moisture and reduce evaporation; all plantable areas not covered with turf shall be covered with a minimum of four inches (4") of mulch to retain water and inhibit weeds;

      4.   Group plants by hydrozone with high hydrozones separated from low and very low hydrozones by moderate hydrozones;

      5.   Improve the soil with organic matter; soil preparation shall include scarification to six inches (6"), with organic or other soil amendments. (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)

   A.   Irrigation system improvements shall be designed in conformance with the following criteria:

      1.   Coverage: The irrigation system shall be designed to provide one hundred percent (100%) coverage with head to head spacing or triangular spacing as appropriate.

      2.   Matched Precipitation Rates: Sprinkler heads shall have matched precipitation rates within each control valve circuit.

      3.   Irrigation Districts: Sprinkler heads irrigating lawn or other high water demand areas shall be circuited so that they are on a separate zone or district from those irrigating trees, shrubs, or other reduced water demand areas.

      4.   Overspray: Sprinkler heads shall be adjusted to reduce overspray onto impervious surfaces such as streets, sidewalks, driveways, and parking areas. (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)

   A.   Purpose: The purpose of common open space is to improve the livability of residential neighborhoods, buffer the street edge, and protect natural resources.

   B.   Applicability: The standards for common open space apply to all new single-family, duplex, manufactured home, and multi- family developments of five (5) acres or more.

   C.   General Provisions:

      1.   Total Land Area: The total land area of all common open space shall equal or exceed five percent (5%) of the gross land area of the development.

      2.   Qualified Space: Qualified common open space includes the following:

         a.   Any open space that is active or passive in its intended use, and accessible by all residents of the development including, but not limited to:

            1.   Open grassy area of at least fifty feet by one hundred feet (50' x 100') in area;

            2.   Community garden; or

            3.   Plaza.

         b.   The buffer yards (see section 9-11-8 of this chapter) along streets may be included in required common open space for residential subdivisions.

         c.   Parkways along local residential streets that meet all the following standards may count toward the common open space requirement:

            1.   The parkway is a minimum of five feet (5') in width from street curb to edge of sidewalk.

            2.   The parkway is planted with street trees in accord with section 9-11-7 of this chapter.

         d.   Parkways along collectors and arterials that are a minimum of ten feet (10') in width from street curb to sidewalk can be counted toward the open space requirement.

         e.   Stormwater retention facilities when designed in accordance with section 9-11-11 of this chapter.

      3.   Location:

         a.   The common open space shall be located on a common lot or an area with a common maintenance agreement.

         b.   Common open space shall be grouped contiguously with open space from adjacent developments whenever feasible.

      4.   Maintenance:

         a.   All common open space shall be the responsibility of an owners' association for the purpose of maintaining the common area and improvements thereon; or

         b.   Land designated as common open space may be conveyed to the city, where the city council agrees to accept conveyance. (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)

   A.   Common Area Landscaping: Landscaping shall be appropriate to the use and function of the area and include trees, shrubs, ground cover, irrigation (where necessary) and paving.

   B.   Trees:

      1.   For lots with thirty feet (30') to eighty four feet (84') of linear frontage, one tree shall be planted in the front yard setback.

      2.   For lots with eighty five feet (85') or more of linear frontage, two (2) trees shall be planted with one tree located in the front yard setback.

      3.   Trees shall be from the city's approved list of appropriate tree species.

      4.   Trees shall be planted with adequate spacing to allow for the mature spread of the trees.

   C.   Landscaping For Multi-Family Dwelling Units:

      1.   Landscape improvements shall be designed to enhance the overall appearance of the development and integrate the project with adjacent land uses and the surrounding neighborhood.

      2.   A minimum of fifteen percent (15%) of the gross site area shall be landscaped area including any area and planting requirements for buffer yards (see section 9-11-8 of this chapter) shall qualify.

      3.   A minimum of one tree from the city's approved list of appropriate tree species per one thousand (1,000) square feet of landscaped area and one shrub per one hundred fifty (150) square feet of landscaped area shall be planted. Trees and shrubs shall be distributed throughout the site. Shrubs shall be grouped and distributed throughout the site.

      4.   Trees may be substituted for up to one-half (1/2) of the required shrubs at the rate of one tree for ten (10) shrubs and vice versa, subject to city approval. (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)

Buffer yards are located along the perimeter of a lot and all development required to have landscaping shall designate one front, one rear, and two (2) side yards, all known as buffer yards. Buffer yards create a visual screen that is used to screen incompatible uses or undesirable elements. Buffer yards can include plantings, fences, berms, or a combination of these, to reduce unwanted noise, views, and pollutants. (See city approved list of acceptable species maintained by the tree committee.)

   A.   General Provisions:

      1.   All buffer yards shall provide for a mixture of trees, shrubs, ground cover, and/or berming. Fencing may be utilized in the side and rear buffer yards as part of an overall buffer yard landscaping plan.

      2.   When a commercial, industrial, manufactured home park, or multi-family land use is located next to a public/private street, a continuous buffer yard along the public or private street, measuring at least ten feet (10') wide is required. A fifteen foot (15') wide buffer yard is required on gateway streets.

      3.   When a parking lot serving a commercial, civic, industrial, or multi-family land use is located next to any residential use, a ten foot (10') wide buffer yard with an eighty percent (80%) visual screening of five feet (5') to six feet (6') in height (achieved within 3 years after planting) is required.

      4.   A commercial, manufactured home park, civic, or multi-family land use shall provide five foot (5') rear and side buffer yards.

      5.   The required landscape area is to be measured along the entire lot frontage/lot line including access areas.

   B.   Buffer Yard Minimum Landscaping Standards (See City Approved List Of Acceptable Species Maintained By The Tree Committee):

      1.   Front buffer yard landscape areas shall meet the following requirements:

         a.   One tree and ten (10) shrubs per fifty (50) linear feet.

         b.   The street tree size must be large enough to attain a minimum vertical clearance of eight feet (8') between the sidewalk and the lowest branch and/or fourteen feet (14') between the street and the lowest branch.

      2.   Side yard landscape areas must meet the following requirements:

         a.   The side yard landscaping must achieve an eighty percent (80%) visual screen within three (3) years after planting; and

         b.   One tree and five (5) shrubs per fifty (50) linear feet.

      3.   Backyard landscape area must meet the following requirement:

         a.   One tree and five (5) shrubs per fifty (50) linear feet. (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)

Landscaping within parking lots helps to reduce the impact of noise, glare, sun, and air pollution and reduces the amount of asphalt by interspersing green spaces throughout the lot. It also provides a shady place to park a car on a sunny day. Construction of all new parking lots and substantial alteration or renovation of parking lots or areas, with the exception of resurfacing or striping, will fall under the following guidelines:

   A.   General Provisions:

      1.   Parking lot landscaping shall be in addition to required landscaping within buffer yards and designated gateways.

      2.   All parking lot landscaping within interior planters shall be a mixture of deciduous trees, small shrubs, and ground cover.

      3.   No parking shall be permitted in required landscaped areas nor shall any outdoor display or storage of materials be permitted in such areas.

      4.   The development services department may reduce the parking by up to five percent (5%) of the required number of spaces if the proposed landscape plan exceeds the requirements of this chapter by fifteen percent (15%) or more.

   B.   Parking Lot Landscaping Standards:

      1.   Small Parking Lots: Parking lots with fewer than ten (10) spaces shall be encouraged to consider alternative landscaping options, i.e., container landscaping.

      2.   Trees Required: There shall be at least one deciduous tree for every five (5) outdoor parking spaces.

      3.   Planter Requirements: All interior planters shall:

         a.   Have curbing or wheel restraints sufficient to prevent cars from overhanging into landscaped areas.

         b.   Have no tree planting area less than five feet (5') wide in any dimension.

      4.   Percentage Required: The amount of landscaping required is based on the total number of parking spaces as provided in the table below.

 

 

      5.   Wheel Restraints/Bumpers: All parking areas adjacent to buffer yards shall be provided with substantial wheel restraints to prevent cars from damaging landscaped areas, except that cars may overhang a maximum of two feet (2'). (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)

Gateways are main entrances to the city requiring special attention and additional landscaping to enhance the city's image.

   A.   Gateways: These areas shall be designated as city gateways for the purposes of meeting the landscaping requirements as specified elsewhere in this chapter: Highway 30, American Legion Boulevard, Airbase Road, and East 8th North Street.

   B.   Landscaping Requirements: The following landscaping shall be provided and maintained on all properties in commercial, civic, industrial, manufactured home parks, or multi-family districts which front a gateway arterial:

      1.   A landscaped strip at least fifteen feet (15') in width shall be provided immediately behind the sidewalk or future sidewalk along the entire frontage.

      2.   Any unpaved area between the sidewalk and street or curb shall be landscaped, if only with grass.

      3.   Landscaping shall be as set forth in sections 9-11-8 and 9-11-12 of this chapter. (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)

   A.   Purpose: The purpose of landscaping stormwater retention facilities shall be to promote innovative and effective land and water management techniques that protect and enhance water quality.

   B.   General Provisions:

      1.   All stormwater retention facilities shall be appropriately landscaped in coordination with the city.

      2.   Landscaping associated with stormwater retention facilities shall be integrated into the overall design of the project.

      3.   Landscaping shall enhance the overall appearance of the project, prevent erosion and improve water quality of stormwater runoff whenever possible.

      4.   Stormwater retention facilities may function as open area for active recreation, trail corridors or habitat enhancement areas if they are designed appropriately and approved by the city.

      5.   The use of planting strips and shallow landscaped depressions in parking lots and along roads is encouraged to help trap and remove pollutants from stormwater runoff.

   C.   Minimum Requirements:

      1.   All stormwater retention facilities shall be planted with grass appropriate to the function of the area. Areas to be used for active recreation shall be turf type grass and irrigated with a permanent irrigation system. Areas to be maintained for habitat enhancement shall be seeded to native grasses and wildflowers. The property owner shall establish a complete, weed free stand of grass. Trail corridors may be seeded with native grasses if appropriately integrated with adjacent improvements.

      2.   Landscape improvements shall be designed to enhance the function of the facility. Areas designed for recreation shall include clusters of trees to provide shade, located so they do not impair the function of the facility.

      3.   Habitat and water quality enhancement, including wetland plantings in low wet areas is encouraged.

      4.   All retention facilities shall be owned and maintained by the property owner unless otherwise approved by the city council. (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)

   A.   General Provisions:

      1.   Appropriate species of trees and shrubs shall be selected from the city recommended list maintained by the tree committee.

      2.   All plant material must be sized at time of planting according to the following table:

 

 

      3.   All landscaping in the proximity of any utility line shall be limited as to size and species. See city recommended list maintained by the tree committee.

      4.   Existing trees shall be retained, if possible. They will be counted toward meeting the landscaping requirement.

      5.   No required landscape areas shall include artificial trees, plants, or carpeting designed as a vegetative substitute.

      6.   All landscaping elements such as walls, fences, etc., shall comply with this title.

   B.   Alternative Plan: The administrator may approve alternative plans or designs to allow innovative landscaping, i.e., xeriscape (xeriscape shall include green shrubs). (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)

   A.   Trash Receptacles: Trash receptacles and/or containers, satellite dishes, and transformers shall be located in the side or rear yards only, and screened by a six foot (6') high landscaped or fenced area which is free of any advertising, and, if landscaped, will achieve eighty percent (80%) sight obscurance within three (3) years.

   B.   Screening Unattractive Features: All development must screen unattractive features which would adversely impact the visual quality of a neighborhood. Screening requirements are to be per development services department approval. (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)

   A.   Landscape And Irrigation System Plans: Landscape and irrigation system plans shall be required and shall be submitted to the development services department:

      1.   Landscaping and irrigation system plans will be submitted for review prior to issuance of a building permit or final plat, whichever is sooner, to construct any building and/or parking lot for a commercial, civic, or residential project.

      2.   Subdivision landscaping and irrigation system plans shall be submitted for review with the final plat.

   B.   Plan Requirements: Required landscape and irrigation system plans shall be drawn to scale and include:

      1.   Boundaries and dimensions of the site.

      2.   All existing trees and any vegetation that is to be retained, identified by species and height.

      3.   The location and design of areas to be landscaped.

      4.   A legend with the common name for each proposed plant material and/or tree species.

      5.   The location, number, size, caliper and type of plant material and tree species proposed.

      6.   Existing and/or proposed berms, identified by shape and gradient.

      7.   The height and size of shrubs and trees at maturity.

      8.   The plan for the irrigation system meeting the criteria as set forth in section 9-11-5 of this chapter.

   C.   Approval Of Plan: The development services department shall review and may approve, approve with modifications, or disapprove any landscape plan for compliance with the provisions of this title.

   D.   Certificate Of Occupancy: Landscaping conforming to the approved landscaping plan shall be completed before a certificate of occupancy is issued by the city.

   E.   Extension: Upon a request in writing by the owner of the property, the development services department may authorize an extension of time for the completion of the landscaping and irrigation system of up to six (6) months. If an extension is granted and the owner decides not to use the landscaping plan that was approved at time of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, a new landscaping plan must be approved before the installation of any landscaping or before any final landscaping inspection will be performed.

   F.   Appeals: An appeal of an interpretation or administrative determination may be taken first to the planning and zoning commission and then to the city council in accordance with this code.

   G.   Enforcement: Failure to comply with this requirement shall be considered a violation of this title and shall be subject to any and all applicable enforcement procedures and penalties. (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)

The continued maintenance of all required landscaping materials shall be a requirement of this title and shall be the responsibility of the owner of the property. This requirement shall run with the property and is binding upon all future property owners. (Ord. 1628, 1-12-2015)