A.

Purpose. The purpose of the landscape requirements is:

1.

To promote the beautification of the city and to enhance its aesthetic quality.

2.

To promote reasonable preservation and replenishment of valued trees.

3.

To aid in establishing the ecological balance by contributing to air purification and oxygen regeneration.

4.

To break up large expanses of pavement for appearance and reduce summer heat gain within parking and paved areas.

B.

Applicability. These requirements shall apply to paved areas for off-street parking, vehicular access and vehicular maneuvering when said combined areas have a minimum of 2,500 square feet of pavement. An exception from the number of trees required will be allowed for new and used car dealers. However, these requirements do not apply to one-family or two-family dwellings.

(Ord. No. 3948-A, § 1(Att.), 9-22-2014)

A.

Site Plan Requirements. A site plan showing the development of the property shall be submitted to the city for review and approval with a building permit application. The following items related to parking lot landscaping must be shown on the 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, 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 Building Inspector.

2.

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

3.

Dimensions of planters and type of six-inch barrier enclosing the planter.

4.

The existing and proposed grading of the site indicating contours at one (1) foot intervals.

5.

Elevations of all proposed fences, steps, stairs, retaining walls both fixed (cast concrete, unitized walls) and any natural rock outcroppings on the site.

6.

Elevations, cross-sections, and other details as determined necessary by the Building Inspector.

7.

Watering system.

B.

City's Issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Prior to the city's issuance of a certificate of occupancy for a building or use of the off-street parking and maneuvering areas, all landscape requirements must be complete.

C.

Minor Changes to Approved Landscape Plans. Minor changes to the landscape plan that do not result in a reduction in the net amount of plant material as specified on the approved landscape plan shall be approved by the Building Inspector. Changes to the size and amount of plant materials of an approved landscape plan shall not be considered a minor change. Major changes shall be approved by the body granting approval of the landscape plan initially.

(Ord. No. 3948-A, § 1(Att.), 9-22-2014)

A.

Selection. Plant material shall be selected for its form, texture, color, pattern of growth and suitability to local conditions.

1.

All planting materials used shall be of good quality and meet American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA) standards for minimum acceptable form, quality and size for species selected, and capable to withstand the seasonal temperature variations of northeastern Oklahoma, as well as the individual site microclimates.

2.

The use of species native to northeastern Oklahoma shall be encouraged.

3.

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.

4.

Where appropriate, the use of drought tolerant plant material is preferred.

5.

Trees shall be maintained in a living condition.

B.

Plant Material Selection and Quality. The scale and nature of landscape materials shall be appropriate to the size of the site and related structures.

C.

Installation. All landscaping materials shall be installed in accordance with the current planting procedures established by the American Nursery & Landscape Association (ANLA). All plant materials shall be free of disease and shall be installed so that soil of sufficient volume, composition and nutrient balance are available to sustain healthy growth.

1.

Trees shall be planted in a location to ensure that they will reach their intended size at normal maturity and no closer together than the following spacing requirements:

a.

Small trees: 20 feet;

b.

Medium trees: 30 feet; and

c.

Large trees: 40 feet.

2.

Landscaping location and species should allow for good visibility so not to obstruct driver vision at turns or pedestrian crossings.

3.

No tree, other than those species listed as small trees in Section 86-21, may be planted under or within ten (10) lateral feet of any overhead utility wire, or over or within ten (10) lateral feet of any underground water, sewer, or transmission line or other utility.

4.

Minimum tree sizes at time of planting shall be as follows:

a.

Shade trees shall be not less than 2 inches in caliper. Caliper shall be measured six inches above ground level. Each tree shall be planted in a pervious area not less than six feet in diameter.

b.

Evergreen trees shall be not less than six feet in height above ground level.

c.

Ornamental trees shall be not less than one inch in caliper.

d.

Every five shrubs shall be planted in a pervious area not less than 80 square feet with any one side no less than four feet.

e.

Ground covers within the planters are required to prevent dust, maintain moisture and facilitate growth of trees. Acceptable ground covers are grass or sod, bark, and decorative rock. Living ground covers and low-growing shrubs such as sedum, English ivy, vinca and certain junipers are also acceptable when placed in sufficient quantities. The ground cover to be used must be noted on the site plan.

D.

Required Element. Landscape materials depicted on landscape plans approved by the City shall be considered to be required site plan elements in the same manner as buildings, parking and other improvements. As such, the owner of record, or in some instances the homeowner's association, shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of all landscape materials, and fences, steps, retaining walls and similar landscaping elements over the entire life of the development.

E.

Maintenance. All landscaping materials shall be maintained in good condition, shall present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance, and shall be kept free of refuse and debris. Any dead, unhealthy or missing plants shall be replaced within six (6) months of notification by the City or the next reasonable available growing/planting season. All fences, steps, retaining walls and similar landscaping elements required within the landscaping plan 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, steps, retaining walls and similar landscaping elements, and refuse disposal areas. Irrigation systems, when provided, shall be maintained in good operating condition to promote the health of the plant material and the conservation of water.

(Ord. No. 3948-A, § 1(Att.), 9-22-2014)

Landscape plans, with parking lots having one-hundred (100) or more spaces, shall be prepared by a licensed Landscape Architect, registered in the State of Oklahoma, and evaluated and approved based on the following design criteria.

A.

Shade Trees. All deciduous shade trees shall have a minimum trunk size of two (2) inches in caliper at planting, unless otherwise specified.

B.

Evergreen Trees. Evergreens trees shall have a minimum height of six (6) feet at planting and shall be incorporated into the landscape treatment of a site, particularly in those areas where year-round screening and buffering is required.

C.

Ornamental Trees. Single stem ornamental trees shall have a minimum trunk size of one inch in caliper at planting, unless otherwise specified. Multiple stem ornamental trees shall have a minimum height of eight (8) feet at planting, unless otherwise specified.

D.

Shrubs. Unless otherwise specified, all large deciduous and evergreen shrubs shall have minimum height of three (3) feet at installation, and all small deciduous and evergreen shrubs shall have a minimum height of eighteen (18) inches at installation.

1.

Large shrubs shall be considered to be those shrubs that reach five (5) or more feet in height at maturity.

2.

Small shrubs shall be considered to be those shrubs that can grow up to five (5) feet in height if left unmaintained, but are generally kept at heights of eighteen (18) to thirty (30) inches.

E.

Softening of Walls and Fences. Plant material shall be placed intermittently against long expanses of building walls, fences and other barriers to create a softening effect and to help break up long expanses of blank walls with little architectural detail. Where said walls and fences are over one-hundred (100) feet in length, on any side, shall include plant material features a maximum of every seventy-five (75) feet.

F.

Planting Beds. Planting beds may be mulched with shredded hardwood, granite mulch, river rock, feather rocks or similar materials.

G.

Approved tree list. The following list constitutes the allowed tree or ornamental species for parking lot landscaping in the city. No species other than those included in the list may be planted without permission of the City.

H.

Irrigation. Landscape design pursuant to the requirements of this section shall recognize the need for irrigation and water conservation. Sprinkler irrigation systems may be required for certain landscaped areas, as determined by a landscape architect. The need for sprinkler irrigation systems shall be determined by the type of plant material and the condition/growing medium that they are installed in. For instance, whether there is a permanent means available to water plant material, such as hose bibs, shall be a consideration. All irrigation systems shall be designed to minimize the use of water.

1.

Required landscaping shall be irrigated by one of the following methods:

a.

An underground sprinkling system;

b.

A drip system; or

c.

An outside hose attachment within 100 feet of all landscaped areas.

I.

Species Diversity. Diversity among required plant material is encouraged not only for visual interest, but to reduce the risk of losing a large population of plants due to disease.

J.

Berming. Earthen berms and existing topographic features shall be incorporated into the landscape treatment of a site where there is sufficient space and, in particular, when berms and existing topographic features can be combined with plant material to facilitate effective screening. Minimum un-retained berm side slopes shall be maintained at no less than a 4:1 slope ratio to prevent erosion and be properly and safely maintained. Retained slopes may be implemented with the appropriate terracing necessary to reduce the need for safety railing.

K.

Turf Required. All areas within yards that are unpaved shall be landscaped primarily with turf (seed or sod) or live groundcover. Artificial turf is prohibited.

L.

Parking Areas. All landscaped areas shall be protected with six-inch curbs or equivalent barriers.

(Ord. No. 3948-A, § 1(Att.), 9-22-2014)

A.

Parking Lot Landscaping Design Guidelines. All parking lots of ten (10) or more spaces are subject to site plan review and a landscape plan as a condition of obtaining a building permit.

1.

Perimeter Landscaping. Perimeter landscaping is required for all parking lots and shall be established along the edge of the parking lot that abuts the public right-of-way, excluding alleys.

2.

Interior Parking Lot Landscaping. Interior parking lot landscaping is required for those lots of ten (10) or more spaces.

3.

Landscaping in Excess of Requirements. Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prevent the applicant's voluntary installation of additional interior parking lot landscaping, so long as parking space requirements and parking lot design requirements are complied with.

B.

Existing Parking Lots. For existing parking lots that currently do not comply with the required parking lot landscaping, such landscaping shall be provided when:

1.

A new principal building.

2.

Over fifty percent (50%) of the total area of an existing parking lot is reconstructed. Resealing or re-striping of an existing parking lot, which does not entail paving or resurfacing by replacement of the asphalt or concrete, shall not be subject to this requirement.

3.

When an existing parking lot less than ten thousand (10,000) square feet in area is expanded by fifty percent (50%) or more in total surface area.

4.

When an existing parking lot over ten thousand (10,000) square feet in area is expanded by twenty-five percent (25%) or more in total surface area.

5.

When an existing parking lot is required to provide landscaping, which would result in creating a parking area that no longer conforms to the parking regulations of the Article and this Code, such existing parking lot shall not be required to install all or a portion of the required landscaping. The applicant shall be required to show that landscaping cannot be accommodated on the site. If only certain requirements are able to be accommodated on the site, those elements shall be required. The Planning Director shall make the determination that all or a portion of required landscaping does not have to be installed.

C.

Parking Lot Landscaping Design Requirements. Landscaping is required for all parking lots. Landscaped areas outside of shrub and tree masses shall be planted in turf or other groundcover. The landscaped area shall be improved as follows:

1.

Quantity of Landscape Material. One tree from the list of permitted trees or two ornamentals from the list of permitted ornamental trees shall be provided for every 2,500 square feet of paved area. For new and used car dealers only, five shrubs in lieu of each tree will be allowed. The minimum amount of trees and shrubs required by this section shall be located within the parking lot islands or landscaped areas. The required trees shall not be located in the right-of-way.

2.

Landscaped Areas. No portion of a parking space shall be located more than fifty (50) feet from a landscaped area or parking lot island and all rows of parking spaces shall be terminated by a parking lot island or landscaped area.

3.

Design of Planting Areas. Parking lot islands or landscaped areas shall be at least one-hundred eight (108) square feet in area, with no side being less than six (6) feet, and at least six (6) inches above the surface of the parking lot and protected with concrete curbing, except where designed specifically for the absorption of stormwater. Such islands and landscaped areas shall be properly drained and irrigated as appropriate to the site conditions to ensure survivability.

4.

Type of Landscape Material. Shade trees shall be the primary plant materials used in parking lot islands and landscaped areas. Ornamental trees, shrubs, hedges and other plant materials may be used to supplement the shade tree plantings but shall not create visibility conflicts for vehicles and pedestrians. The remaining area shall be planted in turf or other live groundcover, perennials or ornamental grasses.

(Ord. No. 3948-A, § 1(Att.), 9-22-2014)

This section establishes standards for the dimensions and improvement requirements of buffer yards between land uses and/or zoning districts within the rear or interior side yard.

A.

Buffer yards are required in the following situations:

1.

Where a Multi-Family District abuts a R-1, R-2 or R-3 District.

2.

Where a Commercial, Industrial or CBD district abuts a Residential District.

3.

Where a non-residential use is located within a residential district.

4.

However, a buffer yard is not required where an alley is located between a commercial use and a residential use.

B.

Buffer yards shall be provided in interior side and rear yards. Buffer yards may be located within required setbacks, and shall be reserved for the planting of material and installation of screening as required by this section. No parking, driveways, sidewalks, accessory buildings or other impervious surfaces are permitted within the buffer yard area.

C.

All plantings in the buffer yard shall be in accordance with the design standards of this Section. The minimum size and improvement of buffer yards shall be as follows:

1.

A buffer yard shall be a minimum of six (6) feet in width.

2.

An opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), solid screen fence or dense evergreen hedge, at least six (6) feet in height, shall be erected along one hundred percent (100%) of the yard length.

3.

Areas not planted with trees or shrubs shall be maintained as turf or other groundcover.

(Ord. No. 3948-A, § 1(Att.), 9-22-2014)

A.

Refuse Disposal Dumpsters and Refuse Storage Areas. All refuse containers shall be fully enclosed on three (3) sides by a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence, an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick) or principal structure wall six (6) feet in height and the enclosure shall be gated. The materials used for screening, including the enclosure, shall complement the architecture of the principal structure. An extension of an exterior principal structure wall may be used as one of the screening walls for a refuse container, provided that such wall meets the minimum six (6) foot height requirement and is of the same building materials as the principal structure. Such wall may not be the gated enclosure.

B.

Loading Berths. Loading berths in all zoning districts shall be screened as much as possible, unless such screening is determined unnecessary by the body approving the landscape plan. Such screening shall consist of an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence, or dense evergreen hedge, at least six (6) feet in height.

C.

Outdoor Storage and Display Areas. All outdoor storage areas shall be completely screened by an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick) or a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence no less than six (6) feet in height. Where feasible, plant materials shall be installed along the fence or wall located along the public right-of-way to provide a softening effect. No materials stored outdoors shall be of a greater height than that of the required fence or wall, except within the I-1, I-2 and P Districts.

1.

When the rear or interior side yard of an outdoor display area abuts a residential district, or the rear yard is separated from a residential district by an alley, the outdoor display area shall be effectively screened from view by an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence or dense evergreen hedge, at least six (6) feet in height.

2.

All outdoor display areas shall be designed with a landscaped yard along the public right-of-way, excluding alleys, a minimum of ten (10) feet in width and planted with shade or evergreen trees at a rate of one (1) tree per twenty-five (25) feet, and supplemented with shrubs and perennials to enhance the view from the public right-of-way. These screening requirements are not intended to prohibit openings reasonably necessary for access drives and walkways.

3.

Motor vehicle dealerships or rental establishments with outdoor sales and display lots shall be designed with permanent screening along the right-of-way meeting the requirements of Paragraph 2 above, but such plantings may be clustered. However, the screening may consist of small shrubs and/or a low pedestrian wall, rather than shade or evergreen trees, to optimize the view of motor vehicles for sale.

D.

Drive-Through Facility. Drive aisles of drive-through facilities shall be effectively screened from view when adjacent to residential properties in order to minimize the impact of exterior site lighting, headlight glare and any menu intercom displays. Such screening shall be approved during the site plan review process and shall consist of an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence or dense evergreen hedge at least six (6) feet in height. Plant materials shall be installed along the fence or wall to provide a softening effect.

(Ord. No. 3948-A, § 1(Att.), 9-22-2014)