The regulations of this Chapter 18 are intended to establish a comprehensive set of procedures, standards and guidelines for the appearance, design, landscaping, and environmental quality of properties within the Village, and to further:

Promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the Village;

Promote orderly community development, as well as encourage both high quality and innovative designs;

Protect and enhance property values;

Protect and enhance the social, cultural, economic, environmental and aesthetic development of the community; and

Ensure that the Village remains a safe and attractive community in which to reside and operate a business. (Ord. G-1261, 10-22-2024)

The provisions of this chapter 18 shall apply as follows:

   A.   All new commercial construction and additions to existing structures shall provide a landscaping plan.

   B.   Landscaping of accessory off-street parking and off-street loading facilities shall be provided as required by the regulations of this chapter 18 for all uses and structures established in each district after the effective date hereof, subject to the limitations set forth in this Section 13-18-2.

   C.   Where a building permit has been issued prior to the effective date hereof, and construction is begun within ninety (90) days after such effective date and diligently prosecuted to completion, landscaping of parking and loading facilities as required for the issuance of said building permit may be provided in lieu of any different amounts required by this chapter.

   D.   When the intensity of use of any structure or premises is increased through the addition of dwelling units, gross floor area or seating capacity, landscaping shall be provided in the amount required by this chapter for the additional parking and loading facilities, if any, required under subsection 13-12-1B.

   E.   Whenever the existing use of a structure shall hereafter be changed to a new use, landscaping shall be provided as required herein for the additional parking and loading facilities, if any, required under subsection 13-12-1C for such new use.

   F.   Existing Parking Facilities: Landscaping of accessory off street parking facilities in existence on the effective date hereof and located on the same lot as the structure or use served shall not hereafter be reduced below the requirements for a similar new structure or use under the provisions of this chapter 18. (Ord. G-1261, 10-22-2024)

   A.   Chapter 4 of Title 8, Trees and Shrubs, should be referenced for general requirements for landscaping in the public right-of-way, obstructions of public areas from landscaping on private property, and treatment of diseased trees.

   B.   Landscape Plan Requirements: All landscape plans so submitted shall be at an appropriate scale, not smaller than 1 inch = 20 feet. Completed landscape plans shall contain information including but not limited to: detailed landscape site plan information; detailed schedule of landscape materials; and irrigation plans, as outlined below:

      1.   Title block.

      2.   Name and address of the property owner/petitioner.

      3.   Name of Registered Landscape Architect/Contractor.

      4.   Landscape Architect's/Contractor's firm name and address.

      5.   Scale data, north arrow and date and date of any revisions.

      6.   All site plan information as required in Chapter 18, Section 2; Location of Existing Conditions and Proposed Landscape Improvements, including:

         a.   Identification of all proposed plant materials with planting bed, planters, and planter box locations and dimensions.

         b.   Treatment of all ground surfaces (ground covers, sod, seed, seasonal beds, paving, impervious and pervious materials).

         c.   Walls and fences (indicating height and material).

         d.   Parking spaces and driveway aisles.

         e.   Spot elevations and/or contours, existing and proposed.

         f.   Berms, with one foot (1') interval contours indicated.

         g.   Sidewalks and pedestrian paths.

         h.   Existing tree survey (six inch (6") caliper and above, with drip line), noting trees proposed for removal and planned for preservation.

         i.   Monument sign locations.

         j.   Refuse/Recycling disposal areas.

         k.   Public rights of way/easements, including street widths/drives/approaches.

         l.   Other exterior landscape amenities including exterior tables and benches.

      7.   Schedule of proposed and existing landscape material, including:

         a.   List of all proposed plantings, indicating common and botanical names, caliper, height or size and quantity.

         b.   List of all existing trees proposed for removal, six inch (6") inch caliper or greater, indicating caliper, common and botanical names.

         c.   List of all existing trees, six inch (6") caliper or greater, planned for preservation, indicating caliper size, common and botanical names.

      8.   Irrigation Plan, including system details and sprinkler head locations, providing for underground irrigation of planting beds or a water supply outlet no greater than one hundred fifty feet (150') from planting beds, if required.

      9.   Construction erosion control plan.

      10.   Where applicable, the Development Services department may require less information, or any other additional information to appropriately evaluate compliance of the proposed development or improvement.

   C.   Planting Design And Preservation Criteria:

      1.   New planting materials used in conformance with the provisions of this Chapter, shall be:

         a.   Plants approved by the Village of Oak Brook, in accordance with the list of approved trees contained in the public works construction standards, the Ornamental Growers Association of Northern Illinois, or the Illinois Chapter of Landscape Contractors listings.

         b.   High quality nursery-grown stock. Substandard "B-grade" or "Park Grade" plants are not acceptable.

         c.   Plants listed as "Do not plant" by the Morton Arboretum are not acceptable.

         d.   Grown in a climate zone similar to Oak Brook. (i.e., United States Department of Agriculture Zone 5b).

         e.   Capable of withstanding the extremes of individual site microclimates.

         f.   Selected for interest in its structure, texture, color and for its ultimate growth.

         g.   In conformance with the American Standards for Nursery Stock, ANSI Z60.1-Latest Edition.

         h.   For each plant group (canopy tree, evergreen tree, etc.) there shall be no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of one genus.

         i.   Existing trees with an eight-inch (8") caliper or greater shall be preserved on the property to the extent possible, as determined by the Development Services department.

         j.   Evergreens shall be incorporated into the landscape plan and treatment of a site, particularly in required buffers for property zoned residential, the screening of refuse holding areas, and critical points of required parking lot screening.

         k.   To ensure that landscape materials do not constitute a driving hazard, clear Intersection Sight Distance shall be established at all street intersections and at the intersection of site driveways and streets as required by Bureau of Local Roads and Streets Manual, Chapter 28.

         l.   Plant materials shall be placed against long expanses of building walls, fences and other barriers to soften their effect. Grouping of plants shall be encouraged.

         m.   Where site characteristics or property dimensions limit the use or survivability of live landscaping as an effective screen, masonry walls shall be used for required screening subject to the regulations set forth in Chapter 13-3-17 (Fences Regulations).

         (1)   All masonry walls or decorative fencing shall be constructed and installed in a durable fashion and shall have the finished side facing the street or property line.

   D.   Installation Of Plant Materials:

      1.   Plant materials of all types and species shall be installed in accordance with the minimum technical specifications of the "Illinois Chapter of Landscape Contractors," including the guarantee and replacements sections.

      2.   Minimum plant sizes at time of installation shall be:

         a.   Shade Trees: Two and one-half inch (2½") caliper.

         b.   Ornamental Trees: Two inch (2") caliper or if in clump form, six feet (6') in height.

         c.   Evergreen Trees: Five feet (5') in height.

         d.   Shrubs Required For Screening: Three feet (3') in height; shrubs used for other purposes: eighteen inches (18") in height.

         e.   Ground Cover: Spaced no less than twelve inches (12") on center.

         f.   Perennials: Spaced no less than is recommended for the particular species.

      3.   Plantings on any portion of the public right-of-way provided by an adjacent property owner, association, or individual, that are removed as a result of Village utility construction or maintenance, or other Village activities, may be replaced at the sole responsibility of the property owner, association or individual. The Village shall not be required to replace any plant material in the public right-of-way.

      4.   Trees, shrubs and other plants are permitted in front, side and rear yards, except:

         a.   Where such plants obstruct Intersection Sight Distance as required by Bureau of Local Roads and Streets Manual, Chapter 28; and/or

         b.   As required by 425 ILCS 20 No object shall be constructed, maintained or installed within forty eight inches (48") of a fire hydrant. It shall be unlawful to install, maintain, construct or enlarge any barriers, trees, bushes, walls, or other obstacles which may hide or impede the use of a fire hydrant.

   E.   Minimum Setbacks And Landscape Requirements For Off-Street Parking Lots:

      1.   Every off-street parking lot or parking area containing five (5) or more parking spaces shall be buffered and screened from public view and adjacent property by a berm and perimeter landscaped area in accordance with the yard setback requirements of Chapter 12, 13-12-3H (Off Street Parking Regulations). The minimum parking lot setbacks shall be maintained in accordance with the following schedule:

      2.   The minimum width for the perimeter screening area shall be measured from the property line and shall not include any parking overhang.

      3.   No buildings or parking area shall be permitted within a required buffer yard.

      4.   Screening within the perimeter setback area shall consist of a berm, trees, densely planted hedge, massing of shrubs, and may include a masonry wall and other plant material installed in a manner so as to inhibit public views of the parking area. Landscape materials in perimeter parking areas shall include plants that are salt-tolerant and provide year-around screening. The surface of the perimeter setback area shall be suitably covered with grass, ground cover or similar vegetation and periodically mulched. Impervious materials such as asphalt, concrete or a layer of stone is prohibited. The landscape buffer shall not be used for the purposes of parking, loading, servicing, or storage.

         a.   Landscape Requirements For Parking Lots Facing Public Streets And Residential Districts: Landscaping materials within perimeter parking setback areas facing a public street shall contain the following minimum number of plant materials:

            (1)   Evergreen trees: one tree/twenty (20) lineal feet.

            (2)   Evergreen shrubs: one shrub/four (4) lineal feet.

            (3)   Deciduous shrubs: one shrub/four (4) lineal feet.

            (4)   Ornamental trees: one tree/twenty five (25) lineal feet.

            (5)   Shade trees: one tree/fifty (50) lineal feet.

         b.   Landscape Requirements For Parking Lots Not Facing A Public Street Or A Residential District: Landscaping materials within perimeter parking setback areas not facing a public street may be reduced by thirty percent (30%) as required in subsection E4a above.

         c.   Where a fence or masonry wall are provided to effectively screen parking areas, plants providing year-around screening may be reduced.

         d.   The minimum berm height shall be thirty inches (30") and shall have average height of five feet (5') with a 3:1 slope. Shrubs and other landscape material shall be planted on berms to provide seasonal color, and to ensure landscape screening is maintained between thirty-six inches (36") and forty-eight inches (48") height.

      5.   Perimeter screening of parking areas shall be continuous, except for breaks as may be permitted for pre-existing trees or planned additional trees, sidewalks, driveways and sight triangles.

      6.   Shrubs, hedges and other perimeter screening material shall be at least three feet (3') in height at time of installation.

      7.   The surface of the perimeter setback area shall be suitably covered with grass, ground cover or similar vegetation and periodically mulched where appropriate.

      8.   A six inch (6") continuous poured-in-place concrete curb shall separate all drive and parking surfaces from landscape areas, except where bio-filtration design requires breaks for water inflow.

   F.   Minimum Landscape And Screening Requirements For Parking Structures:

      1.   All parking structures shall be landscaped (which includes one or more berms) pursuant to a landscape plan prepared by a landscape architect to screen substantially the first level from adjacent streets and other uses. For any parking structure that is four (4) floors or less in height, the landscaped area must be a minimum of ten feet (10') in depth but must average fifteen (15) in depth for all screening. For any parking structure that is in excess of four (4) floors, the landscaped area must be a minimum of twenty feet (20') in depth. Any approved landscape plan required for screening of a parking structure must incorporate evergreens within the plantings and include a maintenance schedule to ensure that any damaged or dead trees, shrubs or ground cover shall be replaced promptly.

Regular maintenance of these landscaped areas shall also be required.

   G.   Interior Landscaping Requirements:

      1.   A planting island equal in area to a parking space shall be located at each end of a parking row, and after each fifteen (15) parking spaces within a parking row.

         a.   The maximum spacing requirement between parking spaces and landscaped islands may be varied to allow for a lesser number of larger landscaped islands to be provided, which islands shall be of sufficient size to sustain a diversity of plant material and shall be designed and placed within the parking lot in a non-grid fashion in order to create relief in the monotonous layout of the parking lot.

      2.   The total tree count shall be no less than one tree per five (5) parking lot spaces.

      3.   Landscaped dividers or continuous islands with a minimum width of six feet (6') shall be provided between every three (3) parking bays.

         a.   The installation of bio-filtration swales for landscaping and stormwater management purposes is encouraged within larger, continuous planning islands. Flood-tolerant plants should be used which will remain healthy when used in bioswales.

         b.    Continuous islands help divide large parking areas into smaller parking fields, provide more room for plants to grow, and provide areas for pedestrian access. Trees are recommended to be planted in the continuous landscaped island every twenty five feet (25') on-center.

Each parking island shall include at least one shade tree or evergreen (where visibility is not restricted). At least fifty percent (50%) of the remaining portions of the surface of the planting island shall be covered with sod, plants with seasonal interest, low shrubs, and salt-tolerant ground cover. The remaining area shall contain landscape mulch. A layer of stone or impervious materials such as asphalt and concrete is prohibited.

      4.   A six inch (6") continuous poured in place curb shall separate and surround all interior landscape island areas, except when designed for bio-filtration purposes.

      5.   Except those designed as bio-infiltration islands, all landscaped islands shall have a minimum topsoil depth of three feet (3') and mounded to a center height which has a one to three percent (1%-3%) slope above the top of the curb height.

   H.   Minimum Landscape Requirements For Foundations Plantings:

      1.   For commercial construction, a minimum building foundation landscape area of five feet (5') in width shall be located immediately along the front and sides of all buildings, except for entryways.

      2.   A six inch (6") curb shall separate all foundation landscape areas from the drive aisle and parking areas.

      3.   Foundation landscaping shall include a minimum of one plant for each three (3) lineal feet of the foundation, and shall include a variety of shade trees, ornamental trees, hedges, shrubs, evergreens and ground cover in a manner which accents building entranceways and architectural features, softens large expanses of building walls, and screens mechanical equipment. Landscaping can be linear or grouped.

   I.   Miscellaneous Landscape Requirements:

      1.   Landscaping Of Monument/Ground And Pole/Pylon Signs: For every one square foot of total sign area of the ground and pole sign, one square foot of landscaped area shall be extended at least three feet (3') beyond the sign faces or supporting structures in all directions.

         a.   The landscaped area shall consist of plantings such as, but not limited to, shrubs, evergreens, flowering plants and ground cover plants. Landscaping bark, mulch, sod or seeded areas shall not be considered in calculating the square footage of the required landscaped area.

         b.   Exposed sign foundations shall be constructed with a finished material such as brick, stone, architectural metal, exposed aggregate or wood. Plain, "bagged" or parged concrete is not an approved finish material.

         c.   Landscaping must be maintained in a manner that prevents the screening or blocking of addresses and other information provided on the monument sign.

   J.   Landscaping And Screening Of Ground Mounted Mechanical And Utility Equipment:

      1.   All ground mounted mechanical equipment, including heating and air conditioning units, generators and pool equipment shall be screened by a solid fence, wall, or densely planted evergreen landscape planting at a maximum height sufficient to obscure such equipment from view from all adjacent streets, and adjacent lots used for residential purposes.

      2.   All fences installed to satisfy the screening requirement shall comply with the regulations of Title 13, Chapter 3 (Fence Type) and with all other applicable Village Code regulations.

   K.   Water Supply; Underground Irrigation: A water supply to irrigate landscaping is required within one hundred fifty feet (150') of all landscaped areas. Installation of an underground irrigation system is recommended.

   L.   Changes To Approved Landscape Plan: Any change to an approved Landscape Plan shall require the prior approval of the Development Services department, or designee.

   M.   Landscape Maintenance Required:

      1.   Property owners shall be responsible for ongoing maintenance, fertilization, repair and replacement of all vegetation, barriers and landscape planting materials. Landscaping should be properly maintained on a weekly or monthly basis (depending on the plantings) and include seasonal "clean-ups" in the spring and fall, to enhance the built environment in perpetuity.

      2.   Plants shall be regularly inspected for pests in accordance with Best Management Practices recommended by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association.

      3.   Plants shall be pruned, and litter removed in accordance with Best Management Practices recommended by the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association.

      4.   Replacement plantings shall be no less than the minimum required size or the size indicated in the approved Landscape Plan, whichever is greater.

      5.   The property owner shall make replacement plantings promptly after any plant has died but no later than one hundred twenty (120) days after notification by the Village of violation of this chapter, unless a time extension for inclement weather is given.

      6.   Planting beds shall be initially, and thereafter periodically, filled with soil and mulched in their entirety, with shredded bark or other organic equivalent.

      7.   Variations: A property owner may file an application for a variation when compliance with the requirements of this Chapter for a new or pre-existing building pose a practical hardship in accordance with the procedures and standards in Chapter 14 of Title 13 (Variations). (Ord. G-1261, 10-22-2024)

   A.   Energy Efficient Building Design:

      1.   Multiple-family, commercial, office and industrial construction of green buildings, including LEED certified buildings, is encouraged. All planned development shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 15, Section C.5 (13-15-3C.5)- Energy Efficient Building Design.

      2.   Energy conserving, energy efficient, and Energy Star products should be selected for non single-family buildings.

      3.   Building heating, cooling, and power should utilize solar, geothermal, wind, and bio-fuel resources where practical.

      4.   Construction, demolition, and land clearing debris should be salvaged, reused or recycled.

      5.   Roof structures with light colored materials to reduce energy loads and extend the life of the roof.

      6.   Green roofs that incorporate vegetation on the roof assembly can lead to significant cost savings in thermal insulation, with the added advantages of stormwater runoff control, increased waterproof membrane life, sound insulation and a usable green space on the roof.

   B.   Site Design:

      1.   Integrate natural resources to ensure contiguous and well-planned open space and preservation of the site's natural resources. A planned development must provide, to the extent possible, for the preservation or creation of unique amenities such as natural streams, stream banks and shore buffers, wooded cover, rough terrain, man-made landforms or landscaping and similar areas.

      2.   The use of permeable paving systems or and nat uralized stormwater ma nagement best practice systems is encouraged.

      3.   Incorporate transportation solutions that acknowledge the need for bicycle parking and carpool staging.

      4.   Designated parking, close to the primary building entrance, should be provided for energy-efficient cars and carpools.

      5.   Multifamily structures should incorporate Electric Vehicle chargers in design. (Ord. G-1261, 10-22-2024)