(a)

The purpose of this article is to promote the public health, safety and welfare by establishing minimum standards for the design, installation and maintenance of landscaping in parking lots, as greenbelts between uses and along roadways. Landscaping is considered by the Township to be an important element of land development and is a critical factor in maintaining an attractive community character and conserving the value of land and buildings in the Township.

(b)

Landscaping also serves to buffer incompatible land use, moderate harsh or unpleasant sounds, remove air pollutants, reduce the glare from vehicle headlights and separate vehicular and pedestrian circulation.

(c)

The landscape standards of this article are considered the minimum necessary to achieve the objectives noted above. In several instances, the standards are intentionally flexible to encourage flexibility and creative design. Applicants are encouraged to provide additional landscaping to improve the function, appearance and value of their property.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

(a)

The standards contained in this article shall be applicable to any site plan, conditional land use request, or PUD submitted for review and approval under this Article.

(b)

The regulations of this article shall not apply to individual single-family and two-family dwelling units.

(c)

Modification of Required Landscaping. For existing and proposed uses that require site plan approval to either expand or to be built, landscaping shall be installed insofar as practical. The Planning Commission, in its review of the site plan, has the authority to increase, decrease or otherwise modify the landscaping and screening requirements of this article. In doing so, the Commission shall consider the following criteria:

(1)

The amount of space on the site available for landscaping.

(2)

Existing landscaping on the site and on adjacent properties.

(3)

The type of use on the site and size of the development.

(4)

Existing and proposed adjacent land uses.

(5)

The effect the required landscaping would have on the operation of the existing or proposed land use.

(6)

Whether additional landscaping is necessary to mitigate the adverse effects of adjoining land uses, to reduce headlight glare, reduce noise and to otherwise achieve the objectives of this Section.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

(a)

All landscaping required by this Article shall be planted before obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy or the appropriate financial guarantee may be placed in escrow in the amount of the cost of landscaping to be released only after landscaping is completed. A temporary Certificate of Occupancy may be issued for projects needing additional time for planting the approved landscaping elements based on seasonal limitations.

(b)

All landscaping shall be hardy plant materials and maintained thereafter in a neat, healthy and orderly manner. Withered and/or dead plant materials shall be replaced within a reasonable period of time upon written notice from the Zoning Administrator or within an extended time period as specified in said notice.

(c)

For the purpose of this article, a corner lot is considered as having a front yard along each street, and the applicable landscaping shall be provided for both yards.

(d)

An underground irrigation system shall be installed to serve all grass areas including grassed landscape islands.

(e)

Required plant materials and screening shall be arranged to avoid conflicts with underground and overhead utility lines and access to or visibility of fire hydrants. The anticipated height at maturity of trees planted near overhead utility lines shall not exceed the utility line height.

(f)

Landscaping shall be arranged so as not to obscure traffic signs or obstruct drivers' sight distance within the parking area and at driveway entrances.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

(a)

Greenbelt Location.

(1)

Wherever a non-residential zone as defined herein abuts an A/R, R-1, R-2, or PUD zone containing residential uses zone.

(2)

Wherever a non-residential zone as defined herein abuts a non-conforming residential use such as a house in a non-residential zone.

(3)

Wherever a non-residential use such as a governmental building, church, school, hospital, or library which may be allowed in a residential zone abuts a residential use or an A/R, R-1 or R-2 zone; or R-2 zone or a dwelling unit on adjoining property.

(4)

The greenbelt shall be installed along the abutting lot line separating the different zoning districts.

(5)

Greenbelt landscaping requirements shall not apply where zoning districts are separated by a public street. In such case, the front yard landscaping requirements of this article shall apply.

(b)

Width and Planting Requirements for Green Belts.

(1)

A greenbelt shall be a minimum of 15 feet wide.

(2)

For each whole 20 linear feet abutting the adjacent property, one tree shall be planted within the greenbelt. Such trees shall be a mixture of evergreen, canopy and ornamental trees unless otherwise required by the Planning Commission.

(3)

Two shrubs shall be planted for each tree planted and each shrub shall be a minimum of 30 inches at planting.

(c)

Plant Spacing and Size Requirements.

(1)

Plant materials shall not be placed closer than six feet from the fence line or property line.

(2)

Evergreen trees shall be planted not more than 20 feet on center and shall be not less than four feet in height at planting.

(3)

Ornamental trees or tree-like shrubs shall be planted not more than ten feet on center and shall not be less than four feet in height at planting.

(4)

Deciduous shrubs shall be planted not more than four feet on center and shall not be less than 30 inches in height at planting.

(5)

Deciduous trees shall be planted not more than 25 feet on center and shall not be less than two inches in caliper measured at breast height at planting.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

(a)

Types of trees permitted to be planted within the required landscaped areas shall include, but not be limited to the following:

(1)

Canopy tree examples: Maples, Honey Locust, Sycamore, Oak, Linden, and Callery Pear;

(2)

Ornamental tree examples: Redbud, Hawthorn, Crabapple, Dogwood, Plum, Serviceberry;

(3)

Evergreen tree examples: Norway Spruce, Austrian Pine, White Pine, Colorado Spruce, Hemlock;

(4)

Deciduous shrub examples: Viburnum, Euonymus, Spiraea, Forsythia;

(5)

Evergreen shrub examples: Yew, Juniper, Inkberry, Arborvitae.

(b)

The following trees are prohibited from being planted within the required landscaped areas:

(1)

Ailanthus (Tree of Heaven);

(2)

Elm trees, except disease-resistant cultivars, such as "Regal", "Pioneer", "Homestead", "Jacan" and "Accolade";

(3)

Acer saccharinum (Soft/Silver Maple);

(4)

Salix (Willows);

(5)

Populus (Poplars);

(6)

Aesculus (Horse Chestnut);

(7)

Acer negundo (Box Elders);

(8)

Catalpa;

(9)

Elaeagnus;

(10)

Ginkgo biloba;

(11)

Robinia pseudoacacia (Black Locust);

(12)

Morus (Mulberry);

(13)

Fraxinus (Ash Tree); and

(14)

Gleditsia Triacanthos (Honey Locust with thorns).

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

Except for necessary driveways, frontage roads, service drives or walkways, the front yard shall be landscaped according to the following minimum requirements:

•

A strip of land at least five feet in width containing a solid screen comprised of a year-round vegetative hedge or decorative wall, or any combination thereof, which measures at least three feet in height; or

•

A strip of land at least ten feet in width within which for each 50 feet in length of road frontage two trees shall be planted. A mixture of evergreen, canopy and ornamental trees is encouraged to provide a variety of plantings along the street. Driveways shall not be counted in the determination of road frontage;

•

Shrubs at a rate of one per each tree required;

•

Earthen berms may be permitted within the required front yard landscape area. Credit of up to 25 percent may be received against providing the required plantings through the use of berms three feet in height or greater.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

All parking areas having ten or more parking spaces shall be landscaped according to the following minimum requirements:

(1)

One canopy tree for every 20 parking spaces, with a minimum of two trees, shall be planted adjacent to and within the parking area;

(2)

Trees shall be located to prevent damage by motor vehicles;

(3)

Landscaping islands shall be dispersed through the parking lot in order to break up large expanses of paved surfaces and improve traffic flow and line of sight for drivers. Each landscape island shall be a minimum of six feet wide and shall contain at least one canopy tree;

(4)

Landscaping shall be arranged so as not to obscure traffic signs or fire hydrants, or obstruct drivers' sight distance within the parking area and at driveway entrances;

(5)

All landscape areas shall be protected by raised curbs, parking blocks or other similar methods;

(6)

Landscaping required for greenbelts and front yard landscaping that abuts off-street parking areas may substitute for up to 50 percent of the required parking lot landscaping;

(7)

Evergreen trees shall not be planted within the parking lot or within 50 feet of any driveway.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

(a)

If a berm is used for all or part of the greenbelt or front yard landscaping, required plant material quantities may be reduced by 25 percent. The berm shall not exceed four feet in height. All plant materials shall be placed along the top and exterior side slope of the berm. The greenbelt width shall be increased as needed to accommodate maximum berm side slopes of one-foot vertical rise to three feet horizontal.

(b)

Berm areas shall be covered with grass or other living ground cover.

(c)

Berms shall be constructed so as not to negatively affect drainage patterns on adjacent properties.

(d)

A screen wall or solid fence may be used for all or part of the greenbelt subject to Planning Commission approval. If a solid fence or screen wall is used, the following regulations shall apply:

(1)

Required quantities of plant materials may be reduced by 50% for that area abutting the fence or wall.

(2)

The fence or wall shall comply with the applicable regulations of the Ordinance for height and materials.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)

Outdoor solid waste dumpsters shall be screened by a continuous opaque screen at least six feet high. The screen may be comprised of berms, plant material, solid walls or fences or any combination of these elements. Dumpsters may be installed within a greenbelt area.

(Ord. No. 144, 8-13-2019)