It is the intent of this article to protect and enhance the community's environmental, economic and aesthetic resources consistent with the goals of the City of Port Allen Master Plan. This article will promote the public health, safety and general welfare and contribute to the quality of life by establishing minimum standards for installation and maintenance of landscaping within the city for the following purposes:

A.

Water conservation. To conserve water through the preservation of existing plant communities, the planting of natural or uncultivated areas, and the use of site-specific plant materials. To provide for natural water recharge, preventing excess site runoff and establishing techniques for the installation and maintenance of landscape materials and irrigation systems.

B.

Aesthetics. To improve the aesthetic appearance of commercial and residential areas through landscape design by incorporating living plant materials, appropriate non-living landscape materials and other site elements in open space development. The natural and built environment are enhanced and harmonized in a way that is conducive to economic development.

C.

Environmental quality. Recognizing the numerous beneficial effects of landscaping upon the environment including:

1.

Improving air and water quality through natural processes such as photosynthesis, mineral uptake and chemical conversions that promote oxygen production, carbon dioxide reduction and greenhouse effect mitigation;

2.

Maintaining permeable land areas essential to surface water management, aquifer recharge and the conservation of fresh water resources;

3.

Reducing and reversing air, noise, heat, and chemical pollution through the biological filtering capacities of trees and other vegetation;

4.

Promoting energy conservation through the creation of shade, reducing heat gain in or on buildings or paved areas:

5.

Providing habitat for urban wildlife;

6.

Reducing the temperature of the microclimate; and

7.

Encouraging the conservation of topsoil resources through the use of site specific plants and various planting and maintenance techniques to prevent erosion.

D.

Site design. To improve site design by:

1.

Guiding and separating vehicular and pedestrian traffic;

2.

Providing appropriate separation between uses and properties; and

3.

Where needed, creating attractive and effective buffers between uses.

(Ord. No. 1-2016, § 1, 4-13-2016)

A.

The provisions of this article apply to:

1.

All commercial, industrial, multifamily, educational, institutional, public and semi-public land uses that are developed after the effective date of this zoning ordinance.

2.

See section 9.4, nonconforming sites, for application of this article to expansion of existing uses.

(Ord. No. 1-2016, § 1, 4-13-2016)

A.

[Types of landscaping.] Landscape and screening requirements consist of the following types of landscaping:

1.

Site square footage requirement.

2.

Street yard landscaping.

3.

Vehicular use area landscaping.

4.

Buffer area landscaping.

5.

Utility area landscaping.

6.

Landscaping around signs.

B.

Site square footage requirement.

1.

For all uses subject to this article, except for uses in the DMU, I-2 and I-3 districts:

a.

There must be one tree for each 5,000 square feet, or fraction thereof, of developed site area. On sites with buildings exceeding 50,000 square feet in gross floor area, 50 percent of the required trees shall be Class A.

b.

There must be one shrub for each 1,000 square feet of developed site area.

2.

For any use in DMU (downtown mixed-use), L-2 (light industrial) or L-3 (heavy industrial) districts:

a.

There must be one tree for each 12,500 square feet, or fraction thereof, of developed site area.

b.

There must be one shrub for each 3,000 square feet of developed site area.

C.

Street yard landscaped area.

1.

A street yard landscaped area is a landscaped strip along a property's road frontage, abutting and parallel to the public street right-of-way.

2.

The street yard landscaped area shall have a minimum depth of five feet from the public street right-of-way for all development subject to this article except the DMU district. No street yard landscaped area shall be required in the DMU district.

3.

The street yard landscaped area must contain a minimum of one tree for every 40 linear feet of street frontage, or fraction thereof, measured at the property line. The required trees may be located anywhere within the above referenced area. Corner lots with frontage on more than one street must calculate the street planting requirements along the entire street frontage.

4.

The street yard landscaped area must contain a minimum of one shrub per ten linear feet of right-of-way frontage. Shrub and non-turf ground cover plantings must cover 40 percent of the street yard landscaped area. The required shrubs and ground cover can be arranged in any manner.

5.

A minimum of 75 percent of the street yard landscaped area must have a ground cover or grass and other plant materials. The remaining 25 percent may be covered with rock, stone, bark, etc., and other impermeable features including sidewalks and points of ingress and egress.

6.

The street yard landscaped area may contain earth berms, masonry walls, walkways, site furniture, signage, site lighting, irrigation systems, drainage facilities including micro detention/retention basins, and other appropriate landscape features as approved by the planning commission.

D.

Vehicular use area landscaping.

1.

A minimum of eight percent of the interior vehicular use area must be landscaped with trees, shrubs, and groundcover other than turf grass. The interior vehicular use area includes parking spaces, drive aisles, walkways, dead space, loading areas and vehicle storage areas. It does not include street yard landscaped area or the access driveways and sidewalks crossing this area.

2.

Landscaping must be distributed within the vehicular use area in such a manner that no parking space is further than 50 feet from a Class A or B tree.

3.

For vehicular use areas of 12 to 100 parking spaces, one Class A tree or two Class B trees are required for every 12 parking spaces or fraction thereof.

4.

For vehicular use areas of over 100 parking spaces, one Class A tree or two Class B trees are required for every ten parking spaces or fraction thereof.

5.

Any parking island, peninsula, or planting space internal to a vehicular use area must have a minimum width of five feet and a minimum area of 60 square feet of non-paved area if it is to contain a tree or trees.

6.

A continuous landscape strip shall be provided between every four rows of parking. This shall be a minimum of five feet in width and shall be planted with a low hedge and shade trees.

7.

Islands and landscaped areas shall be protected by tire stops or curbing. Gaps in the curbing to allow stormwater flow are encouraged.

8.

For existing trees to be preserved, the islands, peninsulas, or green space around the tree(s) must provide a non-paved area extending from the tree trunk out to the tree's drip line to insure the survival of the preserved tree(s).

9.

Parking lot islands or landscaped areas may be designed to apply techniques allowing the flow and access of stormwater. Where appropriate, the use of porous pavement or specially designed brick or block should be considered to increase on-site water retention for plant material and to reduce problems associated with stormwater runoff.

10.

Residual areas not used for vehicular use or access must be landscaped.

11.

Underground electric conduit, drain lines, communications cables, irrigation lines and the like must be installed within the first one-third of the width of the available planting space along the curb or walkway edge within medians, neutral grounds, peninsulas, and islands so as not to interfere with tree installation. Offsets into the center of such spaces will be allowed if design dictates placement of light standards and other fixtures within the center of the space.

E.

Buffer area landscaping.

1.

Buffer area landscaping shall be provided to separate properties and provide buffers between uses.

2.

A landscape buffer A, B or C, as described in figure 7.1 below, shall be provided along a property line as established by figure 7.2.

Figure 7.1. Description of Required Landscape Buffer Types

Figure 7.2. Landscape Buffer Requirements

3.

Between two properties in commercial or industrial districts, breaks in the buffer area landscaping are permitted for driveway or walkway connections between uses.

4.

Planting areas must be landscaped with ground cover or other landscape material excluding paving in addition to the required trees.

5.

If a fence or wall is used for screening, one vine or shrub must be planted for every ten feet abutting the barrier. The remainder of the required strip must be planted with grass, ground cover or other landscape material exclusive of paving. Shrubs used for screening must be of a size and species that can be expected to provide a solid screen within two years of planting.

F.

Utility area landscaping. All service bays, loading and unloading areas, trash receptacles and dumpster areas must be screened by an opaque fence with a minimum height of seven feet and consisting of wood, brick, vinyl or masonry. A 36-inch minimum tall hedge or vines along all common property lines is also required. The fence and planting requirements may not be applied toward other landscape requirements. Exceptions may be made by the planning commission for sites where spatial conditions do not allow for such screening.

G.

Landscaping at base of signs. All freestanding signage must include a planting bed extending at least three feet out from the sign base with at least 12 inches tall plantings on all sides of the sign. This planting may not apply toward other landscaping requirements.

H.

[Existing vegetation.] Retaining existing vegetation, either as lone growing specimens or groves of trees, within the perimeter landscaped yard is highly encouraged. As an incentive to preserve existing non-invasive healthy trees and specimen shrubs found growing within the site area, credit for trees, shrubs and ground covers will be given as outlined in section 7.5, tree removal and preservation, towards standards set forth in section 7.3, landscape standards.

I.

Alternative compliance.

1.

The landscape standards in this section 7.3 are intended to encourage development which is economically viable and environmentally sensitive. The standards are not intended to be so specific as to inhibit creative development. Project conditions associated with individual sites may justify approval of alternative methods of compliance with the landscape standards. Conditions may arise where normal compliance is impractical or impossible, or where maximum achievement of the city's objectives can only be obtained through alternative compliance.

2.

Requests for alternative compliance will be accepted for any site plan application when one or more of the following conditions are met:

a.

Topography, soil, vegetation, drainage, narrowness or shallowness of the lot, or other site conditions are such that full compliance is impractical.

b.

Public safety considerations make alternative compliance necessary.

3.

A request for alternative compliance must be submitted to the planning commission when the site plan is submitted. The planning commission may not reduce the requirements of section 7.3 by more than 50 percent.

4.

Requests for alternative compliance must be accompanied by sufficient written explanation and landscape plan drawings to allow appropriate evaluation and decision by the planning commission.

J.

Stormwater best management practices. The city encourages the use of stormwater best management practices (BMP), such as retention basins, detention reservoirs, bio-swales, planted buffers, raingardens, infiltration trenches, grass filters, porous paving, underground storm water collection chambers and other on-site stormwater management practices to improve water quality, reduce stormwater runoff and flood hazards.

(Ord. No. 1-2016, § 1, 4-13-2016)

A.

Landscape materials.

1.

General material requirements.

a.

All landscaping must be installed in a sound manner and in accordance with accepted standards of the Louisiana Nurseryman's Manual (or the Environmental Horticulture Industry, or its successor manual or publication as published by the Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association.

b.

Plant material must be true to name, variety and size and must conform to all applicable provisions of the American Standards for Nursery Stock, latest edition, or its successor publication as published by the American Nursery and Landscape Association.

c.

Plants indigenous to the area or acclimated to growing in this climate must be used.

d.

Invasive exotic plant species are prohibited.

2.

Trees.

a.

A minimum of 25 percent of the total required trees must be Class A trees.

b.

All single trunk trees must have a minimum caliper of two inches immediately after planting.

c.

Multi-trunk trees must have main stems with a minimum one inch caliper per trunk immediately after planting. All multi-trunk trees must have a minimum of three trunks. The multi-trunk tree must measure minimum eight to ten feet tall immediately after planting. All tree heights must be measured from the top of the root ball to the tip of the branch.

d.

Buffer zones: Evergreen trees with a minimum height of 12 feet, and minimum caliper of two and one-half inches and with the maximum height of the lowest branch of eight feet shall be utilized to meet the buffer area tree planting requirements.

e.

Palm trees: Palm trees count toward Class "B" tree requirements only. Only cold hardy species acclimated to growing in this climate are permitted. All palm trees must have a minimum height of 14 feet trunk height, measured from the ground line, which should be at or near the top of the root zone, to the base of the heart leaf.

f.

Tree species must be selected or located in such a manner that will not interfere with overhead utility lines.

g.

Trees must be planted in a bed with a minimum planting area of 60 square feet.

h.

Recommended species list: The planning commission will provide species recommendations upon request.

3.

Shrubs. Shrubs must be a minimum three-gallon well-rooted container stock.

4.

Groundcovers. Groundcovers (other than turf grass) must be a minimum four-inch container stock, spaced at a maximum of eight inches on center. Two and one-half-inch container stock may be substituted and spaced a maximum of six inches on center. Vines and ground cover plants should show a number of vigorous runners or a well-developed crown.

5.

Mulch. A minimum four-inch mulch dressing consisting of shredded pine bark or pine needles is required for all plantings. Mulch should be kept away from direct contact with tree trunks. Rock and gravel are not acceptable forms of mulch. The use of cypress mulch is prohibited due to environmentally destructive harvesting practices.

6.

Edging. Edging must be installed at all locations where planting beds meet turf.

7.

Irrigation and watering standard. An irrigation system is required. The use of drip irrigation systems is encouraged. Irrigation design and installation must meet the requirements of the Louisiana Horticultural Commission.

8.

Planting medium. Soil must be fertile, friable soil typical of locality. It must be well drained, clean, and free of clay, stones, and weeds.

B.

Maintenance requirements. Requirements for the maintenance of plant materials and landscape areas are as follows:

1.

The developer, his successor, agent and/or property owner, is responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of all landscape materials that are required by this comprehensive landscape ordinance. Maintenance includes, but is not limited to, weeding, irrigating, fertilizing, pruning and replacement of dead or dying plants.

2.

All landscaping must be maintained in a sound manner and in accordance with accepted maintenance procedures as established by the Louisiana Nursery and Landscape Association.

3.

All plant materials and planted areas must be tended and maintained in a healthy growing condition and kept free of refuse and debris. Plant materials that exhibit evidence of insect pests, disease and/or damage must be appropriately treated, and dead plants must be replaced.

4.

Care must be taken to protect all trees and landscape materials while performing routine maintenance operations (i.e. grass cutting, trenching, etc.).

5.

Trees or landscape materials removed for the purpose of flood or drainage requirements must be replaced by a similar tree or plant material as required by the provisions of this article 7, landscape standards.

6.

All plantings are subject to periodic inspections by the City of Port Allen.

7.

The property owner of land abutting a public street right-of-way is responsible for landscaping and maintenance of any right-of-way area between his property line and the curb line. As provided in section 70.161 of the Port Allen Municipal Code, although the property owner is responsible for maintenance, the City of Port Allen shall have the right to plant, prune, maintain, and remove trees, plants, and shrubs within the lines of all streets, alleys, avenues, lanes, squares and public grounds, as may be necessary to ensure public safety and to preserve or enhance the symmetry and beauty of such public grounds.

a.

Trees which overhang sidewalks at curbs must be trimmed to a minimum height of six feet six inches above grade.

b.

Trees which overhang streets must be trimmed to maintain clearance at a minimum height of 15 feet above grade or conform to the latest edition AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Traffic Officials) A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets, whichever is greater.

8.

Tree topping is prohibited.

9.

Diseased or hazardous plants: The administrator has the authority to require that property owners treat or allow the city to treat trees or shrubs suffering from transmittable diseases or infestation of pests. If the disease or pests warrant drastic action to curb the spread to healthy trees or shrubs, or if the tree represents a public hazard, on the advice of the administrator, the property owner may be required to cut and destroy the trees or shrubs or allow the city or its agent to do so, charging the actual cost involved to the property owner. If the property owner refuses to pay any such charges, the charges will be treated as grass or weed charges, following the procedures set forth in the City of Port Allen Code of Ordinances section 34.12, including placing a lien on the owner's property and including the charges on the ad valorem tax bill.

10.

Watering.

a.

Operation of automatic irrigation systems. Whenever possible, automatic irrigation systems should be operated between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

b.

Maintenance of irrigation systems. Irrigation systems must be constantly maintained to eliminate waste of water due to seasonal change, loss of heads, broken pipes or misadjusted nozzles.

c.

Manual watering. When no irrigation system is provided, the owner of the property is responsible for the provision of adequate water to required plant materials.

(Ord. No. 1-2016, § 1, 4-13-2016)

A.

Tree removal permit. The tree removal process is hereby established to allow for review of site development alternatives that would encourage the preservation of existing significant trees. A tree removal permit issued by the planning commission is required prior to clearing any tract of land when one of the following conditions is present:

1.

Tree clearing is proposed for land zoned for commercial, office, industrial or institutional development(s) and the site contains tree(s) with 12-inch DBH or greater; or

2.

Tree clearing is for proposed residential development(s) greater than one acre.

B.

Tree preservation.

1.

A tree preservation plan approved by the planning commission is required in order to receive credit towards the landscaping requirements of section 7.3. The following tree preservation requirements must be followed to receive credit.

2.

The owner is encouraged to preserve as many existing trees and shrubs as possible in the design and implementation of the landscape plan.

3.

Tree credit rate for each tree preserved is determined by the following schedule:

Figure 7.3. Tree Preservation Credits

* Dripline Diameter measurement is rounded off to the nearest foot.

** Diameter of trunk (DBH) of preserved tree is rounded off to the nearest inch.

All other trees preserved will receive one credit with the exception of Chinese Tallow (Sapium sebiferum), Black Willow (Salix nigra), Cottonwood (Populus deltoids), Camphor Tree (Cinnamomum camphora) and other trees with life spans of 20 years or less or exotic invasive species.

4.

Each tree credit is equal to one "Class A" tree or two "Class B" trees.

5.

Following the issuance of a building permit, trees not designated for tree preservation on an approved landscape plan may be removed.

6.

It is the responsibility of the owner to use reasonable care to maintain preserved trees. If a preserved tree dies within eight years, it is the responsibility of the owner to replace that tree with the number of trees credited on a Class "A" or "B" matching basis within six months. The owner is responsible for maintaining all plant materials required by this ordinance in good living condition.

7.

The tree preservation plan must include the location, size and condition of each tree to be preserved, along with an indication of proposed development features which may impact such trees, and any other pertinent information as required by the administrator to evaluate existing and proposed conditions.

8.

The tree preservation plan must include a detailed description of all methods to be used to ensure the survival of all trees scheduled for preservation credit, including information required by the administrator to interpret the intent and methodology proposed.

9.

All tree preservation methodology must conform to the standards of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Louisiana Horticulture Commission and the International Society of Arboriculture, or their successor agencies or organization.

C.

Tree protection during construction.

1.

The area beneath the canopy of a tree must be designated as a tree protection zone and kept safe from harmful impact during site development and construction.

2.

In the erection of any building or structure, the builder, contractor or owner thereof must place tree guards or barriers around all the nearby trees belonging to the city to prevent injury to them, and may not place building materials or trash upon public property without the permission of the City of Port Allen.

3.

Trees designated on the tree protection plan as protected trees must be completely enclosed by a tree protection fence of at least five feet high. The limits of the tree fence must extend to the drip line. Tree fence location must be as described on the site plan.

4.

In the event that a point of ingress/egress is required through a grove of trees to be preserved and all alternative routes have been investigated, the planning commission may allow a temporary pathway through the grove. Such a route will be as narrow as practical, temporarily covered with 12-inch minimum gravel to protect tree roots from heavy machinery, and enclosed by protective fencing on both sides. A licensed arborist must be hired in order to properly prune tree branches damaged by construction equipment.

5.

Tree protection fencing must be in place prior to any clearing or site work. Tree protection fencing must remain in place until all construction has been completed or final acceptance has been issued, whichever is last.

6.

Tree protection fencing must carry durable signs designating the area as "Tree Protection Zone. No entry unless authorized by the City of Port Allen." Such signs must be spaced around the perimeter of all tree protection zones with a maximum spacing of 25 feet. Signs must be a minimum eight inches by ten inches in size and must be firmly affixed to the tree protection fence.

7.

Any violation of a tree protection zone will subject the owner to the loss of tree preservation credits and will require the suspension of all work until a revised landscape plan is approved for the project.

8.

Tree protection zones must explicitly follow the terms and conditions of the approved tree preservation plan for that project or site.

9.

The administrator may order additional tree protection measures if site conditions warrant them.

Failure to install or maintain plant materials and planting areas as determined by this section shall constitute a violation of the zoning ordinance and be subject to enforcement as established in section 10.8.

(Ord. No. 1-2016, § 1, 4-13-2016)