The landscaping and screening requirements specified herein are intended to foster aesthetically pleasing development which will protect and preserve the appearance, character, general health, safety and welfare of the village of River Forest. In addition, these regulations are intended to increase the compatibility of adjacent uses that are different, such as commercial uses adjacent to residential uses, by requiring a buffer or screen between them. In doing so, this will minimize the harmful impact of noise, dust and other debris, motor vehicle headlight glare or other artificial light intrusions and other objectionable activities or impacts conducted or created by adjoining or nearby uses. (Ord. 2960, 4-8-2002)

   ASCENDING: Upright, spreading tree form.

   BOTANICAL NAME: The Latin scientific name of a plant, a binomial consisting of "genus" and "species"; each plant has a unique botanical name.

   CALIPER: Outside diameter of a tree trunk, measured at six inches aboveground for trees of less than four inch caliper, and measured at twelve inches aboveground for trees of four inches or more.

   COLUMNAR: Narrow, upright tree form (see also definition of Fastigiate).

   COMMON NAME: The English name of a plant.

   CONTAINER: Structure having sides and bottom, sitting on the sidewalk, filled with soil, used for planting.

   COURTESY WALK: Narrow walk (usually two feet six inches or three feet) crossing the planted part of the parkway, connecting the curb to the sidewalk.

   DECIDUOUS: Plants shedding or losing foliage at the end of the growing season.

   DRIP LINE: Imaginary line at the outermost edge of the tree canopy. Minimum distance from trunk at which protective fencing is to be maintained.

   EVERGREEN: Plants having foliage that persists and remains green all year.

   FASTIGIATE: Narrow, upright tree form (see also definition of Columnar).

   GROUND COVER: Low growing plants no higher than eighteen inches.

   INTERNAL PLANTING: An area inside the perimeter of a parking lot used for landscaping.

   LANDSCAPED AREA: An area the ground of which is completely covered with grass, ground cover, shrubs, trees, or other living plant material.

   MULTISTEM: A tree form characterized by several trunks, or stems, rather than a single trunk. Examples include birch and alder.

   NATURAL LAWN: Lawns planted with groups of plants, such as grasses and shrubs, native to northern Illinois. These lawns result from intentional cultivation and management and are not the result of neglect or so called passive management.

   ORNAMENTAL TREE: Deciduous tree, mature height less than thirty feet, possessing qualities such as flowers, fruit, and attractive foliage or shape.

   PARKWAY: That portion of the public way between the street and the nearest parallel property line, including sidewalk area.

   PARKWAY LANDSCAPE AREA: An area between the sidewalk and the back of street curb used for landscaping.

   PARKWAY PLANTER: A large planter cutout in a sidewalk, usually edged with a concrete curb and/or metal fence located in the parkway landscape area.

   PARKWAY TREE: A permitted shade or ornamental tree planted in the parkway.

   PERIMETER LANDSCAPE AREA: The seven foot wide area of a site measured inward from the property line.

   ROOT PATH: A geotextile channel connecting tree root balls to other adjacent trees and/or adjacent green space.

   SHADE TREE: Large scale deciduous tree, mature height above thirty feet, generally having a single stem, planted primarily for shade.

   SHRUB: Small scale plants, generally without a single stem, used as hedges, foundation planting, borders, and accents, possessing qualities such as flowers, fruit, and attractive foliage or shape.

   SIGHT TRIANGLE: A defined area on either side of a street intersection or driveway in which plantings are restricted in order to minimize visual obstructions of oncoming pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

   STRUCTURAL SOIL: Soil that has been amended with aggregate to support concrete sidewalks and asphalt parking lots while providing nourishment to plant roots (e.g., "Cornell", "Amsterdam", or other soil that has the ability to support a concrete slab while allowing for root penetration).

   TREE GRATE: Cast iron covering over a tree pit allowing pedestrian circulation over the pit while reducing soil compaction.

   TREE GUARD: Protective cage around a tree trunk, usually cast iron, attached to a tree grate, to protect the tree trunk.

   TREE PIT: A cutout or hole in the sidewalk, filled with soil, in which a tree is planted, sometimes covered with a tree grate.

   TURF GRASS: A species or cultivar of grass, usually of spreading habit (rhizomes, tillers, stolons) that is maintained as a mowed tuft including Kentucky bluegrass cultivars, perennial rye grass cultivars and fescue cultivars.

   VEHICULAR USE AREA: Any area of the lot not located within any enclosed or partially enclosed structure and which is devoted to a use by or for motor vehicles including parking (accessory or nonaccessory) or storage of automobiles, trucks or other vehicles; loading areas; service areas and drives; and access drives and driveways. (Ord. 2960, 4-8-2002)

The requirements of this chapter shall apply to multi-family residential buildings, commercial establishments, institutions and government buildings, where the building footprint covers five thousand square feet or more of land area. Only those provisions of this chapter related to subsection 10-24-4B, "Parkway Landscaping", of this chapter shall apply to single- family residential properties.

Planned development applications which have been approved before April 18, 2002, are hereby exempt from the requirements of this chapter. (Ord. 3009, 1-27-2003)

   A.   Sight Triangles: (Rep. by Ord. 3009, 1-27-2003)

   B.   Parkway Landscaping: No less than seventy five percent of the area on the parkway must be seeded or sodded with turf grass. They may also have perennials no higher than eighteen inches and/or ground cover plantings as long as access to utilities are left unobstructed. The area of plantings other than turf grass shall not exceed twenty five percent of the total area of the parkway. Parkway trees are required to be planted at intervals no farther than thirty five feet and no closer than twelve feet (the exact placement of trees within these parameters shall be at the discretion of the village forester). The trees shall have a minimum caliper of two inches. Tree species must be selected from the list of recommended species (see section 10-24-10 of this chapter). Applications for planting such trees shall be reviewed by the department of public works prior to installation. If approved, a permit will be issued.

   C.   Parking Lot Landscaping: All surface parking lots designed for ten or more parking spaces shall have interior landscaping as follows:

      1.   Parking lot landscape islands shall be located at both ends of each parking row and landscape diamonds shall be provided within the parking row at intervals of no more than eight adjacent parking spaces.

      2.   Landscape islands shall have minimum dimensions of six feet by eighteen feet as measured from back of curb to back of curb.

      3.   Landscape diamonds shall have minimum dimensions of five feet as measured from back of curb to back of curb.

      4.   The entire area of parking islands and parking diamonds is to be backfilled with planting soil to a uniform depth of two feet. The finish grade of the soil should be slightly crowned to improve drainage of the island.

      5.   One shade tree of a minimum of two and one-half inch caliper shall be provided for each one hundred thirty square feet of landscape island. A minimum of fifty percent of every landscape island shall be planted with live plant material, such as shrubs, ground cover or turf grass to a maximum height of thirty inches at maturity. The entire area of the landscape island shall be covered with organic mulch.

      6.   Shrubs shall be no greater than thirty inches in height and the branches of trees shall start no less than six feet above the pavement, to ensure proper visibility within the parking lot.

   D.   Parking Lot Screening: All parking lots, regardless of number of parking spaces or of intended use and service or loading areas, must be landscaped around their perimeters as follows:

      1.   A minimum seven foot wide landscape area shall be provided around the parking lot where it abuts another parcel or right of way.

      2.   Landscape areas shall have minimum plant coverage of seventy five percent, which consists of a continuous screen, thirty to forty eight inches high. The entire landscape perimeter area shall be covered with organic mulch.

      3.   All parking lots shall have concrete curbs around their perimeters.

   E.   Setbacks And Buffers:

      1.   Building Perimeter Landscaping:

         a.   Width: A landscaped area a minimum of three feet in width shall be located around the front of all buildings.

         b.   Coverage: Required building perimeter landscaping areas shall remain open and free of all paving except where walks to buildings and other similar paving are required.

         c.   Planting Materials: Landscaping shall be provided along all front facades except where sidewalks and driveways are located. Such landscaping shall be comprised of a combination of plants such as shade trees, ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubs and ground cover. Particular attentions should be paid toward providing transitions between the building and ground plane, visual breaks along monotonous building facades, and enhance walkways, entrances, seating areas, bus stops or any other pedestrian areas; separate and buffer pedestrian and public areas from cruise lanes, drives and parking areas, and provide direction to focal areas and main entrances.

      2.   Lot Perimeter Landscaping:

         a.   Applicability: All nonresidential and multiple-family residential developments shall provide lot perimeter landscaping in accordance with the provisions of this section.

         b.   Nonresidential Property Abutting Residential Property: Where nonresidential property abuts property zoned for residential use, landscaping shall be provided as follows:

            (1)   Width: A landscaped area a minimum of five feet in width shall be provided.

            (2)   Screening: Solid landscape screening to a minimum of six feet in height above the grade of the subject property and in a design satisfactory to the zoning administrator or his authorized designee shall be provided along the length of the abutting property line. If determined necessary by the village, due to topographical changes between the abutting commercial and residential property, the minimum height of the required screening may be increased to eight feet. Any landscape materials used shall be made up of twenty five percent evergreen trees a minimum of six feet tall, twenty five percent ornamental trees a minimum of three inches in caliper or clumps six feet tall, and fifty percent evergreen and deciduous shrubs achieving a minimum height of screening six feet at the time of planting. Whenever possible, berms should be used in conjunction with the landscaping.

            (3)   Shade Trees: Shade trees shall be provided at the equivalent of not more than thirty feet apart along the abutting property line. Such trees may be clustered or spaced linearly.

            (4)   Ground Cover: Except where occupied by planting beds, all perimeter landscaping areas shall be sodded or seeded.

         c.   Multiple-Family Residential Property: Multiple-family residential property shall be landscaped as follows:

            (1)   Width: A landscaped area a minimum of ten feet in width shall be provided.

            (2)   Landscaping: A minimum of fifty percent of the required landscape setback shall be landscaped. Such landscaping shall be made up of fifty percent evergreen trees and ornamental trees a minimum of six feet tall and fifty percent evergreen and deciduous shrubs a minimum of three feet tall. Whenever possible, berms should be used in conjunction with the landscaping.

            (3)   Shade Trees: Shade trees shall be provided at the equivalent of not more than thirty feet apart along the abutting property line. Such trees may be clustered or spaced linearly.

            (4)   Ground Cover: Except where occupied by planting beds, all landscaping areas shall be sodded or seeded.

            (5)   Building Perimeter Landscaping: Building perimeter landscaping in a minimum planting bed with a width of eight feet shall be provided along one hundred percent of all building facades except where sidewalks and driveways are located. Fifty percent of the landscape requirements shall be made up of evergreen trees and shrubs and fifty percent deciduous trees, ornamental trees and shrubs.

   F.   Fencing And Walls: Fencing and walls are to be used where screening is required but there is insufficient depth in the landscape area to exclusively use plant materials and achieve satisfactory results.

      1.   Ornamental metal fencing, forty two inches high, is required along public rights of way covered by corridor design guidelines which are incorporated into this chapter as section 10-24-11.

      2.   Chainlink fence is not permitted along public rights of way (excluding alleys) and/or outside the rear yard of a property. If erected in a rear yard chainlink fencing must have a dark green or black vinyl coating. Vine planting is recommended at the base of required perimeter fencing.

      3.   There shall be a minimum of one foot from the right of way line to the fence.

      4.   Year round screening is required around dumpsters, air conditioning units, garbage can storage areas, satellite dishes, dog runs and compost heaps.

   G.   Irrigation: Commercial, multi-family residential (six dwelling units or larger), institutional, and governmental facilities must provide irrigation for all required landscape areas.

      1.   Irrigation systems shall be designed to minimize overspray and runoff onto adjacent impervious surfaces.

      2.   For sprinkler irrigated areas, perimeter sprinkler heads must be included in the irrigation pattern.

      3.   Precipitation rates are to be matched for all irrigation heads in a given zone.

      4.   Drip irrigation systems are required for trees unless within lawn areas.

      5.   Consideration should be given to planting species of landscape materials and arranging them in a way that promotes the conservation of water used in their care.

   H.   Growing Medium: It is essential that trees and other plants be given a sufficient quantity and quality of soil at the time of planting. Planters in parkways and parking lots shall have planting soil installed as follows:

      1.   Three foot minimum depth.

      2.   Soil composition, soil acidity, and organic content are as per standards by the American association of nurserymen.

      3.   Parkway planters shall be as long and continuous as possible.

      4.   In areas between parkway planters structural soil shall be installed under the sidewalk. Root paths between the planting pits or cantilevered sidewalks built over a typical soil mix are also acceptable.

   I.   Grading And Drainage: Any grading or alteration of drainage patterns must not release any additional quantities or increase rates of runoff onto adjacent properties than existed prior to the construction. (Ord. 2960, 4-8-2002)

It is the purpose and intent of this section to establish regulations limiting the removal and ensuring the replacement of trees from multi-family residential, commercial, institutional and governmental property within the village and, in doing so, safeguard the ecological and aesthetic environment of the community. These regulations are further intended to serve to dissuade the unnecessary clearing and disturbing of land so as to preserve, insofar as practical, the existing natural trees, and preserve existing landscaping buffers to minimize the impact of adjoining differing land uses, enhance and protect the integrity of roadway corridors, and reduce the surface heat and negative visual impact of vehicular use areas.

   A.   Tree Removal:

      1.   Approval Required: No tree having a trunk size of six inches or greater in diameter as measured twelve inches above the established ground levels, shall be removed from any multi-family residential, commercial, institutional and governmental property requiring building permit approval as set forth in this code, or which is the subject of a petition for a zoning variation or subdivision in the village, without written approval from the zoning administrator or his authorized designee. In cases where only a zoning variation is sought, only those trees that are to be removed as a result of the construction that requires the variation shall be subject to these regulations. Undesirable species of trees such as those described in section 10-24-10 of this chapter shall be exempt from these regulations. A written statement indicating the reasons for removal of trees and a general description of the trees to be removed shall accompany the application for tree removal.

      2.   Conditions Of Approval: The zoning administrator or his authorized designee shall approve all requests for tree removal if one or more of the following conditions is present:

         a.   Safety Hazard To Pedestrians Or Vehicular Traffic: Necessity to remove trees that pose a safety hazard to pedestrian or vehicular traffic or threaten to cause a disruption of public safety.

         b.   Safety Hazard To Buildings: Necessity to remove trees which pose a safety hazard to a building.

         c.   Diseased Or Weakened Trees: Necessity to remove diseased trees or trees weakened by age, storm, fire or other injury.

         d.   Observe Good Forestry Practice: Necessity to observe good forestry practice, i.e., the number of healthy trees a given parcel of land will support.

         e.   Location Of Proposed Structure: Necessity to remove trees in order to locate proposed structure(s) without causing unreasonable economic hardship.

         f.   Grade Changes: Necessity to remove trees in order to provide for essential grade changes.

      3.   Replacement Trees: Any trees that have been identified for removal must be replaced in accordance with the following criteria:

         a.   Replacement trees shall either:

            (1)   Equal or exceed the same size caliper as the tree removed; or

            (2)   Consist of smaller trees, not less than three inches in caliper, which add up to the caliper of the original tree.

         b.   All replacement trees shall be selected from the village's recommended species list (see section 10-24-10 of this chapter).

         c.   Replacement trees shall be documented on the final landscape plan.

         d.   Replacement trees may be used for required perimeter yard landscaping and screening on the subject property.

   B.   Protection Of Existing Trees During Construction:

      1.   Tree Survey: A tree survey shall be submitted at the time of an application for building permit approval indicating the location, size and species (both scientific and common) of all trees located on the parcel with a trunk size of six inches or greater, as measured twelve inches above the established ground level.

      2.   Integration Of Existing Trees Into Site And Landscape Plans: Subject to the determination of the zoning administrator, every reasonable effort shall be made to retain existing trees on the aforementioned trees survey through the integration of those trees surveyed into the site and landscape plan for the proposed development. Removal of trees designed for preservation shall only be allowed by amendment to the approved landscape plan.

      3.   Tree Preservation Plan: A tree preservation plan shall be submitted at the time of an application for site plan and architectural approval indicating, at a minimum, the location of those trees to be preserved and the methods which are to be used to preserve such trees. The tree preservation plan shall specify the following preservation techniques:

         a.   Grading, Construction Equipment And Materials: All grading and construction equipment and materials shall be forbidden from encroaching upon the tree's drip line.

         b.   Materials Detrimental To Trees: Crushed limestone or any other materials that may be detrimental to trees shall not be dumped within the drip line of any trees nor shall be located at any higher location where drainage toward the tree(s) could conceivably affect the health of said tree(s).

         c.   Storage Of Vehicles: No materials or vehicles shall be stored, driven or parked within the drip line of any trees.

         d.   Installation Of Snow Fencing: Snow fencing, or an alternative temporary barrier, with the written approval of the zoning administrator or his authorized designee, shall be installed at the periphery of the tree's drip line to protect trees from root compaction by the storage of materials or vehicles.

         e.   Pruning: Identification of any trees which have to be saved, but which could be negatively affected during the construction process. All such trees shall be pruned by a qualified arborist to compensate for root loss during construction.

         f.   Preservation Methodology: The methods that are to be used to preserve those trees shall be clearly specified. If, in the opinion of the zoning administrator, or his authorized designee the necessary precautions, as specified in the tree preservation plan for the development, were not undertaken before or during construction to ensure the preservation of those trees, the site development permit for the parcel shall not be issued, or if previously issued, may be revoked until such time as compliance with the precautions is achieved.

         g.   Consultant: The village shall, at its discretion, have the right to retain a professional tree consultant/forester to review the preservation plans and to submit a written report to the zoning administrator. All expenses incurred by the village shall be reimbursed by the developer.

         h.   Village Right To Inspection: The village shall have the right to inspect the subject property at any time during the construction process, in order to verify that the developer and contractor have protected trees in accordance with the approved tree preservation plan.

      4.   Removal Of Trees Designated For Preservation: If it is determined by the village that a tree designated for preservation is destroyed or razed during the construction process by a deliberate action in violation of the approved tree preservation plan, such tree shall be replaced with new trees in accordance with the following exchange rate. Village staff may, with just cause, waive the following exchange rate due to accidental damage to protected trees:

         a.   Exchange Rate:

 

 

   C.   Trunk Size: Trunk size as measured at twelve inches above the established ground. For the above, in the event of a fraction of an inch, if the fraction is less than one-half inch, it may be disregarded. If the fraction is one-half or greater, it shall be counted as one inch.

   D.   Minimum Size Of Replacement Trees: All replacement trees shall be a minimum trunk size of three inches in diameter, as measured six inches above the established ground.

   E.   Payment In Lieu Of Replacement Trees: If it is determined by the village that an insufficient area exists which would support any or all of the replacement trees, the property owner shall contribute one hundred percent of the dollar value (as determined by the most recent valuations of the international society of arboriculture) of the replacement trees to the village. Said funds shall be used for the sole purpose of planting trees at locations determined by the village. (Ord. 2960, 4-8-2002)

All property owners shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of all required landscape materials.

   A.   Grass shall be maintained at a height not in excess of eight inches.

   B.   All required landscape materials shall be maintained in good condition so as to present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance, shall be replaced when dead or dying, and shall be kept free of refuse and debris. (Ord. 2960, 4-8-2002)

Four blueline or blackline prints of the landscape plan must be submitted for any project subject to this chapter. The plan must have a scale of one inch equals forty feet or larger (e.g., one inch equals thirty feet or one inch equals twenty feet) and be on standard size drawing sheets not to exceed thirty six by forty eight inches.

   A.   The landscape plan must include the following information:

      1.   Drawing scale.

      2.   Drawing orientation (indicated by conventional north arrow).

      3.   Property lines, easements, and rights of way frontages, showing dimensions.

      4.   Sight triangles at intersections and at alley and driveway curb cuts.

      5.   Total vehicular use area calculation.

      6.   Location and dimensions of all landscaped areas including parkway planting; parking lot and vehicular use area screening; parking lot and vehicular use area internal planting.

      7.   Location, botanical name and sizes of all plants and the location of other pertinent landscape features.

      8.   Location of all existing trees on site greater than two and one-half inch caliper that the applicant proposes to remove.

      9.   Location of all existing trees on site greater than two and one-half inch caliper which are to be retained and counted towards the planting requirements.

      10.   Location of existing parkway trees including a description of their quality and species.

      11.   Location, design, height, and building material of all proposed walls, tree pits, planter containers, and fences.

      12.   Location of existing and proposed streetlights and fire hydrants in public rights of way.

      13.   Size and location of all existing and proposed public and private utility improvements, both underground and overhead, within the public rights of way.

      14.   Proposed layout of vehicular use areas including the location and dimensions of parking spaces, islands, internal planting, pedestrian walkways, and driving aisles.

      15.   Direction of street traffic using one- or two-way arrows.

      16.   Estimated time scheduled for planting.

      17.   Names, addresses, and phone numbers of the owner and the registered landscape architect responsible for preparing the landscape plans.

      18.   A certified statement, signed by the owner(s), committing to the protection and, if necessary, replacement of all existing parkway trees and internal trees designated for credit toward landscaping requirements (see section 10-24-12 of this chapter).

      19.   A certified statement, signed by the owner(s), committing to the maintenance of required landscaping (see section 10-24-12 of this chapter).

      20.   A certified statement, signed by the registered landscape architect responsible for preparing the landscape plans, stating that the plans have been prepared in accordance with the zoning standards and the landscape ordinance of the village of River Forest (see section 10-24-12 of this chapter).

   B.   Other submission requirements include:

      1.   Plat of survey.

      2.   Survey showing existing trees (size, location, genus, and condition).

      3.   Photographs of all existing trees with a caliper of two inches or greater.

      4.   Plan of types and extent of soil modifications and drainage. (Ord. 2960, 4-8-2002)

   A.   Submittals And Reviews: Building permit plans and landscape plans are submitted to the public works department for the village of River Forest. Prior to any site work along with any application fees that may be required.

   B.   Inspection And Approval: Following construction of all improvements and installation of plant materials and prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit, a site inspection will be made by the village forester to verify compliance with all provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 2960, 4-8-2002)

This chapter shall take effect as of April 18, 2002. Properties that do not conform to the sight triangle requirements of subsection 10-24-4A of this chapter shall be brought into compliance within one year from the effective date hereof. Properties that do not conform to the requirements of this chapter except those provisions relating to sight triangles in subsection 10-24-4A of this chapter shall be brought into compliance within three years from the effective date hereof. (Ord. 2960, 4-8-2002)

This section describes general standards; tree planting standards; hedge planting standards; shrub planting standards; and ground cover planting standards.

   A.   General Standards: To ensure installation of plants that will thrive under stressful urban conditions, certain species must be encouraged. The standards listed in this section will help prevent the planting of trees that become hazards, maintenance problems, or a scar on the landscape.

   B.   Quality:

      1.   Plants shall meet the standards of "American Standard for Nursery Stock", ANSI Z60.1 latest edition, American association of nurserymen, which by reference is made a part of these guidelines. References to minima and maxima with respect to plant height and spread, root ball diameter and depth, etc., are from this publication.

      2.   Plants shall meet all requirements of federal, state, and local law with respect to plant type, labeling, nursery or plant inspection, disease, insect, and other pest infestation, and any other requirements.

      3.   Plants shall be high quality nursery grown stock.

      4.   Substandard "B-grade" or "park grade" plants are not acceptable.

      5.   Field collected plants are not acceptable, even if they have been subsequently planted in the ground in a nursery or planted in a container.

      6.   Plants shall have been grown in a climate zone similar to River Forest's, i.e., United States department of agriculture (most recent USDA zone hardiness map) zone 4 or 5 (zone 5 plants are generally hardy only near the warming influence of Lake Michigan). Plants from zone 6B or more, i.e., warmer climate zones, are not acceptable.

      7.   Plants shall be in a healthy, vigorous condition, free of dead or broken branches, scars that are not completely healed, frost cracks, disfiguring knots, broken or abraded bark, redundant leaders or branches, rubbing branches, or aberrations of any kind. Plants shall not have multiple leaders, unless this is the natural form; multistem trees are not acceptable for required planting in parkways.

      8.   Plants shall have full, even, well developed branching and a dense, fibrous, and vigorous root system.

   C.   Digging And Handling:

      1.   Balled and burlapped (B&B) plants shall be dug with a firm root ball of natural earth, of a size in proportion to the plant's size, as measured by caliper, height, or spread.

      2.   Balled and burlapped plants shall be handled only by the root ball, not by the trunk or branches, as this may break or loosen the root ball and damage the root system.

      3.   Container plants shall have been established for a minimum of one full growing season in their containers before installation.

      4.   Container plants shall be handled only by the container, not by the stems or branches, as this may pull the plant out of the container and break or loosen the root ball and damage the root system.

      5.   Bare root shrubs and ground cover plants are acceptable, if they are dug and installed at the appropriate season and handled in the appropriate manner.

      6.   Bare root trees are not acceptable.

      7.   Plants shall be protected from drying out during shipping with tarpaulins or other covering.

      8.   Plants shall be protected from drying out after delivery by planting immediately; if this is not possible, the root ball shall be covered with peat moss or earth, and watered frequently to keep it moist until planting.

      9.   Not handled, moved, bound, tied or otherwise treated so as to damage the root ball, roots, trunk, or branches in any way.

   D.   Inspection:

      1.   During construction, parkway trees will be inspected by the village forester to confirm compliance with this chapter. If the trees fail to meet the requirements of this chapter, they must be replaced at the owner's expense. At the end of five years, the village forester will perform an acceptance inspection. If the project is approved, the village will then assume responsibility for the trees in the public right of way.

      2.   Standards for size are at time of installation.

      3.   Minimum size shall be two and one-half inch caliper, measured six inches aboveground.

      4.   Trees shall have a clear trunk, free of branches, to a minimum height of six feet.

      5.   Trees shall be balled and burlapped (B&B), with no exceptions.

      6.   Two and one-half inch caliper trees shall be twelve feet to fourteen feet in height, with a maximum height of sixteen feet.

      7.   Two and one-half inch caliper trees shall have a minimum twenty eight inch diameter by eighteen inch depth root ball.

   E.   Recommended Species; Trees: The following deciduous tree species and varieties are recommended. The selection of trees is subject to the review of the village for specific locations.

 

       1.   For use only in narrow parkways with nearby buildings and street.

      2.   Spring dig only.

The specification of improved varieties of plants is recommended. The varieties of a given species may have a straighter trunk, a more symmetrical crown, better flowering or fall color, resistance to disease or insect infestations, etc. All trees shall be wrapped with burlap from base to lowest branches and secured with biodegradable twine. Project owners are advised to seek advice when selecting plants: a certified nurseryman, the cooperative extension service of the University of Illinois, a registered landscape architect, a reputable landscape contractor, etc.

   F.   Acceptable Species, Subject To Approval: The following tree species and varieties are acceptable if specifically approved by the village forester:

 

G.   Unacceptable Species: The following tree species and varieties are unacceptable (conifers or needle evergreens are unacceptable; trees with thorns are unacceptable for any parkway planting):

 

 

   H.   Hedge Planting Standards:

      1.   Size standards are at time of installation.

      2.   Minimum height of hedge plants shall be thirty inches.

      3.   Minimum spread of hedge plants shall be twenty four inches.

      4.   Narrow, upright, or smaller plants, such as Japanese barberry, Peking cotoneaster, compact burning bush, Hick's yew, compact European cranberry, and compact American cranberry may be difficult to obtain with a twenty four inch spread, and shall have a minimum eighteen inch spread.

      5.   Spacing standards are at time of installation.

      6.   Maximum spacing of hedge plants shall be thirty six inches.

Narrow, upright, or smaller plants, such as Japanese barberry, Peking cotoneaster, compact burning bush, Hicks yew, compact European cranberry, and compact American cranberry make a more effective screen when planted closer together, and shall have a maximum thirty inch spacing.

   I.   Hedge Maintenance:

      1.   Hedges shall be maintained as dense, continuous lines of foliage, and shall not be sheared as a series of individual plants.

      2.   Hedges shall be sheared with "battered" sides, i.e., the base wider than the top, to allow light to reach the lower part of the plant, to prevent the foliage at the bottom from thinning.

      3.   Planting of any tree species or varieties not listed above as an acceptable species will require application to, and permission from, the village forester.

   J.   Unacceptable Forms: The following tree forms are unacceptable for parkway planting:

      1.   Multistem: Trees with two or more trunks.

      2.   Espalier Or Topiary: Geometrical plant forms achieved through pruning which are contrary to natural form.

      3.   Dwarf Or Small Scale: Those trees which grow higher than three feet but cannot be undertrimmed to a minimum height of six feet.

      4.   Topped Or Dehorned: Trees with most of the crown removed, such that the main branches end abruptly in stubs.

   K.   Recommended Species For Hedges: The following shrub species and varieties are recommended:

 

Planting of any species or varieties not listed above as an acceptable species will require application to, and permission from, the village forester.

   L.   Shrub Planting Standards:

      1.   Shrub planting is not required, except as a hedge required for vehicular use area screening. Shrub planting is encouraged in appropriate locations supplemental to the internal landscaping required for vehicular use areas. No shrubs shall be planted on the parkway unless approved by the village.

      2.   Shrubs are subject to the following restrictions:

          a.   If used, they must be maintained below three foot height.

          b.   Shrubs are subject to the same location standards as trees.

   M.   Recommended Species; Shrubs: The following shrub species and varieties are recommended:

 

   N.   Ground Cover Planting Standards:

      1.   Ground cover planting is not required, except in required vehicular use area internal planting. However, it is encouraged in appropriate locations as an adjunct to required internal planting.

      2.   For safety and visibility, ground covers can be planted only in certain areas of the parkway.

   O.   Recommended Species; Ground Cover: The following ground cover species and varieties are recommended:

 

Certain species listed above require a more sheltered planting environment and project owners are advised to seek advice when selecting plants: a certified nurseryman, the cooperative extension service of the University of Illinois, a registered landscape architect, a reputable landscape contractor, etc.

   P.   Other Species: Planting of any species or varieties not listed above will require application to, and permission from, the zoning administrator.

 

 

   Q.   Permission Required For Unapproved Species: Planting of any species or varieties not listed above will require application to, and permission from, the zoning administrator. (Ord. 2960, 4-8-2002)

   A.   Criteria:

      1.   Ornamental fencing shall be designed with a prairie style motif.

      2.   Height, design and color should be consistent with surrounding architectural and site characteristics (proposed or existing). As a guide, freestanding metal fences should be forty two inches to forty eight inches tall. Metal fences on planter curbs should be sixteen inches to twenty four inches tall.

      3.   All fencing must be structurally sound and coated to withstand vandalism and inclement weather.

   B.   Recommendations:

      1.   The ornamental fence shall be of square solid stock metal pieces with square intermediate posts and contain a prairie style motif along the top one-third of the fence.

      2.   There should be no more than a four inch space between any two metal pieces.

      3.   All fencing shall be painted black to reduce their visual effect and minimize rust.

(Ord. 2960, 4-8-2002)

The following certified statements are to be signed by the appropriate parties and made a part of each landscape plan:

   A.   Sworn Statement By Owner:

      1.   Commits to the maintenance of required landscaping in the following form:

      2.   Commits to the protection and replacement of required landscaping in the following form:

   B.   Sworn Statement By Registered Landscape Architect: Commits to the preparation of the landscape plan in the following form:

(Ord. 2960, 4-8-2002)