The landscaping and screening requirements established herein are intended to preserve and enhance the appearance, public health, safety, convenience, comfort and general welfare of the village by fostering an aesthetically pleasing development. Proper landscaping contributes to the village in many ways: enhancing its character and scenic beauty, providing clean air, reducing noise, preventing erosion of topsoil, reducing the rate of stormwater runoff, providing nesting areas for birds and habitat for other wildlife, conserving energy, providing shade and windbreaks, and enhancing the built environment by adding to the safety and comfort of pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit users. These regulations are also intended to increase the compatibility of adjacent uses, and minimize the adverse impact of noise, dust, motor vehicle headlight glare or other artificial light intrusions, and other objectionable activities or impacts conducted on, or created by, adjoining or neighboring uses. (Ord. 2550, 12-19-2005; amd. Ord. 4040, 2-2-2023)

Landscaping and screening requirements are illustrated in section 10-9-9, figure 12, "Landscaping And Screening Requirements", of this chapter. In addition to all landscaping required by this section, all landscape improvements shall comply with the tree protection ordinance and stormwater management ordinance of the municipal code.

   (A)   Selection: Preferred plant materials, for all areas other than business districts, are listed in the approved plant materials list included as appendix E of this zoning ordinance. All planting materials used shall be of good quality and of a species capable to withstand the climate extremes of northeastern Illinois, as well as the individual site microclimates. Plant material shall be selected for its form, texture, color, pattern of growth and suitability to local conditions. Size and density of plant material, both at the time of planting and at maturity, are additional criteria that shall be considered when selecting plant material. Where applicable, the use of drought and salt tolerant plant material is preferred. (Ord. 2843, 12-19-2013)

   (B)   Installation: All landscaping materials shall be installed in accordance with the current planting procedures established by the American Association Of Nurserymen. To the extent possible, all plant materials shall be free of disease and shall be installed so that sufficient soil and water are available to sustain healthy growth.

   (C)   Scale And Nature Of Landscaping Material: The scale and nature of landscaping materials shall be appropriate to the size of the structures.

   (D)   Shade Trees: All shade trees shall have a minimum trunk size as specified by the landscaping provisions of this section, unless otherwise specified by the village.

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

   (F)   Ornamental Trees: Single stem ornamental trees shall have a minimum trunk size of two inches (2") in caliper at planting, unless otherwise specified. Multiple stem ornamental trees shall have a minimum height of seven feet (7') at planting, unless otherwise specified by the village.

   (G)   Shrubs: Unless otherwise specified by the village, all shrubs shall have minimum height of eighteen inches (18") at planting, unless otherwise specified.

   (H)   Softening Of Walls And Fences: Plant material should be placed intermittently against long expanses of building walls, fences and other barriers to create a softening effect and to help break up long expanses of blank walls with little architectural detail.

   (I)   Planting Beds: Planting beds shall be mulched with bark chips, shredded hardwood or similar materials. Mulch shall not be used as a substitute for plant materials.

   (J)   Energy Conservation: Plant material placement should be designed to reduce energy consumption needs of the development. Where possible:

      1.   Deciduous trees should be placed on the south and west sides of buildings to provide shade from the summer sun.

      2.   Evergreens and other plant materials should be concentrated on the north and west sides of buildings to dissipate the effect of winter winds.

   (K)   Berming: Earthen berms and existing topographic features shall be incorporated into the landscape treatment of a site where there is sufficient space and, in particular, when berms and existing topographic features can be combined with plant material to facilitate effective screening. No berm shall increase the amount of fill within the drip line of any established tree that is to remain after construction.

   (L)   Sustainable Design: Sustainable design best practices are encouraged where practical, including public rights-of-way, parkways, buffer yards, rooftops, parking lots, non-residential open spaces, and residential courtyards. Sustainable design elements may include, but are not limited to, green roofs, native planting materials, bioswales, permeable surfaces, and natural stormwater management best practices. Such design elements shall be reviewed by Village staff for compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations. (Ord. 2550, 12-19-2005; amd. Ord. 4040, 2-2-2023)

All plant material shall be maintained in good condition to present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance, and shall be kept free of refuse and debris. Fences and walls shall be maintained in good repair and neat appearance. Landscaping shall be trimmed so as not to obstruct public or private sidewalks, parking lots and driveways. All landscape areas shall have an irrigation system or hose bib within one hundred feet (100') of the landscaped areas installed and properly maintained to promote the health of the plant material and conservation of water. The owner of the premises and any tenant shall be jointly responsible for maintenance, repair and replacement of all landscape materials, fences and barriers. (Ord. 2550, 12-19-2005)

   (A)   Residential Districts:

      1.   Required Number Of Parkway Trees: All residential lots shall be required to maintain two (2) canopy trees within the parkway or public right of way. For existing residential lots that do not have the required parkway trees, they shall be required to be installed at the time a building permit is requested for teardown and new construction, or for an addition that expands the floor area of principal and/or accessory buildings on the site by more than twenty five percent (25%). For lots that have a street yard width of less than fifty feet (50'), one of the required parkway trees may be installed within the required street yard where there is insufficient space for two (2) trees to be planted in the parkway or public right of way. Parkway trees shall be a minimum of two inches (2") in caliper and shall be those species identified in appendix E of this zoning ordinance. In certain circumstances where hardship is demonstrated, the director of public works may waive these requirements.

      2.   Guarantee For Parkway Trees: At the time a building permit is requested, which triggers installation of required parkway trees, a deposit, performance bond or irrevocable letter of credit in an amount equal to five hundred dollars ($500.00) shall be required for each parkway tree that must be installed. The guarantee shall be provided in a format acceptable to the building department and shall be returned upon final inspection of the installed parkway trees. (Ord. 2550, 12-19-2005)

   (B)   Business Districts: The director of public works shall review and decide on any proposed landscaping in the public right of way. (Ord. 2843, 12-19-2013)

Perimeter parking lot landscaping provides for the enhancement and screening of parking lots by requiring a scheme of pedestrian walls and/or landscaping along public streets. Perimeter landscaping is required for all parking lots and shall be established along the edge of the parking lot. The landscape treatment shall run the full length of the parking lot and shall be located between the property line and the edge of the parking lot. All perimeter parking lot screening areas shall be protected with raised concrete curbs. Landscaped areas outside of shrub and tree masses shall be planted in turf or other ground cover. The landscaped area shall be improved as follows:

   (A)   One shrub, measuring a minimum of eighteen inches (18") at planting and not to exceed three and one-half feet (31/2') at maturity, for every three feet (3') of landscaped area length, spaced linearly to adequately screen vehicle bumpers, and/or a low pedestrian wall the height of which provides effective screening to a maximum height of three and one-half feet (31/2').

   (B)   The perimeter parking lot landscaping area shall be at least ten feet (10') in width, as measured from the back of curb, in order to accommodate vehicle bumper overhang and ensure planting areas that are adequate in size. (Ord. 2550, 12-19-2005)

For parking lots consisting of twenty (20) or more spaces, interior parking lot landscaping shall be required. Interior parking lot islands shall be required at a rate of one parking lot island for every five (5) parking spaces. Landscaping areas located along the perimeter of a parking lot beyond the curb or edge of pavement shall not be included toward satisfying this requirement. Interior parking lot landscaping areas shall be a minimum of one hundred forty four (144) square feet in area and shall be a minimum of eight feet (8') in width, as measured from back of curb to back of curb. The landscaped areas shall be improved as follows:

   (A)   Interior parking lot landscaping areas shall consist of planting islands or planting strips at least eight inches (8") above the surface of the parking lot, which are protected with concrete curbing, and shall be dispersed throughout the parking lot in a design and configuration that corresponds to the size and shape of the parking lot.

   (B)   The primary plant materials used in parking lots shall be shade tree species. Ornamental trees, shrubbery, hedges and other plant materials may be used to supplement the shade tree plantings, but shall not be the sole contribution to such landscaping. One shade tree with a trunk size a minimum of two and one-half inches (21/2") in caliper shall be provided for every one hundred forty four (144) square feet of landscaping area.

A minimum of fifty percent (50%) of every interior parking lot landscaping area shall be planted with an approved ground cover in the appropriate density to achieve complete cover within two (2) years. Mulch may only be used around the base of the plant material to retain moisture.

   (C)   Landscaping elements such as shrubs, groundcover, or other low-level plantings are encouraged along pedestrian walkways within the parking lot to help soften the hardscapes of the parking lot, reduce impervious surfaces, and create a natural buffer for pedestrians and bicyclists. (Ord. 2550, 12-19-2005; amd. Ord. 4041, 2-2-2023)

   (A)   B1 District: Where an interior side lot line and/or rear lot line in the B1 district abuts a residential district or a single- or two-family residential use, an interior side or rear buffer yard is required in conformance with the following:

      1.   A buffer yard shall be a minimum of five feet (5') in width.

      2.   Within the buffer yard, a visual barrier a minimum of six feet (6') in height shall be installed, which shall consist of an opaque stone or brick wall or a solid wood decorative fence, with the finished side of the fence facing the adjacent residential property.

      3.   Where the buffer yard contains an opaque stone or brick wall, solid wood decorative fence, shrubs shall be planted on an average of one shrub for every three feet (3') of yard length, located along the side of the fence that faces the interior of the lot. As part of site plan approval, shrubs may be spaced at various intervals based on specific site requirements or design scheme, but the total number of shrubs planted shall be no less than the amount required by a linear planting spaced three feet (3') apart.

      4.   The remainder of any buffer yard areas shall be planted with additional shrubs, trees, turf and/or other plantings.

      5.   Where a lot line abuts a railroad right of way, no buffer yard is required.

      6.   No parking is permitted in the buffer yard.

   (B)   B2 District: Where a site in the B2 district abuts a residential district or single- or two-family residential use in the B2 district, such site shall provide the required side or rear yard setback as per this zoning ordinance. However, this setback area may contain parking, access drives and/or accessory structures, provided that a buffer yard shall be provided, improved and maintained in conformance with the following:

      1.   Required Rear Buffer Yards: A rear buffer yard a minimum of ten feet (10') in width shall be provided where a rear yard setback is required. Within this rear buffer yard, a visual barrier a minimum of six feet (6') in height shall be installed. The screen shall consist of either an opaque stone or brick wall or solid wood decorative fence, with the finished side of the fence facing the adjacent residential property. In addition, within the required rear buffer yard, a minimum of one shade tree with a trunk size a minimum of two and one-half inches (21/2") in caliper shall be planted for each twenty five feet (25') of length of the rear property line abutting the residential district. The trees may be grouped or staggered to maximize their effect.

      2.   Required Side Buffer Yards: A side buffer yard a minimum of five feet (5') in width shall be provided where an interior side yard setback is required. Within this side buffer yard, a visual barrier a minimum of six feet (6') in height shall be installed. The screen shall consist of an opaque stone or brick wall, solid wood decorative fence, with the finished side of the fence facing the adjacent residential property, or a dense landscape hedge.

      3.   Landscaping: The remainder of the buffer yard areas shall be planted with shrubs, turf and/or other plantings. (Ord. 2701, 3-3-2009)

   (A)   Landscaped hedges shall be prohibited in the street yard within all residential districts.

   (B)   Landscaped hedges in existence as of the date of the establishment of the residential districts are permitted as legal nonconforming uses, but must be maintained and shall not extend or overgrow into the public right of way.

   (C)   Legal nonconforming hedges shall be subject to the requirements of section 10-10-8, "Nonconforming Landscaped Hedges", of this zoning ordinance. (Ord. 2550, 12-19-2005)

   (A)   Loading Docks: For uses with loading docks, they shall be located at the rear of a building, where possible, and shall be adequately screened with a wall, fence and/or landscaping that is a minimum of six feet (6') in height, unless such screening is determined to be unnecessary by the planning and zoning commission. (Ord. 2550, 12-19-2005; amd. Ord. 2843, 12-19-2013)

   (B)   Refuse Containers: All refuse containers shall be fully enclosed on four (4) sides by a solid wood fence, masonry walls or principal building wall six feet (6') in height, with one of the four (4) sides being a gate. The materials used for screening, including the enclosure, shall complement the architecture of the building. An extension of an exterior principal building wall may be used as one of the screening walls for a refuse container, provided that such wall meets the minimum six foot (6') height requirement and is of the same building materials as the principal building. Such wall may not be the gated enclosure. Existing nonconforming refuse containers, as of September 1, 2007, shall be subject to the provisions of section 10-10-10, “Nonconforming Refuse Containers”, of this zoning ordinance. (Ord. 2627, 7-16-2007)

Figure 12:
Landscaping And Screening Requirements

(Ord. 2550, 12-19-2005; amd. Ord. 4041, 2-2-2023)