The provisions of this article provide guidance on the development of sites within the city by addressing landscaping and screening requirements. The provisions in this article are designed to improve the appearance of the community, buffer potentially incompatible land uses from one another, and conserve the value or properties within the city and its extra-territorial jurisdiction.

(Ord. 4280, passed 4-4-2022)

   The following definitions shall be used for terms contained within this article:

(Ord. 3951, passed - -2007; Ord. 4280, passed 4-4-2022)

   The provisions of this article shall apply to all new development on each lot or site upon application for a building permit, except for the following:

   (A)   Single-family dwellings and two-family dwellings;

   (B)   Reconstruction or replacement of a lawfully existing use or structure following a casualty loss;

   (C)   Remodeling, rehabilitation, or improvements to existing uses or structures which do not substantially change the location of structures, parking, or other site improvements;

   (D)   Additions or enlargements of existing uses or structures which increase floor area or impervious coverage area by less than 20% of the building established on the site on the effective date of this article. Where such cumulative additions or enlargements are 20% or greater, these provisions shall apply only to that portion where the new development occurs.

(Ord. 4072, passed - -2012; Ord. 4280, passed 4-4-2022)

      (1)   The overall landscape plan shall not contain more than 33% of any one plant species.

      (2)   All landscape plans must use at least 50% native and/or drought tolerant plant materials to be installed, as appropriate for their location.

      (1)   Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of four feet in height, measured from the top of the root ball to the top of the tree.

      (2)   Streetscape, or large, deciduous trees shall be a one and one-half inches caliper or larger, measured twelve inches above the root ball.

      (3)   Small, or ornamental, deciduous trees shall be a one and one-half inches caliper or larger, measured 12 inches above the root ball.

      (1)   No artificial trees, shrubs, plants, or turf shall be used to fulfill the minimum requirements for landscaping.

      (2)   Inorganic materials, such as stone or decorative pavers, may be used provided that such material does not comprise more than 35% of the minimum required landscaped area.

      (3)   Other concrete and/or asphalt pavement surfaces may not be used within the minimum required landscaped area, except for walkways and driveways.

      (4)   Loose rock shall not be permitted within any required landscaped area which is within ten feet of a traveled street surface or sidewalk as defined under Chapter 22 of the Municipal Code.

   (E)   Upon installation of required landscape materials, each owner shall take appropriate actions to ensure their continued health and maintenance. Required landscaping that does not remain healthy shall be replaced consistently with this section and the approved landscaping plan for the project.

(Ord. 4280, passed 4-4-2022)

   (A)   In any required landscaped area, including but not limited to street yard landscaping, bufferyards, screening, and parking lot landscaping bufferyard requirements, and parking lot landscaping requirements. One tree of an approved species shall be planted and maintained for each 500 square feet of required landscape area.

   (B)   Existing trees approved for preservations shall be counted toward satisfaction of this requirement.

   (C)   All required trees shall meet the minimum size requirements as set forth by § 25-22-4.

(Ord. 4280, passed 4-4-2022)

      (1)   Street yard landscaping depth may be reduced to not less than five feet in order to meet off-street parking requirements.

(Ord. 4280, passed 4-4-2022)

      (1)   The owner, developer, or operator of the lot or site in the more intensive zoning district shall install and maintain a landscaped bufferyard on his or her lot or site along the common lot line. Bufferyards are not required on single-family or two-family residential use types in the more intensive zoning district.

      (2)   Criteria for review and approval of appropriate bufferyard design includes, but is not limited to the following: meets base bufferyard requirements, provides separation of uses, obstructs view between uses, allows access to utilities and detention, and maintains surface water drainage. Appropriate site design may allow for bufferyards to be incorporated into stormwater detention, water quality areas, and utility easements.

      (3)   The bufferyard dimensions set forth in Table 25-22-7 apply to zoning districts which share a common lot line; except

      (4)   When a public alley with a width not less than 20 feet or street separates a more intensive zoning district from a less intensive zoning district, no bufferyard is required.

      (5)   If a six feet high solid wood or PVC fence or masonry wall is incorporated into the design, the required bufferyard may be reduced to a width not less than ten feet, conditional on approval by the Planning Commission. The finished side of the fencing shall face the less intensive zoning district property or site. A row of shrubs of an approved species with a minimum height of three feet, planted a maximum of four feet from center shall accompany the fence or wall.

      (6)   Each bufferyard shall be entirely landscaped and free of paved areas, access ways, storage, or other disturbances.

   TABLE 25-22-7

 

      (1)   Rear elevations of buildings;

         (a)   Screening of rear of elevations of buildings shall not be required if less intensive zoning district is separated from more intensive zoning district by a public alley with a minimum width of 20 feet.

      (2)   Outdoor storage areas, cargo containers, or storage tanks, unless otherwise screened;

      (3)   Loading docks, refuse collection points, and other service areas;

      (4)   Major machinery or areas housing a manufacturing process;

      (5)   Major on-site traffic circulation areas or car, truck, and/or trailer parking; or

      (6)   Sources of glare, noise, or other environmental effect.

      (1)   A solid wood, PVC, and/or masonry fence or wall at least six feet in height.

      (2)   A landscaping screen, using evergreen or deciduous materials, capable of providing a substantially opaque, hedge-like barrier which will be capable of providing a solid screen within three years of planting.

      (3)   A landscaped earth berm with a maximum slope of three to one, rising no less than six feet above the existing grade of the lot line separating the zoning districts.

      (4)   A chain-link fence with an opaque barrier incorporated into it, such as slats, with at least six feet in height.

      (5)   Any combination of these methods that achieves a cumulative minimum height of six feet and provides an opaque barrier.

(Ord. 4276, passed 2-7-2022; Ord. 4280, passed 4-4-2022)

   Landscape requirements. Interior and perimeter landscaping shall be provided for all parking facilities larger than 6,000 square feet to buffer the facility from surrounding properties and rights-of-way; reduce the environmental effects of large, hard-surfaced area; and improve the retention and absorption of storm water runoff. Parking facilities with an area less than 6,000 square feet shall be exempt from the interior landscaping requirements; parking facilities under 2,000 square feet shall be exempt from both perimeter and interior landscaping requirements.

      (1)   Each off-street parking facility shall provide a minimum landscaped buffer of ten feet with a three feet minimum screen along any street property line.

         (a)   Perimeter landscaping required depth may be reduced not to less than five feet in order to meet off-street parking requirements.

      (2)   Each parking facility that abuts a residential district shall provide a 20 foot landscaped buffer along its common property line with the residential district.

      (3)   A parking facility which abuts property in a residential district shall provide a fence, wall, landscape screen, or earth berm not less than four feet in height for the length of the common boundary. A grade change, terrace, or other site feature which blocks the sight line of headlights into a residential property may satisfy this requirement, subject to the determination of the City Planner.

      (4)   Landscaping or screening installed in any required landscaped area shall not obstruct the view from the off-street parking facility to any driveway approach, street, alley, or sidewalk. Landscaping shall further not obstruct any views among parking spaces and circulation ways, or visibility between vehicles and pedestrians. (See § 25-2-104.1 for sight triangle requirements).

      (1)   Each parking facility of over 6,000 square feet shall provide interior landscaped area equal to no less than 5% of the total paved area of the parking facility.

         (a)   Parking facilities within the M-1 and M-2 Districts shall be exempt from this requirement.

      (2)   Interior and endcap landscape islands shall not be less than nine feet in width and 18 feet in length for a single row of parking spaces, or 36 feet in length for a double row of spaces with five foot curb radii at both ends.

      (3)   Corner landscape islands shall be defined by extensions of the edges of intersection parking spaces.

      (4)   Landscape islands shall be evenly distributed to the maximum extent possible.

      (5)   Landscape strips may be used in place of individual interior landscape islands if they comply with the following standards:

         (a)   The minimum width of a landscape strip shall be six feet and the minimum length shall be 70 feet.

         (b)   The landscape strip shall contain a minimum of one tree every 18 feet or at least 50% vegetative cover other than turf grass.

         (c)   Wheel stops shall be placed in a location to prevent vehicles from overhanging the landscape strip more than 12 inches.

      (1)   Each interior or endcap island shall be planted with a minimum of:

         (a)   One large tree or two small trees; and

         (b)   With the remaining area in groundcover, which may be sod, ornamental grasses, organic mulch, or perennial or seasonal plantings, or shrubs spaced in accordance with common horticultural practices. Rock mulch may only be used if pre-approved by the City Planner.

      (2)   Each parking facility corner island shall be planted with two large trees or five small trees spaced in accordance with common horticultural practices, with the remaining area in groundcover, which may be sod, ornamental grasses, organic mulch, or perennial or seasonal plantings, or shrubs spaced in accordance with common horticultural practices. Rock mulch may only be used if pre-approved by the City Planner.

      (3)   Each perimeter landscaping bed shall be planted with a minimum of one tree for every 500 square feet, spaced in accordance with common horticultural practices, with the remaining area in groundcover, which may be sod, ornamental grasses, organic mulch, or perennial or seasonal plantings, or shrubs spaced in accordance with common horticultural practices. Rock mulch may only be used if pre- approved by the City Planner.

      (4)   Trees shall meet the size requirements listed under § 25-22-4.

(Ord. 4280, passed 4-4-2022)

   (A)   When a nature-based or natural functioning stormwater BMP is installed, the BMP shall be landscaped and developed in such a way as to enhance or be in harmony with the surrounding site landscape.

   (B)   Examples of nature-based BMPs include, but are not limited to:

      (1)   Bioretention

      (2)   Retention ponds

      (3)   Extended detention basins

      (4)   Vegetated buffers

      (5)   Bioswales

      (6)   InfiItration basins/planters/trenches

      (7)   Rain gardens; and/or

      (8)   Constructed wetlands.

   (C)   Elements shall be “free form” following the natural contours of the land. If land lacks contour, the BMP shall be created to look like a natural landscape feature. Side slopes and lines should vary to give the appearance of a natural condition.

      (1)   Trees and shrub of approved species shall be planted in groupings intermittently along the BMP to create the appearance of the plants naturally occurring.

      (2)   Erosion control measures approved by the Public Works Director or his or her designee shall be required on all slopes.

   (D)   Stormwater BMPs shall meet all requirements of Chapter 24 of the Municipal Code.

(Ord. 4280, passed 4-4-2022)

   (A)   If, athe time of an application for a certificate of occupancy, any required landscaping is not installed, the developer or owner of a site must submit a performance guarantee (by bond, letter of credit or other security approved in writing by the city attorney) satisfactory to the city in the amount of the value of a bona fide contract to install such landscaping. Such a contract must be reviewed and approved by the City Planner.

   (B)   The developer or owner shall grant the city permission to enter upon the land to install required landscaping if this has not been done within 12 months of the effective date of the certificate of occupancy.

   (C)   The city shall release any bond or other arrangement immediately when the Department of Development Services verifies that required landscaping has been installed.

   (D)   These provisions shall not apply to single-family or two-family residential uses exclusively.

(Ord. 4280, passed 4-4-2022)

   (C)   Refuse collection points shall always be screened with a six feet opaque barrier.

(Ord. 4280, passed 4-4-2022)