It is the intent of this Code to provide for adequate off-street parking, loading, and landscaping in all zoning districts to alleviate or prevent congestion of the public streets.

The following general provisions apply to the provision of parking and loading facilities:

1.

For all buildings and structures erected and all uses of land established after the effective date of this Code, off-street parking and loading facilities shall be provided as required by this Chapter.

2.

There shall be provided permanent off-street parking spaces:

A.

Prior to completion of construction of any building or structure.

B.

Prior to completion, at the time of any principal building or structure is enlarged or increased in capacity by adding dwelling units, guest rooms, seats or floor area.

C.

Before conversion from one zoning use or occupancy to another.

3.

Parking spaces may not be substituted for a required loading space or a loading space substituted for a required parking space.

4.

Vehicular access shall be provided to a public street.

5.

Any off-street parking already in use or established hereafter shall not be reduced below the limits required by this Chapter by the construction of any addition to a building or structure, or by the construction of any additional building or structure on the property.

6.

Joint Parking Facilities: Off-street parking facilities for different buildings, structures or uses, or for mixed uses may be provided collectively in any nonresidential zoning district, provided that the total number of spaces so located together shall not be less than sixty-six (66%) percent of the separate requirements for each use. To be allowed such facilities shall require a joint parking agreement and filed plat indicating joint-access and parking easements.

7.

The perimeters, entrances, and exits of all parking lots for commercial, office, and industrial buildings shall be finished with curbs and gutters designed to specifications in the Searcy Subdivision Ordinance. Multi-Unit developments containing more than four dwelling units shall also meet this requirement. The Planning Commission may grant full or partial exemption to this requirement when topographical or other conditions, unique to the specific property involved, warrant such exemption based on standard engineering principles and with concurrence by the City Engineer.

(Ord. 2021-17)

6-3-1: Paving Materials. All areas used for parking, drives, sales, loading and unloading of any type, and for use by the general public or employees shall meet or exceed pavement with a 2-inch asphalt surface over a 6 inch compacted sub-base, or a 6-inch reinforced concrete surface over a compacted sub-base. As an alternative, other materials such as Geogrid may be used if applied in conformance with accepted construction practices and approved by the City Engineer. Storage areas not accessible to the public or maneuvering areas for large equipment such as farm implements that are known to damage paved surface may be improved with gravel. (Ord. 2018-33)

6-3-2: Parking Space Design.

1.

A required loading space shall be in addition to required off-street parking.

2.

A loading space shall not project into a public street or alley.

3.

A loading space shall be at least 12 feet in width and at least 25 feet in length, with at least 14-foot height clearance; and have adequate maneuvering area so as not to require maneuvering on a public street.

The following standards govern the provision of parking spaces for specific uses.

1.

Residential: No requirement

2.

Commercial: 1 off-street loading space for each establishment, except office buildings, with an additional space for each 10,000 square feet of building space

3.

Industrial and Warehousing: 1 off-street loading space for each establishment with one additional space for each 40,000 square feet of floor area

6-7-1: Purpose.

1.

To mitigate the reduction of vegetative cover from the urban landscape.

2.

To mitigate the heat generated by the densely built urban landscape, known as the heat island effect.

3.

To mitigate the loss of aesthetics associated with the loss of vegetation.

4.

To mitigate the increase in the area of impervious surfaces in the urban landscape.

5.

To improve the appearance of buildings.

6.

To improve the appearance of vehicle use areas.

7.

To encourage the preservation of existing trees.

6-7-2: Applicability and Exemptions. The requirements of this chapter shall apply to all public, private, and institutional developments, including any new parking lot or expansion approved after the date that this ordinance is adopted.

1.

Exemptions:

a.

Any One-unit and Two-unit Dwellings and their developments.

b.

Improvements or repairs to existing development that do not result in an increase in building floor area of 20% or 2,000 sq. ft., whichever is less, in any one expansion.

c.

Improvements or repairs to existing development that do not result in an increase in the lot coverage area in any one expansion.

d.

Developments within the C-1 District and in which buildings front on the street right-of-way and utilize more than 75% of the property.

2.

Prior to requesting a Certificate of Occupancy, the requirements meeting the criteria herein for quantity and quality of plantings shall be met.

6-7-3: Landscape Plan Submittal Requirements.

1.

All new development and redevelopment must provide a landscape plan meeting the requirements below. Any changes made to the landscaping after the plan has been submitted and permitted must be approved by city prior to obtaining a building permit. Plan shall include:

2.

Name and address of Owner / consultant

3.

North arrow and scale

4.

Property boundary

5.

Area designated for development (Developed Land Area)

6.

All improvements (buildings, structures, parking, sidewalks, etc.)

7.

All proposed and existing landscape

8.

Proposed plant's name (common and scientific), size, and quantity

9.

Tabulation chart showing quantities and formula of required and provided landscape items

10.

Description of how required landscaping is to be regularly watered (location of any proposed irrigation meters or, if watering manually, location of proposed hose bibs)

6-7-4: Criteria for Quantity of Plantings.

1.

A percentage of the developed land area will be devoted to landscaping. Developer is not required to include portions of the subject property that are undisturbed by the development in the calculation of required plantings.

2.

Commercial or Multi-Unit Developments.

A.

Total Number of Plantings.

i.

Developments 2 Acres and Larger.

a.

A minimum of 20% green space with 1 Planting meeting the criteria herein for every 2,000 square feet of developed land area, OR

b.

A minimum of 15% green space with 1 Planting meeting the criteria herein for every 1,500 square feet of developed land area.

ii.

Developments less than 2 acres.

a.

A minimum of one new planting meeting the criteria herein for every 1,500 square feet of developed land area.

B.

Total Number of Trees.

i.

A minimum of 25% of plantings required shall consist of trees.

C.

Total Number of other Plantings.

i.

The remainder of required plantings shall be shrubs meeting the criteria herein.

ii.

Perennials may be substituted for up to 15% of the required number of shrubs at a ratio of 10 perennials: 1 shrub.

D.

Parking Areas.

i.

Parking lots containing 15 or more spaces shall be landscaped with tree islands

ii.

Single bay parking areas shall have tree islands with a minimum width of 10 feet and a minimum length of 18 feet, and an area not less than 180 square feet.

iii.

Double bay parking areas shall have tree islands with a minimum width of 10 feet and a minimum length of 36 feet, and an area not less than 360 square feet.

iv.

A maximum run of 15 parking spaces shall be permitted without a tree island.

v.

Each tree island shall have at least one tree planting, and these trees may be counted towards the total number of trees required

3.

Industrial Developments.

A.

A minimum of one tree meeting the criteria herein per fifteen parking spaces, PLUS

B.

A minimum of one tree meeting the criteria herein per 40 linear feet of street frontage, excluding curb cuts.

4.

Credit for Existing Trees. Credit towards the required number of plantings will be considered for existing trees within 50' of the newly-developed portion of the site provided they meet the following criteria:

A.

They are of desirable type, are healthy specimens, they contribute to the compatibility of the development, and they are not threatened by the construction or placement of the proposed development.

Existing trees that are damaged or show signs of distress after construction of the project shall not be counted as credit for required landscaping.

Trees more than 30' from the developed land area of the site shall not be considered.

6-7-5: Criteria for Planting Materials.

1.

Tree Type Requirements.

A.

A minimum of 40 percent of trees required shall be native species.

B.

No more than 25 percent of trees required shall be ornamental.

C.

At least 10% of trees required shall be evergreen.

D.

Trees may be selected from the recommended plants found later in this section.

E.

Trees shall be selected for hardiness in local zones.

F.

The following trees shall not be given planting credits on landscape plans.

i.

Black locust (Robinia Pseqdoacacia)

ii.

Cottonwood (Populous Trichocarps)

iii.

Bradford pear (Pyrus Calleryana "Bradford")

iv.

IMimosa (Albizia Julibirssin)

v.

Privet (Ligstrum Sinese)

2.

Tree Size Requirements.

A.

Deciduous shade trees must be at least 2" caliper.

B.

Deciduous ornamental trees must be at least 1.5" caliper.

C.

Evergreens must be at least 8' in height above finished grade

3.

Tree Location Requirements.

A.

Trees shall be equally distributed across the site to the extent possible.

4.

Shrub Type Requirements.

A.

Shrubs shall be selected for hardiness in local zones.

5.

Shrub Size Requirements.

A.

Shrubs shall be three-gallon size at a minimum

6.

Perennial Requirements.

A.

Perennials shall be 6" pot size at a minimum.

6-7-6: Screening. Landscape buffer zones, screening fences, or walls will be required where nonresidential zones abut residential zones. The width of the buffer shall be enough to provide a solid screen and shall be verified by the city. If plants or trees are to be used for screening, they must be evergreen and planted to provide a solid screen within three years.

6-7-7: Installation, maintenance, and replacement.

1.

Installation—All landscaping shall be installed according to sound nursery practices and in a manner designed to encourage vigorous growth. All landscape material, both living and nonliving, shall be in place prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy or letter of credit for the full amount of the landscaping provided to the city.

2.

Maintenance and replacement—Trees, shrubs, fences, walls and other landscape features, which includes screening depicted on plans approved by the city, shall be considered as elements of the project in the same manner as parking, building materials, and other details are elements of the plan. The landowner, or successors in interest, or agent, if any, shall be jointly and severally responsible for the following:

A.

Regular maintenance of all landscaping must be kept in good condition and in a way that presents a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance. All landscaping shall be maintained free from disease, pests, weeds and litter. This maintenance shall include weeding, watering, fertilizing, pruning, mowing, edging, mulching or other maintenance, as needed and in accordance with acceptable horticultural practices;

B.

Regular watering of all required landscape. There must be a description of how the required landscape shall be watered submitted to the city before approval of the landscape plan.

C.

The repair or replacement of required landscape structures e.g., fences and walls, to a structurally sound condition;

D.

The regular maintenance, repair, or replacement, where necessary, or any landscaping required by the section; and

E.

Continuous maintenance of the site.

3.

Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to prohibit any utility from cutting, pruning, trimming or removing trees and other plant materials that encroach or interfere with any electric, gas, water, sewer or other utility lines and pipes, equipment, or infrastructure or access thereto.

6-7-8: Recommended Plant Lists. See next pages for tables:

Shade Trees (2" caliper minimum): ^* native

Narrow or Columnar Trees (2" caliper minimum): ^* native

Deciduous Ornamental Trees (1.5" caliper minimum): ^* native

Evergreen Ornamental Trees (8' height above natural grade minimum): ^* native

(Ord. 2020-36; Ord. 2022-14, § 1, 6-14-22)