Landscaping shall be provided within a development and on public rights-of-way adjacent to a development as follows:

(1)

When any development of a parcel of land involves the construction of more than 1 detached, or 2-unit multifamily residence or any townhouse residence, multiple-family residence, congregate living facility, assisted-living facility, elderly and disabled housing, or skilled nursing facility.

(2)

When any nonresidential development of a parcel of land involves the construction of any new building(s) or structure(s) having a total floor area in excess of 500 ft ² .

(3)

When the intensity of use of any existing building, structure or premises is increased through the addition of 1 or more residential units or the gross floor area of a building is increased, such as to require the construction of 1 or more additional off-street parking spaces to meet the parking requirement.

(4)

When any building or use is damaged or destroyed by fire, collapse, explosion or other cause or is expanded or reconstructed in excess of 60 percent of the floor area of the structure.

(5)

When a special use permit is required or a variance is requested for a use other than a detached or 2-unit multifamily residence.

(Zon. Ord., § 14.1; Ord. No. 01-10-Z-3034, § 1, 10-1-2001; Ord. No. 03-11-Z-3222, § 2, 11-3-2003; Ord. No. 11-3-C-3823, § 1, 3-7-2011; Ord. No. 13-10-C-4010, § 5, 10-7-2013)

(a)

Trees and sod shall be planted in all parkways and shall be placed subject to the direction and approval of the Village.

(b)

Parkway trees shall be planted 30 feet apart whenever possible, and shall have a minimum trunk diameter of 2½ inches measured at a distance of 6 inches above ground level.

(c)

Trees able to withstand adverse environmental conditions and that are appropriate for planting along streets and parkways shall conform to the "Approved Species for Parkway Tree Planting" list, as approved by the Village Manager or designee and as may be amended from time to time.

(d)

All unpaved areas within the dedicated right-of-way shall be graded and sodded in an approved manner. Restoration work shall be performed to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works.

(e)

All trees shall be planted and parkways sodded in compliance with Chapter 90.

(Zon. Ord., § 14.2; Ord. No. 03-11-Z-3222, 11-3-2003; Ord. No. 13-10-C-4010, § 5, 10-7-2013)

(a)

Tree preservation for development activity.

(1)

[Required.] The preservation of trees is required for all public and private new construction, enlargement or expansion of buildings or structures and other increases in impermeable surface over 600 ft ² in area in accordance with the provisions of this article.

(2)

Tree removal permit. Trees having a diameter of 8 inches or greater measured at 4.5 feet above the ground line, at construction sites described in subsection (a)(1) of this section, shall not be removed without first obtaining a tree removal permit. The only exception to this requirement shall be in emergency situations posing a threat to a person, property, or the community where such emergency renders compliance with the permit process unreasonable. The person removing the tree must contact the Community Development Department within 48 hours of the removal of the tree.

(3)

[Submissions.] Prior to the issuance of a building permit and/or tree removal permit, a tree survey, final grading plan, and tree preservation plan shall be submitted to the Community Development Department for review and approval.

a.

Tree survey. The tree survey shall be indicated on a recent plat of survey, with land contours, and include the location and size of all trees 8 inches or greater in diameter.

b.

Final grading plan. The final grading plan shall integrate the existing trees on the tree survey to be preserved into the proposed development. If the Community Development Department determines that integration of trees into the final grading plan cannot be accomplished, the developer or property owner may remove the trees in dispute and replace the trees with new trees based upon the exchange rate set forth in subsection (5) of this section.

c.

Tree preservation plan. The tree preservation plan shall indicate the location and species of those trees to be preserved and the methods to be used to preserve such trees. This plan shall also indicate the protective fencing of trees, methods of protecting trees from construction activities, material storage, and the protection of trees and vegetation on adjacent property along the property line. The plan shall be in compliance with the Village of Skokie Standard Tree Protection Requirements for Construction Projects.

(4)

Removal of trees.

a.

Trees approved for removal for which a permit has been issued shall be removed prior to the implementation of the final grading plan.

b.

Removal of trees designated for preservation shall be allowed by amending the final grading plan with the approval of the Director of Community Development or designee. The amended plan shall indicate the location and size of all trees being removed and all replacement trees in accordance with the approval of the Director of Community Development or designee.

c.

Field adjustments to trees designated for preservation on the preservation plan may be necessary during the course of the construction. In such instances, the developer or property owner shall not remove any trees designated for preservation prior to site inspection and approval by the Director of Community Development or designee. Adjustments approved by the Director of Community Development or designee shall be reflected on the final grading plan.

(5)

Replacement of trees.

a.

The replacement of trees 8 inches or greater in diameter and trees designated for preservation shall be replaced with new trees from the approved list of trees by the Village Forester, each of which shall have a minimum diameter of 2.5 inches measured at a distance of 6 inches above ground level. Trees shall be replaced based on the Village of Skokie Parkway Tree Removal and Replacement Policy, as amended from time to time, within 6 months of the tree removal. These trees must be planted on site in accordance with an approved grading plan. If the Director of Community Development or designee determines that adequate or suitable space is not available on site for the replacement trees the developer shall pay into a tree fund for the trees, based on the Village of Skokie Parkway Tree Removal and Replacement Policy.

b.

Any relocated or replaced trees shall be guaranteed survival for up to one growing season. In the event that a relocated or replaced tree dies or is in declining condition, the tree shall be replaced with a new 2.5-inch diameter tree.

(b)

Any development subject to the provisions of this chapter shall provide a landscape plan to be approved by Village Manager or designee and the Village Appearance Commission. The landscape plan shall include existing and proposed plantings, including species, spacing, quantity, and size, areas to be sodded, and locations and specifications of other materials. The landscape plan shall address all requirements of this chapter.

(c)

Maximum feasible (live) landscaping shall be provided.

(1)

For existing developments, landscaping shall be provided at parking lots between the property line and the continuous curbing adjacent to street frontages.

(2)

For new developments, additions and uses requiring a special use permit, landscaping shall be provided along street frontages, along the perimeter and interior of parking lot areas, and adjacent to buildings and other areas of the site not dedicated to parking, drives, sidewalks or other improvements.

(d)

All unpaved areas not planted by trees, shrubs, ground cover, etc., shall be sodded. Grass seeding shall not be allowed.

(e)

New parking lots and improved existing commercial lots shall provide, at a minimum, 1 tree within the interior of the parking area for every 15 parking spaces. Open sales lots and storage lots shall be exempt from this landscaping requirement. Trees to be used in the interior portions of parking areas shall be limited to those on the "Approved Species for Parking Lot Tree Planting" list, approved by the Village Manager or designee as may be amended from time to time. All trees shall have a minimum trunk diameter of 2.5 inches measured at a distance of 6 inches above ground level.

(f)

Trees, shrubs, ground cover and other plants selected for planting at a site shall be acclimated to Northern Illinois.

(g)

Planting used for screening shall be a combination of tall, low and wide shrubbery.

(h)

Earth berms banked on both sides, or with 1 side banked toward the yard boundary line and a retaining wall, shall have a maximum side slope ratio of 3 to 1 for ease of maintenance. The embankment ratio shall be indicated on the required landscape plan.

(i)

Perimeter curbing, landscaping timbers, railroad ties, etc., shall be used to delineate and protect landscaped areas from motor vehicles.

(Zon. Ord., § 14.3; Ord. No. 03-11-Z-3222, §§ 1, 2, 11-3-2003; Ord. No. 13-10-C-4010, § 5, 10-7-2013)

(a)

All landscaping on public or private property that is part of an approved development plan shall be properly maintained, by the owner of the development, in a vigorous growing condition. Any landscaping which has been permitted to deteriorate shall be replaced.

(b)

All shrubbery, trees, plants or vegetation within a 10-foot sight distance triangle in R1, R2, R3, and R4 districts, or within a 15-foot sight distance triangle in all other districts, shall not exceed 30 inches in height.

(c)

Shrubbery planted in such a manner as to create a continuous barrier along a street frontage of a property shall not exceed 4 feet in height, except in mixed-use, business, and industrial districts where the purpose of the landscaping is to screen outdoor storage or along the side or rear yards of residential property.

(d)

The entire site must be free of weeds, including areas behind required screening and along fences.

(e)

The property owner shall sign an agreement for installation and maintenance of landscaping with the Village. This agreement recognizes that the installation and maintenance of landscaping is an integral part of the property owner's plan for the development and/or use of the property and is necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of the Village's land use objectives, and that the permits would not have been approved by the Village without the assurance that this agreement would be executed by the property owner. The purpose of this agreement is to ensure installation of the landscaping in accordance with the landscaping plan approved by the Village, and continued maintenance and care of the landscaping, including any landscaping indicated in the parkway.

(Zon. Ord., § 14.4; Ord. No. 08-6-C-3621, § 1, 6-2-2008; Ord. No. 09-1-C-3657, § 2, 1-5-2009; Ord. No. 11-3-C-3823, § 1, 3-7-2011; Ord. No. 13-10-C-4010, § 5, 10-7-2013)

When the landscaping required pursuant to this article for an existing development will interfere with required off-street parking, loading, driveway or aisle facilities, or the site is dimensionally deficient to provide landscaping pursuant to this article, the Director of Community Development and the Director of Engineering may require alternate landscaping requirements.

(Zon. Ord., § 14.5; Ord. No. 03-11-Z-3222, § 2, 11-3-2003; Ord. No. 13-10-C-4010, § 5, 10-7-2013)