St Robert City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 420
Landscaping and Screening
Section 420.001 Purpose and Authority.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this Chapter is:
1.
To provide good visual appeal to buildings and paved areas through the use of trees, shrubs and plants.
2.
To encourage areas of established native forest to be preserved within a project/development site and to properly protect preserved areas during construction.
3.
To preserve healthy environmental condition by providing shade, air purification and oxygen generation, ground water recharge, stormwater runoff retardation and noise, glare and heat abatement through preservation of areas of native forest and installation of landscape.
4.
To buffer uncomplimentary adjacent land uses.
5.
To require timely replacement of landscape components lost after installation. If seasonal limitations prevent timely replacement of lost components, replacement will occur immediately upon the arrival of the next compatible planting season.
B.
Authority. The Land Use Administrator shall administer the provisions of this Chapter.
Section 420.003 Landscape Plan.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A.
Landscaping consisting of trees, shrubs, ground cover and screening as deemed applicable shall be required for any new construction or expansion of existing uses except one- or two-family uses. All development plans shall include a landscape plan and include screening where appropriate or has been required by the Board of Aldermen.
B.
All landscape plans submitted for approval shall have the following information included as part of a landscape plan:
1.
Title block, North arrow and scale.
2.
The location of all buildings, sidewalks, structures and parking areas.
3.
The location, size and type of all above ground and underground utilities and structures within property boundary to avoid during landscape installation.
4.
Landscaped area's dimensions.
5.
Plant material shall be drawn to scale and called out on plan by common name or appropriate key.
6.
Location of hose connections and other water sources to be used for irrigation.
7.
The location, size and type of required screening methods as required in Section 420.009.
8.
Any proposed retaining walls, vegetative buffers and fencing.
Section 420.005 Planting Requirements.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A.
The following criteria and standards shall apply to landscape materials and installation.
1.
Quality. All trees and shrubs used in conformance with the provision of this Chapter shall have well-developed leaders and tops and roots characteristic of the species, cultivars or variety and shall show evidence of proper nursery pruning. All plant materials must be free of insects, diseases, mechanical injuries and other objectionable features at the time of planting.
2.
Landscape area. For undeveloped commercial, mixed-use or institutional uses, a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the net site area shall be landscaped. The landscape area shall not be less than the minimum landscape area set out in the table. Net area is equal to all of the site area excluding the footprint of any proposed buildings and any required buffer areas. For industrial uses and manufactured home uses a minimum of four percent (4%) of the net site area will be used.
Building/Structure Footprint | Minimum Area to be Landscaped (greater of): | |
|---|---|---|
0 to 10,000 square feet | 500 square feet or 10 percent of footprint | |
10,001 to 20,000 square feet | 1,000 square feet or 9 percent of footprint | |
20,001 to 30,000 square feet | 1,800 square feet or 8 percent of footprint | |
30,001 to 40,000 square feet | 2,400 square feet or 7 percent of footprint | |
40,001 to 50,000 square feet | 2,800 square feet or 6 percent of footprint | |
50,001 square feet and over | 3,000 square feet or 5 percent of footprint |
3.
Trees. Trees referred to in this Section shall be a species common to or adapted to this geographical area of Missouri. Caliper measurements shall be taken six (6) inches above grade. At least one (1) tree for every five hundred (500) square feet of net area will be planted. Variety in tree selections is encouraged and shall be at the discretion of the developer but tree selections to be used in landscaping shall have the following characteristics:
a.
Canopy trees shall be deciduous trees that have a minimum height of thirty (30) feet at maturity. All canopy trees shall have a caliper width of at least two (2) inches at time of planting. Canopy trees will not be planted within platted street rights-of-way.
b.
Understory trees shall be deciduous trees that have a maximum height of less than thirty (30) feet at maturity. All understory trees shall have a caliper width of at least one and one-half (1½) inches at time of planting. Understory trees may be planted within platted street rights-of-way with the approval of the Director of Public Works.
c.
Ornamental trees shall be flowering deciduous trees. All ornamental trees shall have a caliper width of at least one (1) inch at time of planting.
d.
Evergreen or conifer trees shall have a minimum height of twenty (20) feet at maturity. All evergreen or conifer trees shall be at least four (4) feet high at time of planting.
4.
Street trees. Tree plantings within the green space area between the curb line and sidewalk are encouraged. Street trees may be credited towards the tree planting requirements stipulated in Subsection (3)(a) above. Use of the green space area for planting of street trees must be coordinated with the Director of Public Works to avoid exposure, damage or obstructions with utility infrastructure in the area to be landscaped. Maintenance will be the responsibility of the property owner and with a formal agreement with the Public Works Department.
5.
Shrubs. One (1) shrub of at least five (5) gallons in size is required for every fifty (50) square feet of net landscape area. Up to fifty percent (50%) of the required shrubs may be replaced by trees and vice versa. One (1) tree shall equal ten (10) shrubs.
6.
Hedges. Hedges, where installed, shall be planted and maintained so as to form a continuous, unbroken, solid visual screen which will be at least three (3) feet high within one (1) year after time of planting. Hedges may be used to meet buffering requirements but will not be allowed to be planted within platted street rights-of-way.
7.
Ground cover. In addition to trees and shrubs, all of the landscape areas must be covered with grass, organic mulch, live ground cover or decorative pavers. Grass areas may be sodded, plugged, sprigged or seeded.
Section 420.007 Minimum Requirements for Parking Lots.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A.
Interior areas of parking lots and vehicular use areas shall contain landscaped islands located so as to best relieve the expanse of paving. Landscaped islands shall be required in parking lots with fifteen (15) or more parking spaces.
B.
The total area of landscaped islands shall equal at a minimum five (5) square feet per parking space. This area can be included to supplement the requirements specified in Section 420.005 of this Chapter.
C.
Interior landscape islands shall be protected from vehicular encroachment through appropriate wheel stops or curbs.
D.
These island plantings may be grouped in such a way as to provide visual relief to those building elevations the public views of the project. Trees and shrubs may be clustered to allow for the most effective use of landscaping. The remaining area shall be landscaped with grass or other ground cover.
Section 420.009 Screening Requirements.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A.
All development plans shall include a detailed drawing of applicable screening methods to be constructed as required by this Chapter. Such drawings will be included as part of the landscape plan. No buffer or screening requirement located on an adjacent property may be utilized as a portion of a required buffer or screen, nor allowed to be used in a trade-off or modification of a standard.
B.
Trash Bin Screening. All multi-family residential projects, mobile home parks and all commercial, mixed-use and industrial projects shall include on the landscape plan a detailed drawing of enclosure and screening methods to be used in connection with trash bins, storage yards, parking lots and equipment areas on the property. No trash bin shall be visible from the public right-of-way and a permanent masonry or frame enclosure shall be provided to screen each trash bin without obstructing access to utility easements or utility poles.
C.
Screening Requirements By Zoning Classification.
1.
At the time of development for property zoned "agricultural", "commercial", mixed-use or "industrial", appropriate screening shall be provided along all rear and side property lines which are common to property zoned "residential". When a new structure and/or development is proposed in a mixed-use, commercial or industrial zoning district which directly abuts a residential zoning district, the proposal shall be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission for their review and decision.
2.
All existing non-residential businesses or activities which deal with merchandise, bulk goods or materials that are actively being offered for sale or openly stored; junk, wrecked or salvage vehicles shall be screened with an open or solid fence so that said items cannot be seen from any public street or right-of-way.
3.
At the time of development, for property zoned two-family ("R-2") or multiple-family ("R-3"), appropriate screening shall be provided along all rear and side property lines that are common to property zoned single-family.
4.
At the time of development, for property zoned Mobile Home District ("R-M"), appropriate screening shall be provided along all rear and side property lines which are common to property zoned single-family, two-family ("R-2") and multiple-family ("R-3").
D.
These requirements are in addition to those of Section 420.007. However, when circumstances prevent appropriate installation of landscape to satisfy both requirements, the Land Use Administrator may relax requirements as deemed appropriate.
E.
Subdivision Buffering. The Planning and Zoning Commission may require a buffer of up to thirty (30) feet in width along all side and rear property lines which are common between any residential zoning districts. Buffers for side and rear yards of commercial zoning districts directly abutting residential zoning districts are to be established at a width deemed appropriate by the Planning and Zoning Commission to insure no negative impact or adverse effect on the neighboring residential zoning districts. In addition to normal considerations, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall consider projected noise, smell and visual impact in rendering a decision. All required buffers shall include planted screening pursuant to Section 420.009(H).
F.
Rear And Side Yard Parking Lot Screening. Any off-street parking area providing space for five (5) or more vehicles shall be effectively screened on any side or rear yard which abuts a residential lot by acceptable screening standards as specified in Subsection (G).
G.
Screening Standards. A screen shall consist of a screen wall, fence, earth berm or densely planted landscape plantings to effectively restrict fifty percent (50%) to seventy-five percent (75%) of the view to adjoining property to a height of no greater than six (6) feet.
H.
Screen Types. For the purposes of this Section, the following types of screens shall be deemed acceptable to meet the requirements of this Chapter and other Sections of this regulation:
BERMS
A berm screen constructed of earthen materials shall not exceed a slope steeper than two and one-half (2½) feet horizontal to one (1) foot vertical. A berm shall be so designed that drainage from said slope shall be directed away from paved areas and sidewalks and shall be sodded and landscaped as necessary to provide soil stabilization. In addition, at least thirty percent (30%) of the area screened shall be landscaped in accordance with Subsection (G).
OPEN FENCE
An open weave or mesh type fence constructed of wood or other approved materials shall be no greater than six (6) feet in height.
SOLID FENCE
A solid fence constructed of wood, vinyl, concrete or masonry materials that shall be no greater than six (6) feet in height.
WALLS (INCLUDING RETAINING WALLS)
A wall screen consisting of concrete, stone, brick, tile or similar type of approved solid masonry material shall be not less than six (6) feet in height, nor more than eight (8) feet.
HEDGES
Closely spaced shrubs and bushes planted and trained in such a way as to form a barrier or buffer between land uses. Hedges shall not exceed six (6) feet in height and shall be trimmed and maintained so as not to become a nuisance to adjoining properties.
I.
Existing Screening. No existing screening or landscape buffer shall be removed from any developed or undeveloped commercial property, which directly abuts a residentially zoned property, without first submitting and obtaining approval for a landscaping plan, which plan provides for replacement screening conforming to all provisions of this Section.
Section 420.011 Screening of Dumpsters.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A.
Every development that, under the City's solid waste collection policies, is or will be required to provide one (1) or more dumpsters for solid waste collection shall provide sites for such dumpsters that are:
1.
Located so as to facilitate collection and minimize any negative impact on persons occupying the development site, neighboring properties or public rights-of-way, and
2.
Constructed to allow for collection without damage to the development site or the collection vehicle.
B.
All such dumpsters shall be screened so they would not be visible to:
1.
Persons located within any dwelling unit on residential property other than that where the dumpsters are located.
2.
Adjacent public parks and recreational areas.
3.
Occupants or customers located within any building on non-residential property other than that where the dumpsters are located, unless such property is used primarily for purposes permitted exclusively in an industrial zoning district.
4.
Persons traveling on any public street, sidewalk or other public way.
C.
When dumpster screening is required under this Chapter, such screening shall be constructed, installed and located to prevent or remedy the conditions requiring the screening.
D.
Dumpsters required to be screened under this Section shall be screened by either of the following methods:
1.
An open or closed fence constructed of non-combustible wood or other approved material, a minimum of six (6) feet in height. Examples of appropriate fencing types may be found in Chapter 413.
2.
A wall consisting of concrete, stone, brick, tile or similar type of approved solid masonry material, a minimum of six (6) feet in height.
E.
All pre-existing dumpster sites which are found to be in non-conformance with the requirements of this Section shall be brought into compliance within one hundred eighty (180) days after written notification to correct said non-conforming dumpster sites.
Section 420.013 Installation and Maintenance.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A.
Landscaping In Place Prior To Occupancy Permit. All landscaping material shall be living, healthy and in place prior to issuance of final occupancy permit. A temporary certificate may be issued without the installation of landscaping if seasonal limitations prevent its planting, provided a written agreement is executed between the City of St. Robert and the developer assuring that the planting will take place when the next planting season arrives.
B.
Maintenance. The owner of the property shall be responsible for maintaining, in a neat and orderly manner at all time, the landscaping required by this Chapter. Plant materials shall be maintained in a healthy and growing condition that is appropriate for the season of the year. Plant materials that die shall be replaced with healthy plant material of similar variety and meeting the size requirements of this Section. Landscape plantings, buffers and screens that are not maintained properly shall be considered a nuisance and abatement shall be enforced according to the nuisance ordinance and Property Maintenance Code of the City.
C.
Burning. No open burning of brush, timber and/or vegetation shall be allowed except by special permit issued by the St. Robert Fire Department.
Section 420.015 Exemptions for Aggregate Lot Development.
[Ord. No. 2118 §§1 — 3, 8-18-2008]
A.
In subdivisions where some or all of the requirements of this Chapter have been met by the original developer, credit shall be extended for such improvements to each parcel within the subdivision.
B.
Public road right-of-way and utility easements are exempt from the provisions of this Chapter.
