A. Intent: The Town recognizes the importance of trees and landscaping within the community. Trees and landscaping are used to soften the visual impact of commercial and residential building sites and parking areas, provide safe and pleasant gathering areas, enhance community identity and encourage compatibility with community uses. Trees and landscaping can stabilize surface drainage, soil erosion, reduce air and sound pollution, and help with wind control.
B. Landscaping Defined: "Landscaping" means the improvement of property to include substantial live plant material, such as trees, plants, shrubs, vines, turf, vegetative or non- vegetative permeable ground covers, and the eradication of weeds and other deleterious material; and, can also include nonliving, durable landscaping materials, including sculptures, patios, specialty paving, street furniture, outdoor seating areas, rocks, pebbles, sand, decorative walls and fences, and earthen mounds (excluding paving for vehicular use), all harmoniously combined to produce an aesthetic affect appropriate for the intended use.
C. Landscaping Plan Requirements:
1. Landscaping Plan And Agreement Required: A landscaping plan shall be required for all new commercial and multi-family developments. Landscape plans shall be approved by the Planning Commission prior to any building permits being issued. Landscape plans for planned unit developments shall have the approval from the Planning Commission prior to issuance of building permits and shall follow all regulations in chapter 13, article A of this title. A landscaping agreement is also required on a form approved by the Town legal counsel with requirements as outlined in subsection F of this section.
2. Contents Of Landscaping Plan: All landscape plans shall contain the following information, unless specifically waived by the Town Planner and/or the Planning Commission:
a. The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures, property lines, easements, parking lots, driveways, roadways, sidewalks, fences, recreational features and any other property features presently on the property or planned for installment on the property.
b. The location, size and common species name of all vegetation to be retained.
c. The location, size and common species name of all new plants, including trees, shrubs and flower bed areas.
3. Residential Development: All single-family residential development must submit a landscaping plan with the building permit application and sign a landscape agreement on a form approved by the Town legal counsel with requirements as outlined in subsection F of this section, before a building permit will be issued.
1. Residential Buffer: For any area adjacent to residential zoning, a buffer zone shall be created between the two (2) non-compatible uses. The buffer zone shall consist of a minimum ten foot (10') landscaped setback from the abutting property line and shall include a minimum of one (1) tree per eight hundred (800) square feet and adequate fencing approved by the Planning Commission. These requirements may be increased if, at the discretion of the Planning Commission, additional screening is deemed necessary to protect and buffer adjacent sites.
2. Street Frontage Tree Requirements: For areas adjacent to public street frontage, trees shall be provided at the equivalent of one (1) tree per every thirty (30) linear feet. Street frontage trees may be clustered or spaced linearly in the park strip as determined appropriate by the Town Planner.
3. Minimum Number Of Trees: A minimum of one (1) tree per every eight hundred (800) square feet of landscaping is required for all areas that are not on street frontage but adjacent to residential areas.
E. Residential Lots: The area requiring landscaping shall be the front yard. No less than one thousand six hundred (1,600) square feet in front of the house shall be landscaped with fifty percent (50%) live vegetation and substantial live plant material, such as plants, shrubs, sod, etc. (no weeds will be included in the equation) and fifty percent (50%) non-living durable landscaping, such as sculptures, specialty paving, rocks, decorative walls, hard surface driveways, etc., for the purpose of beautifying the site. Trees that are planted shall be one (1) year old or older and at least one (1) tree chosen from the acceptable tree list. Exceptions to this planting formula may be granted by submitting an alternate plan to the Planning Commission for their approval.
F. Landscaping Agreement And Bond: The Town shall require a one thousand dollar ($1,000.00) cash bond to be paid to the Town as part of the Landscape Agreement. The one thousand dollar ($1,000.00) cash bond and other required fees will be paid at the time that the building permit fee is paid. The money will be put in escrow and the landscaping shall be completely installed within six (6) months after issuance of the occupancy permit for the corresponding building permit. If landscaping meets all the requirements and there is money left in the escrow account, that amount will be refunded. If the builder does not meet the requirements, the money in escrow will be forfeited to the Town for trees and landscaping on public property and public rights-of-way in order to offset the deleterious effect of non-compliance.
G. Maintenance: The owner and/or occupants of the parcel shall permanently maintain the required landscaping. All landscaping shall be maintained in healthy, neat and orderly conditions, free of weeds and litter. All specialty paving, as well as paved areas and walls or fences, shall be in good condition without broken parts, holes, potholes or litter. Maintenance includes watering, mowing, proper pruning, fertilizing, the removal and replacement of dead plant materials in a timely manner and the maintenance of any irrigation systems. (Ord. 17-02, 3-16-2017)