The purpose of this chapter is to promote community health, safety, and welfare by setting development standards for landscaping, street trees, fences and walls. Together, these elements of the natural and built environment contribute to the visual quality, environmental health and character of the community. Trees provide climate control through shading during summer months and wind screening during winter. Walls, fences, trees and other landscape materials also provide vital screening and buffering between land uses. Landscaped areas help to control surface water drainage and can improve water quality, as compared to paved or built surfaces.

(Ord. 1286 § 1 (part), 2001)

Any new commercial, light industrial, industrial or water-dependent use on an existing vacant lot as of the date of passage of this ordinance or on a lot that subsequently becomes vacant for a period of more than one year are required to provide landscaping as part of the development/building permit process.

A.

The following standards are intended to serve as minimum landscaping and screening standards:

1.

A minimum of five percent of the parcel or lot shall be landscaped. If two or more lots are utilized for the use, the five percent requirement shall apply for each lot though the landscaping may be placed or retained on one lot or on each of the lots.

2.

A suitable tree (minimum six feet in height at time of planting) shall be planted for every twenty (20) feet (or portion of twenty (20) feet) of lot line fronting any developed street or road. For each tree retained on the proposed development site, the tree planting requirement shall be reduced by one.

3.

In selecting trees, the following requirements shall apply:

a.

If planted near or under power lines, trees must be selected that will grow no higher than twenty-five (25) feet at maturity such as Amur Maple, Vine Maple, Flowering Cherries, and Flowering Plum.

b.

If planted near sewer or water lines, no cedars, poplars, willows or alders shall be planted because of the potential for line damage from roots.

c.

If not planted near or under power lines, or near sewer or water lines, then any tree species is acceptable.

4.

Trees identified for meeting the landscaping requirement shall be subject to the city of Toledo tree permit or removal requirements.

B.

On commercial, industrial, light industrial, and water-dependent property abutting a residentially zoned property, an evergreen hedge, evergreen trees or sight-obscuring fence must be placed to screen the view of storage areas and operations not enclosed in a building. Fences shall not be less than six feet nor more than eight feet in height. Evergreen hedges or trees shall not be less than six feet in height.

C.

A landscape plan shall be submitted as part of the building permit site plan or as a separate plan in conjunction with a building permit. The landscape plan shall be subject to the approval of the city manager.

D.

An alternative landscape plan may be submitted to the planning commission for consideration as a substitute for the above standards.

(Ord. 1286 § 1 (part), 2001)