Watertown City Zoning Code
ARTICLE X
Landscaping and Bufferyard Regulations
§ 550-93 Purpose.
The purpose of this article is to indicate the minimum requirements for the landscaping of foundations, developed lots, street frontages, paved areas, permanently protected green space areas, reforestation areas, and bufferyards.
§ 550-94 How to use this article.
A.
This article contains the standards that govern the amount, size, type, installation and maintenance of required landscaping. This article recognizes the important and diverse benefits which landscaping provides in terms of protecting the health, safety and general welfare of the community and implementing the Comprehensive Plan.
B.
Each section of this article is oriented to a specific category of required landscaping. The landscaping requirements described in this article are cumulative in nature and are required for all development, except single-family residential and agricultural uses, in the following locations: around building foundations, in developed lots, along street frontages, in or around paved areas, in permanently protected green space areas, in reforestation areas, and in bufferyards. Descriptions of these areas and their associated landscape requirements are included in landscaping requirements for regular development (building foundation, developed lots, street frontages, paved areas) (§ 550-96); landscaping requirements for permanently protected green space areas (§ 550-97); landscaping requirements for reforestation (§ 550-98); and landscaping requirements for bufferyards (§ 550-99).
C.
In each instance, a "landscaping point" concept is used to provide a maximum amount of flexibility in terms of the selection of plant materials. Section 550-95 presents sample landscape point combination alternatives used by this chapter. At the end of this chapter (and in more detail in Appendix F[1]), § 550-100 provides a listing of plant species fitting into the climax tree, tall deciduous tree, medium deciduous tree, low deciduous tree, tall evergreen tree, medium evergreen tree, low evergreen tree, tall deciduous shrub, medium deciduous shrub, low deciduous shrub, medium evergreen shrub, low evergreen shrub, and noncontributory plants used by this chapter. Section 550-101 provides requirements for the installation and maintenance of required landscaping, and § 550-102 describes the procedure for calculating landscaping requirements for this section.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix F, Detailed Classification of Plant Species, is attached to this chapter.
§ 550-95 Landscaping points, landscaping measurements and sample landscaping layouts.
A.
All landscaping requirements are stated in terms of the number of landscaping points required. The required number of landscaping points is dependent upon the type of land use, the zoning district and the size of the development. A different number of points is awarded for each plant, depending upon its typical growth rate, its mature height, and whether it is a deciduous or evergreen species. A minimum installation size is required for each of these plant categories. These requirements are as follows:
Table 550-95: Landscaping Points and Minimum Installation Sizes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Plant Category | Landscaping Points Per Plant | Minimum Permitted Installation Size | |
Climax Tree | 75 | 2-inch caliper | |
Tall Deciduous Tree | 30 | 1 1/2-inch caliper | |
Medium Deciduous Tree | 15 | 6-foot tall | |
Low Deciduous Tree | 10 | 4-foot tall | |
Tall Evergreen Tree | 40 | 5-foot tall | |
Medium Evergreen Tree | 20 | 4-foot tall | |
Low Evergreen Tree | 12 | 3-foot tall | |
Tall Deciduous Shrub | 5 | 36-inch tall | |
Medium Deciduous Shrub | 3 | 24-inch tall | |
Low Deciduous Shrub | 1 | 18-inch tall | |
Medium Evergreen Shrub | 5 | 18-inch tall/wide | |
Low Evergreen Shrub | 3 | 12-inch tall/wide | |
Noncontributory Plants | 0 | N/A | |
Source: A Guide to Selecting Landscape Plants for Wisconsin, E. R. Hasselkus, UW-Extension Publication: A2865 | |||
B.
Depiction of sample landscaping schemes. Appendix E[1] depicts sample landscaping schemes that may be used for building foundations, developed lots, street frontages, paved areas, reforestation, and bufferyards. In general, landscaping schemes similar to Alternative A are best for building foundations; landscaping schemes similar to Alternative B are best for developed lots; landscaping schemes similar to Alternative C are best for street frontages; landscaping schemes similar to Alternative D are best for paved areas (including parking lots, walkways and plazas); landscaping schemes similar to Alternative E are best for reforestation; and landscaping schemes similar to Alternative F are best for bufferyards. A detailed listing of which plant species fit each plant type is provided in § 550-100.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix E, Landscaping and Bufferyard Regulations, is attached to this chapter.
C.
Measurement for landscaping requirements.
(2)
The following diagram illustrates the measurement techniques used to determine these requirements:
 Landscape Measurements |
Landscaping Calculation Equations for This Example: | |
Paved Area = (P1 x P2) + (P3 x P4) + (P5 x P6) + (P7 x P8) + (P9 x P10) | |
Street Frontage = S1 + S2 | |
Building Perimeter = F1 + F2 + F3 + F4 + F5 + F6 + F7 + F8 | |
Building Floor Area = (B1 x B2) + (B3 x B4) + (B5 x B6) |
§ 550-96 Landscaping requirements for regular development.
A.
Building foundations. This subsection requires that certain buildings, or building additions, constructed after the effective date of this chapter, be accented by a minimum amount of landscaping placed near the building foundation.
(1)
Landscaping required by this subsection shall be placed so that at maturity the plant's dripline is located within 10 feet of the building foundation. Such landscaping shall not be located in those areas required for landscaping as street frontages, paved areas, protected green space areas, reforestation areas, or bufferyards. See Appendix E, Alternative A, for a suggested scheme.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix E, Landscaping and Bufferyard Regulations, is attached to this chapter.
(3)
Climax trees and tall trees shall not be used to meet this requirement. The intent of this subsection is to require a visual break in the mass of buildings and to require a visual screen of a minimum of six feet in height for all exterior perimeter appurtenances (such as HVAC/utility boxes, standpipes, stormwater discharge pipes and other pipes).
(4)
Where the officially approved site plan depicts a future building extension, the foundation landscaping requirement shall be calculated by measuring the length of the total perimeter. However, foundation plantings need only be installed based on the landscape points calculated from the portions of the building perimeter that will not be affected by building extension. If this results in point requirements which are not met through the initial planting, then said requirement shall be met within five years of building permit issuance or as extended in writing by the Plan Commission.
B.
Street frontages. This subsection requires that street frontages on certain lots developed after the effective date of this chapter contain a minimum amount of landscaping in those areas which abut the right-of-way of a public street.
(1)
All landscaping used to meet this requirement shall be located within 10 feet of the public right-of-way. In no instance shall such landscaping be located within a public right-of-way. See Appendix E, Alternative C, for a suggested landscaping scheme.[2] Landscaping shall not impede vehicle or pedestrian visibility.
[2]
Editor's Note: Appendix E, Landscaping and Bufferyard Regulations, is attached to this chapter.
(3)
Shrubs shall not be used to meet this requirement. A minimum of 50% of all points shall be devoted to climax and/or tall trees, and a minimum of 30% of all points shall be devoted to medium trees.
C.
Paved areas. This subsection requires that paved areas on certain lots developed after the effective date of this chapter contain a minimum amount of landscaping within, or within 10 feet of, the paved area. The intent is to require a continuous visual screen of parking areas from public rights-of-way at a minimum height of 40 inches.
(1)
A minimum of 360 square feet of landscaped area, which shall be located within 10 feet of the paved area, is required for the placement of every 100 landscaping points. Said area does not have to be provided in one contiguous area. Sample configurations are depicted in Appendix E, Alternative D.[3] Plants used to fulfill this requirement shall visually screen parking, loading and circulation areas from view from public streets.
[3]
Editor's Note: Appendix E, Landscaping and Bufferyard Regulations, is attached to this chapter.
(2)
For every 20 off-street parking stalls or 10,000 square feet of pavement (whichever yields the greater landscaping requirement) located in a development, the following number of landscaping points (as described in § 550-95) shall be provided on a prorated basis and installed and maintained per the requirements of § 550-101. A minimum of 30% of all points shall be devoted to climax and/or tall trees, and a minimum of 40% of all points shall be devoted to shrubs.
(3)
Parking lot design shall employ interior landscaped islands with a minimum of 400 square feet at all parking aisle ends, and in addition shall provide a minimum of one landscaped island of a minimum of 400 square feet in each parking aisle for every 20 cars in that aisle. Aisle-end islands shall count toward meeting this requirement. Landscaped medians shall be used to break large parking areas into distinct pods, with a maximum of 100 spaces in any one pod.
D.
Developed lots. This subsection requires that certain lots developed after the effective date of this chapter contain a minimum amount of landscaping.
(1)
Landscaping required by this subsection is most effective if located away from those areas required for landscaping as building foundations, street frontages, paved areas, protected green space areas, reforestation areas, or bufferyards. See Appendix E, Alternative B, for a suggest landscaping scheme.[4]
[4]
Editor's Note: Appendix E, Landscaping and Bufferyard Regulations, is attached to this chapter.
(3)
The intent of this subsection is to provide yard shade and to require a visual screen of a minimum of six feet in height for all detached exterior appurtenances (such as HVAC, utility boxes, standpipes, stormwater discharge pipes and other pipes.)
§ 550-97 Landscaping requirements for other permanently protected green spaces.
A.
This section requires that each acre of other permanently protected green space after the effective date of this chapter be planted with a minimum amount of landscaping.
§ 550-98 Landscaping requirements for required reforestation.
A.
This section requires that each area required to be reforested be reforested and maintained in a manner appropriate to site conditions.
B.
A detailed reforestation plan shall be submitted by the property owner and approved by the City prior to clear-cutting. This plan shall be reviewed by a reforestation consultant chosen by the City, with funding for consulting services provided by the petitioner to the City.
Rationale: The provisions of this section are designed to ensure that reforestation efforts required as part of woodland disruption mitigation standards result in the thorough and reasonably rapid replacement of the important and varied environmental functions which woodlands provide. |
§ 550-99 Landscaping requirements for bufferyards.
A.
Purpose. This section provides the landscaping and width requirements for bufferyards on lots developed after the effective date of this chapter. A bufferyard is a combination of distance and a visual buffer or barrier. It includes an area together with the combination of plantings, berms and fencing that are required to eliminate or reduce existing or potential nuisances. These nuisances can often occur between adjacent zoning districts. Such nuisances are dirt, litter, noise, glare of lights, signs and incompatible land uses, buildings or parking areas.
Rationale: One of zoning's most important functions is the separation of land uses into districts which have similar character and contain compatible uses. The location of districts is supposed to provide protection, but in the City of Watertown this is not the case since zoning districts permitting uses as diverse as single-family residential and industrial uses were located next to one another long before the effective date of this chapter. Bufferyards will operate to minimize the negative impact of any future use on neighboring uses. |
B.
Required locations for bufferyards. Bufferyards shall be located along (and within) the outer perimeter of a lot wherever two different zoning districts abut one another. Bufferyards shall not be required in front yards.
C.
Determination of required bufferyard. The determination of bufferyard requirements is a two-staged process. First, the required level of bufferyard opacity is determined using the Required Bufferyard Opacity Values Table in Appendix E.[1] Opacity is a quantitatively derived measure which indicates the degree to which a particular bufferyard screens the adjoining property. The required level of opacity indicated by the Required Bufferyard Opacity Values Table is directly related to the degree to which the potential character of development differs between different zoning districts. The provisions of this section indicate the minimum requirements for bufferyards located along zoning district boundaries.
(1)
Identification of required level of opacity. The Required Bufferyard Opacity Values Table shall be used to determine the minimum level of opacity for the required bufferyard. The required level of opacity is determined by the value given in the cell of the table at which the column heading along the top row of the table (representing the subject property's zoning district) intersects with the row heading along the left-hand side of the table (representing the adjacent property's zoning district). The value listed is the required level of opacity for the bufferyard on the subject property.
(2)
Identification of detailed bufferyard requirements.
(a)
If a proposed use adjoins a parcel for which a bufferyard is required by the presence of a zoning district boundary, that use shall provide a bufferyard with the level of the opacity indicated in the Required Bufferyard Opacity Values Table.
(b)
For each level of opacity listed in the Required Bufferyard Opacity Values Table, a wide variety of width, landscaping point, berm, and structure combinations are possible. These are listed in the Detailed Bufferyard Requirements Table in Appendix E.[2] The requirements listed in the Detailed Bufferyard Requirements Table pertain to the number of landscaping points, the minimum bufferyard width, and the type of berm or fencing required within every 100 feet of required bufferyard. A variety of landscaping point options are available and may be mixed within distinct portions of the same bufferyard. Section 550-95 describes the various available landscaping point alternatives. Section 550-100 provides a listing of tree and shrub species which correspond to the landscaping point descriptions.
[2]
Editor's Note: Appendix E, Landscaping and Bufferyard Regulations, is attached to this chapter.
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix E, Landscaping and Bufferyard Regulations, is attached to this chapter.
D.
Tables for required bufferyards. See Appendix E for the Required Bufferyard Opacity Values Table and the Detailed Bufferyard Requirements Table.[3]
[3]
Editor's Note: Appendix E, Landscaping and Bufferyard Regulations, is attached to this chapter.
§ 550-100 Classification of plant species.
For the purpose of this chapter, plant materials are classified into 13 groupings: climax tree, tall deciduous tree, medium deciduous tree, low deciduous tree, tall evergreen tree, medium evergreen tree, low evergreen tree, tall deciduous shrub, medium deciduous shrub, low deciduous shrub, medium evergreen shrub, low evergreen shrub, and noncontributory plants. Species suitable for landscaping use and compatible with Dodge and/or Jefferson County climate and soil factors are listed below. The Zoning Administrator shall review proposals for, and the applicability of, species not contained in this list and is authorized to approve appropriate similar species. See Appendix F for a very detailed listing of plant species and characteristics.[1]
A.
Climax trees (75 landscaping points).
Botanical Name | Common Name | |
|---|---|---|
Acer saccharum | Sugar maple | |
Ginkgo biloba | Ginko | |
Quercus sp. | Oak: Red, White, Pin |
B.
Tall deciduous trees (30 landscaping points).
Botanical Name | Common Name | |
|---|---|---|
Acer sp. | Maple: Red, Norway | |
Fraxinus sp. | Ash: White, Green | |
Gleditsia triancanthos | Honeylocust | |
Populus grandidentata | Bigtooth aspen | |
Tilia sp | Linden: Basswood, Littleleaf, Redmond |
C.
Medium deciduous trees (15 landscaping points).
Botanical Name | Common Name | |
|---|---|---|
Betula sp. | Birch: River, Paper | |
Prunus sp. | Cherry: Choke, Pin |
D.
Low deciduous trees (10 landscaping points).
Botanical Name | Common Name | |
|---|---|---|
Amelanchier sp. | Serviceberry | |
Crataegus sp. | Hawthorn: Cockspur, Downy, Washington | |
Malus sp. | Crabapple sp. |
E.
Tall evergreen trees (40 landscaping points).
Botanical Name | Common Name | |
|---|---|---|
Abies concolor | White fir | |
Pinus sp. | Pine: Red, White, Scots | |
Tsuga Canadensis | Canada hemlock |
F.
Medium evergreen trees (20 landscaping points).
Botanical Name | Common Name | |
|---|---|---|
Thuja occidentalis | American arborvitae |
G.
Low evergreen trees (12 landscaping points).
Botanical Name | Common Name | |
|---|---|---|
Juniperus sp. | Juniper: Mountbatten, Redcedar | |
Thuja sp. | Arborvitae: Pyramidal, Techny |
H.
Tall deciduous shrubs (5 landscaping points).
Botanical Name | Common Name | |
|---|---|---|
Comus sp. | Dogwood: Grey, Pagoda | |
Syringa sp. | Lilac: Chinese, Hyacinth | |
Viburnum sp. | Viburnum: Arrowwood, Wayfaringtree, Nannyberry |
I.
Medium deciduous shrubs (3 landscaping points).
Botanical Name | Common Name | |
|---|---|---|
Corylus americana | American filbert, hazelnut | |
Cotoneaster sp. | Cotoneaster | |
Forsynthia sp. | Forsythia: Border, Early, Weeping | |
Rosa sp. | Rose: Virgina, Rugosa |
J.
Low deciduous shrubs (one landscaping point).
Botanical Name | Common Name | |
|---|---|---|
Berberis thunbergii | Japanese barberry | |
Spiraea sp. | Spirea: Froebel, Snowmound |
K.
Tall to medium evergreen shrubs (five landscaping points).
Botanical Name | Common Name | |
|---|---|---|
Juniperus chinensis | Juniper: Pfitzer | |
Taxus sp. | Yew: Japanese |
L.
Low evergreen shrubs (three landscaping points).
Botanical Name | Common Name | |
|---|---|---|
Juniperus sp. | Juniper: Sargent, Creeping, Andorra |
[1]
Editor's Note: Appendix F, Detailed Classification of Plant Species, is attached to this chapter.
§ 550-101 Requirements for installation, maintenance and use of landscaped and bufferyard areas.
A.
Installation.
(1)
Any and all landscaping and bufferyard material required by the provisions of this chapter shall be installed on the subject property in accordance with the approved site plan (see § 550-145) within 730 days of the issuance of an occupancy permit for any building on the subject property.
(2)
Surety.
(a)
If the subject property is to be occupied prior to the installation of all required landscaping and bufferyard material, the property owner shall sign an agreement stating the intent to install the landscaping within the seven-hundred-thirty-day period. This agreement shall also contain a statement indicating that there are fines associated with not complying with this agreement.
(b)
If a part of a plat of subdivision is approved per the requirements of this chapter, said amount may be split into amounts which are applicable to phases of the plat approved per the requirements of Chapter 545, Subdivision of Land.
(c)
Governmental units to which these bond and guarantee provisions apply may, in lieu of said contract or instrument of guarantee, file a resolution or letter from officers authorized to act in their behalf, agreeing to comply with the provisions of this article.
(3)
Existing plant material which meets the requirements of § 550-95 and which will be preserved on the subject property following the completion of development may be counted as contributing to the landscaping requirements.
(4)
All landscaping and bufferyard areas shall be seeded with lawn or native ground cover unless such vegetation is already fully established.
(5)
The exact placement of required plants and structures shall be depicted on the required detailed landscaping plan and shall be the decision of each property owner within the requirements of this section, except that the following requirements shall be met:
(a)
Evergreen shrubs shall be planted in clusters in order to maximize their chance for survival.
(b)
Where a combination of plant materials and/or berming and/or fencing is used in a bufferyard, the fence and/or berm shall be located toward the interior of the subject property, and the plant material shall be located toward the exterior of the subject property.
(c)
A property owner may establish through a written agreement, recorded with the Register of Deeds office, that an adjacent property owner shall agree to provide a partial or full portion of the required bufferyard on an immediately adjacent portion of his land, thereby exempting the developer from providing all or a portion of the bufferyard on his property.
(d)
In no manner shall landscaping or bufferyard materials be selected and/or located in a manner that results in the creation of a safety or visibility hazard.
B.
Maintenance. The continued and continual maintenance of all required landscaping and bufferyard materials shall be a requirement of this chapter and shall be the responsibility of the owner of the property on which said materials are required. This requirement shall run with the property and is binding upon all future property owners. Development of any and all property following the effective date of this chapter shall constitute an agreement by the property owner to comply with the provisions of this section. Upon failure to comply with these provisions, the City may enter upon the property for the purpose of evaluating and maintaining all required landscaping and bufferyard materials and may specially assess the costs thereof against the property. Failure to comply with this requirement shall be considered a violation of this chapter and shall be subject to any and all applicable enforcement procedures and penalties.
C.
Use of required bufferyard and landscaped areas. Any and all required bufferyards or landscaped areas may be used for passive recreation activities. Said areas may contain pedestrian, bike or equestrian trails, provided that no required material is eliminated; the total width of the required bufferyard, or the total area of required landscaping, is maintained; and all other regulations of this chapter are met. In no event, however, shall swimming pools, tennis courts, sports fields, golf courses, or other such active recreation uses be permitted in such areas. Furthermore, in no instance shall any parking be permitted in such areas, nor shall any outdoor display or storage of materials be permitted in such areas. Paving in such areas shall be limited to that required for necessary access to, through or across the subject property.
D.
Utility easements. Landscaping materials, fences and berms which are located within a duly recorded utility easement and/or a pedestrian easement shall not count toward meeting a landscaping requirement. However, the width of such areas may be counted as part of a landscaping requirement.
§ 550-102 Calculating landscaping and bufferyard requirements.
In calculating the number of required landscaping points under the provisions of this article, all areas and distances on which required calculations are based shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number of square feet or linear feet. Any partial plant derived from the required calculations of this article (for example 23.3 canopy trees) shall be rounded up to the nearest whole plant (24 canopy trees).
§ 550-103 Depiction on required site plan.
Any and all proposed landscaping on the subject property required to meet the standards of this chapter shall be clearly depicted and labeled as to its location and makeup on the site plan required for the development of the subject property.