Recognizing that the proper management and use of trees, plants and other types of vegetation improves the appearance, value, character, quality of life, and the natural environment in Wayne, this chapter establishes standards for the development, installation, and maintenance of landscaping. The Zoning Code intends to accomplish the following:

   •   Preserve existing trees and vegetation.

   •   Conserve energy, provide adequate light and air, prevent the overcrowding of land, and reduce impervious surfaces.

   •   Encourage the use of native plant materials and a diversity of species in plantings.

   •   Provide visual buffers and enhance the beautification of Wayne.

   •   Safeguard and enhance property values and protect public and private investment.

   •   Preserve, protect, and restore the unique identity and environment of Wayne, and preserve the economic base attracted to the City by such factors.

(Ord. 2023-01. Passed 2-7-23.)

   (a)   On developed sites (excluding one-family residential dwelling units, when developed on a parcel-by-parcel basis), landscaping must be brought into compliance with the Zoning Code. Existing parking lots are exempt from the interior parking lot landscaping requirements, unless they are being removed or replaced. This applies to:

      (1)   New construction (or the modification of an existing building where the total building square footage is increased by twenty-five percent or greater).

      (2)   The total amount of impervious surface on the site is increased by fifty percent or greater.

      (3)   A special land use is required.

   (b)   No landscaped area may be abandoned, paved, or otherwise employed without submission and approval of a site plan.

   (c)   These requirements are minimum requirements, and nothing precludes a developer from proposing a more extensive landscape plan.

(Ord. 2023-01. Passed 2-7-23.)

   (b)   General Requirements. The entire landscaped area (including lawn areas) must be planted with grass, groundcover, shrubbery, or other suitable plant material (excludes areas used as paved patios, terraces, sidewalks, and similar site features).

   (c)   Maintenance of Existing Landscaping. All existing landscaping must be maintained in good condition to present a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance, free from refuse and debris. All unhealthy and dead materials must be replaced within forty-five days (or within the next planting period, whichever comes next). Grass areas must be kept weed free and mowed on a regular basis and all edges trimmed and maintained. Landscape inspections may be conducted on a regular basis to ensure long-term compliance.

   (d)   Preservation of Existing Vegetation. Existing vegetation to be preserved must be protected during construction with temporary fencing around the drip line. To promote the preservation of natural features, sites should be designed to preserve existing woodlands and wetlands to the greatest extent possible.

   (e)   Planting Setbacks. The trunks of trees cannot be planted closer than four-feet to a property line.

   (f)   Private Ponds. Ponds are permitted for recreational, scenic, or stormwater management purposes and must meet all federal, state, county, and City requirements. The property owner must maintain the pond and the filter system, including, but not limited to the cleaning of the pond, the mowing of grass, and the elimination of any nuisances created by standing water or a water body. Ponds must incorporate water tolerant grasses and seed mixes at the bottom of the pond/basin and appropriate trees, shrubs, and grasses along the banks based on the environment to improve views, filter runoff, and enhance wildlife habitat.

(Ord. 2023-01. Passed 2-7-23.)

   All landscaping must comply with the following minimum standards:

   (b)   Frontage Landscaping. When a site abuts a road right-of-way, frontage landscaping must be provided in the front yard area adjacent to or within the right-of-way per the table below. For the purposes of computing length of road frontage, openings for driveways and sidewalks are not counted towards the total linear frontage. Trees and shrubs may be planted at uniform intervals, at random, or in groupings.

 

 

   (d)   Parking Lot Screening. Screening adjacent to a parking lot is not required if the parking surface area is completely screened from the right-of-way by an intervening building or structure. Where a parking lot is located adjacent to sidewalks, streets, and other rights-of-way, screening must be provided within ten-feet of the parking lot with the following (or a combination thereof):

      (1)   Vegetative buffer. A ten-foot-wide greenbelt with an evergreen or deciduous hedge, at least three-feet in height. The landscaping must be planted to provide an unbroken visual screen within three-years and no plant material may be located within two-feet from the front of a parking space curb (to account for vehicle overhang).

      (2)   Screen wall/fence. A decorative masonry wall or black aluminum fencing, at least three-feet in height. Walls must contain a stone or masonry cap and fences must incorporate stone or masonry piers at regular intervals.

   (e)   Screening from Residential Uses. All non-residential uses that abut a residentially used property must provide screening by one or a combination of the following:

      (1)   A reinforced, decorative masonry wall, six-feet in height above grade, with a stone cap.

      (2)   A ten-foot-wide greenbelt with evergreen trees forming a continuous screen (trees planted 10-15 feet apart (on center) in two staggered rows).

      (3)   A six-foot in height earth berm, with a slope (measured on the cross-section) no greater than 1:3 and at least a two-foot-wide planting area at its crest, and landscaped.

   (g)   Dumpster/Refuse Containers. Unless otherwise required in this Code, such containers and permitted outdoor storage must be screened by:

      (1)   A decorative masonry or composite wall, at least six-feet in height above grade, or one-foot above the object which it is screening, whichever is greater.

      (2)   An opaque gate (constructed from metal or wood) is required; chain link fencing with obscuring fabric or slats is prohibited.

   (i)   Mechanical and Utility Equipment Screening. Transformers, mechanical equipment, and other above ground utility cabinets must be screened with evergreen plantings or a decorative opaque fence at least one-foot taller than the height of the cabinet/equipment. This requirement does not apply to equipment serving one- or two-family dwelling units.

(Ord. 2023-01. Passed 2-7-23.)

      (1)   Lawns. Lawns must be sodded, seeded or hydro seeded, and installed in all areas of residential property not otherwise landscaped, and must be maintained and present complete coverage within three-months of planting. The property owner is responsible for soil erosion protection prior to the installation and for maintaining the approved grade before and after lawn installation.

      (2)   Trees. Two deciduous trees (at least two-inches caliper) must be planted; at least one tree must be planted within the front yard and one in the rear yard.

   (b)   Multiple-Family Residential. Multiple-family residential uses must provide a minimum of two deciduous or evergreen trees per dwelling unit, unless otherwise determined by the Planning Commission.

(Ord. 2023-01. Passed 2-7-23.)

      (1)   All landscape plans must include a minimum of fifty percent native plants.

      (2)   All plant material must conform to the description consistent with generally accepted and published nursery and landscape standards. Plant materials must be typical of their species or variety, have normal habitat of growth, well-branched and densely foliated when in leaf.

      (3)   Artificial plants and invasive species are prohibited from satisfying landscape requirements.

   (c)   Lawn Areas. Lawns must be planted with species of grass normally grown as permanent lawns in southeast Michigan. Grass may be sodded or seeded and mulched. Sod or seed must be clean, free of weeds and noxious pests or disease. Where possible, Xeriscape design is highly encouraged.

   (d)   Minimum Planting Size. All plantings must meet the following minimum size at the time of planting:

      (1)   Deciduous trees. Two and one-half-inches in caliper, measured at eighteen-inches above grade.

      (2)   Ornamental trees. Two-inches in caliper, measured at eighteen-inches above grade.

      (3)   Evergreen trees. Eight-feet in height, measured from grade.

      (4)   Shrubs. Thirty-inches in height, measured from grade.

 

      (1)   All trees must be balled and burlapped at the time of planting.

      (2)   Plant material must be freshly dug, and nursery grown. Plant material must be of sound health, vigorous and uniform in appearance with a well-developed root system and free from disease, insects, pests, eggs, or larvae. Trees must have straight trunks with leaders intact, undamaged, and uncut.

      (3)   A minimum of four-inches of topsoil must be provided for all lawn areas, groundcovers, berms, and planting beds.

(Ord. 2023-01. Passed 2-7-23.)

   In unique circumstances, where no good purpose would be served by strict compliance with the landscape requirements of this chapter, the Planning Commission may waive or modify these standards.

(Ord. 2023-01. Passed 2-7-23.)