Wenham City Zoning Code
ARTICLE 8
Landscaping Requirements
§ 255-8.1 Applicability; purpose.
A.
The requirements of this article shall apply to any nonresidential use and to multifamily dwellings.
B.
This article is designed to accomplish the following objectives:
(1)
Provide a suitable boundary or buffer between residential uses and nearby nonresidential uses;
(2)
Separate different and otherwise incompatible land uses from each other in order to partially or completely reduce potential nuisances such as dirt, dust, litter, noise, glare from motor vehicle headlights, intrusion from artificial light (including ambient glare), or view of signs, unsightly buildings or parking lots;
(3)
Provide visual relief and a source of shade in parking lots and other areas, and protection from wind in open areas; and
(4)
Offer property owners protection against diminution of property values, if any, due to adjacent nonresidential use.
§ 255-8.2 Coordination with site plan approval.
The Planning Board shall require a landscaping plan as part of the overall site plan for the premises. Such landscaping plan shall be at a scale sufficient to determine compliance with the specifications set forth in this article.
§ 255-8.3 General landscaping requirements.
Some combination of planting, screening, or fencing shall be installed at the following locations:
A.
Property line(s) which also bound residential districts shall be screened from nonresidential uses by means of plantings or maintenance of trees of a species common to the area and appropriate for screening, spaced to minimize visual intrusion, and providing an opaque year-round visual buffer between uses. Such plantings shall be provided and maintained by the owner of the property used for nonresidential purposes. No part of any building or structure or paved space intended for or used as a parking area may be located within the buffer area. Planted buffer areas along property lines which also bound residential districts or uses shall be of a minimum depth of 20 feet.
B.
Any accessory receptacle or structure with a holding capacity of at least 100 cubic feet for temporary storage of solid or liquid waste materials, including garbage, rubbish, junk, discarded bulk items and similar waste items, shall be screened from all adjacent premises and streets from which it would otherwise be visible in accordance with this article.
C.
Any loading area or HVAC equipment or other electrical equipment placed on the ground level shall be screened from all adjacent premises and streets from which it would otherwise be visible in accordance with this article.
§ 255-8.4 Planted area requirements.
Planted areas shall contain an appropriate mix of the following types of plants. Plant species shall be appropriate to proposed use, siting, soils, and other environmental conditions. Where the Planning Board determines that the planting of trees is impractical, the permit applicant may substitute shrubbery for trees.
A.
Shrubs and hedges shall be at least 2.5 feet in height at the time of planting, and have a spread of at least 18 inches.
B.
Existing trees with a caliper of six inches or more shall be preserved wherever feasible. Measurement shall take place six inches above grade.
C.
Deciduous trees shall be at least two inches in caliper as measured six inches above the root ball at time of planting. Deciduous trees shall be expected to reach a height of 20 feet within 10 years after planting. Evergreens shall be a minimum of eight feet in height at the time of planting.
§ 255-8.5 Maintenance of landscaped areas.
The owner of the property used for nonresidential purposes shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of all landscaping materials installed in accordance with this article and shall have a continuing obligation to comply with the provisions set forth herein. All plant materials required by this article shall be maintained in a healthful condition.
§ 255-8.6 Reduction in requirements by special permit.
By special permit, the Planning Board may authorize a reduction in the requirements of this article based on the criteria set forth in § 255-13.4C.