This section establishes regulations for the preservation of natural features and minimum standards for the provision, installation, and maintenance of landscape materials. The regulations specified herein are intended to promote the health, attractiveness, and safety of the community; foster aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sensitive development that protects and preserves the appearance and character of the community; and encourages the preservation of natural areas.

This section establishes standards to manage and control drainage and erosion; to increase the compatibility of development with the natural environment and adjacent developments; to encourage connectivity through the use of a pedestrian network; and to maintain and increase the value of land by requiring landscaping to be incorporated into developments.

This section shall apply to development in all zoning districts, except for detached single-family dwellings not located within a major subdivision.

Plantings and landscaping features required by this section shall be subject to inspection to verify continued compliance with this section.

Landscaping plans shall comply with the following standards:

A.

Landscape plans shall be submitted for all required landscaping, green belt buffer areas, buffer yards, open space areas, conservation easements, landscape easements, and areas owned in common within proposed developments. It is recommended that landscape plans be prepared by licensed landscape architects, nurserymen, or other professionals experienced in landscape design, installation, and maintenance. A narrative describing ownership, use, and maintenance responsibilities of these areas should be specified in the submittal.

B.

Landscape plans show the entire project drawn to scale on standard sized sheets (minimum 24" x 36") and shall contain the following information:

i.

Names and addresses of property owners, developers, plan preparer, plan preparation date, scale, and north arrow.

ii.

Locations and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures, parking areas, driveways, streets, private streets, rights-of-way, sidewalks, pedestrian pathways, bicycle pathways, ground signs, refuse disposal areas, bicycle parking areas, freestanding electrical equipment, recreation facilities, utility lines, easements, freestanding structural features, landscape improvements, earth berms, walls, fences, screens, sculptures, fountains, street furniture, lights, courts, paved areas, buffer yards, and open space.

iii.

Locations, quantities, sizes, and names (botanical names and common names) - of planting materials.

iv.

Existing and proposed grading plans, indicating contours at not more than two-foot intervals.

v.

Locations of barriers to be placed at or beyond driplines of trees to be preserved and types of materials to be used for barriers.

vi.

Planting and installation details as necessary to ensure conformance with required standards.

vii.

Details including specific grading measures or protective devices to be utilized where trees are to be preserved in areas of cut and fill.

viii.

Location of dense trees and shrubs, and other natural areas which are to be preserved or removed.

ix.

An inventory of existing trees to be credited and preserved may be shown on the landscape plan, or separately, as otherwise set forth in this section, which may include tables clearly displaying relevant statistical information (including numbers of existing trees and numbers of trees preserved, for example).

When a change in use occurs, or when modifications that require a building permit are made to an existing structure, then landscaping shall be required to be installed in a manner that is comparable in nature and extent to the impact of the proposed change or modification.

If plant substitutions become necessary due to seasonal planting problems or a lack of plant availability, then revisions to an approved landscape plans shall be permitted.

A.

Developers shall take reasonable measures to design and locate proposed buildings and related infrastructure in a manner that minimizes the destruction of significant tree specimens.

B.

The following considerations shall be made in regard to tree preservation efforts:

i.

The practicability of arranging site plan components around existing features. Plans for groups of structures should be designed so as to preserve areas of high tree concentrations, desirable individual tree specimens, and desirable stands of trees and shrubs.

ii.

The condition of vegetation with respect to continued vitality.

iii.

The possibility of preserving vegetation through pruning rather than removal.

iv.

The desirability of a particular tree or species by reason of its appearance; historic or ecological significance; botanical characteristics; and the function the vegetation would fulfill as a site plan component.

v.

The practical and economic possibility of designing the location and grades of proposed structures and paving to preserve existing vegetation.

vi.

The potential for interference with utility services along the use of streets and walkways.

C.

Tree inventory. Existing trees that are to be preserved shall be credited toward required landscaping requirements based on the sizes of such preserved trees in accordance with this section. Tree inventories shall be required for those trees that are required by an ordinance or commitments to be preserved or that are to otherwise be credited pursuant to this section. Tree inventories shall depict locations, sizes, and common names of existing trees and individual shrubs; areas containing dense trees or shrubs; and other natural site features.

D.

Tree preservation plans. Tree preservation plans shall be submitted with site plans that detail locations, sizes, and common names of preserved trees; individual shrubs; areas of dense tree or shrub concentrations, and other natural features which are to be preserved or removed. No disturbance shall be permitted in the critical root zones of preserved trees. Disturbances include trenching, backfilling, driving, or parking equipment, and dumping trash, oil, paint, or other materials detrimental to plant health.

E.

Replacement. If any tree designated for preservation dies within five (5) years of project completion, then the property owner shall replace such tree with a tree(s) of equal tree preservation value, as set forth herein, within one hundred and eighty (180) days.

F.

Incentives to preserve trees. Existing trees that are preserved in accordance with this section may be credited for required landscaping based on a ratio of one (1) tree credit per one (1) tree preserved if the tree meets all of the following criteria:

i.

Shall be greater than four-inch (4") caliper.

ii.

Shall be in a good condition and have a life expectancy greater than ten (10) years.

iii.

Shall have a trunk with no extensive decay.

iv.

Shall have no more than one major or several minor dead limbs.

v.

Shall have no major insect or pathological problems or otherwise be a species identified by the state or county to be negatively impacted by a major insect or pathological problem.

vi.

Shall be of a species native to the state or on the master tree and shrub list, as maintained by the county.

G.

The plan commission may credit required plantings where the existing vegetation of a preserved natural area is located within a buffer yard or external street frontage landscaping area, and where the natural area otherwise accomplishes the intended screening effect of a buffer yard or external street frontage landscaping area.

A.

Barriers shall be used to protect trees during site development. Barriers shall be specified on landscape plans and shall be placed at or beyond the driplines of trees to be preserved. Such barriers shall remain in place during site construction. No vehicles, machinery, tools, chemicals, construction materials, or temporary soil deposits shall be permitted within such barriers. No notices or other objects shall be nailed or stapled to preserved trees.

B.

Grading measures or protective devices, such as tree wells, tree walls, or specialized fill and pavement designs, shall be installed when necessary to preserve identified tree specimens.

C.

Tree preservation easement. A tree preservation easement shall be required for tree identified for preservation and that are not otherwise protected by a landscape easement.

D.

Selection, installation, and maintenance of plant materials.

i.

Selection. The minimum sizes set forth below shall apply to required plantings at installation, unless otherwise specified herein.

a.

Shade trees: A minimum of eight (8) feet in height and two (2) inches in caliper. Shall be of a variety that will attain an average mature spread greater than twenty (20) feet.

b.

Evergreen trees: A minimum of six (6) feet in height.

c.

Ornamental trees: A minimum of two (2) inches in caliper.

d.

Shrubs: A minimum of eighteen (18) inches in height.

e.

Credit for larger trees: A proportional decrease in the required number of trees is allowed if larger caliper trees than required herein are planted (e.g., trees with caliper measures of four (4) inches may replace two (2) required two (2) inch caliper trees).

The following shall apply to mounds at the time of installation, unless otherwise specified herein.

A.

Measurement. Minimum mound height requirements established herein are measured at the lowest elevation of the "valley" of an undulating mound. The maximum mound height requirements are measured at the "peak" of the mound. All mound heights are measured from the highest natural grade of the adjacent ground.

B.

Maximum slope. The maximum slide slope of mounds shall not exceed a three (3) (horizontal units) to one (1) (vertical units) ratio. The maximum slide slope of a mound may be increased to a two (2) (horizontal units) to one (1) (vertical unit) ratio for those areas of the mound that only includes trees and shrubs and no-mow groundcover or mulch.

C.

Groundcover. In addition to plantings otherwise required herein, mounds shall be covered with grass or living groundcover.

D.

Installation. Landscaping materials should be installed in accordance with planting procedures established by the American Association of Nurserymen.

E.

Maintenance. All newly planted vegetative material shall meet minimum American nursery stock standards. Landscaping shall be maintained in healthy growing condition.

A.

Consultation. A landscape architect, nurseryman, or other professional experienced in the installation and care of plant materials shall be consulted to ensure that proposed plants are appropriate and will survive.

B.

Selection. Landscape material shall be 75% Indiana native species. No invasive species are permitted.

C.

Scale and nature of landscaping. The scale and nature of landscaping materials shall be appropriate to the size of proposed structures. Large-scale buildings should be complemented by large-scale plants. Form, texture, color, pattern of growth, and adaptability to local conditions shall be considered when selecting plant materials.

D.

Placement. Installed plantings shall comply with the following:

i.

Clearance with structures. Trees shall be planted so that when they reach maturity, there will be a minimum of five (5) feet of clearance between tree trunks and structures, building overhangs, walls, fences, and other trees.

ii.

Right-of-way. Trees as may otherwise be approved by the plan commission, landscape material shall not be planted or placed in rights-of-way or easements without permission from the county or the easement holder.

iii.

Minimum distance from sidewalk and curb. Trees shall be planted a minimum distance of four (4) feet from the edge of a street curb or pedestrian pathway or sidewalk.

iv.

Minimum distance from stormwater structures. Trees shall be planted a minimum distance of ten (10) feet from any storm sewer or subsurface drain, unless otherwise permitted in accordance with the county's construction standards.

v.

Easements. Required landscaping should be located in landscape easements or designated common areas that are exclusive of utility or drainage easements that would otherwise prohibit the required landscaping.

vi.

Arrangement. A natural or irregular row and spacing of plantings is preferred. Trees and shrubs should be grouped or clustered where possible to simulate natural tree stands.

E.

Topsoil. Existing topsoil shall not be removed from the site though it may be redistributed within the site as necessary for construction.

A.

Mechanical screening. Wall and ground-mounted mechanical equipment for nonresidential or multi-family structures shall be completely screened from all ground-level viewpoints. Clearance for proper functioning of the equipment and access to the equipment for maintenance shall be incorporated into the design.

B.

Service and loading areas. Loading areas, loading docks, service areas, and maintenance areas shall be screened from residential uses and rights-of-way. Screening shall be achieved by using either: (i) a six (6) foot high, completely opaque fence or wall; (ii) a six (6) foot high berm; (iii) a six (6) foot high screen of evergreen trees planted nine (9) feet on center in a double staggered row; or (iv) a combination of the aforementioned that accomplishes the same effect.

A.

Natural appearances. Detention and retention areas shall be landscaped in a manner that replicates the natural form of ponds and shall include shade trees, ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubs, hedges, and/or other plantings.

B.

Wetlands/aquatic vegetation planted around the wet perimeter of such areas should be utilized to further this design objective; however, if such plantings are utilized for water quality control, then landscape plans shall be prepared and stamped by a licensed landscape architect.

C.

Detention and retention areas shall be designed to be natural in appearance, with meandering edges.

D.

Location. Detention and retention areas should be located to enhance view sheds and incorporated as amenities to the development.

E.

Side slopes. Side slopes above the water line for retention areas and water features shall not exceed 4:1. Side slopes above the water line for detention areas shall not exceed 4:1 and shall be graded to harmonize with the overall open space design of the site.

Yards and open space areas of all lots shall be landscaped in accordance with this section (the "Minimum Lot Landscaping Requirements"):

Table 10

A.

Calculation for recreational areas. Acreage for athletic fields and courts (including adjacent perimeter areas for coaching and spectator viewing) and areas with playground equipment, may be subtracted from the gross acreage before computing the minimum lot landscaping requirements.

B.

Calculation for open space/common areas. Plantings required for open space or common area may be calculated for an overall development, or phase of a development, and then installed and distributed throughout the development's various open spaces and common areas.

C.

Foundation plantings. Foundation plantings shall be provided as follows:

i.

Plant materials shall be required intermittently (approximately every forty (40) feet) against long expanses (over eighty (80) feet) of building façades, fences, and other barriers to create a softening effect.

ii.

Plant materials shall also be required along the front building façades of all buildings at a minimum ratio of one (1) shrub or ornamental tree per twelve (12) lineal feet (Single-family dwelling and duplex dwelling buildings are exempt from this requirement).

iii.

The primary landscaping material used shall be ornamental trees, shrubs, and ornamental grasses. Groundcover plants may supplement the required plant materials. Plantings may be clustered to provide a more natural appearance and to accommodate vehicular and pedestrian access, loading and maintenance areas.

iv.

Plantings shall be located within fifteen (15) feet of the building façade, fence or other barrier being softened, and shall occur within planting beds at least eight (8) feet in width.

v.

Monument signs shall include a landscaped area at the base of the monument sign. The minimum size of the landscaped area shall be equivalent to one (1) side of the monument sign's sign face. The landscaped area shall be substantially covered with a variety of planting types such as groundcover, perennials, shrubs, and ornamental trees.

D.

External street frontage landscaping requirements. The landscaping in this section shall be required where any portion of a development abuts an external street.

i.

Residential uses. A landscaping area with a minimum depth of thirty (30) feet shall be required abutting an external street along any residential development. The landscaping area shall include a minimum of four (4) evergreen trees, three (3) shade trees, three (3) ornamental trees and twenty-five (25) shrubs per one hundred (100) lineal feet. In addition, a minimum three-foot (3') tall undulating mound shall be required along the entire external street frontage.

ii.

Nonresidential uses. A landscaping area with a minimum depth of ten (10) feet shall be required abutting an external street along any nonresidential development. The landscaping area shall include a minimum of three (3) shade or evergreen trees, two (2) ornamental trees and twenty-five (25) shrubs per one hundred (100) lineal feet. This requirement may be credited toward required parking area landscaping requirements if the required parking area landscaping is located within twenty (20) feet of the right-of-way.

a.

In addition, for manufacturing districts, a minimum three-foot (3') tall undulating mound shall be required along the entire external street frontage.

iii.

Easements. Trees required to be planted along external streets should be located outside drainage and utility easements that would otherwise prohibit the required landscaping and shall be located in a manner that mitigates interference with infrastructure located within such easements. Trees may be clustered or grouped in order to attain creative site design and/or to accommodate utility infrastructure.

iv.

Unimproved rights-of-way. The plan commission may approve a development plan that lessens the planting requirements per the external street frontage landscaping requirements by up to fifty percent (50%) along the portion of a development that abuts future right-of-way, as set forth in the thoroughfare plan, if: (i) said rights-of- way is unimproved at the time of development plan approval; and (ii) there are no immediate plans by the county or requirement of the applicant to improve said right-of-way.

Buffer yards shall be required in order to soften the potential conflicts between land uses by using distance, plantings, fences, walls, and mounds set forth in this section.

A.

General. Plantings should physically separate and visually screen different land uses and/or zoning districts from one another without precluding connectivity between uses.

B.

Location. Buffer yards shall apply along the entire length of all abutting lot lines where conflicting zoning districts are adjacent. If adjacent properties possess a mix of land uses, then the highest intensity use shall determine the required buffer yard. Buffer yards shall not be required: (i) between uses within a planned unit development district (unless the PUD district provides otherwise); (ii) internal to subdivisions; or (iii) adjacent to external streets, rather, the external street frontage landscaping requirements set forth herein shall apply adjacent to external streets.

C.

Responsibility for installation. The lot which is zoned for higher intensity uses at the time of development shall install the required buffer yard.

D.

Buffer yard types. The following types of buffers yards are hereby established. The numbers established below are minimum requirements. Plantings should be arranged in a manner that creates a visual barrier between land uses without precluding connectivity between uses.

Table 11

i.

Required buffer yard. The minimum required buffer yard shall be determined by the abutting zoning district(s) and/or land uses, whichever is more restrictive, in accordance with the following chart.

Table 12

ii.

Single-family dwelling subdivisions abutting agricultural uses. If the plan commission determines a smaller buffer yard is appropriate after consideration of the existing and potential use of the adjacent property, then as part of the overall development plan review, the plan commission may approve a narrower buffer yard with fewer plantings than required above (but no less than 15 feet wide) for single-family dwelling subdivisions adjacent to an agricultural use.

This section shall apply to parking areas in order to: (i) screen parking areas from right-of-way; (ii) prevent the creation of large expanses of paving; and (iii) provide shade to paved areas.

A.

Interior parking area landscaping.

i.

Minimum area required. A minimum landscape area of parking areas shall be set aside for parking area islands in accordance with the following:

B.

Interior parking area islands.

i.

Location. Parking area islands shall be dispersed throughout parking areas in a design and configuration that aesthetically corresponds to the size and shape of parking areas. Combining or placing parking area islands together such that more than one tree may be planted in the island shall be considered when possible. Parking area islands shall be dispersed so as to define aisles and limit unbroken rows of parking spaces to a maximum of two hundred (200) feet in length.

ii.

Design. Parking area islands shall be: (a) constructed at least six (6) inches above the surface of parking areas and curbed in a manner that restricts vehicles from driving over landscaped areas; (b) a minimum area of one hundred twenty (120) square feet; and (c) a minimum of seven (7) feet in width, measured from back of curb to back of curb.

iii.

Plantings. Parking area islands shall include at least one (1) tree and four (4) shrubs per island. One hundred (100) percent of every island shall be covered with permitted groundcover material to achieve complete coverage.

iv.

Vision clearance. No landscaping within parking area islands may unreasonably obstruct visibility for vehicles entering, maneuvering in, or exiting parking areas. Such landscaping shall be constructed.

C.

Perimeter parking area landscaping.

i.

Application. Perimeter landscaping is required for parking areas with ten (10) or more spaces where the parking area is located within: an established front yard; (ii) a required yard; or (iii) twenty (20) feet of a lot line or right-of-way line. In instances where parking is shared between adjacent lots, the standards of this section shall not apply to the shared lot line.

ii.

Design. Perimeter parking area landscaping shall be a minimum of five (5) feet wide and shall extend along the perimeter of parking areas and include:

a.

A minimum of one (1) tree per thirty (30) linear feet of parking area length. Trees may be clustered in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

b.

A minimum of one (1) shrub per three (3) feet of parking area length. Shrubs may be clustered in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

c.

Grass or other permitted groundcover for areas not planted with trees or shrubs.

iii.

Drive aisles. Plantings within the perimeter parking area landscape areas between drive aisles and a rear or side lot line may be reduced by up to fifty percent (50%) of the required plantings above, if no parking spaces are located between the lot line and the drive aisle.

In addition to the other standards set forth in this section, the following shall apply to multi-family developments:

A.

Parking areas, parking spaces and service facility areas in a multi-family district that may be visible from streets or perimeter lot lines shall be screened by walls or other solid materials in addition to landscaping required herein. Screening shall be depicted on the development plan.

B.

Solid screens or landscape materials shall be installed to protect the privacy of residents when parking spaces are located within ten (10) feet of residential units and to prevent headlights from shining directly into windows.

The following list is not comprehensive, but rather a recommendation. Developer/applicant may suggest substitutes for administrative approval. Substitutions with non-native species is prohibited.

A.

Small trees with narrow crowns. Suitable for tree lawns at least 5' wide and under power lines.

i.

Amelanchier species - Serviceberry

ii.

Cornus kousa - Kousa Dogwood

iii.

Prunus serrulata - 'Kwanzan' Cherry

iv.

Syringa reticulata - Japanese Tree Lilac

B.

Small trees with broad crowns. Suitable for tree lawns at least 8' wide and under power lines.

i.

Carpinus caroliniana - American Hornbeam

ii.

Cercis canadensis - Eastern Redbud

iii.

Chionanthus virginicus - Fringetree

iv.

Corn's alternifolia - Pagoda Dogwood

v.

Cotinus obovatus - American Smoketree

vi.

Crategus crus-galli inermis - Thornless Cockspur Hawthorn

vii.

Halesia carolina - Silverbell

viii.

Koelreuteria paniculata - Goldenraintree

ix.

Maackia amurensis - Amur Maackia

x.

Styrax japonica - Japanese Snowbell

C.

Medium trees. Suitable for tree lawns at least 6' wide, but not under power lines.

i.

Aesculus x carnea - 'Briotii' Rubyred Horsechestnut

ii.

Alnus cordata - Italian Alder

iii.

Alnus glutinosa - European Black Alder

iv.

Carpinus betulus - European Hornbeam

v.

Cladrastis kentukea - Yellowwood

vi.

Evodia danielii - Korean evodia (bebe tree)

vii.

Fagus sylvatica - 'Roseo-marginata' Tricolor Beech

viii.

Gleditsia triacanthos inermis - 'Impcole' Imperial Honeylocust

ix.

Nyssa sylvatica - Sourgum / Blackgum

x.

Ostrya virginiana - American Hophornbeam

xi.

Oxydendrum arboretum - Sorrel tree / Sourwood

xii.

Parrotia persica - Persian Parrotia

xiii.

Phellodendron amurense - 'Macho' Amur Cork Tree (male only)

xiv.

Prunus virginiana - 'Canada Red' Chokecherry

D.

Large trees. Suitable for continuous tree lawns at least 5' wide, but not under power lines.

i.

Betula nigra - River Birch

ii.

Celtis occidentalis - Hackberry

iii.

Corylus colurna - Turkish Filbert

iv.

Diospyros virginiana - Persimmon

v.

Fagus sylvatica - European Beech

vi.

Eucommia ulmoides - Hardy Rubber Tree

vii.

Ginkgo biloba - Ginkgo (male only)

viii.

Gleditsia triacanthos inermis - Thornless Honeylocust

ix.

Gymnoclanus dioica - Kentucky Coffeetree

x.

Liquidambar styraciflua - 'Rotundiloba' Sweetgum

xi.

Liriodendron tulipifera - TuliptreeMagnolia acuminata - Cucumber Magnolia

xii.

Metasequoia glyptostroboides - Dawn Redwood

xiii.

Platanus x acerifolia - London Planetree

xiv.

Quercus bicolor - Swamp White Oak

xv.

Quercus coccinea - Scarlet Oak

xvi.

Quercus imbricaria - Shingle Oak

xvii.

Quercus macrocarpa - Bur Oak

xviii.

Quercus muehlenbergii - Chinkapin Oak

xix.

Quercus robur - 'Fastigiata' English Oak

xx.

Quercus rubra - Northern Red Oak

xxi.

Sophora japonica - Japanese Pagodatree

xxii.

Taxodium distichum - Bald Cypress

xxiii.

Tilia tomentosa - Silver Linden

xxiv.

Ulmus species - Elm cultivars

xxv.

Zelkova serrata - Japanese Zelkova

E.

Additional trees for open space/yard.

i.

Aesculus species - Ohio buckeye/Chestnut

ii.

Carya species - Hickory/Pecan

iii.

Catalpa speciosa - Northern Catalpa

iv.

Cercidiphyllum japonicum - Katsuratree

v.

Fagus grandifolia - American Beech

vi.

Juglans species - Black Walnut

vii.

Juniperus virginiana - Eastern Redcedar

viii.

Magnolia species - Magnolia

ix.

Malus species - Crabapple/Apple

x.

Picea species - Spruce

xi.

Pinus species - Pine

xii.

Populus deltoides - Cottonwood

xiii.

Pseudotsuga menziesii - Douglas Fir Thuja occidentalis - White Cedar Tsuga species - Hemlock

F.

Undesirable trees and comments.

i.

Acer negundo - Boxelder: pervasive, shallow roots, weak wood

ii.

Acer rubrum - Red Maple: shallow roots, easily damaged, chlorotic

iii.

Acer saccharinum - Silver Maple: pervasive, shallow roots, weak wood

iv.

Acer species - Asian long-horned beetle

v.

Ailanthus altissima - Tree of Heaven: seeds, suckers, weak wood

vi.

Betula papyrifera - Paper Birch: insects

vii.

Betula pendula - Euorpean White Birch: insects

viii.

Elaeagnus angustifolia - Russian Olive: form, disease, thorns

ix.

Fraxinus species - Ash: Emerald ash borer

x.

Ginkgo biloba - Female Ginkgo: fruit (odor) Morus species - Mulberry: fruit, shallow roots

xi.

Paulownia tomentosa - Paulownia: weak wood, prolific seeds

xii.

Picea or Pinus species - Spruce or Pine: shallow roots, low branches, salt spray

xiii.

Pyrus calleryana - Pear: weak branching, low branches

xiv.

Populus alba - White Poplar: suckers, shallow roots, weak wood

xv.

Populus deltoides - Cottonwood: weak wood, shallow roots, seeds

xvi.

Populus nigra - Lombardy Poplar: insects, disease, short-lived

xvii.

Quercus palustris - Pin Oak: soil problems, yellowing, low branches

xviii.

Salix species - Willow: weak wood, shallow roots

xix.

Sorbus species - Mountain Ash: insect, disease

xx.

Tilia species - Linden: Japanese beetle

xxi.

Ulmus americana -American Elm: insects, disease

xxii.

Ulmus pumila - Siberian Elm: weak wood, seeds