The landscaping and screening requirements established by this Article are intended to preserve and enhance the appearance, public health, safety and welfare of the Village by fostering aesthetically pleasing development. Proper landscape contributes to the Village in many ways: enhancing its character and scenic beauty, providing clean air, reducing noise, preventing erosion of topsoil, reducing the rate of storm water runoff, providing nesting areas for birds and habitat for other wildlife, conserving energy, and providing shade and windbreaks. These regulations are also intended to increase the compatibility of adjacent uses, and minimize the adverse impact of noise, dust, motor vehicle headlight glare or other artificial light intrusions, and other objectionable activities or impacts conducted on, or created by, adjoining or neighboring uses.

(Code 1993, § 20-15.1)

The provisions of this Article shall not apply to single-family and two-unit dwellings.

(a)

No building permit or certificate of occupancy will be issued for any lot or use subject to the requirements of this Article unless all the requirements of this Article have been fulfilled. Failure to implement the landscape plan, or to maintain the lot or use in substantial conformance with the landscape plan, is cause for revocation of the certificate of occupancy and/or the application of fines and penalties, as established in this Ordinance. In addition, all landscape is subject to periodic inspection.

(b)

If weather prohibits the installation of landscape at the time an occupancy permit is applied for, the applicant must provide the Village with a deposit in the amount required to complete landscape installation as determined by the Zoning Administrator in order to receive a certificate of occupancy, the deposit to be returned upon completion of required landscape.

(c)

Any relief from these landscaping requirements is granted by the Appearance Review Commission as justified by its review findings.

(Code 1993, § 20-15.2)

(a)

Landscape Plan Required. A detailed landscape plan must be submitted to the Village as part of any planned unit development or site plan review application for townhouse/stacked flat, multi-family, non-residential or mixed-use development, and must be approved prior to the issuance of a building permit.

(b)

Content of Landscape Plan. New landscaping or modifications to existing landscaping require landscape plans that contain the information described below. Minor changes including, but not limited to replacement of species, or seasonal landscaping may provide less information as determined by the Zoning Administrator.

(1)

The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures, property lines, easements, parking lots and drives, roadways and rights-of-way, sidewalks, signs, refuse disposal and recycling areas, sidewalks, bicycle paths and parking facilities, fences, electrical equipment, recreational facilities, drainage facilities, and other free standing structures, as determined necessary by the Zoning Administrator.

(2)

The location, quantity, size, name and condition, both botanical and common, of all existing plant materials, including trees and other material in the right-of-way, and indicating plant material to be retained and removed.

(3)

The location, quantity, size and name, both botanical and common, of all proposed plant material including, but not limited to, shade and evergreen trees, shrubs, groundcover, annuals/perennials and turf.

(4)

The existing and proposed grading of the site indicating contours at one (1)-foot intervals. Proposed berming shall be indicated using one (1)-foot contour intervals.

(5)

Elevations of all proposed fences, steps, stairs and retaining walls.

(6)

Elevations, cross-sections and other details as determined necessary by the Zoning Administrator.

(c)

Changes to Approved Landscape Plans. Once approved, minor changes to the landscape plan that do not result in a reduction in the net amount of plant material as specified on the approved landscape plan may be approved by the Zoning Administrator. Changes to the amount of plant materials of an approved landscape plan are not considered a minor change. Major changes must be approved by the body granting approval of the landscape plan initially.

(Code 1993, § 20-15.3)

(a)

Selection. All planting materials used must be of good quality and meet American Association of Nurserymen (AAN) standards for minimum acceptable form, quality and size for species selected, and capable of being able to withstand the seasonal temperature variations of northeastern Illinois, as well as the individual site microclimates. The use of species native to northeastern Illinois is encouraged. Size and density of plant material, both at the time of planting and at maturity, are additional criteria that will be considered when selecting plant material. Where appropriate, the use of drought and salt tolerant plant material is preferred.

(b)

Installation. All landscape materials must be installed in accordance with the current planting procedures established by the AAN. All plant materials must be free of disease and shall be installed so that soil of sufficient volume, composition and nutrient balance are available to sustain healthy growth.

(c)

Required Element. Landscape materials depicted on approved landscape plans must be considered to be required site plan elements in the same manner as structures, parking and other improvements. As such, the owner of record, or in some instances the homeowner's association, shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of all landscape materials, and fences, steps, retaining walls and similar landscape elements over the entire life of the development.

(d)

Maintenance. All landscape materials must be maintained in good condition, present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance, and kept free of refuse and debris. Any dead, unhealthy or missing plants must be replaced within six (6) months of notification by the Village or the next reasonable available growing/planting season. All fences, steps, retaining walls and similar elements required within the landscape plan must be maintained in good repair. The owner of the premises shall be responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of all landscape materials, fences, steps, retaining walls and similar elements, and refuse disposal areas. Irrigation systems, when provided, must be maintained in good operating condition to promote the health of the plant material and the conservation of water over the entire life of the development.

(Code 1993, § 20-15.4)

Landscape plans, as described above, must be prepared by a licensed landscape architect, registered in the State of Illinois, and evaluated and approved based on the following design criteria.

(a)

Scale and Nature of Landscape Material. The scale and nature of landscape materials must be appropriate to the size of the site and related structures.

(b)

Selection of Plant Material. Plant material must be selected for its form, texture, color, pattern of growth and suitability to local conditions. The use of invasive species is prohibited. Invasive species shall be those included in the "Chicago Botanic Garden" list of "Invasive Plants in the Chicago Region."

(c)

Shade Trees. All deciduous shade trees must have a minimum trunk size of four (4) inches in caliper at planting, unless otherwise specified.

(d)

Evergreen Trees. Evergreens trees must have a minimum height of six (6) feet at planting and shall be incorporated into the landscape treatment of a site, particularly in those areas where year-round screening and buffering is required.

(e)

Ornamental Trees. Single stem ornamental trees must have a minimum trunk size of three (3) inches in caliper at planting, unless otherwise specified. Multiple stem ornamental trees must have a minimum height of eight (8) feet at planting, unless otherwise specified.

(f)

Shrubs.

Unless otherwise specified, all large deciduous and evergreen shrubs must have minimum height of three (3) feet at installation, and all small deciduous and evergreen shrubs must have a minimum height of eighteen (18) inches at installation.

Large shrubs are those shrubs that reach five (5) or more feet in height at maturity. Small shrubs are those shrubs that can grow up to five (5) feet in height if left unmaintained, but generally kept at heights of eighteen (18) to thirty (30) inches.

(g)

Softening of Walls and Fences. Plant material must be placed intermittently against long expanses of building walls, fences and other barriers to create a softening effect and to help break up long expanses of blank walls with little architectural detail.

(h)

Planting Beds. Planting beds may be mulched with shredded hardwood, granite mulch, river rock, feather rocks or similar materials. Lava rock is prohibited.

(i)

Irrigation. Landscape design pursuant to the requirements of this Article recognizes the need for irrigation and water conservation. Sprinkler irrigation systems may be required for certain landscaped areas, as determined by a landscape architect. The need for sprinkler irrigation systems will be determined by the type of plant material and the condition/growing medium that they are installed in. All irrigation systems must be designed to minimize the use of water.

(j)

Energy Conservation. Plant material placement should be designed to reduce the energy consumption needs of the development. In addition, landscape designs must take into account and make an effort to implement sustainable design standards, where appropriate.

(1)

Deciduous trees should be placed on the south and west sides of buildings to provide shade from the summer sun.

(2)

Evergreens and other plant materials should be concentrated on the north and west sides of buildings to dissipate the effect of winter winds.

(k)

Species Diversity. Diversity among required plant material is required not only for visual interest, but to reduce the risk of losing a large population of plants due to disease. Table 15-1: Diversity Requirements indicates the percentage of diversity required based on the total quantity of species being used. For instance, if a development requires forty-five (45) shade trees, no more than eighteen (18) trees nor less than five (5) trees can be of one (1) species, and there must be a minimum of five (5) different species within the forty-five (45) trees.

(l)

Berming. Earthen berms and existing topographic features may be incorporated into the landscape treatment of a site where there is sufficient space and, in particular, when berms and existing topographic features can be combined with plant material to facilitate effective screening. Minimum unretained berm side slopes must be maintained at no less than a 4:1 ratio to prevent erosion and be properly and safely maintained. Retained slopes may be implemented with the appropriate terracing necessary to reduce the need for safety railing. Berming is subject to approval of the Village Engineer.

(Code 1993, § 20-15.5)

(a)

If a multi-family residential, mixed-use or non-residential development maintains a front yard or side yard adjoining a street of ten (10) feet or more, building foundation landscape is required.

(b)

Foundation plantings must work in concert with buffer yard plantings to frame important views, while visually softening long expanses of walls, particularly those that lack windows and/or other architectural details. Foundation plantings must respond to the materials and the form of a building.

(c)

Foundation plantings must be installed across sixty percent (60%) of the length of the facade of the building, except where walkways and driveways are located.

(d)

Foundation plantings may consist of a mix of trees, shrubs and perennials.

(Code 1993, § 20-15.6)

(a)

Parking Lot Landscape Requirements. Perimeter landscape is required for all parking lots of four (4) or more spaces and shall be established along the edge of the parking lot that abuts private property and the public right-of-way, excluding alleys. Interior parking lot landscape is required for those lots of twenty (20) or more spaces. Nothing in this Article prevents the applicant's voluntary installation of additional interior parking lot landscape, so long as parking space requirements and parking lot design requirements are complied with.

(b)

Existing Parking Lots.

(1)

For existing parking lots that currently do not comply with the required parking lot landscape, landscape must be installed when:

(A)

A new principal building is constructed.

(B)

Over fifty percent (50%) of the total area of an existing parking lot is reconstructed. Resealing or re-striping of an existing parking lot, which does not entail paving or resurfacing by replacement of the asphalt or concrete, is not subject to this requirement.

(C)

When an existing parking lot under ten thousand (10,000) square feet in area is expanded by fifty percent (50%) or more in total surface area.

(D)

When an existing parking lot over ten thousand (10,000) square feet in area is expanded by twenty-five percent (25%) or more in total surface area.

(2)

When an existing parking lot is required by Paragraph (1) above to provide landscape, which would result in creating a parking area that no longer conforms to the parking regulations of this Ordinance, such existing parking lot is not required to install all or a portion of the required landscape. The applicant is required to show that landscape cannot be accommodated on the site. If only certain requirements are able to be accommodated on the site, those elements are required. The Zoning Administrator must make the determination that all or a portion of required landscape does not have to be installed.

(Code 1993, § 20-15.7; Ord. No. 2015-O-13, 4-14-2015)

Perimeter parking lot landscape provides for the enhancement and screening of parking lots by requiring pedestrian walls and/or landscape along public streets. Perimeter landscape is required for all parking lots of four (4) or more spaces and must be established along the edge of the parking lot that abuts the public right-of-way, excluding alleys. The landscape treatment must run the full length of the parking lot and must be located between the property line and the edge of the parking lot. All perimeter parking lot screening areas must be protected with raised concrete curbs. Landscape areas outside of shrub and tree masses must be planted in turf or other live groundcover. The landscape area must be improved as follows:

(a)

One (1) shrub, measuring a minimum of eighteen (18) inches at planting and not to exceed three and one-half (3 1/2) feet at maturity, shall be planted for every three (3) feet of landscape area length, spaced linearly to adequately screen vehicle bumpers. Alternatively, a low pedestrian wall the height of which provides effective screening to a maximum height of three (3) feet may be used instead of shrubs. Where feasible, plant materials should be installed between the sidewalk and the wall to provide a softening effect on the fence or wall.

(b)

The perimeter parking lot landscape area must be at least five (5) feet in width, as measured from the lot line to the back of curb, in order to accommodate vehicle bumper overhang and ensure planting areas that are adequate in size.

FIGURE 15-1: PARKING LOT SCREENING

(Code 1993, § 20-15.8)

For parking lots consisting of twenty (20) or more spaces that are constructed after the effective date of this Ordinance, interior parking lot landscape is required.

(a)

Amount. One (1) parking lot island must be provided between every twenty (20) contiguous parking spaces. As part of the landscape plan approval, parking lot island locations may be varied based on specific site requirements or design scheme, but the total number of islands shall be no less than the amount required one (1) island for every twenty (20) spaces. However, all rows of parking spaces must terminate in a parking lot island or landscape area.

(b)

Size of Parking Lot Islands. Parking lot islands must be the same dimension as the parking stall. Double rows of parking must provide parking lot islands that are the same dimension as the double row.

(c)

Design of Planting Areas. Parking lot islands or landscape areas must be at least one hundred forty-four (144) square feet in area and designed specifically for the absorption of storm water. Such islands and landscape areas must be properly drained and irrigated as appropriate to the site conditions to ensure survivability.

(d)

Type of Landscape Material. Shade trees must be the primary plant materials used in parking lot islands and landscape areas. Ornamental trees, shrubs, hedges and other plant materials may be used to supplement the shade tree plantings but must not create visibility concerns for automobiles and pedestrians.

(e)

Quantity of Landscape Material. A minimum of one (1) shade tree is required for every parking lot island or landscape area. If the island extends the width of a double row, then two (2) shade trees are required.

(f)

Groundcover. A minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) of every parking lot island must be planted in turf or other live groundcover, perennials or ornamental grasses.

(Code 1993, § 20-15.9; Ord. No. 2015-O-13, 4-14-2015)

(a)

This Article establishes standards for the dimensions and improvement requirements of buffer yards between land uses and/or zoning districts within the rear or interior side yard. Nothing in this Article prevents the applicant's voluntary installation of buffer yards to these design specifications where they are not required.

(b)

Buffer yards are required in the following situations:

(1)

Where an R2, R3 or R4 District abuts an R or R1 District.

(2)

Where a non-residential district abuts a residential district.

(3)

Where a non-residential use is located within a residential district. However, a buffer yard is not required where the rear wall of a commercial building is located on the rear property line or where an alley is located between a non-residential use and a residential use.

(c)

Buffer yards must be provided in interior side and rear yards. Buffer yards may be located within required setbacks, and are reserved for the planting of material and installation of screening as required by this Article. No parking, driveways, sidewalks, accessory buildings or other impervious surfaces are permitted within the buffer yard area.

(d)

All plantings in the buffer yard must be in accordance with the design standards of this Article. The minimum size and improvement of buffer yards is as follows:

(1)

A buffer yard within must be a minimum of ten (10) feet in width.

(2)

Shade trees must be planted on an average of one (1) tree for every twenty-five (25) linear feet of yard length. As part of the landscape plan approval, trees may be spaced at various intervals based on specific site requirements or design scheme, but the total number of trees planted must be no less than the amount required by a linear planting spaced twenty-five (25) feet apart.

(3)

An opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), solid screen fence or dense evergreen hedge no less than five (5) feet and no more than six (6) feet in height, must be erected along one hundred percent (100%) of the yard length.

(4)

Shrubs must be planted on an average of one (1) shrub for every three (3) feet of yard length. As part of the landscape plan approval, shrubs may be spaced at various intervals based on specific site requirements or design scheme, but the total number of shrubs planted will be no less than the amount required by a linear planting spaced three (3) feet apart.

(5)

Areas not planted with trees or shrubs must be maintained as live groundcover.

(Code 1993, § 20-15.10)

(a)

Refuse Disposal Dumpsters and Refuse Storage Areas. All refuse containers must be fully enclosed on three (3) sides by a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence or opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick) no less than five (5) feet and no more than six (6) feet in height or principal structure wall no less than five (5) feet in height and the enclosure shall be gated. The materials used for screening, including the enclosure, must complement the architecture of the principal structure. An extension of an exterior principal structure wall may be used as one (1) of the screening walls for a refuse container, provided that such wall meets the minimum five (5)-foot height requirement and is of the same building materials as the principal structure. Such wall may not be the gated enclosure. This requirement shall not apply to townhouse/stacked flat dwellings where the refuse containers serve the needs of only one (1) family.

(b)

Loading Berths. Where feasible, loading berths must be located and oriented so as not to be visible from the street and adjacent properties, while still allowing access to the use it is serving. In addition, loading berths in all zoning districts must be screened as much as possible, unless such screening is determined unnecessary by the body approving the landscape plan. Such screening must consist of an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence, or dense evergreen hedge no less than five (5) feet and no more than six (6) feet in height.

(c)

Outdoor Display and Sales Areas.

(1)

Outdoor Storage Areas. All outdoor storage areas must be completely screened by an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick) or a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence no less than five (5) feet and no more than six (6) feet in height. Where feasible, plant materials should be installed along the fence or wall located along the public right-of-way to provide a softening effect. No materials stored outdoors may be of a greater height than that of the required fence or wall.

(2)

Outdoor Display and Sales Areas.

(A)

When the rear or interior side yard of an outdoor display area abuts a residential district, or the rear yard is separated from a residential district by an alley, the outdoor display area must be effectively screened from view by an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence or dense evergreen hedge no less than five (5) feet and no more than six (6) feet in height.

(B)

All outdoor display areas must be designed with a landscape yard along the public right-of-way, excluding alleys, a minimum of ten (10) feet in width and planted with shade or evergreen trees at a rate of one (1) tree per twenty-five (25) feet, and supplemented with shrubs and perennials to enhance the view from the public right-of-way. These screening requirements are not intended to prohibit openings reasonably necessary for access drives and walkways.

(C)

Motor vehicle dealerships or rental establishments with outdoor sales and display lots must be designed with screening of small shrubs and/or a low pedestrian wall of a minimum of three (3) feet in height to optimize the view of motor vehicles for sale.

(D)

Growing areas for nursery stock located in the front yard or side yard adjoining a street are considered to meet screening requirements.

(d)

Drive-Through Facility. Drive aisles of drive-through facilities must be effectively screened from view along the public right-of-way and at the edges of sites adjacent to residential properties in order to minimize the impact of exterior site lighting, headlight glare and any menu intercom displays. Such screening must be approved during the site plan review process and must consist of an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence or dense evergreen hedge no less than five (5) feet and no more than six (6) feet in height. Plant materials must be installed along the fence or wall to provide a softening effect.

(Code 1993, § 20-15.11)