The Landscaping and Screening Regulations provide additional guidance on the development of sites within the City by addressing landscaping and screening requirements. They are designed to improve the appearance of the community, buffer potentially incompatible land uses from one another, and conserve the value of properties within the City.

   The provisions of this chapter apply to all new development on each lot or site upon application for a building permit, except for the following:

   1.   Reconstruction or replacement of a lawfully existing use or structure following a casualty loss.

   2.   Remodeling, rehabilitation, or improvements to existing uses or structures which do not substantially change the location of structures, parking, or other site improvements.

   3.   Additions or enlargements of existing uses or structures which increase floor area or impervious coverage area by less than 20 percent. Where such additions or enlargements are 20 percent or greater, these provisions apply only to that portion where the new development occurs.

   1.   Landscaping Plan Review Required. Landscaping plan review is required for all developments requesting actions regarding re-zonings, building and grading permits, and minor and major subdivisions. The review will be performed by the Zoning Administrator. Landscaping plan review is initiated at the time of application for a plat or permit. Compliance with these landscape requirements must be complete prior to issuance of a certificate of Zoning Compliance or Certificate of Occupancy for the structure. No building or grading permit shall be issued by the Zoning Administrator, except in conformity with the provisions of this Zoning Code, unless said official receives a written order from the Board of Adjustment in the form of an administrative review, special exception, or variance as provided by this Zoning Code.

   2.   Submittal for Landscaping Plan Approval. Submittal shall include the following information:

      A.   Common and scientific names for all proposed plant material.

      B.   Quantity, height/caliper/gallon size (as applicable) of all proposed plant material.

      C.   Location of all proposed plant materials.

      D.   Number of ground cover plants per square foot to be planted, and/or pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet and species/characteristics of grass in all areas to be seeded.

      E.   Location, size, and species of all existing plant material to remain. This includes a diagram and/or tree survey noting the location, size, and species of existing trees and shrubs.

      F.   Location of retaining walls, fences, utility easements, existing and proposed structures and parking areas.

      G.   Plant installation details.

      H.   Drainage areas.

      I.   North arrow and scale of drawing.

   Landscaping shall be required adjacent to each street property line and within street yards as set forth in Table 173-1.

   1.   Restricted List of Plant Material. No plant material contained on the Restricted List of Plant Material shall be used to fulfill landscape requirements. This list is provided through the office of the Zoning Administrator. These plants are restricted from use because of problems with disease, maintenance, or suitability.

   2.   Use of Inorganic Landscaping Materials. No artificial trees, shrubs, plants, or turf shall be used to fulfill the minimum requirements for landscaping. Inorganic materials, such as stone or decorative pavers, may be used provided that such material does not comprise more than 35% of the minimum required landscaped area. Other concrete and/or asphalt pavement surfaces may not be used within the minimum required landscaped area, except for walkways less than 5 feet in width.

   3.   Official List of Plant Materials. All plant material installed in landscaped areas or buffer yards shall be consistent with the Official List of Plant Materials provided through the office of the Zoning Administrator. All plant materials shall conform in size, species, and spacing with this section of the Zoning Code.

 

   4.   Supplements to the Official List of Plant Materials. The list of Official List of Plant Materials has been compiled using the latest research data available. Plants other than those listed may be used to fulfill minimum landscaping requirements as approved by the Zoning Administrator. To be considered for approval, a proposed plant material must be submitted for review with the following information:

      A.   Common name and scientific name of plant material;

      B.   Habitat, geographic climate range and whether plant is native to this region;

      C.   Growing characteristics, including evergreen or deciduous, height and spread at maturity;

      D.   Suitability for different landscape uses and applications;

      E.   Susceptibility to disease and tolerance of environment: heat, drought, pollution stress;

      F.   Fruit bearing characteristics which may be hazardous in pedestrian and parking areas.

   5.   Encouragement of Native Landscaping Materials. The use of suitable native plant materials is encouraged to fulfill landscaping requirements. Native plants, or those plants which occur naturally in this region, have shown greater adaptability to the seasonal and climate changes which occur in this region.

   6.   Installation Standards for Required Landscaping.

      A.   Basic plant materials standards shall include the following:

         (1)   Evergreen trees: minimum height of 6 feet;

         (2)   Shrubs: minimum two-gallon size container, or the equivalent height and/or spread;

         (3)   Groundcover shrubs: minimum spacing upon installation of 18 inches on center;

         (4)   Deciduous shade trees: minimum caliper (diameter) of 2 inches as measured 6 inches above the ground;

         (5)   Ornamental deciduous trees: minimum caliper (diameter) of 2 inches as measured 6 inches above the ground.

      B.   All other specifications shall conform with the American Standards for Nursery Stock, published by the American Association of Nurserymen for that type of tree or shrub at the time of installation.

      C.   All plant material shall be installed free of disease and in a manner that ensures the availability of sufficient soil and water to sustain healthy growth.

   7.   Minimum Spacing of Plant Materials.

      A.   Tree spacing along streets: minimum of one tree for every 50 feet of perimeter length.

      B.   Spacing of trees: spacing consistent with generally accepted species spread dimension at maturity defined by American Standards for Nursery Stock, or a minimum of one tree for every 50 feet, whichever is less.

      C.   Groundcover shrubs: minimum spacing upon installation of 18 inches on center.

      D.   Groundcover turf: immediate and complete coverage of area within the season.

      E.   Groundcover, creeping: spacing adequate to provide complete coverage in three years.

   8.   Supplemental Installation Requirements for Shrubs.

      A.   Shrubs shall be installed in a manner that promotes ease of maintenance and quality appearance.

      B.   All shrubs shall be installed in designed beds or naturalized settings containing a minimum of 3 inches of organic or inorganic mulch, contained by some form of edging, with an underlayment of landscape fabric.

      C.   Shrub installations beyond mere shrub beds, such as may contain groundcovers, native perennials or seasonal annuals, may be approved without these features at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator, upon demonstration of quality design and a maintenance contract/commitment.

   These provisions apply when use is established in a more intensive zoning district (District A) which is adjacent to a less intensive zoning district (District B). The owner, developer, or operator of the use within District A shall install and maintain a landscaped buffer yard on his/her lot or site, as set forth in this section. Buffer yard requirements apply only to those districts indicated in Table 173-2. Buffer yards are not required of single-family, two-family, duplex, or townhouse use types in the more intensive zoning district.

   1.   The buffer yard dimensions set forth in Table 173-2 apply to zoning districts which share a common lot line or are adjacent but separated by an intervening alley.

   2.   When a street separates adjacent zoning districts requiring a buffer yard, the size of the buffer yard shall be one-half the required buffer yard set forth in Table 173-2.

   3.   Each required buffer yard must be entirely landscaped and free of paved areas, accessways, storage, or other disturbances.

 

 

   1.   Application. Screening is required between adjacent zoning districts indicated in Table 173-2 when one or more of the following conditions in the more intensive zoning district is directly visible from and faces toward the boundary of the less intensive zoning district.

      A.   The rear elevation of buildings.

      B.   Outdoor storage areas or storage tanks, unless otherwise screened.

      C.   Loading docks, refuse collection points, and other service areas.

      D.   Major machinery or areas housing a manufacturing process.

      E.   Major on-site traffic circulation areas or truck and/or trailer parking.

      F.   Sources of glare, noise, or other environmental effects.

   2.   Opaque Barrier. A six-foot opaque barrier shall be provided which visually screens the conditions listed in subsection 1 from less intensive uses as follows:

      A.   A solid wood and/or masonry fence or wall at least six feet in height.

      B.   A landscaped screen, using evergreen or deciduous materials, capable of providing a substantially opaque, hedge-like barrier and attaining a minimum height of six feet within three years of planting. (Note: All planting materials shall conform to the minimum caliper/size requirements set in Section 173.05.)

      C.   A landscaped earth berm with a maximum slope of three to one, rising no less than six feet above the existing grade of the lot line separating the zoning districts.

      D.   Any combination of these methods that achieves a cumulative height of six feet.

   3.   Location of Screening Wall. A screening wall or fence shall be installed no closer to the less intensive zoning district than one-half the width of the required buffer yard.

   4.   Effect on Drainage. Screening shall not adversely affect surface water drainage.

   1.   Obstruction of View. Landscaping or screening installed in any landscaped area shall not obstruct the view from or to any driveway approach, street, alley, or sidewalk.

   2.   Earth Berm Locations. All earth berm locations shall be reviewed by the Public Works Director to determine how the berms shall relate to drainage and public utilities.

   3.   Exceptions. A development may continue to comply with the buffer yard and screening requirements in effect at the time of issuance of its original permit, regardless of whether an adjacent lot or site is subsequently rezoned to a less intensive district which would otherwise require compliance with buffer yard or screening provisions.