The Village Board makes the following legislative findings:
A.
A healthy environment is an indication of a healthy community.
B.
Landscaping helps to maintain and increase property values, which
helps to protect public and private investment in a community.
C.
Landscaping provides lasting social, economic, environmental, and
aesthetic benefits to the community.
D.
Landscaping helps to reduce the heat-island effect by shading parking
lots, streets, and other hard-surfaced areas.
E.
Landscaped buffers are needed between parcels of incompatible land
uses, and as the degree of incompatibility increases, the amount of
buffering (width and landscaping) should increase.
F.
A variety of landscape plants is needed to ensure that the effect
of a single disease (e.g., Dutch elm disease) or pest (e.g., emerald
ash borer) on landscape plants is minimized.
This article is established to promote the public health, safety,
and welfare and is intended to accomplish the following purposes:
A.
Make the Village more attractive and aesthetically pleasing;
B.
Promote and improve public health and safety through the abatement
of noise, the glare of lights, dust, and air pollution;
C.
Improve the aesthetic appearance of the built environment;
D.
Ensure that land uses of different intensity have sufficient buffering
between them to minimize negative effects;
E.
Promote economic development by providing a high quality of life;
The landscape plan shall include the preparer's name, date
of preparation, a base site plan that matches the site plan submitted
for approval, showing planting locations and existing plantings to
be preserved, the landscape surface ratio percentage, a planting schedule
of common name, botanical name, planting size, and calculations showing
how the plan exceeds the minimum quantity. Landscape plans with the
information below shall be reviewed as part of the site plan review
process.
A.
The proposed name of the development, project, certified survey map,
subdivision plat, or planned development district (PDD).
B.
The location of the proposed development, project, certified survey
map, subdivision plat, or PDD.
C.
The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the owners, subdividers,
lessee and/or developer(s) of the property, landscape architect (if
any), and of the designer of the plan.
D.
Date of the landscape plan submittal and all applicable revision
dates.
E.
The boundary line of the site with dimensions and bearings, indicated
by a solid line, and the total land area shall be encompassed on the
plan.
F.
All proposed landscape bufferyard easements and/or areas of natural
resource mitigation clearly delineated and dimensioned and graphically
shown in relation to all proposed lot lines and lots upon which said
landscape bufferyard easements or mitigation areas are located. A
"bufferyard" is an area of transition along the property line setback
or within the green space periphery of a residentially zoned district
development. The intent of the buffer is to screen the abutting land
use next to the adjoining property with an additional amount of landscaping
as specified in this section.
G.
Location, extent, type (i.e., common name and scientific name in
the case of plant materials), and sizes of all existing trees and
natural resource features in all areas of the proposed development,
subdivision, certified survey map, or PDD, such as woods, wetlands,
streams, ponds, kames, kettles and other glacial features which are
designated in a landscape bufferyard easement and/or mitigation area
shall be indicated on the landscape plan. If any existing vegetation
or other natural resource features are to be demolished or mitigated,
the extent of such demolition or area to be mitigated shall be clearly
delineated and so noted on the landscape plan. The seventy-five-foot
buffer from all water bodies may be part of a wetland, floodway fringe
or floodway area bufferyard.
H.
Location, extent, type (common name and scientific name in case of
plant materials), and sizes of proposed landscaping and landscape
plantings in all areas of the proposed development, subdivision, certified
survey map, or PUD which are designated as a landscape bufferyard
easement or for areas which are to serve as landscaped entrances or
other special landscaped features of the development, subdivision,
certified survey map, or PDD.
I.
If any natural resource feature is to be mitigated, either on-site
or off-site, the plan for such mitigation in adequate detail, as required
by the Plan Commission, shall be submitted with the landscape plan.
J.
Areas of a development, subdivision, certified survey map, or PDD
designated as landscape easement areas shall be maintained by the
property owner and kept free of all debris, rubbish, weeds, and tall
grass by the property owner or homeowners' association (whichever
is applicable).
K.
A plan is required and shall be based upon a survey by a registered
land surveyor. The plan shall be prepared at a map scale of not more
than 100 feet to the inch and shall show the information set forth
in this article as applicable.
A.
Generally. Landscaping is required for on-lot landscaping, street
bufferyards, peripheral bufferyards, and in off-street parking areas
and in areas where vegetative mitigation is required. The area and/or
length of each, as required herein must be measured in order to determine
the amount of landscaping required.
B.
Additions to buildings which increase overall building area up to
50%. Additions to buildings which increase their overall building
area up to 50% shall conform to the landscaping standards set forth
in this division reduced by 25%.
C.
Snow storage areas. Areas landscaped with shrubs and/or trees shall
not be used as snow storage areas.
D.
Bufferyards to resolve nuisances between adjacent zoning districts.
The amount of land, the type of planting, and the amount of planting
specified for each bufferyard requirement of this section are designed
to resolve nuisances between adjacent zoning districts. Bufferyards
are also designed to ensure a desired character along public streets
and roads.
E.
Bufferyards required to separate different zoning districts. Bufferyards
shall be required to separate different zoning districts from each
other. Bufferyards function to eliminate or minimize potential nuisances,
such as dirt, litter, noise, glare of lights, signs, and unsightly
buildings or parking areas, or to provide spacing to reduce adverse
impacts of noise, odor, or danger from fires or explosions.
A.
Standard plant units. The type, plantings, sizes, and minimum quantities
of landscaping, in terms of the number of standard plant units required
is stated below. This section defines the standard plant unit and
its definitions of this section. Table 13-1 states these plant unit
requirements.
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Table 13-1
Minimum Number of Standard Plant Units
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|---|---|---|
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Type
|
Minimum Planting Size
|
Minimum Quantity
|
|
Single Family and Two-Family Landscaped Outlots
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|
Canopy/shade tree
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2.5-inch caliper
|
1.5 per dwelling unit
|
|
Evergreen trees
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4 feet tall
|
1 per dwelling unit
|
|
Decorative trees
|
1.5-inch caliper or multi-stem
|
1 per dwelling unit
|
|
Shrubs (flowering or evergreen)
|
5-gallon
|
3 per dwelling unit
|
|
Business, Industrial, Institutional, and Park and Recreation[1]
| ||
|
Canopy/shade trees
|
2.5-inch caliper
|
1 per 3 parking spaces
|
|
OR
| ||
|
Evergreen trees
|
4 feet tall
|
1 per 3 parking spaces
|
|
Decorative trees
|
1.5-inch caliper or multi-stem
|
1 per 10 parking spaces
|
|
Shrubs (flowering or evergreen)
|
5-gallon
|
1 per 1 parking spaces
|
|
NOTE:
| |
|
[1]
|
Park and ride lots are exempt from the minimum number of standard
plant units. The minimum landscaping requirements shall be determined
during the site plan review process by the Plan Commission, taking
into consideration screening of the public way and adjacent properties
with the intent of providing a comparable level of aesthetic character
of the adjoining properties.
|
B.
The following definitions and conditions shall apply to the application
of Table 13-1.
(1)
All landscape standard requirements are based on the number
of parking spaces required for each property as set forth in Article
14, unless otherwise stated in this section.
(2)
Canopy/shade trees are deciduous trees, evergreens are coniferous
trees, and decorative trees are flowering and/or fruit-bearing trees,
normally growing to a shorter height as compared to a shade tree.
A decorative tree may be considered as a standard or multi-stem related
decorative tree, depending on the geography of the property and areas
that require landscape decorative plantings.
(3)
The number of plantings required per parking space shall be
rounded to the next highest range. For example, 52 spaces in a commercial
development shall require six decorative trees, not five.
(4)
The minimum number of plantings shall be five per property,
for each type of specie.
(5)
In the event a use does not provide an amount of parking commensurate
with the use (i.e., service station), then the minimum amount of landscaping
shall be four canopy/shade or evergreen trees per acre, one decorative
tree per acre, and five shrubs per acre. Each acre shall be divisible,
rounded to the next number of plantings (i.e., 1.68 acres would require
seven canopy/shade or evergreen trees: 6.72 rounded to 7).
(6)
In the event decorative trees and/or shrubs are not appropriate
for a development, then those types may be replaced by one shade tree
for every one required decorative tree and one shade tree or evergreen
for every two required shrubs.
(7)
In the event evergreens are not appropriate for a non-multifamily
development, then each required evergreen may be replaced by a shade
tree, but not greater than a replacement of 70%.
(8)
Upright growing evergreens (i.e., junipers or arborvitae) may
be used as an evergreen tree, given the same minimum planting size.
(9)
Shrub-type evergreens (i.e., arborvitae or Japanese yew) may
be used as shrub, given the same minimum planting size.
(10)
Additional plantings are required to fully screen on all exposed
sides, such as but not limited to refuse enclosures, utility boxes
and buildings, underground utility vaults and outdoor areas of activity
(i.e., a kennel-running operation, or outdoor dining facility). The
additional amount of landscaping shall include a diversity of plantings,
to include at least 1/4 of all plantings as evergreen trees, with
the remaining portion as shrub and shade trees, in accordance with
the minimum plant size requirements as stated in Table 13-1.
(11)
Properties zoned Walkable Hamlet District shall also meet all
landscaping standards for such district.
(12)
All outlot related landscaping for single-family subdivisions,
manufacturing or business parks, or mixed-use related developments
must receive Plan Commission approval through a site, building and
operation plan review prior to final plat approval.
A bufferyard consists of a line of trees and shrubs that provide
a buffer from one lot or zoning district to the next. When development
abuts or is across the street from a residential zoning or use, or
a less intense use, such as a church or school, a bufferyard shall
be required. The following shall apply:
A.
The minimum quantity of plantings required in Table 13-1 increases
by 20%.
B.
Emphasis shall be placed on the increased amount of plantings within
the bufferyard, except where preservation of existing plant material
does not allow additional plantings.
C.
Evergreens and arborvitae are required within the bufferyard with
a minimum planting height of six feet.
Every attempt shall be made to preserve existing plant materials,
especially around wetlands and groundwater recharge areas, in which
case the following shall apply:
A.
In a non-bufferyard, existing healthy, high-quality landscape shade
trees, evergreens, and decorative trees over six feet in height shall
replace one equivalent type of required planting.
B.
In a bufferyard, existing healthy, high-quality landscape shade trees,
evergreens and decorative trees over six feet in height shall replace
one-half equivalent type of required planting.
C.
In both a non-buffer and bufferyard; existing healthy, high-quality
landscape shrubs over five feet in height shall replace one required
shrub planting.
D.
Plantings to be preserved shall be shown on the submitted landscape
plan, including exact location, size and type.
A.
Alternative No. 1 minimum landscape surface ratio. Use of the alternative
minimum landscape surface ratio shall require a minimum caliper of
three-inch shade trees, a minimum caliper greater than one-and-one-half-inch
decorative trees and a minimum size of six-foot evergreens, along
with an increase by 20% of the minimum quantity of plantings required
by Table 13-1. If a bufferyard is present, then the required quantity
increases by 30%. This alternate plan shall be used to buffer significant
changes in land use, to screen arterial or collector roadways or residential
development, or for conditional uses, or PUDs that shall require additional
landscaping, buffering or screening.
B.
Alternative No. 2 minimum landscape surface ratio. If the development
is within 10% of the maximum amount of impervious surface for the
district, an additional amount of landscaping is required to meet
or exceed a 40% increase in landscaping, based on the minimum quantity
of plantings required in Table 13-1. The minimum caliper size of species
shall be consistent with the requirements of the Alternative No. 1
landscape surface ratio. The intent of this section is to create additional
landscaping around all buildings, in parking lot islands and around
all parking lot perimeters.
To encourage a variety of year-round colors and planting of
native vegetation, and to prevent destruction of the landscaping through
disease, the following species mix is required for each planting type
(Table 13-2).
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Table 13-2
Plant Mix
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Provided Plantings
|
Minimum Number of Different Species
|
Minimum Number of Each Species Planted
|
|
5 to 11
|
2
|
2
|
|
12 to 20
|
3
|
4
|
|
21 to 30
|
4
|
5
|
|
31 to 40
|
4
|
6
|
|
41 to 50
|
4
|
8
|
|
51 and above
|
4
|
10
|
A.
All areas not covered by buildings or paving shall be covered with
landscaping, grass or prairie grasses, or other organic ground materials.
B.
Open areas not covered by plantings shall be covered with grass,
low-growing ground cover, or other landscape materials, except where
existing natural vegetation of the site makes the growing of grass
impossible. The use of trees to reduce water consumption is necessary,
and the use of grass and prairie grass as ground cover on flat open
areas is suggested. The use of growing, low-maintenance ground cover
on slopes is encouraged. The landscape plan shall indicate which areas
are designated, or best suited, for manicured lawns, prairie grasses,
or reforestation, such as within residential open spaces.
C.
All parking lot landscaped islands shall be covered by grass, hardwood
mulch, decorative stone, or other perennial-related ground cover.
D.
The type of ground cover to be used shall be shown on the landscape
plan.
E.
The use of invasive species, such as buckthorn, garlic mustard, and
purple loosestrife, is not be permitted in the Village.
F.
The estimated cost of the landscaping plan and ground cover shall
be submitted to the Planning and Zoning Administrator.
Generally, placement of all types of plantings shall be dispersed
across the entire site at the discretion of the developer, with the
following minimum guidelines:
A.
Hardiest species of plantings (including those engineered for high
traffic areas) in the highest vehicular and pedestrian traffic areas.
B.
The native species of shade trees away from the highest vehicular
and pedestrian traffic areas.
C.
Located to not obscure vehicle sight distances.
D.
Located so future growth is not over or inhibiting a sidewalk or
parking/drive area.
E.
Located to soften and accentuate tall and elongated building walls.
F.
Emphasis of trees and plantings within bufferyards.
G.
Any fruit-bearing trees located away from parking/drive areas.
A.
The subdivider or developer (as applicable) shall make every effort
to protect and retain all existing trees, shrubbery, vines, and grasses
not actually lying in public roadways, drainageways, building foundation
sites, private driveways, soil absorption waste disposal areas, paths,
and trails. Such trees are to be protected and preserved during construction
in accordance with sound conservation practices, including the preservation
of trees by well islands or retaining walls whenever abutting grades
are altered.
B.
Towards that end, the following minimum procedures shall be followed
during construction:
(1)
Generally. The subdivider's or developer's (as applicable)
proposed method for preserving trees shall be reviewed by the Plan
Commission or its staff during the preliminary plat, certified survey
map, or PDD approval phase of application to the Village. If, in the
opinion of the Plan Commission, the subdivider or developer (as applicable)
has not taken the necessary precaution in preserving existing trees
as required by this section, no zoning compliance permit or conditional
use permit shall be issued, or plat approved, until such time as the
subdivider or developer (as applicable), amends the plans for the
preservation of such existing trees.
(2)
Snow fence required. During grading and construction, a snow
fence shall be installed at the periphery of the tree's drip
line. All construction equipment and vehicles shall be kept away from
the perimeter of the trees at all times.
(3)
Limitation on encroachment of grading and construction equipment.
All grading and construction equipment shall be forbidden from encroaching
within the tree's dripline.
(4)
Material dumping prohibited within tree dripline. Materials
detrimental to the tree shall not be dumped or placed within a tree's
dripline or near the base of the tree where drainage toward the tree
could adversely affect the health of the tree. Said materials shall
include, but not necessarily be limited to, excess soil, stone or
rock, additional fill, equipment, liquids, or construction debris.
(5)
Attachments to trees prohibited. No attachments or wires, other
than those of a protective or nondamaging nature, shall be attached
to trees to be preserved during construction.
(6)
Tree destruction and replacement. In the event that a tree designated
on the approved preliminary plat, certified survey map, or PDD or
Natural Resources Protection Plan for preservation should be destroyed
or razed during the construction process, the subdivider or developer
(as applicable) shall replace such tree of a species approved by the
Plan Commission and having a diameter of not less than the tree so
destroyed or razed. No one replacement, however, shall exceed three
inches in diameter as measured at 12 inches above the ground level.
However, several smaller diameter trees having a combined diameter
equal to the tree razed or destroyed shall be planted for trees larger
than three inches at the ratios set forth in Table 13-3. Said replacement
trees shall be placed in the approximate location of the tree, or
trees, so destroyed. Said replacement trees shall not be counted toward
any mitigation measures which may be required of the subdivider or
developer (as applicable) as specified elsewhere in this section.
|
Table 13-3
Minimum Tree Replacement Requirements
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Size of Tree Destroyed or Razed
(inches in DBH)
|
Replacement Tree Requirements
| |
|
Number of Trees Required
|
Maximum Size of Each Tree Required
(inches in caliper)
| |
|
8 to 10
|
1
|
3
|
|
10 to 16
|
2
|
3
|
|
16 to 24
|
3
|
3
|
|
24 to 30
|
4
|
3
|
|
30 to 36
|
5
|
3
|
|
36 or greater
|
6
|
3
|
A.
All landscaping and bufferyard material shall be installed on the
property within one year after the building permit has been issued.
B.
Maintenance of the landscaping is the responsibility of the property
owner or homeowners' association. Landscaping shall be maintained
in substantial conformity with the approved landscape plan. Maintenance
of the landscaping may include watering, mowing, pruning, fertilizing,
and/or replacement of irrigation systems.
The Zoning Administrator shall review the plans and specifications
for conformance with the requirements of this section and other pertinent
Village ordinances and design standards. If the Zoning Administrator
rejects the plans and specifications, the Zoning Administrator shall
notify the subdivider or developer (as applicable), who shall cause
the modification of the plans or specifications or both accordingly.
When the plans and specifications are corrected, the Zoning Administrator
shall approve the plans and specifications.
Prior to starting the work covered by the approved plans and
specifications, a preconstruction meeting shall be held with the Zoning
Administrator before work begins and written authorization to start
said work shall be obtained from the Zoning Administrator upon receipt
of all necessary and required permits and in accordance with the construction
methods prescribed by this section and subdivision development agreement.
Building permits shall not be issued until all improvements required
by this section and subdivision development agreement are satisfactorily
completed.
The property owner must provide a financial guarantee to ensure
the required landscaping survives the first two growing seasons. The
amount of the guarantee must be 110% of the cost of the required plant
materials.
