The purpose of this section is to provide minimum standards for the utilization of greenery, landscaping, screening and buffering as a means to enhance the aesthetics of site development. Methods such as the incorporation of existing vegetation or the preservation of significant native trees into the development of land or the planting of new buffering and landscaping materials should enhance the transition from forested or undeveloped land into the built environment and serve to provide a separation between areas of unlike character.
The intent of this section is to preserve and enhance the character, appearance, natural beauty and environment of the town and to protect property values throughout the community. The use of native plants in developed landscapes will help maintain healthy ecosystems by mitigating the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation of our natural areas and will protect and promote native vegetation appropriate to the particular soil, topography, and hydrology of a site.
This section is not intended to be a limitation upon the power of the Commission to require more extensive landscaping, screening or buffer areas when setting conditions for the granting of a special exception or approval of a site development plan.
8.04.210 
Natural topography and existing native vegetation shall be maintained to the greatest extent possible in the site design. Except for the footprints of structures on the lot, private roads, driveways, sidewalks, parking areas, recreational facilities and other approved site amenities, all areas where natural plant growth has been removed or disturbed shall be restored to native shrubs, trees or ground covering plants in the next available planting season and shall be so maintained.
8.04.220 
Except for that portion of a front yard traversed by driveways, pedestrian walks, permitted parking spaces, or areas of unusual design approved by the Commission all areas of the front yard of all lots in all zones shall be landscaped with grass, native plants or other ground cover, including, without limitation, evergreens and shrubs, or similar plant life.
8.04.230 
The use of low-impact development (LID) techniques such as rain gardens that provide for natural recharge, infiltration of stormwater and reduce the amount of pollutants that may enter stormwater control and treatment structures is encouraged.
8.04.310 
Where the side or rear yard of any lot which is devoted to the use permitted in business and industrial zones adjoins a residential zone, a planted buffer shall be provided in the yards which adjoin the residential zone if a natural buffer does not exist.
8.04.320 
Where any special exception is granted within the Farming and Residential Zone, a planted buffer shall be provided in the side and rear yards if natural buffer does not exist.
8.04.330 
Each zone may have additional buffer requirements which must also be satisfied.
Natural or planted buffer, or a combination of the two, shall be provided in the setbacks on all sides of the lot to provide a visual barrier from all neighboring properties. The buffer shall extend a minimum of 50 feet on all sides within the lot. Where strip(s) of land serving as access ways are not wide enough to allow for fifty-foot buffer on each side; the buffer shall be as wide as possible.
Any residential lot approved on or after the effective date of these regulations, that abuts a lot with an active agricultural use, including the raising and keeping of livestock, shall provide a fifty-foot buffer along any side or rear lot line that abuts such a lot. The fifty-foot buffer area shall be retained in its natural state and existing vegetation within the buffer area shall be maintained to the greatest extent possible.
[Added effective 7-26-2004]
8.04.610 
A detailed landscaping plan shall be submitted with any application for site development, including special exceptions.
[Added effective 7-26-2004]
8.04.620 
The landscaping plan shall indicate the type, size, location and amount of all proposed plantings.
8.04.630 
A streetscape plan (sidewalks, lighting, signs, landscaping) is required for properties located in all business and design districts.
[Added effective 7-26-2004]
8.04.640 
Minimum landscaping requirements are set forth below:
8.04.641 
Nonnative invasive and potentially invasive plant species listed on the current CT Invasive Plant List and updated annually by the Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group (CIPWG) shall not be used in the landscaping. Exclusions include existing trees and plants, annual plants and plants grown for food, lawns, green roofs, or other applications that have a clear reason to use nonnative plants.
8.04.642 
Native plants are required in the landscape plan and applies to any new or replacement plantings.
8.04.643 
Shade trees for the purpose of summer shade for roads, parking, buildings and activity areas. Requirements: hardy deciduous trees, minimum two inch caliper 12 inches above ground, with deep soil and shade tolerant ground cover (ground cover plants, low shrubbery, grass, stones or chips) in adjacent ground area.
[Added effective 7-26-2004]
8.04.644 
Slope plantings; for the purpose of stabilizing cut banks and controlling erosion. Requirements: hardy shrubs, erosion-resistant plants and vines, terracing, stabilized rock cuts or retaining walls wherever slope would exceed one vertical distance to 1.5 horizontal distance (1.0: 1.5), rip-rap or stabilizing planting along created drainage channels.
[Added effective 7-26-2004]
8.04.645 
Open landscaping: for the purpose of site aesthetics, building enhancement, and recreation. Requirements: perennial grass or ground cover, suitable shrubs, trees or ornamental plantings, regularly maintained for attractive appearance.
[Added effective 7-26-2004]
8.04.646 
Screening: for the purpose of visual concealment of specific areas (such as parking and commercial areas). Requirements: dense mixed species evergreen hedge in double offset rows, of hardy type with full growth at ground level and at least eight feet in height. Screening may also require supplementary fences or masonry walls, or both, as determined necessary by the Commission.
[Added effective 7-26-2004]
8.04.647 
Natural buffer: for the purpose of interrupting light, sound and visibility between incompatible uses through retention of natural woods and dense undergrowth. Requirements: sufficient depth and density of natural growth for effective buffer, and may require supplemental planting as determined necessary by Commission.
[Added effective 7-26-2004]
8.04.650 
Required landscaped areas; minimum type required.
[Added effective 7-26-2004]
Location
Type
Surrounding parking lots and nonresidential uses (including buildings, storage and all activity areas) in residential zones
Screening, planted buffer, or effective natural buffer
Parking lot islands and adjacent to paved parking in all zones
Shade trees at average spacing of 30 to 40 feet plus landscaping or a natural buffer
Bank slopes within and adjacent to developed areas in all zones
Slope plantings
Roadsides, in all zones
Shade trees at average spacing of 30 to 40 feet or appropriate open landscaping or natural buffer
Adjacent to residential zone boundary lines, in all nonresidential zones
Screening or effective natural buffer, or planted buffer or combination
Plant Type
Requirement
Tree
100% native for new and replacement plantings
Shrub
Minimum of 85% native for new and replacement plantings
Grass
100% native for new and replacement plantings
Ground cover
100% native for new and replacement plantings
Herbaceous perennial
Minimum of 75% native for new and replacement plantings
[Added effective 7-26-2004]
The plantings which are chosen must be well suited to environmental conditions, properly installed and located to serve intended purposes. Placement of plantings shall not interfere with safe visibility at road intersections or exit driveways, nor cast dense winter shadows on potentially icy roadways.
[Added effective 7-26-2004]
The owner of the site shall be responsible for proper maintenance of all plantings and other installed landscaped features as shown on the approved site plan, and for replacement of such in event of its nonthriving, demise or destruction.
[Added effective 7-26-2004]
The Commission, or it's agent may require a performance bond, to remain in effect at least three years, to ensure the proper survival or replacement of plantings and landscaping shown on the approved site plan.