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.
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.