A.
Landscaping Required. Landscaping is required for
on-lot landscaping, street bufferyards, peripheral bufferyards, and
in off-street parking areas and in areas where vegetative mitigation
(see § 15-4.0103 of this Ordinance) 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.
Exemptions and Modifications. All developments shall
meet the provisions of this Division except as specifically exempted
below:
1.
Residential Development on Existing Lots of Record
in the A-1, R-1, R-1E, R-2, R-3, R-3E, R-4, R-5, R-6, R-7, and VR
Districts. Residential development on existing lots of record in the
A-1, R-1, R-1E, R-2, R-3, R-3E, R-4, R-5, R-6, R-7, and VR Districts
as of the date of the adoption of this Ordinance.
2.
Additions to Existing Buildings Where the Total
Floor Area is not Increased More than 10%. Additions to existing buildings
where the total floor area is not increased more than 10% of the existing
total floor area.
3.
Additions to Buildings Which Increase Overall Building
Area From 10 to 50%. Additions to buildings which increase their overall
building area from 10 to 50% shall conform to the landscaping standards
set forth in this Division reduced by up to 30%.
4.
Floodplain and Wetland Areas. Areas located within
the FW, FC, FFO, and SW Districts are exempt from the landscaping
requirements set forth in this Division.
C.
Bufferyards to Ameliorate Nuisances Between Certain
Adjacent Zoning Districts. A bufferyard is a combination of a setback
and a visual buffer or barrier, and is a yard or area together with
the planting and/or landscape structure required thereon. The amount
of land, the type of planting, and the amount of planting specified
for each bufferyard requirement of this Ordinance are designed to
ameliorate nuisances between certain adjacent zoning districts. Bufferyards
are also designed to ensure a desired character along public streets
and roads.
D.
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. All landscaping requirements
are stated in terms of the number of standard plant units required.
This Section defines the standard plant unit and its definitions of
this Section. The following Table 15-5.0302 specifies the plant unit
requirements.
|
Table 15-5.0302
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Minimum Number of Standard Plant Units
| ||
|
Multi-Family
| ||
|
Type
|
Planting Size
|
Minimum Quantity
|
|
Canopy/Shade Tree
|
2.5 inch caliper
|
1.5 per dwelling unit
|
|
Evergreens
|
4 feet tall
|
1 per dwelling unit
|
|
Decorative Trees
|
1.5 inch caliper
|
1 per dwelling unit
|
|
Shrubs
|
3 feet tall
|
3 per dwelling unit
|
|
Commercial, Office, Institutional and Similar Uses
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Type
|
Planting Size
|
Minimum Quantity
|
|
Canopy/Shade Tree
|
2.5 inch caliper
|
1 per 5 provided parking spaces
|
|
Evergreens
|
4 feet tall
|
1 per 5 provided parking spaces
|
|
Decorative Trees
|
1.5 inch caliper
|
1 per 5 provided parking spaces
|
|
Shrubs
|
3 feet tall
|
1 per 5 provided parking spaces
|
|
Manufacturing (Industrial)
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
Type
|
Planting Size
|
Minimum Quantity
|
|
Canopy/Shade Tree
|
2.5 inch caliper
|
1 per 10 provided parking spaces
|
|
Evergreens
|
4 feet tall
|
1 per 10 provided parking spaces
|
|
Decorative Trees
|
1.5 inch caliper
|
1 per 10 provided parking spaces
|
|
Shrubs
|
3 feet tall
|
1 per 10 provided parking spaces
|
B.
Definitions and Conditions. The following definitions
and conditions shall apply to the application of Table 15-5.0302.
1.
Canopy/Shade trees are deciduous trees, evergreens
are coniferous trees, and decorative trees are flowering and/or fruit
bearing trees, normally growing to full growth shorter than a shade
tree.
2.
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 11 shade trees, not 10.
3.
The minimum number of plantings shall be five per
property for each type.
4.
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 20 shade trees per acre, 20
evergreen trees per acre, 10 decorative trees per acre, and 30 shrubs
per acre. Each acre shall be divisible, rounded to the next number
of plantings (i.e., 1.68 acres = 34 shade trees).
6.
In the event evergreens are not appropriate for
a non-multi-family development, then each required evergreen may be
replaced by a shade tree, but not greater than 70% replacement.
7.
Upright growing arborvitae may be used as an evergreen,
given the same minimum planting size.
8.
Bush-type arborvitae may be used as a shrub, given
the same minimum planting size.
9.
See § 15-11.0103 for the definition of
caliper.
C.
Bufferyard. When development abuts or is across
a street from a residential zoning or use, or a less intense use such
as a church or school, the following bufferyard requirements apply:
1.
The minimum quantity of plantings required in Table
15-5.0302 increases by 20%.
2.
Emphasis shall be on placing the increased amount
of plantings within the bufferyard, except where preservation of existing
plant material does not allow additional plantings.
3.
Evergreens and arborvitae are required within the
buffer yard with a minimum planting height of six feet.
D.
Credit for Preserved Existing Plant Materials. Every
attempt shall be made to preserve existing plant materials, in which
case the following applies.
1.
In a non-bufferyard, existing shade trees, evergreens,
and decorative trees over six feet in height shall replace one equivalent
type of required planting.
2.
In a bufferyard, existing shade trees, evergreens
and decorative trees over six feet in height shall replace 1/2 equivalent
type of required planting.
3.
In both a non-buffer and bufferyard; existing shrubs
over five feet in height shall replace one required shrub planting.
4.
Plantings to be preserved shall be shown on the
submitted landscape plan, including exact location, size and type.
E.
Alternative 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 of two
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 15-5.0302. If a bufferyard is present, then the required
quantity increases by 30%.
F.
Species of Plantings. 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.
|
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
|
G.
Ground Cover. All areas not covered by buildings
or paving shall be covered with landscaping.
1.
Open areas not covered by plantings shall be covered
by 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 grass as ground cover onflat open
areas is necessary. The use of growing, low maintenance ground coveron
slopes is encouraged.
2.
All parking lot landscaped islands shall be covered
by grass. The use of stone, wood chips, or other non-grass material
to cover a parking lot landscaped island shall be prohibited.
3.
The type of ground cover to be used shall be shown
on the Landscape Plan, and the cost of the ground cover shall be included
with the submitted estimated landscape costs.
H.
Placement. Generally, placement of all types of
plantings shall be dispersed across the entire site at discretion
of developer, with the following minimum guidelines:
1.
Hardiest species of plantings (including those engineered
for high traffic areas) shall be placed in the highest vehicular and
pedestrian traffic areas.
2.
Native species of shade trees shall be placed away
from the highest vehicular and pedestrian traffic areas.
3.
Plantings shall be located so as not to obscure
vehicle sight lines.
4.
Plantings shall be located so future growth is not
over a sidewalk or parking/drive area.
5.
Plantings shall be located to soften tall and long
building walls.
6.
Emphasis of plantings within buffer yards.
7.
Any fruit bearing trees shall be located away from
parking/drive areas.
I.
The Landscape Plan. The Landscape Plan shall include
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 shall be submitted with initial application and for
building permit, or as a condition of approval of an application as
may otherwise be specifically set forth in the Ordinance, excepting
that an applicant must at a minimum file a preliminary landscape plan
generally depicting the landscaping for the site at the time of initial
application filing. Landscape Plans must be approved by the Plan Commission.
A.
Physical Containment of Landscaped Areas. All landscaped
areas located within or adjacent to a parking area, or adjacent to
a public street or sidewalk, shall be designed to contain landscape
materials and to prevent vehicular encroachment (i.e., through use
of continuous concrete curbing, railroad ties, headers, or depressed
construction).
B.
Artificial Landscape Materials. Artificial trees,
shrubs, turf, or plants shall not be permitted as landscaping.
C.
Groundcover. The use of landscape fabrics under
all areas landscaped with non-living materials, except those areas
set aside for stormwater retention/detention, is recommended to prevent
weed growth.
D.
Irrigation. A permanent, on-site, outdoor water
supply (underground or drip irrigation, hose bibs, etc.) that provides
complete coverage to all new living landscaped areas is required.
Watering systems shall be designed to water landscaped areas efficiently
and avoid irrigation of adjacent parking areas and access drives,
sidewalks, buildings, and public streets. If hose bibs are used, they
must be located within 100 feet of any landscaped area.
E.
Location. New vegetation shall be selected, planted,
and maintained so that at maturity it will not interfere with utility
lines, snow storage areas, vehicular parking, pedestrian circulation,
traffic sight visibility at driveways and street intersections, and
will not cause damage or upheaval of sidewalks and pavement.
F.
Installation.
1.
Timing of Installation. Landscaping and watering
devices shall be installed in accordance with the approved landscape
plan prior to issuance of a Zoning Compliance Permit or commencement
of operations. The City will have the right to refuse approval of
any project not meeting the provisions of this Section.
2.
Return of Financial Surety. When it is determined
that the landscaping and watering systems have been installed in accordance
with the approved plans, the City shall return the surety to the applicant.
G.
Maintenance.
1.
Responsibility for Maintenance.
a.
Maintenance of all landscaping shall be the responsibility
of the owner, lessee, heirs, assigns, agents, homeowners' association,
or other liable entity of the property and shall consist of regular
watering, pruning, mowing, fertilizing, removal and replacement of
irrigation systems, and architectural features.
b.
The owner or liable entity in control of any private
premises shall at all times maintain the premises free of litter and
weeds.
2.
Landscape Phasing. Future building pads within a
phased development shall be maintained in a dust-free condition vegetated
with groundcover.
3.
Plant Replacement. Any plant materials included
in an approved landscaping plan that do not survive a plant establishment
period of two years after installation shall be replaced with plant
material(s) of the same or like species of equal size within the next
planting season, but in any event, within six months of the plant's
demise. Said replacement shall be made by the property owner or, in
the case of landscape plant materials located within a landscape easement
under the control of a homeowners' association, the homeowners' association
shall be responsible for said replacement.
H.
Plant Material Species Mixture. All landscape plant
materials selected shall be adequately mixed so that no singular species
exceeds 40% of the total planting requirements. Said mixture shall
include the use of both hardwood and softwood species types if deciduous
materials are specified.
A.
Minimum Landscaping Requirements for Residential
and Nonresidential Off-Street Parking Areas and Lots. Each residential
and nonresidential off-street parking lot shall contain landscaping
within the parking lots and adjoining entrance drives and circulation
drives.
B.
Existing Vegetation May Count Toward the Provision
of Minimum Off-Street Parking Landscape Requirements. Existing trees
that can be preserved, where grading does not cut them off from a
reasonable supply of water and where the area under the canopy remains
undisturbed, shall count toward the minimum off street parking landscape
requirements. For plantings that are preserved within parking lot
islands, the islands shall be a minimum of 300 square feet in area.
C.
Curbs, Barriers, and Overhangs Required to Contain
Landscape Areas. The curb or barrier around landscape areas may be
utilized as a wheel-stop provided the area of vehicle overhang does
not exceed two feet and does not damage or interfere with the landscaping.
Where vehicle overhangs abut required landscape areas, a minimum five-foot
wide planting area is required for a single vehicle overhang, and
an eight-foot wide planter for a double vehicle overhang is required.
Vehicle overhang into the public right-of-way is not permitted.
D.
Uses Not Permitted in Required Landscaped Areas.
Parking (except where vehicle overhang is permitted), buildings, and
display of equipment or vehicles are not permitted in required landscaped
areas.
E.
Required Landscape Materials Not to Constitute a
Driving Hazard. To ensure that landscape materials do not constitute
a driving hazard, trees used to landscape parking islands shall have
a clear trunk height of six feet; mature shrubs, groundcover, or other
landscaping material shall not exceed three feet in height. The landscaped
area within these planters may be used to satisfy, to the extent provided,
the landscaping requirements.
