Village of East Aurora, NY Landscaping and Screening

Establish minimum standards and criteria for landscaping for multifamily and nonresidential development in the Village, including parking areas.

To dissuade the unnecessary clearing and disturbing of land to preserve the natural and existing growth of flora.

To ensure the replacement of removed flora, or to establish new flora, that is indigenous to the Western New York region.

Reduce the effects of wind and air turbulence, noise and the glare of automobile lights.

(5)

Provide unpaved areas for the absorption of stormwater runoff and prevent soil erosion and avoid the blighted appearance of parking areas.

(6)

Conserve and stabilize property values, preserve a healthful environment, and facilitate the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious community environment.

§ 285-41.2 Applicability.

All nonresidential and multifamily development that is subject to site plan review shall meet the requirements of this article.

§ 285-41.3 Landscape plan requirements.

A landscape plan shall be submitted and approved as a part of the site plan review process.

The landscape plan shall be drawn to scale, including dimensions and distances, and shall clearly delineate:

Existing and proposed structures and uses;

Parking areas and access aisles;

Refuse disposal areas/dumpsters;

Outdoor storage areas;

(5)

Drainage patterns; and

(6)

Provisions for visual and noise screening.

The landscape plan shall delineate the location and description of all existing and proposed trees, shrubs and plantings. To insure proper protection of plantings and planted areas, landscape materials to be used on the site shall be identified in a planting schedule to be included on the landscape plan with the following information:

Type;

Common and botanical names;

Size;

Quantity; and

(5)

Pit or bed treatment.

The landscape plan shall include all existing plant materials that are to be removed from the site and such other information as may be required by the Planning Commission.

Landscape plans should include a variety of trees, shrubs, and ornamental planting (annuals and perennials) as part of the site design. The mixing of trees and shrubs helps to avoid a uniform, unnatural appearance, and to protect against extreme loss due to disease or infestation.

The landscape plan must be prepared, signed and stamped by a professional, New-York-State-licensed or registered landscape architect, certified nurseryman or landscape designer.

Upon approval of the landscape plan by the Village, the property owner agrees to install and perpetually maintain the approved landscape design and materials.

All landscaped areas approved by the Village shall be preserved according to the landscape plan, or as amended by the Planning Commission or Village Board. Flora that dies shall be replaced within the next planting season with materials of a similar nature.

§ 285-41.4 Appropriate plant material.

Plant and landscape materials shall be compatible with soil conditions on site and the regional climate. Native plant species are encouraged.

All grasses, trees, and plant material shall be in accordance with those appropriate for the Plant Hardiness Zone of the Village of East Aurora as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Under no circumstance shall any site include plant material that is considered by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to be a prohibited and regulated invasive species per New York State Law 6 NYCRR V C 575.

§ 285-41.5 General standards and criteria.

A minimum ground cover of not less than 25% of the total lot area shall be landscaped with an appropriate balance of trees, conifers, shrubs, ornamental plantings and lawn area to create a naturalized appearance on the site.

The arrangement and spatial location of landscaped areas shall be designed as an integral part of the site development and disbursed throughout the site, and not just located around the perimeter.

Existing vegetation and trees of all sizes and stages of maturity shall be maintained, wherever possible.

Plastic or other artificial plantings or vegetation are not permitted.

Landscape plantings should be designed to stage blooms and have color throughout the growing season.

Indigenous species shall be utilized to the greatest extent possible, as noted on the species list.

Provisions for snow removal and snow storage must not adversely impact landscaped areas. Any area damaged as the result of snow removal or storage activities must be fully restored in accordance with the approved landscaping plan within the next planting season.

Upon approval of the Planning Commission or Village Board, ornamental lighting and street furnishing may be incorporated within approved landscaped areas.

§ 285-41.6 Lawn area.

Grass areas shall be planted in a species well adapted to localized growing conditions in Erie County. Grass areas may be sodded, plugged, sprigged, hydro-mulched, or seeded except that solid sod shall be used in swales or other areas subject to erosion.

In areas where other than solid sod or grass seed is used, over-seeding shall be sown for immediate effect and protection until coverage is otherwise achieved.

Grass areas shall be procured from new of the year seed crops, free of foreign material or weed seeds.

Replacement or over-seeding mixes shall match or compliment the original installation.

Grass areas shall also provide continuous, uniform, and consistent coverage.

§ 285-41.7 Building foundation landscaping.

A mix of landscape plantings shall be installed around all building foundations.

Plant material shall be placed intermittently against long expanses of buildings walls, fences, and other barriers to soften the effect and to help break up walls with little to no architectural detail to the satisfaction of the Village Board.

Ornamental plant material, such as flowering trees and shrubs, perennials, and ground covers are encouraged.

Plantings should decrease in size and increase in detail, color, and variety near entryways into buildings.

§ 285-41.8 Off-street parking areas.

Landscaping and screening of off-street parking areas may be required to conform to the standards below at the discretion of the Planning Commission.

Not less than 8% of the interior of parking areas designed for 10 cars or more should be devoted to the required landscaped area on the site.

The dimensions of all islands and medians should be a minimum of eight feet wide at the shortest side to protect plant materials installed therein and ensure proper growth (see Figure 1). Landscaped islands should be protected with concrete curbing, a minimum of six inches in height.

Landscaping should include at least one tree in each island and at least one tree for every 300 square feet of island area (see Figure 1). Low shrubs and ground covers will be required in the remainder of the island area. Effective use of earth berms and existing topography is also encouraged as a component of the landscaping plan.

Large and medium shade trees (no less than eight feet in height at maturity) are recommended. Due to heat and drought stress and vision clearances, ornamental and evergreen trees are not recommended.

Landscaped islands should be utilized in parking areas to separate parking stalls into groupings of not more than 20 stalls between islands (see Figure 1).

Parking lots should be broken up into "rooms" of no more than 40 spaces, separated by landscaped islands or pedestrian accessways or sidewalks (see Figure 1).

Landscape materials (a mix of trees, shrubs and other plantings) should be used along the street frontage and sides yards to screen parking areas from view of streets and adjacent residential uses.

Figure 1: Parking Lot Landscaping

(Source: Steinmetz Planning Group)

§ 285-41.9 Screening.

All dumpsters shall be screened from public view in accordance with the following:

Dumpster screening shall include a combination of landscaping and fencing or similar enclosures.

Dumpsters shall be secured with gates. Gates shall be kept closed when not in use.

Dumpster enclosures must be equal to or taller than the dumpster being screened.

All mechanical equipment must be screened from public view in accordance with the following:

Mechanical equipment located at ground level must be effectively screened with vegetation, low berms, or others measures that are equal to or taller than the equipment being screened.

Mechanical equipment that is located on the rooftop shall be effectively screened with parapet walls, decorative fencing and/or gables to eliminate views.

Loading spaces and delivery areas, such as loading docks, shall be located so as not to be visible from the street or public right-of-way. If not practical, landscaping and buffering shall be provided to screen such areas from public view.

Where any nonresidential use abuts a residential use or district, including off-street parking areas, a landscaped buffer of at least five feet in width shall be provided. Such buffer shall include one or any combination of the following screening methods to the satisfaction of the reviewing board.

A landscaped earthen berm a minimum of two feet high plus plantings a minimum of two feet high (a total of four feet high).

A decorative concrete or masonry wall.

A wood, wrought iron, tubular steel, or similar fence compatible with the character of the area in which the fence is to be placed. Fences or walls used to meet screening requirements shall display a finished face toward adjacent streets and properties.