§ 450-63. Landscaping.

A. 

Any part of a commercial, industrial, institutional or apartment lot which is not used for structures, loading areas, parking spaces and aisles, sidewalks and designated storage areas shall be provided with an all-season, well-maintained vegetative ground cover, and shall be landscaped with trees and shrubs. Landscaped areas shall be kept free of debris, rubbish and noxious weeds.

B. 

See also the buffer yard provisions in § 450-62.

C. 

Parking area trees.

(1) 

One deciduous tree shall be required for every 10 new off-street parking spaces.

(2) 

If a lot will include 20 or more new parking spaces, landscaped areas shall be provided within the parking area. Otherwise, the trees may be planted around the parking area.

(3) 

Trees required by this section shall meet the following standards:

(a) 

Type of trees permitted. Required trees shall be chosen from the list of deciduous/canopy trees in Appendix VI, Plant Materials List, of Chapter 395, Subdivision and Land Development.

(b) 

Quality of trees. Required trees shall be of symmetrical growth and free of insect pests and disease.

(c) 

Minimum size. The trunk diameter (measured at a height of six inches above the finished grade level) shall be a minimum of two inches or greater.

(d) 

Planting and maintenance. Required trees shall be:

[1] 

Planted with adequate unpaved surface around each for water and air; and

[2] 

Properly protected by curbs, curb stops, distance or other devices from damage from vehicles.

D. 

Street trees. As part of the construction of any new street or any new principal nonresidential building or any new apartment building, street trees shall be required to be planted. An average of one street tree shall be planted for every 50 feet of street length. The street trees do not need to be planted at specific intervals, but may be moved to fit with utilities, driveways and other features.

(1) 

The trees shall be in locations approved by the Zoning Officer. These locations may or may not be within the street right-of-way, depending upon the circumstances of the site. If the trees are not located in the right-of-way, they shall be placed within the yard immediately adjacent to the right-of-way.

(2) 

New street trees shall not be required where existing healthy street trees will be preserved and will serve the same purpose.

(3) 

The type, quality, size, planting shall be as specified in Subsection C(3) of this section and of a height, at the time of planting, that ensures that the lowest branches do not conflict with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

E. 

Landscaping maintenance. All shade tree, buffer yard and other landscaping required by this chapter shall be perpetually maintained by the property owner. Any landscaping needed to meet an ordinance requirement that dies, is removed, or is severely damaged shall be replaced by the current propertyowner as soon as is practical considering growing seasons, within a maximum of 150 days.

F. 

Review. Where landscaping is required by this article, the applicant shall submit a site plan showing proposed initial sizes, locations and species of plantings and locations of any fencing in sufficient detail to determine compliance with this section. Such landscaping plan should be provided to the Zoning Officer for review and approval.