Landscape Ordinance• June,19, 1984
To:, Planning & Zoning Commission
From: Nancy Anderson
Subject: Landscape Ordinance
1. Preservation of existing plants on site:
Credit for the retention of existing trees which are of acceptable species,
size and location may be given to satisfy the minimum number requirements
set forth in this policy and in the City Ordinances.
Construction plans will attempt to preserve the site in its natural state,
insofar as practicable, by minimizing tree and soil removal, and designing
and grade changes so as to be in keeping with the general appearance of
neighboring developed or developing areas.
2. Number of trees based on open space for Multiple Dwellings:
Require one (1) tree per 2000.square feet of open space.
3. Maintenance of Landscaping:
Regular maintenance of said landscaping, as dictated by the site conditions
• (soils, climate, ground water, etc.) shall be required. Failure of said
landscaping to consistently comply with and meet the intent of this section
shall constitute a violation of this Ordinance.
I ANF)W.AP T NG
(10) In all zoning districts the lot area which is not devoted to off - street
parking, off - street loading, sidewalks, driveways, building site, or other
requirements, shall be planted and maintained with grass, shrubs, or other
acceptable vegetation or treatment generally used in landscaping. In addition
to the above landscaping requirements all applications for Conditional Use
Permit approvals after (date of adoption of ordinance and as specified under
427.26(c)) shall be required to comply with the following minimum requirements:
(a) Screening of all mechanical equipment located on a roof where visible
from abutting properties or street
(b) Parking area that accomodates more than 20 cars shall be landscaped and
planted abutting the perimeter and throughout the lot to the extent of
at least 3% (excluding landscaping abutting the parking area and any
public right -of -way) of the actual surfaced area.
(c) The minimum number of coniferious trees or deciduous overstory trees
on any given site shall be as indicated below (these are in addition
to other understory trees, shrubs, flowers and ground cover). Credit
for the retention of existing trees which are of acceptable species,
• size and location may be given to satisfy the minimum number require-
ments set forth in this policy and in the City Ordinances.
(i) For all 'B' or 'I' zoned sites except those located within a
B -2 District
(a) one (1) tree per 1000 square feet of gross building floor
area or
The Commission may grant a waiver to any of the above requirements where such
enforcement restricts compliance with off - street parking requirements.
•
Examples for open space requirements:
Dow Towers
Open Space of 18,117
18117 : 2000 = 9 trees
20th Avenue
Open Space of 16,893
16893 : 2000 = 8 trees
(b) one (1) tree per 50 lineal feet of site perimeter (which
ever is greater of the above)
(ii) Multi- residential sites four units and under
(a) one (1) tree per dwelling unit
(iii)
Multiple Dwelling
(a) one (1) tree per 2000 square feet of open space
Required trees shall be a minimum plant size as follows: 6 i/ICIXA5
(1) Deciduous trees 2.5 inches in diameter as measured bx-e- level
above the ground
(2) Coniferious trees 6 feet in height
(3) Shrubs used for screening - 24 inches in height
(d)
Where natural materials such as trees or hedge are approved in lieu
of required screening by means of wall or fences, the density and
species of such plantings shall be such to achieve 50 percent opacity
year around
(e)
Construction plans will attempt to preserve the site in its natural
state, insofar as practicable, by minimizing tree and soil removal,
and designing any grade changes so as to be in keeping with the gen-
eral appearance of neighboring developed or developing areas.
(f)
Regular maintenance of said landscaping, as dictated by the site con-
ditions (soils, climate, ground water, etc.) shall be required. Failure
of said landscaping to consistently comply with and meet the intent of
this section shall constitute a violation of this Ordinance.
The Commission may grant a waiver to any of the above requirements where such
enforcement restricts compliance with off - street parking requirements.
•
Examples for open space requirements:
Dow Towers
Open Space of 18,117
18117 : 2000 = 9 trees
20th Avenue
Open Space of 16,893
16893 : 2000 = 8 trees