Item #U

Amendment rectifies an incorrect reference and provides revisions to ensure consistent formatting in the LDO.

7.2.6     Vehicular Use Area Landscaping

(A)        Landscaping Requirements in Parking Areas and Vehicular Use Areas

All vehicular use areas must have at least one canopy tree trunk within sixty (60) feet of each parking space. Two (2) small trees with heights between fifteen (15) and twenty-five (25) feet at maturity may be used instead of one (1) canopy tree only if overhead or underground utility lines will impair the canopy tree’s growth to mature habit. All vehicular use areas used for parking shall be screened from the view of adjacent properties and streets by evergreen plantings that will attain a height of three (3) feet within three (3) years of planting. The use of shrubs and ground covers is greatly encouraged in parking area islands and along the borders of parking areas.

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(C)        Design Standards

The design of the vehicular use area with landscaped areas, and the selection of plant materials, shall meet the following standards:

(1)        All parking spaces shall be within sixty (60) feet of the trunk of a canopy tree, or thirty (30) feet from small trees if allowed under overhead utilities or in special circumstances (see Section 7.2.6(A) above).

(2)        All planting medians and/or islands in vehicular use areas shall be at least ten (10) feet long by ten (10) feet wide from back of curb to back of curb, with a minimum of three hundred (300) square feet of space per canopy tree consistent with 7.2.4(F) above. This dimension must be measured from the back of the curbs. Linear planting strips between the lengths of parking isles are strongly encouraged rather than numerous small one tree islands. If linear planting strips are used, then the distance of parking spaces from a trunk of a canopy tree may be increased to seventy (70) feet.

(3)        A minimum ten (10) foot wide continuous planted median shall be installed in off-street parking areas approximately every one hundred and thirty (130) linear feet in one (1) direction for vehicular surface areas exceeding 40,000 square feet. Other design options may be approved provided that the intent of "breaking up" large areas of parking is met. Saving existing interior trees may be credited toward this requirement. This requirement does not apply to vehicular display lots, vehicular rental lots and other similar lots.

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(4)        The size of the planting area and size of plant material at maturity shall allow for a two and one-half (2½) foot bumper overhang from the face back of the curb. Barriers, such as curbs or wheel stops, must be provided between vehicular use areas and landscaped areas.

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(5)        All sidewalks shall be at least five (5) feet from the trunks of large trees, unless otherwise approved by the Planning Director. For example, when the placement of the sidewalk would require the removal of an existing large tree to meet this requirement or where there is not enough space on the site to accommodate both the tree and the sidewalk, this requirement may be modified.

(6)        Parking lots shall be graded so that landscape islands do not impound water, unless surface impoundment is required as a method of on-site retention of stormwater. Landscape islands should be composed of well-prepared structured soil and thoroughly cultivated and amended so as to support healthy plant growth.

(7)        Preservation of existing groups, stands, or groves of trees, as well as isolated islands with single trees, is strongly encouraged (see Section 7.2.10, Allowable Modifications and Reductions).

(8)        Canopy trees shall be at least two (2) inches in caliper when installed.

(9)        Evergreen shrubs shall be at least eighteen (18) inches in height and minimum three (3) gallon container size at the time of installation.

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(10)       The standards for all plants in vehicular use areas shall conform to the American Standard for Nursery Stock published by the American Association of Nurserymen for that type of tree or shrub at the time of installation. (The selection and planting of trees and shrubs shall conform to the standards set forth in this publication or the Town's Community Appearance Manual, whichever is stricter).

(11)       Adequate drainage, mulching, and irrigation shall be provided for landscape medians and islands. If automatic underground irrigation systems are permitted, moisture sensor regulators, soil moisture sensors, or drip irrigation shall be used.

(12)       The property owner or developer shall provide for continuous maintenance of the landscaped areas after occupancy of the building. The property owner shall ensure that performance criteria within this Ordinance and/or included on the approved site and/or subdivision plan are met. Failure to correct deficiencies in a timely manner shall result in a citation for violation of this Ordinance in accordance with Chapter 11.

(D)        Screening Vehicular Use Areas

Where there is a vehicular use area between the thoroughfare and a permanent non-residential building, a semi-opaque screen or barrier shall be provided between the right-of-way and the vehicular use area. The screen or barrier may consist of plants, earthen berms, fences, walls, or any combination thereof, which meet the following requirements:

(1)        The screen shall occupy seventy-five (75) percent of the length of the vehicular use area, except for sidewalks and driveways that cut through the screen to connect the vehicular use area to streets and other properties. Shrubs shall be at least eighteeen (18) inches in height above the ground and healthy at the time of installation.

(2)        Berms may be used or installed in lieu or in addition to plantings. If the berm does not meet the performance standards of this section, then plant materials shall be installed which meet these standards. The installation of additional plant materials is encouraged so as to enhance the visual and aesthetic qualities of the streetscape. Plantings should be placed based upon topography of the site, usually at the top of the slope.

(3)        Berms must, at a minimum, be planted and maintained with a groundcover vegetation or grass that will permanently stabilize the soil.

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(4)        Shrubs, plantings, hedges, or walls shall provide an opaque screen or barrier for the first three (3) feet of height within three (3) years of planting.

(5)        Vehicular use areas used for the purpose of loading/unloading, and accessways to those areas shall be screened from views of streets and adjacent development.

(E)        Exceptions for Underground Parking and Above Ground Parking Structures

When parking is provided underground or within buildings, the above requirements shall not apply. However, if the parking is visible from a public right-of-way or adjacent property, then it shall be screened from views from streets and adjacent properties pursuant to subsection (D) above. Unless they are designed to look like, reflect the architectural style of, and blend in with the adjacent buildings, dense landscaping should visually separate all parking structures from the view of streets and adjacent property. If this is not possible, then the walls of the structure should be softened by the use of terracing, plantings, or other techniques.