City of Trenton, NJ Article XXVI Lighting and Landscaping

§ 315-208 Lighting guidelines.

All site plan applications shall include a lighting plan. The lighting plan shall include the location, type and height of light, standard, radius of light, manufacturer's specification sheet and intensity in footcandles for all proposed exterior lighting. All parking, loading and unloading areas and walkways thereto shall be adequately illuminated during the hours between sunset and sunrise when the use is in operation.

§ 315-209 Lighting design standards.

A. Lighting shall be designed so as not to create a hazard or nuisance to adjoining properties or the traveling public. It shall be designed so as to avoid light spillage beyond the property as as light pollution and glare above the property.

B. The use of energy-efficient light fixtures and bulbs shall be encouraged.

C. The following design standards shall be followed:

(1) The style of the light and light standard shall be consistent with the architectural style of the principal building within the area of development.

(2) The base of the light fixture shall be as close to grade as possible.

(3) The maximum height of freestanding lights shall be the same as the principal building, but not exceeding 25 feet.

(4) All lights shall be shielded to restrict the maximum apex angle of the cone of illumination to 150°.

(5) Where lights along property lines will be visible to adjacent residents, the lights shall be appropriately shielded.

(6) Spotlight-type fixtures attached to buildings should be avoided.

(7) Freestanding lights shall be so located and protected to avoid being easily damaged by vehicles.

(8) Lighting should be located along streets, parking areas, at intersections and where various types of circulation systems merge, intersect or split.

(9) Pathways and sidewalks shall be lighted.

(10) Stairways, sloping or rising paths and building entrances and exits shall be illuminated.

(11) The following intensity in footcandles shall be provided:

(a) Parking lots: a minimum of 0.5 footcandle throughout.

(b) Intersections: 1.0 footcandle.

(c) Maximum at property lines: 1.0 footcandle.

§ 315-210 Landscaping.

A. All site plans shall include a landscape plan. The landscape plan shall be professionally prepared and shall identify existing and proposed trees, shrubs, bushes, plant material, ground cover and natural features. Existing trees and mature landscape features on a site should be maintained to the maximum extent practicable. When existing natural growth is proposed to be retained, the application shall include in the plans proposed methods to protect the existing trees and growth during and after construction. These shall include fences, berms, curbing, tree wells and similar devices.

B. Proposed landscaping on a site shall accomplish the following objectives: shading of parking areas and walkways; ground cover consisting of planted materials or usable features such as seating, plazas or similar areas; erosion control; and attractive streetscapes and common areas.

C. The following landscape design standards shall be followed in the preparation of the landscape plan:

(1) Landscaping shall be located to provide for climate control. For example, shade trees on the south to shield the summer sun and evergreens on the north for wind breaks.

(2) Landscaping shall be used to accent and complement buildings.

(3) Landscaping shall be provided in public areas, recreational sites and adjacent to buildings and shall incorporate seating opportunities.

(4) Vines and climbing plants shall be considered for large expanses of walls.

(5) Massing trees at critical points rather than in a straight line at predetermined intervals along streets and varying tree types by neighborhood shall be considered.

(6) Smaller trees shall be used on narrow streets and drives.

(7) Ground cover shall be used to prevent erosion on slopes.

(8) A variety and mixture of landscaping shall be provided. The variety should consider susceptibility to disease, colors, seasons, textures, shapes, blossoms and foliage.

(9) Local soil conditions and water availability shall be considered in the choice of landscaping.

(10) The impact of any proposed landscaping plan at various time intervals shall be considered. For example, shrubs may grow and eventually block sight distances and foundation plants may eventually block window openings.

(11) Providing fewer larger specimens instead of more smaller ones shall be considered.

(12) Deciduous trees shall have straight single trunks of at least 2 1/2 inches caliper at planting, as measured three feet above ground level, and with the lowest branches at least four feet to six feet above the ground. Evergreens shall be at least four feet tall, and shrubs shall be at least two feet tall at planting. All trees shall be balled and burlapped.

(13) Street trees shall be planted in a minimum of a four-foot-square open base at intervals depending on the type:

(a) Large trees: interval of 40 feet to 50 feet.

(b) Medium trees: interval of 30 feet to 40 feet.

(c) Small and ornamental trees: interval of 20 feet to 30 feet.

(14) Entrances to site shall have special landscaping treatment.

(15) Existing large trees shall be saved by not varying the grade around the trees by more than six inches to 12 inches through the use of tree wells and by erecting protective fences. Maximum effort shall be made to save mature trees.

(16) In parking lots, at least 5% of the parking area shall be landscaped, and one tree for each 10 spaces shall be installed. The landscaping should be located in protected areas, along walkways, center islands and at the end of bays. In narrow islands, low spreading plants are appropriate.

(17) Landscaped screening and/or attractive fencing shall be provided as a buffer between off-street parking, loading and service areas and sidewalks, streets and alleys.

(18) All landscaping in parking areas shall be carefully located so as not to obstruct vision. A variety of different types of trees shall be grouped to break up the mass of cars.