[Ord. No. 1007 §16-228.01, 1-24-2001; Ord. No. 1091 §§1 — 3(App. A §415.060), 9-24-2003; Ord. No. 1260 §4, 5-21-2008]
A. 
The location of all trees twelve (12) inches or greater in diameter, measured at four and one-half (4½) feet above the ground, which are proposed to be removed, shall be shown on the landscape plan. Where the number of such trees on a site is so great as to make individual locations impractical, the location of groups or clusters of such trees, with the average size and approximate number, may be shown instead.
B. 
In addition to the minimum number of trees to be planted as set forth in Section 415.090, the appropriate number or amounts of shrubs, ground cover and/or turf area plantings that shall be included within each project shall be determined by the design criteria within each project as established by the City Planning Commission as they relate to visual safety, species used and landscape function.
C. 
With the exception of "R-1", "R-2", "RP-1" and "RP-2" zoning districts described in Chapter 405, Article III, Section 405.070 et seq., all plans submitted for approval of a landscape plan shall have the following information included:
1. 
North point and scale.
2. 
Topographic information and final grading adequate to identify and properly specify planting for areas needing slope protection.
3. 
The location, sizes and surface of materials of all structures and parking areas.
4. 
The location, size and type of all above ground and underground utilities and structures with proper notation, where appropriate, as to any safety hazards to avoid during landscaping installation.
5. 
The location, type, size and quantity of all proposed landscape materials, along with common and botanical names of all plant species. The size, grade and condition shall be specified according to American Association of Nurserymen Standards.
6. 
The location, size and common name of all existing plant materials to be retained on the site.
7. 
Mature sizes of plant material drawn to scale and called out on plan by common name or appropriate key.
8. 
Location of hose connections and other watering sources.
9. 
The location of all trees twelve (12) inches caliper or larger measured at four and one-half (4½) feet above ground level on site that are proposed for removal.
[Ord. No. 1007 §16-228.02, 1-24-2001; Ord. No. 1091 §§1 — 3(App. A §415.070), 9-24-2003; Ord. No. 1260 §5, 5-21-2008]
A. 
The purpose of such landscaping is:
1. 
To provide greenery to visually soften paved areas and buildings. To reduce energy consumption, enhance environmental well-being, make cool and inviting.
2. 
To establish desirable environmental conditions by providing shade, air purification, oxygen regeneration, ground water recharge, stormwater runoff retardation and noise, glare and heat abatement.
3. 
To ensure that the local stock of native trees is replenished, plant material shall generally be native or hardy to this region. Landscaping plans shall comply with Kansas State University Extension Office 10% rule, ensuring the future health of the landscape from infestation and disease epidemics in that no one (1) tree or variety of species should be more than ten percent (10%) of the total population.
4. 
To buffer and screen uncomplimentary land uses and enhance the quality and appearance over the entire site of the project.
[Ord. No. 1007 §16-228.03, 1-24-2001; Ord. No. 1091 §§1 — 3(App. A §415.080), 9-24-2003; Ord. No. 1260 §6, 5-21-2008]
As used in this Article, the following terms shall have these prescribed meanings:
DECIDUOUS TREES
Generally those trees which shed their leaves annually, such as Ash, Sycamore, Willow, etc.
EVERGREEN TREES
Generally those trees which do not shed their leaves annually, such as Pine, Spruce, Juniper, etc.
GROUND COVER
Landscaping materials or living low-growing plant, other than turf grass, installed in such a manner so as to form a continuous cover over the ground surface.
LANDSCAPE MATERIAL
Consists of such living material as trees, shrubs, ground cover/vines, turf grasses and non-living material such as rocks, pebbles, sand, bark, brick pavers, earthen mounds (excluding pavement) and/or other items of a decorative or embellishment nature such as fountains, pools, walls, fencing, sculpture, etc.
LANDSCAPED OPEN SPACE
All land area within the property lines not covered by building or pavement.
LARGE TREES
Generally include those species of trees that reach a height of seventy (70) feet or taller at maturity.
MEDIUM TREES
Generally thirty (30) to seventy (70) feet in height at maturity.
NATIVE GRASSES
Species of perennial grass other than those designated as noxious weeds by the State of Kansas Department of Agriculture and Entomology.
PRIVATE STREET SETBACK
That distance of open area between the curb line and the building setback line.
PUBLIC STREET SETBACK
That distance of open area between the street right-of-way line and the building setback line.
SHRUBS
Any self-supporting, woody plant of a species which normally grows to an overall height of less than fifteen (15) feet in this region.
SMALL TREES
Generally thirty (30) feet or less in height at maturity, including ornamental flowering trees and "patio" trees.
TREES
Any self-supporting, woody plant of a species which normally grows to an overall minimum height of fifteen (15) feet in this region.
TURF GRASS
A species of perennial grass grown as permanent lawns or for landscape purposes as distinguished from those species grown for agricultural or commercial seed purposes.
The American Standard for Nursery Stock, as published by the American Association of Nurserymen and incorporated by reference herein, shall be referred to in determining the applicability of the above definitions.
[Ord. No. 1007 §16-228.04, 1-24-2001; Ord. No. 1091 §§1 — 3(App. A §415.090), 9-24-2003; Ord. No. 1260 §7, 5-21-2008]
A. 
In all zones one (1) tree is required for each fifty (50) feet of street frontage or portion thereof. Said trees shall be planted within the landscape setback abutting said street frontage. Trees may be clustered or arranged within the setback and need not be placed evenly at fifty (50) foot intervals. In addition, provide one (1) tree for each dwelling unit or every three thousand (3,000) square feet of landscaped open space. In addition, provide one (1) tree for each twenty (20) cars of parking area located dispersed in the parking area not at the perimeter.
B. 
Supplementary to the minimum number of trees required as outlined in this Section, existing trees saved on the site during construction may be credited toward the minimum number required. Those existing trees shall be a minimum of four (4) inches caliper measured at four and one-half (4½) feet above the ground for medium and large deciduous species. Minimum size for ornamental and evergreen species shall be three (3) feet in height. All existing plant material saved shall be healthy and free of mechanical injury.
[Ord. No. 1007 §16-228.05, 1-24-2001; Ord. No. 1091 §§1 — 3(App. A §415.100), 9-24-2003; Ord. No. 1260 §8, 5-21-2008]
A. 
The minimum planting sizes for all plant material shall be the following:
1. 
Medium and large deciduous shade trees. Two (2) inch caliper as measured six (6) inches above the ground as specified by the American Association of Nurserymen.
2. 
Small deciduous or ornamental trees. Six (6) feet in height as specified by the American Association of Nurserymen, with the exception of true dwarf species.
3. 
Conifers. Five (5) to six (6) feet in height.
4. 
Upright evergreen trees. Six (6) feet in height as specified by the American Association of Nurserymen, except for true dwarf varieties.
5. 
Shrubs shall be of a size in keeping with the scale of the building and as approved by the Planning Commission.
6. 
Ground cover plants. Crowns, plugs, containers — in a manner as appropriate by species to provide fifty percent (50%) surface coverage after two (2) growing seasons.
7. 
Turf and native grass. Seeding as appropriate to provide complete coverage within the first (1st) growing season.
8. 
Sod. Except for single-family dwellings, all slopes of one (1) foot tall in four (4) feet horizontal distance or steeper and all turf areas within twenty (20) feet of a building and all areas within a public right-of-way shall be sodded.
B. 
The current "Preferred Tree Species for Northeast Kansas" as published by the Kansas Forest Service, is the accepted reference for planting selections.
[Ord. No. 1007 §16-228.06, 1-24-2001; Ord. No. 1091 §§1 — 3(App. A §415.110), 9-24-2003; Ord. No. 1260 §9, 5-21-2008]
A. 
The intent of this Section is to encourage interior landscaping within vehicular parking areas, to break up the large expanses of pavement and to provide relief from the reflected glare and heat, as well as to guide vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
B. 
All parking lots containing twenty-five (25) or more spaces shall include the following landscaping:
1. 
Not less than six percent (6%) of the interior of a parking lot shall be landscaped. The interior of a parking lot shall be calculated by multiplying the number of parking spaces by two hundred seventy (270) square feet. Planting which is required along the perimeter of a parking lot shall not be considered as part of the interior landscaping requirement.
2. 
The landscaping and planting areas shall be reasonably dispersed throughout the parking lots.
3. 
The interior dimensions of any planting area or planting median shall be sufficient to protect the landscaping materials planted therein and to ensure proper growth. Each area shall be protected by Portland cement concrete vertical curbs or similar structures.
4. 
The primary landscaping materials used in parking lots shall be trees which provide shade or are capable of providing shade at maturity. Shrubbery, hedges and other planting material may be used to complement the tree landscaping but shall not be the sole contribution to the landscaping. Effective use of earth berms and existing topography is also encouraged as a component of the landscaping plan.
5. 
In those instances where plant material exists on a parking lot site prior to its development, such landscape material may be used if approved as being free of mechanical injury and meeting the requirements in Section 415.090.
6. 
No landscaping, tree, shrub, fence, wall or similar item shall be placed in zones of ingress or egress at street corners or in the intersection of a public right-of-way that the traffic engineer determines is an obstruction to visibility, extends into sight lines as stated in Section 415.010 or is a traffic hazard.
[Ord. No. 1007 §16-228.07, 1-24-2001; Ord. No. 1091 §§1 — 3(App. A §415.120), 9-24-2003; Ord. No. 1260 §10, 5-21-2008]
A. 
All landscape material, living and non-living, shall be in place prior to issuance of final occupancy permit.
B. 
All plant material shall be healthy and in place prior to issuance of final occupancy permit. A temporary certificate may be issued without the installation, provided written assurances are given that the planting will take place when the proper season arrives.
[Ord. No. 1007 §16-228.08, 1-24-2001; Ord. No. 1091 §§1 — 3(App. A §415.130), 9-24-2003; Ord. No. 1260 §11, 5-21-2008]
A. 
The trees, shrubs and other landscaping materials depicted on plans approved by the City shall be considered as elements of the project in the same manner as parking, building materials and other details are elements of the plan.
B. 
The developer, his/her successor and/or subsequent owners and their agents shall be responsible for the continued maintenance.
C. 
Plant material which exhibits evidence of insects, pests, disease and/or damage shall be appropriately treated and dead plants promptly removed and replaced within the next planting season.
D. 
All landscaping will be subject to periodic inspection by the City's Building Official or his/her designee.
E. 
Should landscaping not be installed, maintained and replaced as needed to comply with the approved plan, the owner and his/her agent or agents shall be considered unlawful and in violation of the terms of the building or occupancy permit. The Building Official or his/her designee is empowered to enforce the terms of this Title.