The following standards are intended to assure an acceptable
degree of landscaping, screening, and buffering between land uses,
particularly between residential and nonresidential uses, providing
a balance between developed uses and open space, enhancing the visual
and aesthetic appearance of the community, and encouraging preservation
of existing natural features. Specifically, these regulations are
intended to:
A. Encourage the landscaping of developments and to dissuade
the unnecessary clearing and disturbing of land so as to preserve
the natural and existing growth of flora and to replace removed flora
or plan new flora indigenous to the region.
B. Provide natural visual screening of parking areas and along
property boundaries to protect the existing visual quality of adjacent
lands.
C. Reduce surface runoff and minimize soil erosion through
the natural filtering capability of landscaped areas.
D. Provide natural buffers that reduce glare and noise, and
protect wetlands, stream corridors and other significant environmental
features.
E. Moderate the microclimate of parking areas by providing
shade, absorbing reflected heat from paved surfaces and creating natural
wind breaks.
F. Enhance the overall environmental and aesthetic quality
of the community in order to provide a healthful and pleasant atmosphere
for Village residents and visitors.
All nonresidential uses must reserve a minimum of 30% of the
total lot area in green space and landscaping. All landscaped areas
are subject to the following standards:
A. Perimeter landscaping. Landscaping shall be required along
the perimeter of projects, or within the required setbacks, and shall
be provided except where driveways or other openings may be required.
The Planning Board may consider alternatives to the location of landscaping
materials, based on the existing character of the neighborhood. For
large development projects such as shopping centers, perimeter landscaping
shall apply to the full perimeter of the project, and not to internal
property lines. The linear feet guidelines below are to be used to
calculate the number of required plantings; they do not require that
plantings be uniformly spaced. Rather, grouping of plants consistent
with accepted landscape practice is encouraged. Specific requirements
are as follows:
(1)
At least one tree for each 40 linear feet of the
perimeter of the lot; and
(2)
At least one shrub for each 10 linear feet of the
perimeter of the lot.
B. Street trees. All streets and roads within the Village
shall be lined with trees unless important scenic views or visibility
by traffic would be obstructed.
(1)
Trees should be placed between the sidewalk and curb
to form a protective row that makes pedestrians feel safely separated
from traffic. Trees should be spaced no more than 30 feet apart in
areas with slow speed limits, and no more than 40 feet apart and slightly
back from the road in higher speed situations. Residential street
trees should be placed close to the road and to each other to create
a park-like canopy.
(2)
Street trees should be hardy, deciduous varieties
that are salt and drought resistant, free of droppings that mar sidewalks
and cars, and tall enough to frame the street and not block the view
of storefronts.
C. Building foundations. Building foundations shall be planted
with ornamental plant material, such as ornamental trees, flowering
shrubs, perennials, and ground covers. The arrangement of said landscaping
shall be arranged along the front facade as well as any facades visible
from the public right-of-way. Trees and shrubs shall be provided according
to the following requirements:
(1)
At least one tree for each 30 linear feet of the
perimeter of the building; and
(2)
At least one shrub for each five linear feet of the
perimeter of the building.
D. Parking areas. Parking lots containing 10 or more spaces
shall be internally landscaped, so as to provide shade and screening,
and facilitate the safe and efficient movement of traffic. The area
designated as required setbacks shall not be included as part of the
required landscaping. Plantings shall be spaced and grouped consistent
with accepted nursery standards and shall not be located in a manner
that impedes driver visibility. Specific requirements are as follows:
(1)
A landscaped buffer at least 10 feet in width must
be provided between a parking lot and the public rights-of-way;
(2)
A minimum of one landscaped island, at least 162
square feet in size, shall be provided for every 10 parking spaces
contained within each single row of parking. Islands shall be planted
with trees and shrubs with a minimum of one tree per 10 parking spaces;
(3)
End islands shall be required for all parking configurations
entirely surrounded by drive aisles, provided such configurations
contain more than five spaces in a single row and 10 spaces in a double
row. End islands shall completely separate the parking spaces from
the drive aisle;
(4)
Landscaped parking lot medians, a minimum of 10 feet
in width, shall be used to completely separate driveway entrance aisles
from parking areas;
(5)
All landscaped areas shall be no less than eight
feet in average width;
(6)
All plant material adjacent to parking areas, loading
areas, and driveways shall be protected by barriers, curbs, or other
means to prevent damage from vehicles; and
(7)
Plantings shall present a clear view of any driving
lane within 15 feet.
E. Screening requirements.
(1)
A fence without landscaping shall not be considered
a buffer.
(2)
A landscaped barrier at least 10 feet in width shall
be provided to screen vehicular activity from adjacent properties.
If there is insufficient space to accommodate a ten-foot landscaped
area, the Planning Board may allow screening to consist of a wall,
fence, berm, hedge, or other plant materials or combinations thereof
no less than five feet high.
It shall be the responsibility of the property owner and/or
lessee to maintain the quality of all plant material, non-plant landscaping,
and irrigation systems used in conjunction with the landscaping.
A. Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, watering,
weeding, mowing (including trimming at the base of fencing), fertilizing,
mulching, proper pruning, and removal and replacement of dead or diseased
trees and shrubs on a regular basis.
B. All landscaping and plant material that is missing, dead,
decaying, or injured as of September 30 shall be replaced by June
30 of the following year at the owner's expense. The replacement
shall be of the same species and size unless otherwise approved by
the Code Enforcement Officer.
C. Irrigation systems shall be designed to minimize spray
on buildings, neighboring properties, roads or sidewalks, maintained
in proper operating condition, and conserve water to the greatest
extent feasible through proper watering techniques.
D. Improper maintenance shall be determined through periodic
inspection by the Code Enforcement Officer. The Code Enforcement Officer
may require a review and status report of plantings by a professional
landscaper, arborist, or engineer. All reasonable costs for review
and determination shall be at the expense of the property owner.
In any district, all dumpsters, service areas or mechanical
units used or intended to be used for any building or land use other
than single-family and two-family dwelling units, shall be subject
to the following:
A. All dumpsters, service areas and mechanicals must be located
behind the front building line; and
B. All dumpsters, service areas and mechanicals shall be screened
from view with either a wall, a solid fence or a combination of fencing
and evergreens creating a solid visual barrier from adjacent properties
and the public right-of-way. Said barrier shall be a height of at
least five feet above grade level on all sides where the adjacent
land is in a residential district or a residential use.