[9-4-2018]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish landscaping requirements and other regulations intended to preserve and maintain vegetation within in a manner that promotes the natural resource protection, aesthetic, and public health goals of the City.
(1) 
The requirements of this section shall not apply retroactively to existing buildings, structures, or paved areas, including requirements for bufferyards.
(2) 
Any use for which site plan approval is required under § 5-10-31(2) shall provide landscaping in accordance with the regulations of this section, including the following development:
(a) 
New buildings and paved areas.
(b) 
Expansions of existing buildings that exceed 50% of the existing floor area of the building.
(c) 
Expansions of paved areas that exceed 50% of the existing paved area.
(d) 
In the case of expansions, only the new portion of building or paved area shall provide landscaping per the requirements of this chapter.
(3) 
Where insufficient site area remains to comply with all provisions of this section, the City may require compliance to the greatest extent practical.
(4) 
This chapter is designed to encourage preservation of existing plants on the site by granting them double point values per § 5-8-4.
(5) 
Single-family, two-family, agricultural land uses, and all uses in the Central Mixed-Use Zoning District are exempt from landscaping requirements.
(6) 
Changes to the landscaping plan. The City may allow or require changes to the landscaping plan of § 5-8-3 or the landscaping requirements of § 5-8-4, as provided for below.
(a) 
The Zoning Administrator and the Plan Commission shall have the authority to allow alterations or substitutions of one type of plant for another to the landscaping requirements as long as the altered requirements achieve an equivalent or greater level of landscaping on a site. Such alternations or substitutions may be based on the following:
1. 
Unusual conditions.
2. 
The consideration of landscape architecture approaches.
3. 
The preservation of existing trees.
4. 
The consideration of Wisconsin native landscaping.
5. 
When larger size plantings are provided as part of the overall landscape plan.
6. 
When more shrubs may be appropriate versus more trees, and vice versa.
7. 
Utility or other easements.
(b) 
The Zoning Administrator and the Plan Commission shall have the authority to require the modification of any landscaping plan, including the rearrangement of landscaping points on a site, to better meet aesthetic, environmental, and stormwater objectives.
The applicant shall provide a landscaping plan drawn at a reasonable scale to clearly delineate the landscape improvements and depict the following, at the discretion of the Zoning Administrator:
(1) 
The name and address of the developer/owner, name of architect/designer, date of plan preparation, date and description of all revisions, name of project or development, scale of plan, and North point indication.
(2) 
All property lines and easements.
(3) 
Zoning of the subject property and abutting properties.
(4) 
The location, size, and type (common and botanical) of all existing plant material on the site and designation of all trees and shrubs to be saved and/or removed.
(5) 
The location, quantity, size at planting, and type (common and botanical) of all proposed plant material. All plants shall be drawn at the spread they will achieve at maturity.
(6) 
The number of landscaping points per Figure 5-8-4d for all plant material.
(7) 
Linear feet of the new/expanded building foundation and street frontage.
(8) 
Square footage of the total lot and new/expanded paved area.
Landscaping shall be provided based on the following requirements for street frontages, paved areas, and bufferyards.
(1) 
Building foundations.
(a) 
For every 100 linear feet of building foundation, the landscaping installed shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 5-8-4d.
(b) 
Shade trees and tall trees shall not be used to meet building foundation landscaping requirements.
(c) 
Building foundation landscaping shall be placed so that at maturity, the plant's drip line is located within 10 feet of the building foundation.
(d) 
Building expansions shall be subject to the same landscaping formula requirements as new buildings (see Figure 5-8-4a). The formula shall not be applied to portions of the building foundation developed prior to the adoption of this Title 5.
(e) 
The measurement of the building foundation may be simplified as the smallest single rectangle that contains the entire building perimeter, except that the sides of the building facing an adjacent public street, where the actual perimeter shall be measured.
(2) 
Paved areas.
(a) 
For every 10 off-street parking stalls or 10,000 square feet of pavement (whichever yields the greater landscaping requirement), landscaping shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 5-8-4a.
(b) 
Paved area landscaping shall be placed so that at maturity, the plant's drip line is located within 10 feet of the paved area. Landscaping area does not have to be provided in one contiguous area. Plants used to fulfill this requirement shall visually screen parking, loading, and circulation areas from view from public streets.
(c) 
A minimum of 30% of all points shall be devoted to medium or tall trees, or a combination of such trees, and a minimum of 40% of all points shall be devoted to shrubs.
(d) 
Parking lot design.
1. 
Landscaped medians shall be used to break large parking areas into distinct pods, with a maximum of 100 spaces in any one pod.
2. 
Parking spaces must be broken by a tree island at the rate of one island for each linear row of 12 parking spaces for single-row or peninsula configurations, or for each 24 parking spaces in double row configurations.
3. 
All tree islands and landscaped areas with trees shall have a minimum width of nine feet as measured from outside the curb or frame.
4. 
All landscaped areas without trees, but planted with shrubs, shall have a minimum width of three feet measured from inside the curb or frame.
(e) 
Landscaping used to comply with the parking lot screening requirements of § 5-7-11(9) shall count toward the landscaping requirements of this section.
(f) 
Paved area expansions shall be subject to the same landscaping formula requirements as new paved areas (see Figure 5-8-4a). The formula shall not be applied to paved areas developed prior to the adoption of this Title 5.
(3) 
Street frontages.
(a) 
For every 100 linear feet of street frontage of a developed lot abutting a public street right-of-way, the landscaping installed shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 5-8-4a.
(b) 
Street frontage landscaping shall be placed so that at maturity, the plant's drip line is located within 10 feet of the public street right-of-way.
(c) 
Unless meeting the requirements in Subsection (3)(e), below, landscaping shall not be located within a public right-of-way. Landscaping shall not impede vehicle or pedestrian visibility. See § 5-7-5.
(d) 
Shrubs shall not be used to meet street frontage landscaping requirements. All required points shall be devoted to a combination of medium deciduous trees and tall deciduous trees.
(e) 
The City may require the street frontage landscaping to be placed within the right-of-way and may collect fees to purchase and install such landscaping.
(4) 
Yards.
(a) 
For every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area of all principal and accessory buildings on the site, the landscaping installed shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 5-8-4a.
(b) 
The intent of this section is to provide yard shade and to require a visual screen of a minimum of six feet in height for all detached exterior appurtenances (such as HVAC, utility boxes, standpipes, stormwater discharge pipes and other pipes).
(c) 
Landscaping required by this section is most effective if located away from other areas required for landscaping such as building foundations, street frontages, paved areas, protected green space areas, or bufferyards.
(d) 
Building expansions shall be subject to the same landscaping formula requirements as new buildings (see Figure 5-8-4a). The formula shall not be applied to portions of buildings developed prior to the adoption of this Title 5.
(5) 
Bufferyards. A bufferyard is a combination of distance and a visual buffer or barrier. It includes an area, together with the combination of plantings, berms, and fencing that are required to eliminate or reduce existing or potential nuisances (e.g., dirt, litter, noise, glare, signs, and incompatible land uses, buildings, or parking areas).
(a) 
The required level of bufferyard opacity is listed in Figure 5-8-4b. Detailed bufferyard requirements are listed in Figure 5-8-4c. Opacity is a quantitatively derived measure which indicates the degree to which a particular bufferyard screens the abutting property. The required level of opacity indicated is directly related to the degree to which the potential character of development differs between different zoning districts.
(b) 
Bufferyards shall be located along (and within) the outer perimeter of a lot wherever two different zoning districts abut one another. Bufferyards shall not be required in front yards or along public street frontages.
(c) 
To ensure that the year-round screening objectives are fulfilled, only the plant classifications in Figure 5-8-5b listed as "Appropriate for Screening" shall count toward bufferyard point totals, unless nonscreening plants are used in combination with a solid fence or a berm of six feet or more, in accordance with Figure 5-8-4c.
(d) 
Reduction of required bufferyard width.
1. 
Intent. This subsection is intended to allow for the reduction of the required width of a required bufferyard where the presence of permanently protected green space or similar areas provides equivalent permanent screening and separation benefits as would be provided by the otherwise required bufferyard.
2. 
Where the minimum permitted width for the required bufferyard is not available under the current or proposed state of development, the Zoning Administrator may reduce the width required for the bufferyard to that currently available on the site, provided that the portion of the site that requires a bufferyard contains one or more of the following:
a. 
Steep slopes that contain retaining walls or rip-rap.
b. 
Permanently undevelopable green space or other permanently protected green space designated on site plans such as a native or restored prairies or park savannas, wetlands, bodies of water, floodplains, drainageways, upland woods, stormwater basins, or other natural resource protection areas, including areas protected by covenants or conversation easements.
3. 
If permanently protected green space is located on an adjoining property adjacent to the portion of a site that requires a bufferyard, the Zoning Administrator may reduce the width required for the bufferyard. The reduction shall consist of no more than one foot for every three feet of permanently protected green space on the adjoining property, as measured from the property line at a right angle into said adjacent property. There shall be no reduction in the number of landscape points required.
(e) 
Use of required bufferyard and landscaped areas.
1. 
Any and all required bufferyards or landscaped areas may be used for passive recreation activities. Said areas may contain pedestrian or bike trails provided that no required landscaping material is eliminated; the total width of the required bufferyard, or the total area of required landscaping, is maintained; and all other regulations of this chapter are met.
2. 
No swimming pools, tennis courts, sports fields, golf courses, or other such similar active recreational uses shall be permitted.
3. 
No parking, buildings, outdoor light fixtures, and no outdoor display of storage of materials shall be permitted.
4. 
Paving in such areas shall be limited to that required for necessary access to or across the subject property or for a passive recreational use such as paved multiuse trails or pedestrian walkways.
(6) 
Determination of landscaping requirements.
(a) 
The requirements of this chapter are additive to each other and any other landscaping or screening requirements in this chapter.
(b) 
Landscape points used to meet one requirement (e.g., building foundations, paved areas, street frontages, yards, or bufferyards) shall not be used to meet another requirement.
(7) 
Measurement and calculation.
(a) 
Landscaping point values shall be doubled for mature existing landscape plantings that are retained and protected with the development of the site. Existing plantings eligible for double point values shall be determined by the Zoning Administrator.
(b) 
In calculating the number of required landscaping points under the provisions of this chapter, all areas and distances on which required calculations are based shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number of square feet or linear feet.
(c) 
Any partial plant derived from the required calculations of this chapter (for example: 23.3 shade trees) shall be rounded up to the next whole plant (for example: 24 shade trees).
(8) 
Utility easements. Landscaping materials, fences and berms located within a duly recorded utility, stormwater, or a pedestrian easement shall not count toward meeting a landscaping requirement, unless authorized otherwise by the City and the easement holder. The width of such areas may be counted as part of a landscaping width requirement for bufferyards.
(9) 
Other green space areas. Green space areas not used for landscape plantings other than natural resource protection areas shall be graded and seeded or sodded with an acceptable maintainable seed mix, restored to native vegetation. Mulch of plantings or planting beds is acceptable, provided that such mulching consists of organic or natural materials. Mulches shall be installed so that they will not erode, fall, be plowed or otherwise transported into walks, drives, streets or other hard surfaced portions of the site. Alternatively, such areas may be maintained in crop production if a principal use exists on-site and if approved by the Zoning Administrator.
Figure 5-8-4a: Landscaping Requirements for Regular Development*
Landscaping Component
Building Foundation
Paved Areas
Street Frontages
Yards
Bufferyards
Type of Landscaping:
Shade trees and tall trees not allowed
A minimum of 40% of points devoted shrubs and 30% to tall and/or medium trees
Shrubs not allowed. All points to be devoted to tall and/or medium deciduous trees
Any type allowed
See types "Appropriate for Screening" in Figure 5-8-5b
Placement of Landscaping:
Within 10 feet of building foundation
Within 10 feet of paved area or within paved area
Within 10 feet of street right-of-way
Any location
Within bufferyard, per Figure 5-8-4f
Calculation of Landscaping Points:
Points per 100 linear feet of building foundation
Greater of: points per 10 parking stalls or 10,000 square feet of paved area
Points per 100 feet of street right-of-way frontage
Points per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area for all buildings on lot
See Figure 5-8-4f
Zoning Districts:
Rural Holding (RH-35)
20
20
20
10
Only required along certain zoning district boundaries
See Figure 5-8-4b for requirements
Single-Family Res. (SR-3)
40
40
40
20
Single-Family Res. (SR-4)
40
40
40
20
Single-Family Res. (SR-5)
40
40
40
20
Single-Family Res. (SR-7)
40
40
40
20
Duplex Res. (DR-8)
50
50
50
25
One and Two Fam. Res. (TR-10)
50
50
50
25
Multi-Family Res. (MR-15)
60
60
60
30
Multi-Family Res. (MR-30)
80
80
80
40
Mobile Home Res. (MH-7)
40
40
40
20
Neigh. Mixed Use (NMU)
40
40
40
20
Institutional (I)
40
40
40
20
Suburban Mixed Use (SMU)
40
40
40
20
Urban Mixed Use (UMU)
40
40
40
20
Central Mixed Use (CMU)
0
0
0
0
Intensive Outdoor (IOA)
40
40
40
20
Business Park (BP)
40
40
40
20
Light Industrial (LI)
25
25
25
15
Heavy Industrial (HI)
20
20
20
10
Extraction (EX)
20
20
20
10
*Note: Single-family dwelling units, two-family dwelling units, and agricultural land uses are exempt from landscaping requirements.
Figure 5-8-4b: Required Bufferyard Opacity Values
Apply the required opacity value from this Figure to Figure 5-8-4c and select the most appropriate bufferyard option. Note that certain land uses, conditional uses, and planned development projects may have more stringent bufferyard requirements
RH-35
SR-3
SR-4
SR-5
SR-7
DR-8
TR-10
MR-15
MR-30
MH-7
NMU
I
SMU
UMU
CMU
IOA
BP
LI
HI
EX
Zoning District of Subject Property:
Rural Holding (RH-35)
*
Single Family Residential-3 (SR-3)
*
0
Single Family Residential-4 (SR-4)
*
0
0
Single Family Residential-5 (SR-5)
*
0
0
0
Single Family Residential-7 (SR-7)
*
0
0
0
0
Duplex Residential (DR-8)
*
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0
One and Two Family Residential (TR-10)
*
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0
Multi-Family Residential-15 (MR-15)
*
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.1
0
Multi-Family Residential-30 (MR-30)
*
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.1
0
Mobile Home Residential (MH-7)
*
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.1
0
Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU)
*
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0
Institutional (I)
*
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.1
0
Suburban Mixed Use (SMU)
*
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.1
0
Urban Mixed Use (UMU)
*
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.3
0.1
0.1
0
Central Mixed Use (CMU)
*
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.3
0.1
0.1
0.1
0
Intensive Outdoor Activity (IOA)
*
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.5
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.2
0
Business Park (BP)
*
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.4
0.2
0.1
0.1
0.1
0
0
Light Industrial (LI)
*
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.5
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0.2
0
Heavy Industrial (HI)
*
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.5
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.2
0
Extraction (EX)
*
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
0
*
For properties zoned RH-35, base bufferyard requirements on the proposed zoning district for said property as depicted on the Future Land Use Map in the City of Monroe Comprehensive Plan.
Figure 5-8-4c: Detailed Bufferyard Requirements
Opacity
Required Number of Landscaping Points per 100 feet
Required Minimum Width
(feet)
Required Structure
0.05
00
10
Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
00
10
Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
40
10
N/A
36
15
N/A
33
20
N/A
31
25
N/A
29
30
N/A
0.10
00
10
Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
38
10
Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
91
10
N/A
80
15
N/A
73
20
N/A
68
25
N/A
65
30
N/A
62
35
N/A
00
35
Minimum 4-foot berm
0.20
00
10
Minimum 6-foot solid fence*
84
10
Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
133
15
Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
198
15
N/A
173
20
N/A
158
25
N/A
149
30
N/A
140
35
N/A
10
35
Minimum 4-foot berm
135
40
N/A
00
40
Minimum 5-foot berm
0.30
00
10
Minimum 6-foot solid fence*
198
15
Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
320
20
N/A
240
20
Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
276
25
N/A
252
30
N/A
235
35
N/A
104
35
Minimum 4-foot berm
223
40
N/A
44
40
Minimum 5-foot berm
215
45
N/A
209
50
N/A
00
50
Minimum 6-foot berm
0.40
53
10
Minimum 6-foot solid fence*
330
20
Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
440
25
N/A
362
25
Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
385
30
N/A
349
35
N/A
208
35
Minimum 4-foot berm
327
40
N/A
148
40
Minimum 5-foot berm
310
45
N/A
299
50
N/A
56
50
Minimum 6-foot berm
0.50
150
10
Minimum 6-foot solid fence*
564
30
N/A
405
30
Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
492
30
Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
499
35
N/A
319
35
Minimum 4-foot berm
454
40
N/A
261
40
Minimum 5-foot berm
422
45
N/A
405
50
N/A
160
50
Minimum 6-foot berm
388
55
N/A
374
60
N/A
0.60
250
10
Minimum 6-foot solid fence*
433
35
Minimum 4-foot berm
541
35
Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
630
35
Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
626
40
N/A
379
40
Minimum 5-foot berm
570
45
N/A
525
50
N/A
270
50
Minimum 6-foot berm
500
55
N/A
480
60
N/A
0.80
415
30
Minimum 6-foot solid fence*
655
40
Minimum 4-foot berm
627
45
Minimum 5-foot berm
873
45
Minimum 44-inch picket fence*
910
50
N/A
505
50
Minimum 6-foot berm
809
50
Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence*
804
55
N/A
744
60
N/A
710
65
N/A
677
70
N/A
1.00
636
40
Minimum 8-foot solid fence
732
50
Minimum 8-foot solid fence
751
50
Minimum 8-foot solid fence
867
55
Minimum 8-foot solid fence
1091
60
Minimum 8-foot solid fence
1136
60
Minimum 8-foot solid fence
1083
65
Minimum 8-foot solid fence
994
70
Minimum 8-foot solid fence
934
75
Minimum 8-foot solid fence
892
80
Minimum 8-foot solid fence
Notes: *Fences contributing to landscaping requirements are not permitted along street frontages for nonresidential uses. Where used in combination with plant materials to meet bufferyard requirements, a minimum of 50% of all plant materials shall be located on the exterior side (the side away from the center of the subject property) of the fence. A building wall which does not contain doors (except those used for emergency exit) may be used to satisfy the required fence portions of the bufferyard requirements.
Figure 5-8-4d; Landscaping Points
Plant Category
Landscaping Points Per Plant1
Minimum Permitted Installation Size
Shade tree
50
1 1/4" diameter
Tall deciduous tree
30
1 1/4" diameter
Medium deciduous tree
15
1 1/4" diameter
Low deciduous tree
10
1 1/4" diameter
Tall evergreen tree
40
4' tall
Medium evergreen tree
20
4' tall
Low evergreen tree
12
4' tall
Tall deciduous shrub
5
12" tall
Medium deciduous shrub
3
12" tall
Low deciduous shrub
1
12" tall
Medium evergreen shrub
5
12" tall/wide
Low evergreen shrub
3
12" tall/wide
Noncontributory plants
0
N/A
Source: A Guide to Selecting Landscape Plants for Wisconsin, E.R. Hasselkus, UW-Extension Publication: A2865
1
Point values will be increased by 10% for the use of Wisconsin native plant species
Species suitable for landscaping and compatible with local climate and soil factors are listed in Figure 5-8-5a. Plant species native to Wisconsin are noted by an asterisk (*). This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and the Zoning Administrator shall review proposals for the applicability of species not listed and is authorized to approve appropriate similar species. See Figure 5-8-5b for species appropriate for specific and common landscaping situations (e.g., planting under power lines), and Figure 5-8-5c for a list of species to use sparingly or to avoid.
Figure 5-8-5a: Commonly Used Appropriate Landscaping Species
Plant Category
Landscaping Point Value Per Plant
Common Name
Scientific Name
Shade trees
55
Maple (red)
Acer spp.*
Shade trees
50
Birch (river, paper)
Betula spp.
Shade trees
50
Linden (basswood, redmond, little leaf)
Tilia spp.
Shade trees
50
Elms (hybrids)
Ulmus spp.
Shade trees
55
Oak (white)
Quercus spp.*
Shade trees
50
Honey locust (male cultivars)
Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis
Tall deciduous trees
30
Chanticleer pear
Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'
Tall deciduous trees
33
Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis*
Tall deciduous trees
30
Chinkapin oak
Quercus muehlenbergii
Tall deciduous trees
30
Ginkgo (male cultivars)
Ginkgo biloba
Tall deciduous trees
30
State Street miyabe maple
Acer miyabei 'Morton'
Medium deciduous trees
15
Paperbark maple
Acer griseum
Medium deciduous trees
16.5
Serviceberry
Amelanchier*
Medium deciduous trees
15
Winter king hawthorn
Crataegus viridis
Medium deciduous trees
16.5
Hornbeam (musclewood)
Carpinus caroliniana*
Medium deciduous trees
16.5
Ironwood/hophornbeam
Ostrya virginiana*
Medium deciduous trees
15
Callery pear
Pyrus calleryana
Low deciduous trees
11
Hazelnut
Corylus spp.*
Low deciduous trees
10
Flowering crabapples
Malus spp.
Low deciduous trees
10
Japanese tree lilac
Syringa reticulata
Tall evergreen trees
40
Firs
Abies spp.
Tall evergreen trees
44
Black hills spruce
Picea glauca var. densata*
Tall evergreen trees
40
Serbian spruce
Picea omorika
Tall evergreen trees
44
Pine (except Austrian)
Pinus spp. (not nigra)*
Tall/medium evergreen
33
Juniper (red cedar)
Juniperus virginiana*
Tall/medium evergreen
33
Arborvitae
Thuja spp.*
Tall/medium evergreen
33
Eastern hemlock
Tsuga canadensis*
Low evergreen trees
12
Juniper (Mountbatten)
Juniperus chinensis
Tall deciduous shrubs
5
Elderberry
Sambucus candensis "aurea"
Tall deciduous shrubs
5.5
Dogwood (gray, pagoda)
Cornus spp.*
Medium deciduous shrubs
3
Weigela
Weigela spp.
Medium deciduous shrubs
3
Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster spp.
Medium deciduous shrubs
3
Forsythia (Virgina, rugosa)
Forsythia
Medium deciduous shrubs
3.3
Shrub Rose
Rosa spp.*
Medium deciduous shrubs
3.3
Viburnum (arrowwood, warfaring tree, nannyberry)
Viburnum spp.*
Medium deciduous shrubs
3.3
Potentilla
Potentilla spp.*
Medium deciduous shrubs
3.3
Bush honeysuckle
Diervilla spp.*
Medium deciduous shrubs
3
Ninebark
Physocarpus spp.
Low deciduous shrubs
1
Azalea
Rhododendron (Azalea) spp.
Low deciduous shrubs
1.1
Gro-low sumac
Rbus aromatica*
Tall-medium evergreen shrubs
5
Juniper (Pfitzer)
Juniperus x pfitzeriana
Tall-medium evergreen shrubs
5
Yew (Japanese)
Taxus spp.
Low evergreen shrubs
2
Boxwood
Buxus spp.
Low evergreen shrubs
2
Juniper (sergeant, creeping, andorra)
Juniperus spp.
Perennial plantings
22/20 sf
Coneflower
Echinacea spp.*
Perennial plantings
20/20 sf
Catmint
Nepeta spp.
Perennial plantings
22/20 sf
Black-eyed susan
Rudbeckia birta*
Perennial plantings
20/20 sf
Lily
Lilium spp.
Perennial plantings
20/20 sf
Daylily
Hemerocallis spp.
Perennial plantings
20/20 sf
Ornamental grass
varies
Perennial plantings
20/20 sf
Lady's mantel
Alchemilla spp.
Perennial plantings
22/20 sf
Columbine
Aquilegia spp.*
Perennial plantings
22/20 sf
Aster
Aster spp.*
Perennial plantings
20/20 sf
Jack frost
Brunnera macrophylla
Perennial plantings
22/20 sf
Blazing star
Liatris spp.*
Perennial plantings
20/20 sf
Black bugbane
Cimicifuga simplex "Brunette"
Perennial plantings
20/20 sf
Peony
Paeonia spp.
Perennial plantings
20/20 sf
Pachysandra
Pachysandra spp.
Perennial plantings
22/20 sf
Stonecrops
Sedum spp.*
Perennial plantings
20/20 sf
Astilbe
Astilbe spp.
Perennial plantings
20/20 sf
Hosta
Hosta spp.
*
Wisconsin native plant species, identified with an asterisk, are preferred plant materials; an additional 10% has been added to their respective point values.
Figure 5-8-5b: Sample Plant Species Appropriate for Specific Situations
Classification
Landscaping Point Value Per Plant
Common Name
Scientific Name
Appropriate for planting under power lines
Low deciduous tree
Flowering crabapple
Malus spp.
Low deciduous tree
Japanese tree lilac
Syringa reticulata
Appropriate for utility easements
Low deciduous tree
Japanese tree lilac
Syringa reticulata
Medium deciduous shrub
Viburnum (arrowwood, warfaring tree, nannyberry)
Viburnum spp.
Low evergreen shrub
Boxwood
Buxus spp.
Appropriate for screening
Tall evergreen tree
Firs
Abies spp.
Tall evergreen tree
Juniper (red cedar)
Juniperus virginiana
Tall evergreen tree
Spruces
Picea spp.
Tall evergreen tree
Pines
Pinus spp.
Tall evergreen tree
Douglas fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca
Tall evergreen tree
Eastern hemlock
Tsuga canadensis
Medium evergreen tree
Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis
Salt-tolerant
Shade tree/tall or medium deciduous tree (varies by species)
Maple
Acer spp.
Shade tree
Sweet gum
Liquidambar styraciflua
Shade tree (not street)
European horse chestnut
Aesculus hippocastranum
Shade tree
White oak
Quercus alba
Low deciduous tree
Flowering crabapples
Malus spp.
Low deciduous tree
Crape myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica
Deciduous tree
Honey locust
Gleditsia triacanthos
Tall deciduous shrub
Dogwood (gray, pagoda)
Cornus spp.
Tall deciduous shrub
Japanese tree lilac
Syringa reticulata
Tall deciduous shrub
Common lilac
Syringa vulgaris
Medium deciduous shrub
Barberry
Berberis spp.
Medium deciduous shrub
Viburnum
Adoxaceae
Medium deciduous shrub
Forsythia (Virgina, rugosa)
Forsythia spp.
Medium deciduous shrub
Rugosa rose
Rosa rugosa
Small deciduous shrub
Potentilla
Cinquefoils
Low deciduous shrub
Azalea
Azalea spp.
Low deciduous shrub
Apline current
Ribes alpinum
Low deciduous shrub
Snowberry
Symphoricarpos
Tall evergreen tree
American holly
Ilex opaca
Tall deciduous shrub
Staghorn sumac
Rhus typhina
Tall deciduous shrub
Mockorange
Philadelphus
Tall/medium evergreen shrub
Pfitzer juniper
Juniperus x pfitzeriana
Tall/medium evergreen shrub
Yew (Japanese)
Taxus spp.
Low evergreen shrub
Boxwood
Buxus spp.
Figure 5-8-5c: Prohibited Species and Species to Use Sparingly
Classification
Common Name
Scientific Name
Prohibited2 or Use Sparingly1
Reason
Alternative
Shade tree
Nonresistant elms
Ulmus spp.
Prohibited
Dutch elm disease
Disease Resistant
Elm cultivars:'Princeton,'
'Valley Forge,' and
'New Harmony'
Littleleaf Linden
Tilia cordata, (urban tolerant)
Kentucky Coffeetree
Gymnocaldus dioicus
River birch
Betula nigra
Oaks
Quercus spp.
Shade tree
Boxelder
Acer negundo
Prohibited
Spread quickly
Shade tree
Freeman maple
Acer x freemanii
Prohibited
Over-planted
Shade tree
Norway maples
Acer platanoides
Prohibited
Over-planted, dense
Shade tree
Red maples
Acer rubrum
Use spairngly
Prefer acidic soil
Shade tree
Sugar maples
Acer saccharum
Use sparingly
Thrives only in certain conditions; picky
Shade tree
Silver maple
Acer saccharinum
Prohibited
Weak wood and aggressive root systems
Tall deciduous tree
Autumn blaze maple
Acer truncatum
Use sparingly
Over-planted
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba
Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis
Chanticleer pear
Pyrus calleryana
'Chanticleer'
Tall deciduous tree
Ash trees
Fraxinus spp.
Prohibited
Emerald ash borer
Tall deciduous tree
Bradford pears
Pyrus calleryana "bradford"
Use sparingly
Poorly branches, tend to break
Tall deciduous tree
Cottonwood
Popuplus deltoids, populus fremontii, or populus nigra
Prohibited
Weak wood and aggressive root systems
Tall deciduous tree
Poplar
Populus
Use sparingly
Aggressive root systems
Tall deciduous tree
Willow
Salix
Prohibited
Drops branches
Medium deciduous tree
Ailanthus, tree of heaven
Ailanthus altissima
Prohibited
Invasive nonnative
Serviceberry
Amelanchier spp.
American hornbeam or
musclewood
Carpinus caroliniana
Eastern redbud
Cercis canadensis
Serviceberry
Amelanchier spp.
American hornbeam or
musclewood
Carpinus caroliniana
Eastern redbud
Cercis canadensis
Medium deciduous tree
European white birch
Betula pendula
Use sparingly
Bronze birch borer
Medium deciduous tree
White mulberry
Morus alba
Prohibited
Invasive nonnative
Low deciduous tree
Purple leaf cherry plum, Japanese purple plum
Prunus cerasifera 'Atropurpurea'
Use sparingly
Drops fruit
Flowering crabapple
Malus spp.
American hazelnut
Corylus americana
Japanese tree lilac
Syringa reticulata
Low deciduous tree
Purple sandcherry
Prunus x cistena
Use sparingly
Short-lived
Low deciduous tree
Russian olive
Elaegnus angustifolia
Use sparingly
Drops fruit, nonnative
Tall deciduous shrub
Buckthorns
Rhamnus cathartica
Prohibited
Invasive, nonnative
Gray dogwood
Cornus mas
Lilacs
Syringa spp.
Tall deciduous shrub
Autumn-olive
Elaeagnus umbellata
Prohibited
Invasive, nonnative
Tall deciduous shrub
Multiflora rose
Rosa multiflora
Prohibited
Invasive, nonnative
Medium deciduous shrub
Japanese spirea
Spiraea japonica
Prohibited
Invasive (re-seed)
Red chokeberry
Aronia arbutifolia
Black chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa
Redosier dogwood
Cornus sericea
Summersweet Clethra
Cletbra alnifolia
Viburnums
Viburnum spp.
Medium deciduous shrub
Burning bush
Euonymus alatus
Prohibited
Invasive nonnative
Medium deciduous shrub
Honeysuckle
Lonicera spp.
Prohibited
Invasive, nonnative
Low deciduous shrub
Japanese barberry
Berberis thunbergii
Prohibited
Invasive; over-planted
Dwarf bush honeysuckle
Diervilla lonicera
Tall evergreen tree
Austrian pine
Pinus nigra
Use sparingly
Over-planted
Norway spruce
Picea abies
Canadian hemlock
Tsuja canadensis
Scotch pine
Pinus sylvestris
American arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis
Tall evergreen tree
Blue spruce
Picea pungens
Use sparingly
Over-planted
Tall evergreen tree
White pine
Pinus strobus
Use sparingly
Over-planted
Tall evergreen tree
White spruce
Picea glauca
Use sparingly
Over-planted
Notes:
1
"Species to use sparingly" may be used as part of an overall landscaping plan, but only if the number of individual plants does not constitute more than one plant per 20 total plants within the same plant classification. For example, if a landscaping plan includes a total of 20 tall deciduous trees, no more than one of those 20 trees may be classified as a "Species to use sparingly." The purpose of this provision is to encourage plant species diversity throughout the City.
2
"Prohibited species" shall not be included as part of any landscaping plan that is subject to City review per § 5-8-3. The purpose of this provision is to limit the planting of species that are invasive, have invasive tendencies, or that may perpetuate or spread disease.
(1) 
Definition.
(a) 
Rain gardens can serve both as landscaping and stormwater management features on a building site, where appropriately designed and sited. A rain garden is a shallow, depressed garden that is designed and positioned on a site to capture stormwater runoff and allow for the infiltration of water back into the ground. Rain garden plants are carefully chosen for their ability to withstand moisture extremes and potentially high concentrations of nutrients and sediments that are often found in stormwater runoff. A well designed and maintained rain garden serves as an attractive component of an overall landscaping plan for a development site.
(b) 
Bioswales can serve both as landscaping and stormwater management features on a building site, where appropriately designed and sited. A bioswale is a linear, vegetative stormwater runoff conveyance system that is designed to store and infiltrate water from small storm events back into the ground and direct water from heavy rain events to appropriate storm sewer inlets or other management facilities. The flow of water being conveyed through a bioswale is slowed down, allowing for municipal storm systems to more effectively manage heavier rain events and help reduce the risk of flooding on or off-site. Water being infiltrated or conveyed via a bioswale is also filtered by the vegetation within it, generally improving both ground and surface water quality.
(2) 
Requirements.
(a) 
The installation of a rain garden or bioswale may contribute to the overall stormwater management plan for a development site and count toward meeting the City's landscaping guidelines. Rain gardens and bioswales may count for 20 points for every 20 square feet of rain garden or bioswale; points may count toward yard, building foundation, and/or paved area requirements, provided the following requirements are met. Rain gardens and bioswales shall count for no more than 100 points of the required landscaping per site.
(b) 
Detailed plans shall be provided that show all proposed dimensions of the rain garden or bioswale including length, width, depth, and slope of depression; location of the rain garden or bioswale on the lot relative to hard-surfaced areas, downspouts, and site topography; characteristics of the soil underlying the rain garden or bioswale; description of planting media; the species, number, and size at time of installation of all vegetation proposed for the rain garden or bioswale; and information on any other materials that will be used to line the rain garden or bioswale.
(c) 
Installation shall not be proposed for any of the following areas of a site:
1. 
Areas where there is known soil contamination unless the rain garden or bioswale is proposed to be constructed with an under-drain;
2. 
Areas where the characteristics of the soil would not allow for the proper infiltration of water into the ground; or
3. 
Areas where there are expected to be high levels of foot traffic, unless such areas are protected from foot traffic.
(d) 
The owner of the site shall demonstrate that the rain garden or bioswale is properly maintained, specifically: kept free of trash, weeds, debris, and dead or dying plants; any pipes associated with the rain garden or bioswale will be inspected on an annual basis and kept free of debris; and by the beginning of every spring dead plant materials will be cut back or removed.
(e) 
Bioswales and rain gardens shall be generously and appropriately vegetated to qualify for landscaping points. If bioswales and rain gardens (or portions thereof) are lined with turf but do not include other vegetation, then they will not count toward meeting landscaping point requirements.
(f) 
Rain gardens and bioswales may serve as a component of an overall stormwater management plan for a site only if detailed plans, calculations, and specifications are submitted and approved by the City. Detailed plans shall include the location and description of all other stormwater management facilities serving the site, particularly those to which any bioswale will be directed.
(1) 
Installation. Any and all landscaping and bufferyard material required by the provisions of this chapter shall be installed on the subject property, in accordance with the approved site plan within 365 days of the issuance of an occupancy permit for any building on the subject property.
(2) 
Surety.
(a) 
If the subject property is to be occupied prior to the installation of all required landscaping and bufferyard material, the property owner shall sign an instrument agreeing to install the landscaping within the 365-day period and shall furnish to the City an irrevocable letter of credit or other form of security acceptable to the City sufficient to guarantee completion of the work. Such security shall be provided by the property owner at the time that the agreement is signed. It shall be in an amount equal to 110% of the estimated actual cost for all of the required elements of the approved site plan and shall specifically guarantee that all such elements shall be made and installed according to the approved site plan. The costs of the work shall be furnished by the property and shall be verified by the City. The financial security shall remain in force until all of the work has been completed and approved by the City. This agreement shall also contain a statement indicating that the property owner's failure to comply with the requirements of the terms of the agreement will constitute a violation of the Title and subject the property owner to a forfeiture upon conviction.
(b) 
If the required landscaping and bufferyard materials are to be installed during different phases of a subdivision development, the developer may furnish for each phase financial security in an amount sufficient to guarantee completion of the landscaping and bufferyard work performed during a particular phase, unless the Land Division Regulations requires otherwise.
(c) 
If the property owner is a governmental unit, it may, in lieu of signing an agreement and furnishing a guarantee and file a resolution or letter from officers authorized to act in its behalf, agreeing to comply with the provisions of this chapter.
(3) 
If existing plant material meets the requirements of this chapter and will be preserved on the subject property following the completion of development, it may be counted as contributing to the landscaping requirements and worth double the landscaping point value per plant.
(4) 
All landscaping and bufferyard areas shall be seeded with lawn or native ground cover unless such vegetation is already fully established.
(5) 
The exact placement of plants and structures shall be depicted on the required detailed landscaping plan submitted to the City for its approval. Such plant and structure location shall be the decision of each property owner provided the following requirements are met:
(a) 
Evergreen shrubs shall be planted in clusters to maximize their chance for survival.
(b) 
Where a combination of plant materials, berming, and fencing is used in a bufferyard, the fence and/or berm may be located toward the interior or exterior of the subject property and at least 50% of the required landscaping points shall be located toward the exterior of the subject property.
(c) 
A property owner may establish through a written agreement, recorded with the Register of Deeds, that an abutting property owner agrees to provide on the immediately abutting portion of his or her land a partial or full portion of the required bufferyard, thereby relieving the developer of the responsibility of providing the entire bufferyard on his property. Responsibility for maintenance of bufferyard landscaping shall be included as part of this agreement.
(d) 
Under no circumstance shall landscaping or bufferyard materials be selected or located in a manner resulting in the creation of a safety or visibility hazard.
(e) 
The restrictions on types of plants listed in this chapter shall apply.
(6) 
Upon completion of the approved landscape improvements, a certification of compliance shall also be submitted by the owner or agent.
(7) 
Maintenance.
(a) 
The continual maintenance of all required landscaping and bufferyard materials shall be a requirement of this chapter and shall be the responsibility of the owner of the property on which said materials and plants are required. This requirement shall run with the property and shall be binding upon all future property owners. Development of any or all property following the effective date of this Title 5 shall constitute an agreement by the property owner to comply with the provisions of this section.
(b) 
The owner of the premises shall be responsible for the watering, maintenance, repair, and replacement of all landscaping, fences, and other landscape architectural features on the site. All planting beds shall be kept weed-free. Plant material which has died shall be replaced with equivalent vegetation within 365 days.
(c) 
If the property owner fails to comply with these provisions, the City may enter upon the property for the purpose of evaluating and maintaining all required landscaping and bufferyard materials and may specially assess the costs thereof against the property. A property owner's failure to comply with this requirement shall also be considered a violation of this chapter, and shall be subject to any and all applicable enforcement procedures and penalties.
Sample landscaping schemes that may be used for building foundations, street frontages, paved areas, yards, and bufferyards are depicted in Figure 5-9-8a through Figure 5-9-8g.
Figure 5-9-8a: Sample Landscaping Schemes - Site Before Required Landscaping
Figure 5-9-8b: Sample Landscaping Schemes - Building Foundation
Figure 5-9-8c: Sample Landscaping Schemes - Paved Area
Figure 5-9-8d: Sample Landscaping Schemes - Street Frontage
Figure 5-9-8e: Sample Landscaping Schemes - Yard
Figure 5-9-8f: Sample Landscaping Schemes - Bufferyard
Figure 5-9-8g: Sample Landscaping Schemes - All Required Landscaping