The Village of Churchville recognizes the value of trees and landscaping
and that the preservation and enhancement of these resources is necessary
to protect the health, safety and welfare of Village residents. Landscaping
is considered an integral part of site design, offering shade and
habitat, impeding soil erosion, providing water absorption and retention
to inhibit excess runoff and flooding, enhancing air quality, offering
a natural barrier to noise and enhancing property values and providing
scenic beauty. Landscaping emphasis shall be placed on providing features
that enhance the overall aesthetics of development and the character
of the Village of Churchville.
Conserve and stabilize property values, preserve a healthful environment,
and facilitate the creation of a convenient, attractive and harmonious
community environment.
All nonresidential and multifamily development that is otherwise
subject to site plan review shall meet the requirements of this article.
The landscape plan shall delineate the location and description of
all existing and proposed trees, shrubs and plantings. To ensure proper
protection of plantings and planted areas, landscape materials to
be used on the site shall be identified in a planting schedule to
be included on the landscape plan with the following information:
The landscape plan shall include all existing plant materials that
are to be removed from the site and such other information as may
be required by the Planning Board.
Landscape plans should include a variety of trees, shrubs, and ornamental
plantings (annuals and perennials) as part of the site design. The
mixing of trees and shrubs helps to avoid a uniform, unnatural appearance,
and to protect against extreme loss due to disease or infestation.
The landscape plan must be prepared, signed and stamped by a professional,
New York State licensed or registered landscape architect, certified
nurseryman or landscape designer.
Upon approval of the landscape plan by the Village, the property
owner agrees to install and perpetually maintain the approved landscape
design and materials for the duration of the approved use.
All landscaped areas approved by the Village shall be preserved according
to the landscape plan, or as amended by the Planning Board or Village
Board. Flora that dies shall be replaced within the next planting
season with materials of a similar nature.
All grasses, trees, and plant material shall be in accordance with
those appropriate for the Plant Hardiness Zone of the Village of Churchville
as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Under no circumstance shall any site include plant material that
is considered by the NYSDEC to be a prohibited and regulated invasive
species per New York State law, 6 NYCRR 575.
A minimum ground cover of not less than 25% of the total lot area
shall be landscaped with an appropriate balance of trees, conifers,
shrubs, ornamental plantings and lawn area to create a naturalized
appearance on the site.
The arrangement and spatial location of landscaped areas shall be
designed as an integral part of the site development and disbursed
throughout the site, and not just located around the perimeter.
Provisions for snow removal and snow storage must not adversely impact
landscaped areas. Any area damaged as the result of snow removal or
storage activities must be fully restored in accordance with the approved
landscaping plan within the next planting season.
Grass areas shall be planted in a species well adapted to localized
growing conditions in Monroe County, New York. Grass areas may be
sodded, plugged, sprigged, hydromulched, or seeded, except that solid
sod shall be used in swales or other areas subject to erosion.
In areas where other than solid sod or grass seed is used, overseeding
shall be sown for immediate effect and protection until coverage is
otherwise achieved.
Plant material shall be placed intermittently against long expanses
of building walls, fences, and other barriers to soften the effect
and to help break up walls with little to no architectural detail
to the satisfaction of the Planning Board.
Parking shall not be located within 10 feet of any residential district
or use, except where a solid screening wall or fence at least six
feet in height is placed on the lot line with vehicle stops or a bumper
to ensure the integrity of the fence, in which case no setback shall
be required. Parking lot stops shall consist of durable material,
such as concrete, masonry, metal or rubber. Wooden stops are prohibited.
Where parking is located 10 feet from a residential district or use,
the perimeter shall be landscaped with ground cover, low shrubs or
flowering plants, and shade trees shall be planted at intervals of
not more than 25 feet.
Parking lots containing 10 or more spaces shall be planted with at
least one tree per eight spaces, no smaller than two-inch caliper
(trunk diameter at four-foot height). Each tree should be located
within a landscaped island or median. Large and medium shade trees
(no less than eight feet in height at maturity) are recommended. Due
to heat and drought stress and vision clearances, ornamental and evergreen
trees are not recommended.
The dimensions of all islands and medians should be a minimum of
eight feet wide at the shortest side to protect plant materials and
ensure proper growth (see Figure 1). Landscaped islands should be
protected with concrete curbing, a minimum of six inches in height.
Each median or island should include at least one tree (see Figure
1). Low shrubs and ground covers will be required in the remainder
of the landscaped area. Effective use of earth berms and existing
topography is also encouraged as a component of the landscaping plan.
Landscaped islands should be utilized in parking areas to separate
parking stalls into groupings of not more than 20 spaces between islands
(see Figure 1).
Parking lots should be broken up into "rooms" of no more than 40
spaces, separated by landscaped islands or pedestrian accessways or
sidewalks (see Figure 1).
Parking areas must also be screened along lot lines bordering institutional
or residential uses. Such screening shall consist of a landscaped
area at least six feet wide, densely planted with a mixture of trees
and shrubs to create an effective visual barrier. All trees shall
be a minimum of two-inch caliper (trunk diameter) when planted.
In instances where healthy plant material exists on a site prior
to its development, in part or in whole, for purposes of off-street
parking or other vehicular use areas, the Planning Board may adjust
the application of the above-mentioned standards to allow credit for
such plant material if, in its opinion, such an adjustment is in keeping
with and will preserve the intent of these standards.
Mechanical equipment located at ground level must be effectively
screened with vegetation, low berms, or others measures that are equal
to or taller than the equipment being screened.
Mechanical equipment that is located on the rooftop shall be
effectively screened with parapet walls, decorative fencing and/or
gables to eliminate views.
Loading spaces and delivery areas, such as loading docks, shall be
located so as not to be visible from the street or public right-of-way.
If not practical, landscaping and buffering shall be provided to screen
such areas from public view.
Where any nonresidential use abuts a residential use or district,
including off-street parking areas, a landscaped buffer of at least
five feet in width shall be provided. Such buffer shall include one
or any combination of the following screening methods to the satisfaction
of the Planning Board:
A wood, wrought iron, tubular steel, or similar fence compatible
with the character of the area in which the fence is to be placed.
Fences or walls used to meet screening requirements shall display
a finished face toward adjacent streets and properties.
The property owner, or his designated agent, shall be responsible
for the proper care and maintenance and replacement, if necessary,
of all landscape materials in a healthy and growing condition.
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.
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 property owner's expense. The replacement shall
be of the same species and size unless otherwise approved by the Planning
Board.
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.
Improper maintenance shall be determined through periodic inspection
by the CEO. The CEO 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 property owner's
expense.