Article VIII Landscaping Requirements

The requirements of this section shall not apply retroactively to existing buildings, structures, or paved areas, including requirements for buffer yards.

Any use for which site plan approval is required under § 10-174 shall provide landscaping in accordance with the regulations of this section, including expansions of existing buildings and paved areas. In the case of expansions, only the new portion of the building or paved area shall provide landscaping per the requirements of this article.

Where insufficient site area remains to comply with all provisions of this section, the City may require compliance to the extent practical.

This article is designed to encourage preservation of existing plants on the site but granting them double point values per § 10-133.

Single-family, two-family, agricultural land uses, and all uses in the Downtown Mixed Use District are exempt from landscaping requirements.

§ 10-132 Landscape plan.

The applicant shall provide a landscaping plan, prepared by a qualified person or firm, depicting the following:

The plan shall be drawn at a reasonable scale to clearly delineate the landscape improvements and shall include a North arrow, property lines, and easements.

Zoning of the subject property and abutting properties.

Linear feet of the new/expanded building foundation and street frontage.

Square footage of the total lot and new/expanded paved area.

Existing landscaping to be removed.

(6)

Existing landscaping to remain, including type/name, size, number, and number of landscaping points per Figure 10-133a doubled.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Figure 10-133a is included at the end of § 10-133.

(7)

Proposed landscaping meeting the requirements of this article including type/name, size, number, and number of landscaping points per Figure 10-133a.

§ 10-133 Landscaping requirements.

[Amended 7-10-2024 by Ord. No. 2031]

Landscaping shall be provided based on the following requirements for street frontages, paved areas, and buffer yards. These requirements are additive to each other and any other landscaping or screening requirements in this chapter. Landscaping point values shall be doubled for mature existing landscape plantings that are retained and protected with the development of the site. In calculating the number of required landscaping points under the provisions of this section, 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. Any partial plant derived from the required calculations of this section (for example: 23.3 canopy trees) shall be rounded up to the next whole plant (for example: 24 canopy trees).

Building foundations.

For every 100 linear feet of building foundation, the landscaping installed shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 10-133a.

Tall trees shall not be used to meet building foundation landscaping requirements.

Building foundation landscaping shall be placed so that at maturity, the plant's dripline is located within 10 feet of the building foundation.

Non-street frontage points in the LI and GI Zoning Districts may be distributed throughout the property upon approve of City staff.

Paved areas.

For every 20 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 10-133a.

Paved area landscaping shall be placed so that at maturity, the plant's dripline is located within 10 feet of the paved area. Said 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.

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.

Parking lot design.

Landscaped medians shall be used to break large parking areas into distinct pods, with a maximum of 100 spaces in any one pod.

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.

All tree islands and landscaped areas with trees shall have a minimum of nine feet as measured from outside the curb or frame.

All landscaped areas without trees, but planted with shrubs, shall have a minimum width of three feet measured from inside the curb or frame.

Street frontages.

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 10-133a.

Street frontage landscaping shall be placed so that at maturity, the plant's dripline is located within 10 feet of the public street right-of-way.

Unless meeting the requirements in Subsection (3)(f) below, landscaping shall not located within a public right-of-way. Landscaping shall not impede vehicle or pedestrian visibility. See § 10-103.

Shrubs shall not be used to meet street frontage landscaping requirements. A minimum of 50% of all points shall be devoted to decorative or medium trees, or a combination of such trees.

For all lots not meeting the requirements of this subsection as of the effective date of this chapter, the following shall apply:

For additions to floor area, landscaping installed shall be equal to the percent increase in new floor area. "New floor area" shall be defined as the square footage of the addition divided by the square footage of the existing building.

For additions to paved areas, landscaping installed shall be equal to the percent increase in new paved area. "New paved area" shall be defined as the square footage of the addition divided by the square footage of the existing paved area.

(f)

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.

Yard areas.

For every 1,000 square feet of gross floor area, the landscaping installed shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 10-133a.

Landscaping required by this section is most effective if located away from those areas required for landscaping as building foundations, street frontages, paved areas, protected green space areas, reforestation areas, or buffer yards.

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).

For all lots not meeting the requirements of this subsection as of the effective date of this chapter, the following shall apply:

Buffer yards. A buffer yard 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).

The required level of buffer yard opacity is listed in Figure 10-133b.[1] Detailed buffer yard requirements are listed in Figure 10-133c.[2] Opacity is a quantitatively derived measure which indicates the degree to which a particular buffer yard 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.

[1]

Editor's Note: Figure 10-133b is included at the end of § 10-133.

[2]

Editor's Note: Figure 10-133c is included at the end of § 10-133.

Buffer yards shall be located along (and within) the outer perimeter of a lot wherever two different zoning districts abut one another. Buffer yards shall not be required in front yards or for existing development.

Buffer yards are not required for existing development.

Buffer yards are not required where additions to existing buildings or paved areas are not visible from adjacent properties eligible for buffering according to Article III or Figure 10-133b.

§ 10-134 Classification of plant species.

Where the minimum permitted width for the required buffer yard is not available under the current state of development, the Plan Commission may reduce the width required for the buffer yard to that currently available on the site.

(6)

Use of required buffer yard and landscaped areas. Any and all required buffer yards or landscaped areas may be used for passive recreation activities. Said areas may contain pedestrian, bike or equestrian trails, provided that no required material is eliminated; the total width of the required buffer yard, or the total area of required landscaping, is maintained; and all other regulations of this chapter are met. However, in such areas, no swimming pools, tennis courts, sports fields, golf courses, or other such similar active recreational uses shall be permitted. No parking, buildings, outdoor light fixtures, and no outdoor display of storage of materials shall be permitted. Paving in such areas shall be limited to that required for necessary access to, through, or across the subject property.

(7)

Utility easements. Landscaping materials, fences and berms located within a duly recorded utility or pedestrian easement shall not count toward meeting a landscaping requirement, unless authorized otherwise by the City and applicable utilities. The width of such areas may be counted as part of a landscaping requirement.

(8)

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, or maintained in crop production if approved by the Plan Commission. 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.

Figure 10-133a Landscaping Requirements for Regular Development
			Landscaping Component
Requirement			Building Foundation	Paved Areas	Street Frontages	Yard Areas
Type of landscaping			Tall trees not allowed	A minimum of 30% of points devoted to tall trees and 40% to shrubs	Shrubs not allowed; a minimum of 50% of points devoted to tall trees and 30% to medium trees	Any type allowed
Placement of landscaping			Within 10 feet of building foundation	Within paved area or within 10 feet of paved area	Within 10 feet of the public right-of-way	Any location
Calculation of landscaping points			Points per 100 linear feet of building foundation	Greater of: points per 20 parking stalls or 10,000 square feet of paved area	Points per 100 feet of street frontage	Points per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area
	Zoning Districts
		Rural Holding (RH-35)¹	20	20	20	10
		Single Family Residential (SR-2)¹	40	40	40	20
		Single Family Residential (SR-4)¹	40	40	40	20
		Single Family Residential (SR-5)¹	40	40	40	20
		Single Family and Two-Flat Residential (SR-6)¹	40	40	40	20
		Single Family and Two-Flat Residential (SR-7)¹	40	40	40	20
		Two Family Residential (TR-6)¹	45	45	45	20
		Multi-Family Residential (MR-10)¹	60	60	60	30
		Multi-Family Residential (MR-20)¹	75	75	75	40
		Mobile Home Residential (MH-8)¹	40	40	40	20
		Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU)	40	40	40	20
		Community Mixed Use (CMU)	40	40	40	20
		Urban Mixed Use (UMU)	40	40	40	20
		Downtown Mixed Use (DMU)	0	0	0	0
		Business Park (BP)	25	40	25	10
		Light Industrial (LI)	20	20	20	5
		General Industrial (GI)	20	20	20	5
		Mineral Extraction (ME)	20	20	20	5

NOTE:
¹	Single-family, two-family, and all agricultural land uses are exempt from landscaping requirements.

Figure 10-133b Required Buffer Yard Opacity Values
Apply the required opacity value from this figure to Figure 10-133c and select the most appropriate buffer yard option. Note that certain land uses, conditional uses, and planned development projects may have more stringent buffer yard requirements	Adjacent Property's Zoning District
	RH-35	SR-2	SR-4	SR-5	SR-6	SR-7	TR-6	MR-10	MR-20	MH-8	NMU	CMU	UMU	DMU	BP	LI	GI	ME
Subject Property's Zoning District	RH-35	SR-2	SR-4	SR-5	SR-6	SR-7	TR-6	MR-10	MR-20	MH-8	NMU	CMU	UMU	DMU	BP	LI	GI	ME
Rural Holding (RH-35)
Single Family Residential (SR-2)	(1)
Single Family Residential (SR-4)	(1)	0
Single Family Residential (SR-5)	(1)	0	0
Single Family and Two-Flat Residential (SR-6)	(1)	0	0	0
Single Family and Two-Flat Residential (SR-7)	(1)	0	0	0	0
Two Family Residential (TR-6)	(1)	.1	.1	.1	.1	.1
Multi-Family Residential - 10 (MR-10)	(1)	.2	.2	.2	.2		.1
Multi-Family Residential - 20 (MR-20)	(1)	.3	.3	.3	.3		.2	.1
Mobile Home Residential (MH-8)	(1)	.3	.3	.3	.3		.2	.1	.1
Neighborhood Mixed Use (NMU)	(1)	.4	.4	.4	.4		.4	.3	.2	.2
Community Mixed Use (CMU)	(1)	.4	.4	.4	.4		.4	.3	.2	.2	.2
Urban Mixed Use (UMU)	(1)	.4	.4	.4	.4		.4	.3	.2	.2	.1	.1
Downtown Mixed Use (DMU)	(1)	.4	.4	.4	.4		.4	.3	.2	.2	.1	.1	.1
Business Park (BP)	(1)	.6	.6	.6	.6		.5	.4	.4	.4	.3	.3	.2	.1
Light Industrial (LI)	(1)	.6	.6	.6	.6		.5	.4	.4	.4	.3	.3	.2	.1	.1
General Industrial (GI)	(1)	.6	.6	.6	.6		.5	.4	.4	.4	.4	.4	.4	.4	.3	.2
Mineral Extraction (ME)	(1)	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0		1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	.8	.8	.8	.8	.8	.8

NOTE:
(1)	Refer to Future Land Use Map of the City's Comprehensive Plan for the most likely future zoning district.

Figure 10-133c Detailed Buffer Yard Requirements
Opacity/Number of Landscaping Points per 100 feet	Width (in feet)	Required Structure
0.05
00	10+	Minimum 44-inch picket fence¹
00	10+	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence¹
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 fence¹
38	10+	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence¹
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 fence¹
84	10+	Minimum 44-inch picket fence¹
133	15+	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence¹
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 fence¹
198	15+	Minimum 44-inch picket fence¹
320	20	N/A
240	20+	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence¹
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 fence¹
330	20+	Minimum 44-inch picket fence¹
440	25	N/A
362	25+	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence¹
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 fence¹
564	30	N/A
405	30+	Minimum 44-inch picket fence¹
492	30+	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence¹
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 fence¹
433	35+	Minimum 4 foot berm
541	35+	Minimum 44-inch picket fence¹
630	35+	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence¹
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 fence¹
655	40+	Minimum 4-foot berm
627	45+	Minimum 5-foot berm
873	45+	Minimum 44-inch picket fence¹
910	50	N/A
505	50+	Minimum 6-foot berm
809	50+	Minimum 4-foot wood rail fence¹
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

NOTE:

Fences contributing to landscaping requirements are not permitted along street frontages for nonresidential uses. Where used in combination with plant materials to meet buffer yard 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 buffer yard requirements.

Figure 10-133d Landscaping Points
Plant Category	Landscaping Points Per Plant	Minimum Permitted Installation Size
Shade tree	75	2-inch caliper
Tall deciduous tree	30	1 1/2-inch caliper
Medium deciduous tree	15	6 feet tall
Low deciduous tree	10	4 feet tall
Tall evergreen tree	40	5 feet tall
Medium evergreen tree	20	4 feet tall
Low evergreen tree	12	3 feet tall
Tall deciduous shrub	5	36 inches tall
Medium deciduous shrub	3	24 inches tall
Low deciduous shrub	1	18 inches tall
Medium evergreen shrub	5	18 inches tall/wide
Low evergreen shrub	3	12 inches tall/wide
Noncontributory plants	0	N/A
Source: A Guide to Selecting Landscape Plants for Wisconsin, E. R. Hasselkus, UW-Extension Publication: A2865

Species suitable for landscaping and compatible with local climate and soil factors are listed in Figure 10-134a. However, 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 10-134b for species appropriate for specific and common landscaping situations (e.g., planting under power lines), and Figure 10-134c for a list of species to use sparingly or to avoid.

Figure 10-134a Common Appropriate Landscaping Species
Classification	Landscaping Point Value Per Plant	Common Name	Scientific Name
Shade trees	75	Maple (Red)	Acer spp.
Shade trees	75	Birch (River, Paper)	Betula spp.
Shade trees	75	Linden (Basswood, Redmond, Little Leaf)	Tilia spp.
Shade trees	75	Elms (hybrids)	Ulmus spp.
Shade trees	75	Oak (White)	Quercus spp.
Shade trees	75	Honey locust (male cultivars)	Gleditsia triacanthos var inermis
Tall deciduous trees	30	Chanticleer pear	Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'
Tall deciduous trees	30	Hackberry	Celtis occidentalis
Tall deciduous trees	30	Chinkapin oak	Quercus muehlenbergii
Tall deciduous trees	30	Gingko (male cultivars)	Gingko biloba
Tall deciduous trees	30	State Street Miyabe maple	Acer miyabei 'Morton'
Medium deciduous trees	15	Paperbark maple	Acer griseum
Medium deciduous trees	15	Serviceberry	Amelanchier
Medium deciduous trees	15	Hawthorn	Crataegus viridis
Medium deciduous trees	15	Hornbeam (Musclewood)	Carpinus caroliniana
Medium deciduous trees	15	Ironwood/Hophornbeam	Ostrya virginiana
Medium deciduous trees	15	Callery pear	Pyrus calleryana
Low deciduous trees	10	Hazelnut	Corylus spp
Low deciduous trees	10	Russian olive	Elaegnus angustifolia
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	40	Black Hills spruce	Picea glauca var. densata
Tall evergreen trees	40	Serbian spruce	Picea omorika
Tall evergreen trees	40	Pine (except Austrian)	Pinus spp. (not nigra)
Tall/medium evergreen	30	Juniper (Red Cedar)	Juniperus virginiana
Tall/medium evergreen	30	Arborvitae	Thuja spp.
Tall/medium evergreen	30	Eastern hemlock	Tsuga canadensis
Low evergreen trees	12	Juniper (Mountbatten)	Juniperus chinensis
Tall deciduous shrubs	5	Elderberry	Sambucus candensis "aurea"
Tall deciduous shrubs	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	Shrub rose	Rosa spp.
Medium deciduous shrubs	3	Viburnum (Arrowwood, Warfaring Tree, Nannyberry)	Viburnum spp.
Medium deciduous shrubs	3	Potentilla	Potentilla spp.
Medium deciduous shrubs	3	Bush honeysuckle	Diervilla spp.
Medium deciduous shrubs	3	Ninebark	Physocarpus spp.
Low deciduous shrubs	1	Azalea	Azalea spp.
Low deciduous shrubs	1	Gro-Low sumac	Rhus aromatica
Tall-medium evergreen	5	Juniper (Pfitzer)	Juniperus x pfitzeriana
Tall-medium evergreen	5	Yew (Japanese)	Taxus spp.
Low evergreen shrubs	2	Boxwood	Buxus spp.
Low evergreen shrubs	2	Juniper (Sergeant, Creeping, Andorra)	Juniperus spp.
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Coneflower	Echinacea spp.
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Catmint	Nepeta spp.
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Black-Eyed Susan	Rudbeckia hirta
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Lily	Lilium spp.
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Daylily	Hemerocallis spp.
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Ornamental grass	varies
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Lady's Mantel	Alchemilla spp.
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Columbine	Aquilegia spp.
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Aster	Aster spp.
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Jack Frost	Brunnera macrophylla
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Blazing Star	Liatris spp.
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Black Bugbane	Cimicifuoa simplex Brunette"
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Peony	Paeonia spp.
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Pachysandra	Pachysandra spp.
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Stonecrops	Sedum spp.
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Astilbe	Astilbe spp.
Perennial plantings	20 per 20 square feet	Hosta	Hosta spp.

Figure 10-134b Sample Plant Species Appropriate for Specific Situations
Situation/Classification	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 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 alba
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	Alpine 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 10-134c Species That Are Prohibited and Those To Use Sparingly
Classification	Common Name	Scientific Name	Prohibited¹ or Use Sparingly²	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	Box elder	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 sparingly	Prefer acidic soil
Shade tree	Sawtooth oak	Quercus acutissima	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative
Shade tree	Sugar maples	Acer saccharum	Use sparingly	Thrives only in certain conditions; picky
Tall deciduous tree	Autumn blaze maple	Acer truncatum	Use sparingly	Over planted	Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis) Chanticleer pear (Pyrus calleryana Chanticleer') '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	Princess tree	Paulownia tomentosa	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative
Medium deciduous tree	Tree-of-Heaven	Ailanthus altissima	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative	Serviceberry Amelanchier spp. American Hornbeam or Musclewood Carpinus aroliniana Eastern Redbud Cercis canadensis
Medium deciduous tree	White mulberry	Morus alba	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative
Low deciduous tree	Purple sandcherry	Prunus x cistena	Use sparingly	Short-lived	Flowering Crabapple Malus spp. American hazelnut Corylus americana Japanese Tree Lilac Syringa reticulata
Low deciduous tree	Russian olive	Elaeagnus angmtifolia	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative
Tall deciduous shrub	Autumn-olive	Elaeagnus umbellata	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative	Grey Dogwood Cornus mas Lilacs Syringa spp.
Tall deciduous shrub	Buckthorns	Rhamnus cathartica	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative
Tall deciduous shrub	Multiflora rose	Rosa multiflora	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative
Tall deciduous shrub	Scotch broom	Cytisus scoparius	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative
Medium deciduous shrub	Burning bush	Euonymus alatus	Prohibited	Invasive nonnative	Red chokeberry Aronia arbutifolia Black chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa Redosier dogwood Cornus sericea Summersweet Clethra Clethra Alnifolia Viburnums Viburnum spp.
Medium deciduous shrub	Honeysuckle	Lonicera spp.	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative
Medium deciduous shrub	Japanese spirea	Spiraea japonica	Prohibited	Invasive (reseed)
Medium deciduous shrub	Wineberry	Rubus phoenicolasius	Prohibited	Invasive, nonnative
Low deciduous shrub	Japanese barberry	Berberis thunbergii	Prohibited	Invasive; over-planted	Dwarf bush honeysuckel Diervilla Ionicera
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	"Prohibited species" may not be included as part of any landscaping plan that is subject to City review per § 10-132. 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.
²	"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.

§ 10-135 Standards for rain gardens and bioswales.

Definition.

Rain gardens and bioswales 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.

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 groundwater and surface water quality.

Requirements.

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 may count for 20 points for every 20 square feet forf yard area, building foundation, and/or paved area requirements, provided that the following requirements are met.

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 (e.g., rocks) that will be used to line the rain garden or bioswale.

Installation shall not be proposed for any of the following areas of a site:

Areas where there is known soil contamination unless the rain garden or bioswale is proposed to be constructed with an underdrain;

Areas where the characteristics of the soil would not allow for the proper infiltration of water into the ground; or

Areas where there are expected to be high levels of foot traffic.

The owner of the site shall demonstrate that the rain garden or bioswale shall be properly maintained; 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.

Bioswales and rain gardens shall be generously (and appropriately) vegetated to qualify for landscaping points. Bioswales and rain gardens (or portions thereof) that are lined with turf and/or rocks but do not include other vegetation 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. 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.

§ 10-136 Installation requirements.

Installation. Any and all landscaping and buffer yard 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, unless a conditional use is approved to allow for greater than 365 days.

Surety.

If the subject property is to be occupied prior to the installation of all required landscaping and buffer yard 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 chapter and subject the property owner to a forfeiture upon conviction.

If the required landscaping and buffer yard 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 buffer yard work performed during a particular phase, unless the land division regulations requires otherwise.

If the property owner is a governmental unit, it may, in lieu of signing an agreement and furnishing a guaranty, file a resolution or letter from officers authorized to act in its behalf, agreeing to comply with the provisions of this article.

If existing plant material meets the requirements of this article 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.

All landscaping and buffer yard areas shall be seeded with lawn or native ground cover unless such vegetation is already fully established.

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 that the following requirements are met:

Evergreen shrubs shall be planted in clusters to maximize their chance for survival.

Where a combination of plant materials, berming, and fencing is used in a buffer yard, the fence and/or berm shall be located toward the interior of the subject property and the plant material shall be located toward the exterior of the subject property.

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 buffer yard, thereby relieving the developer of the responsibility of providing the entire buffer yard on his property.

Under no circumstance shall landscaping or buffer yard materials be selected or located in a manner resulting in the creation of a safety or visibility hazard.