All nonresidential and multifamily development that is subject
to site plan review shall meet the requirements of this article.
Landscaping and screening of off-street parking areas may be
required to conform to the standards below at the discretion of the
Planning Commission.
A. Not less than 8% of the interior of parking areas designed for 10
cars or more should be devoted to the required landscaped area on
the site.
B. The dimensions of all islands and medians should be a minimum of
eight feet wide at the shortest side to protect plant materials installed
therein and ensure proper growth (see Figure 1). Landscaped islands
should be protected with concrete curbing, a minimum of six inches
in height.
C. Landscaping should include at least one tree in each island and at
least one tree for every 300 square feet of island area (see Figure
1). Low shrubs and ground covers will be required in the remainder
of the island area. Effective use of earth berms and existing topography
is also encouraged as a component of the landscaping plan.
D. 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.
E. Landscaped islands should be utilized in parking areas to separate
parking stalls into groupings of not more than 20 stalls between islands
(see Figure 1).
F. 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).
G. Landscape materials (a mix of trees, shrubs and other plantings)
should be used along the street frontage and sides yards to screen
parking areas from view of streets and adjacent residential uses.
Figure 1: Parking Lot Landscaping
(Source: Steinmetz Planning Group)
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