[Ord. 2016-848, 3-7-2016]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish uniform landscape
and screening standards for multi-family residential, commercial and
industrial development in the City. The landscaping and screening
requirements specified herein are intended to foster aesthetically
pleasing development which will protect and preserve the appearance,
character, health, safety and welfare of the City. Specifically, these
regulations are intended to increase the compatibility of adjacent
uses, and, in doing so, minimize the harmful impact of noise, dust
and other debris, motor vehicle headlight glare or other artificial
light intrusions, and other objectionable activities or impacts conducted
or created by an adjoining or nearby use. Wherever the submission
and approval of a landscape plan is required by this chapter, such
landscape plan shall be an integral part of any application for a
certificate of occupancy. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued
without City approval of a landscape plan as required herein. This
chapter shall not apply to detached single-family and attached two-family
residentially used and zoned buildings.
[Ord. 2016-848, 3-7-2016]
Except for single-family residential dwellings, a landscape
plan following the standards set forth in this chapter must be submitted
as follows:
(A)
New Development: When any multi-family residential, commercial or
industrial development involves the construction of a new building.
(B)
Planned Unit Development: When property is developed as a planned
unit development.
(C)
Intensity Of Use Increase: When the intensity of use of any existing
building, structure or premises is increased by exterior addition
or enlargement of the building, or interior renovation of more than
50% of the floor area of a building, structure or premises.
[Ord. 2016-848, 3-7-2016]
The following shall establish the standards for the preparation
and submission of required plans for landscape, screening and tree
preservation:
(A)
Landscape Plan Required: A landscape plan following the standards
set forth in this chapter shall be prepared by a landscape architect,
certified nursery professional or master gardener. Landscape plans
shall be reviewed and approved by the City development review team
prior to the issuance of a building permit for exterior construction
and development. Landscape plans for planned unit developments, special
uses, variations and major subdivisions shall also be reviewed and
approved by the Plan Commission and the City Council.
(B)
Content Of Landscape Plan: All landscape plans shall include or have
attached thereto the following information:
1.
North arrow, scale, date of plan and any subsequent revisions.
2.
The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures,
parking lot and drives, roadways and rights of way, sidewalks, bicycle
paths, ground signs, refuse disposal areas, trash cans, bicycle parking
areas, fences, freestanding electrical equipment, tot lots and other
recreational facilities, and other freestanding structural features
as determined by the building and safety department.
3.
Location of all existing and proposed public utilities.
4.
The location, quantity, size and name, both botanical and common
names, of all proposed planting materials.
5.
Specification of the type and boundaries of all proposed ground cover,
including both scientific and common names of all plant materials.
6.
Existing and proposed contours, including the location of all proposed
berming, at a one foot contour interval. Also included shall be the
location, extent, and general elevations of all detention and retention
areas and drainageways.
7.
Planters or planter boxes.
8.
Details of all fences and walls proposed to be constructed on the
site.
9.
The designation, location, type and size of all existing trees four
inches and larger in diameter measured one foot above natural grade.
Any trees to be removed should be clearly identified.
(C)
Selection, Installation, And Maintenance Of Plant Materials:
1.
Selection: Planting materials used in conformance with the provisions
of this chapter shall be of good quality, of a species normally grown
in central Illinois, and capable of withstanding the extremes of individual
site microclimates. Size and density of plant material, both at the
time of planting and at maturity, are additional criteria which must
be considered when selecting plant materials.
2.
Installation: All landscaping materials shall be installed in accordance
with the current planting procedures established by the American Association
Of Nurserymen.
3.
Maintenance:
(a)
Responsibility: The owner of the premises shall be responsible
for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of all landscaping materials
and barriers, including refuse disposal areas, as may be required
by the provisions of this chapter.
(b)
Landscaping Materials: All landscaping materials shall be maintained
in good condition so as to present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance,
and plant material not in this condition shall be replaced when necessary
and all landscape areas shall be kept free of refuse and debris.
(c)
Fences And Walls: Fences, walls, and other barriers shall be
maintained in good repair.
(D)
Landscape Design Criteria:
1.
Scale And Nature Of Landscaping Material: The scale and nature of
landscaping materials should be appropriate to the size of the structures.
Large scale buildings, for example, should generally be complemented
by larger scaled plants.
2.
Selection Of Plant Materials: Plant material should be selected for
its form, texture, color, and concern for its ultimate growth. The
use of silver maples, box elders, Russian olive, ailanthus, poplar,
cottonwood, mulberry, willow, catalpa, hackberry, white fringe, sweet
gum, elm (except accolade and prospector elm), any species of ash
tree, and other weak wooded species are prohibited.
3.
Evergreens: Evergreens shall be incorporated into the landscape treatment
of a site, particularly in the screening of refuse holding areas and
in those areas screening parking lots from dedicated public rights
of way or property zoned for residential use.
4.
Shade Trees: All shade trees shall have a minimum trunk size of 2 1/2
inches in caliper upon installation, as measured six inches above
the established ground level.
5.
Ornamental Trees: Single stem ornamental trees shall have a minimum
trunk size of two inches in caliper at time of planting, unless otherwise
specified. Multiple stem ornamental trees shall have a minimum height
of seven feet at time of planting, unless otherwise specified by the
City.
6.
Shrubs: Shrubs shall be used whenever possible. Shrubs used for the
purpose of screening shall be three feet in height at time of installation.
Shrubs used for other purposes shall be at least 18 inches in height
at time of installation.
7.
Ground Covers: Ground cover shall be spaced no less than 12 inches
on center at time of installation.
8.
Flowerbeds: Flowerbeds of perennials and the use of native grasses
is encouraged and shall be mass planted in landscape areas to create
color, texture and interest.
9.
Softening Of Walls And Fences: Plant material should be placed intermittently
against long expanses of building walls, fences, and other barriers
to create a softening effect.
10.
Planting Beds: Planting beds shall be mulched with bark chips,
shredded hardwood or similar materials. Mulch shall not be used as
a substitute for plant materials.
11.
Energy Conservation: Plant material placement should be designed
to reduce energy consumption needs of a development wherever possible.
12.
Watering Plant Material: A permanent means of watering plant
materials should be provided within 100 feet of all landscape areas.
Installation of an underground sprinkling system is recommended.
13.
Detention/Retention Basins And Ponds: Detention/retention basins
and ponds shall be landscaped. Such landscaping should include shade
and ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubbery, hedges, and other planting
materials.
14.
Berming: Earthen berms and existing topographic features shall
be incorporated into the landscape treatment of a site where there
is sufficient space and, in particular, when berms and existing topographic
features can be combined with plant materials to facilitate effective
screening.
[Ord. 2016-848, 3-7-2016]
Where a parcel abuts a dedicated public right of way, landscaping
shall be provided in accordance with the provisions of this section
as follows:
(A)
Graded And Sodded: The unpaved portion of a public right of way shall
be fine graded and sodded.
(B)
Parkway Trees:
1.
Quantity Of Parkway Trees: Parkway trees shall be provided in the
public right of way adjacent to the parcel as directed by the street
superintendent.
2.
Spacing Of Parkway Trees: Parkway trees shall be clustered or spaced
linearly in the public right of way as determined appropriate by the
street superintendent.
3.
Size Of Parkway Trees: Parkway trees shall have a minimum trunk size
of 2 1/2 inches in diameter, as measured six inches above the
established ground level.
4.
Species Approved For Planting In Public Right Of Way: The species
of parkway trees and the intervals between them are as follows:
|
Species
|
Interval
|
|---|---|
|
Accolade elm
|
40'
|
|
American linden
|
40'
|
|
Armstrong Freeman maple
|
40'
|
|
European linden
|
40'
|
|
Fastigate English oak
|
40'
|
|
Ginkgo
|
30'
|
|
Norway maple
|
40'
|
|
Oriental plane
|
45'
|
|
Pin oak
|
45'
|
|
Prospector elm
|
40'
|
|
Red maple
|
40'
|
|
Red oak
|
40'
|
|
Scarlet oak
|
40'
|
|
Schwedleri maple
|
40'
|
|
Sentry American linden
|
40'
|
|
Skyline thornless honey locust
|
50'
|
|
State Street maple
|
40'
|
|
Sycamore
|
60'
|
|
Tulip
|
40'
|
|
White oak
|
40'
|
|
Willow oak
|
40'
|
In addition to the species of trees above permitted,
other species of trees may be approved for planting in the City right
of way along the street as may be specified by the appropriate committee
of the City Council.
5.
Species Forbidden To Be Planted In Public Right Of Way Or On Private
Property: No person shall plant any of the following species of trees
in the public right of way or on private property in the City:
(a)
Evergreens, fruit and nut trees, box elder, silver maple, ailanthus,
poplar, cottonwood, willow, catalpa, hackberry, dogwood, white fringe,
elm (except accolade and prospector elm), sweet gum, and any species
of ash tree.
[Ord. 2016-848, 3-7-2016]
All parking lots constructed after the adoption of this chapter
shall provide landscaping in accordance with the provisions of this
section as follows:
(A)
Perimeter Screening Requirements: Every off street parking lot or
parking area containing five or more parking spaces shall be set back,
buffered and screened from public view and adjacent property by a
perimeter landscaped area having a minimum width of 10 feet, as measured
from the back of curb.
1.
The minimum width for the perimeter screening area shall be measured
from the property line and shall not include any parking overhang.
2.
Perimeter screening shall be continuous, except for breaks as may
be permitted for sidewalks, driveways and sight triangles.
3.
Shrubs planted as perimeter screening shall be at least three feet
in height at time of installation.
4.
The surface of the required, perimeter setback area shall be suitably
covered with grass, ground cover, perennial flowers and native grasses
or similar vegetation and periodically mulched. Impervious materials
such as asphalt, concrete, or a layer of stone is prohibited.
5.
A six inch continuous, poured in place concrete curb shall separate
all drive and parking surfaces from perimeter landscape areas.
(B)
Interior Landscaping Requirements: All areas within or at the end
of parking row and at the edges of parking lots and parking areas
which are not designed for parking stalls, drive aisles, or shopping
cart collection areas, shall be curbed, and landscaped with sod, ground
cover, bushes or trees.
1.
Interior parking lot landscaping areas shall be a minimum of 144
square feet in area and a minimum of eight feet in width, as measured
from back of curb to back of curb.
2.
Interior planting islands equal in area to a parking space shall
be required at a rate of one parking lot island every 20 parking spaces.
3.
One tree shall be provided for each parking lot planting island.
4.
The surface of the required, perimeter setback area shall be suitably
covered with grass, ground cover, perennial flowers and native grasses
or similar vegetation and periodically mulched. Impervious materials
such as asphalt, concrete, or a layer of stone is prohibited.
5.
A six inch continuous, poured in place concrete curb shall separate
all drive and parking surfaces from perimeter landscape areas.
6.
All landscaped islands shall have a minimum topsoil depth of three
feet and mounded to a center height of six to 12 inches above top
of curb height.
(C)
Foundation Landscaping Requirements: Plant materials shall be placed
against long expanses of building walls, fences and other barriers
to soften their effect, accenting building entrances and architectural
features and screening mechanical equipment.
1.
A minimum setback and landscape area of five feet in width shall
be located immediately along the front and sides of all buildings.
2.
A six inch continuous, poured in place concrete curb shall separate
all foundation landscape areas from drive aisle and parking areas.
3.
Foundation landscaping shall include shade trees, ornamental trees,
hedges, shrubs, evergreens, ground covers, and perennial flowers and
grasses.
(D)
Lists Of Recommended Trees, Shrubs And Ground Covers: Upon request,
lists indicating plantings which will meet the landscape requirements
of this chapter can be provided as a guide.
[Ord. 2016-848, 3-7-2016]
All service areas shall be screened from view through the use
of evergreen plant materials, a wood fence, masonry screen wall, or
materials compatible with the proposed building.
(A)
Trash dumpsters and other waste receptacles shall be fully enclosed
on four sides by a solid wood fence, masonry walls or principal building
wall six feet in height, with one of the four sides being an attractive
single or double access gate. The materials used for screening, including
the enclosure, shall complement the architecture of the building.
(B)
All utility equipment (air conditioners, transformers, backup generators
and the like) shall be provided with appropriate planting screens.
(C)
For uses with loading docks, they shall be located to the rear of
a building, where possible, and all loading areas shall be adequately
screened with a wall, fence and/or landscaping of a minimum of six
feet in height so as to not be visible from adjoining rights of way
and property zoned for any residential use.
(D)
All mechanical equipment located on the roof of any building constructed
after the effective date hereof shall be fully screened by a parapet
wall, or other screening structure constructed of the same materials
as, or materials architecturally and aesthetically compatible with,
the principal building facade to the height of such equipment.
