The purpose of this article 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.
A. 
The requirements of this section shall not apply retroactively to existing buildings, structures, or paved areas, including requirements for bufferyards.
B. 
Any use for which site plan approval is required under § 300-10.43 shall provide landscaping in accordance with the regulations of this section, including the following development:
(1) 
New buildings and paved areas.
(2) 
Expansions.
(a) 
Expansions of existing buildings that exceed 50% of the existing floor area of the building.
(b) 
Expansions of paved areas that exceed 50% of the existing paved area.
(c) 
In the case of expansions, only the new portion of building or paved area shall provide landscaping per the requirements of this article.
C. 
Where insufficient site area remains to comply with all provisions of this section, the City may require compliance to the greatest extent practical.
D. 
This article is designed to encourage preservation of existing plants on the site by granting them double point values per § 300-8.30G(1).
E. 
Exemptions.
(1) 
Single-family dwelling units, two family dwelling units, and agricultural land uses are exempt from landscaping requirements. See § 300-6.06I for screening requirements for uncovered parking spaces associated with single-family and two family uses.
(2) 
All uses in the Downtown Historic Mixed-Use District are exempt from landscaping requirements for building frontages, street frontages, and yards, but must meet the landscaping requirements for paved areas.
F. 
Changes to the landscaping plan. The City may allow or require changes to the landscaping plan of § 300-8.20 or the landscaping requirements of § 300-8.36, as provided for below.
(1) 
The Building/Zoning Inspector, 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:
(a) 
Unusual conditions.
(b) 
The consideration of landscape architecture approaches.
(c) 
The preservation of existing trees.
(d) 
The consideration of Wisconsin native landscaping.
(e) 
When larger size plantings are provided as part of the overall landscape plan.
(f) 
When more shrubs may be appropriate versus more trees, and vice versa.
(g) 
Utility or other easements.
(2) 
The Building/Zoning Inspector, 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 goal or objectives.
The applicant shall provide a digital copy of a landscaping plan. The plan shall be drawn at a reasonable scale to clearly delineate the landscape improvements and depict the following, at the discretion of the Building/Zoning Inspector:
A. 
The name and address of the developer/owner, architect/designer name, date of plan preparation, date and description of all revisions, name of project or development, scale of plan, and north point indication.
B. 
All property lines and easements.
C. 
Zoning of the subject property and abutting properties.
D. 
The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures, parking lots, driveways, roads, underground utilities, right-of-way, sidewalks, ground signs, refuse disposal areas, fences, freestanding electrical equipment and other utility boxes, and other freestanding structural features as determined necessary by the Building/Zoning Inspector.
E. 
The location and contours at two-foot intervals, of all proposed berms.
F. 
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.
G. 
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.
H. 
The number of landscaping points per Figure 300-8.30d for all plant material.
I. 
Details of refuse disposal area screening and mechanical equipment and utility screening.
J. 
Linear feet of the new/expanded building foundation and street frontage.
K. 
Square footage of the total lot and new/expanded paved area.
Landscaping shall be provided based on the following requirements for building foundations, paved areas, street frontages, yards, and bufferyards.
A. 
Building foundations.
(1) 
For every 100 linear feet of building foundation, the landscaping installed shall at a minimum meet the number of landscaping points specified in Figure 300-8.30d.
(2) 
Tall trees shall not be used to meet building foundation landscaping requirements.
(3) 
Building foundation landscaping shall be placed so that at maturity, the plant’s drip line is located within 10 feet of the building foundation.
(4) 
Building expansions shall be subject to the same landscaping formula requirements as new buildings (see Figure 300-8.30d). The formula shall not be applied to portions of the building foundation developed prior to the adoption of this chapter.
(5) 
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.
B. 
Paved areas.
(1) 
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 300-8.30d.
(2) 
Paved area landscaping shall be placed so that at maturity, the plant’s drip line 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.
(3) 
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.
(4) 
Parking lot design.
(a) 
Interior parking lot landscaping shall be required for any parking lot with more than 20 parking spaces. Internal parking lot landscaping shall be accomplished by the installation of landscaped planter islands or other types of landscaping application approved by the Building/Zoning Inspector.
(b) 
Landscaped planter islands.
[1] 
Landscaped planter islands shall be required at the ends of all parking rows, driveway entrances, and at intermediate locations such that there is a maximum of 180 feet between islands. See Figure 300-8.30a.
[2] 
Landscaped planter islands are required where two rows of parking stalls meet at a right angle. See Figure 300-8.30b.
Figure 300-8.30a
Requirements for Islands
300-32.tiff
Figure 8.30b
Parking Rows at Right Angles
300-33.tiff
(c) 
Each landscaped planter island shall be no less than 125 square feet in area and seven feet in width, measured from the back of the curb. For double-parking rows, each landscaped planter island shall be no less than 250 square feet in area. The seven-foot width requirement may be reduced to accommodate the triangular shape resulting from angled parking.
[1] 
Exception. A continuous seven-foot wide landscape strip may be provided between double parking rows in place of landscaped planter islands.
[2] 
See Figure 300-8.30c.
Figure 300-8.30c
Interior Landscaping
300-34.tiff
(d) 
All islands shall be crowned for positive drainage, unless bio-retention methods of stormwater management are utilized per a stormwater management plan approved by the City Engineer.
(e) 
One shade tree or tall deciduous tree shall be provided for every island and for every 40 linear feet of continuous landscape strip. Medium or low trees (evergreen or deciduous) may be used to supplement deciduous shade trees in locations that may not support healthy shade tree or tall deciduous tree growth. This determination shall be made by the Building/Zoning Inspector. For double-row parking, two shade trees or tall deciduous trees shall be required for each island.
[1] 
Trees shall be a minimum of two inches in caliper and not less than six feet tall at planting.
[2] 
Shrubs shall be a minimum of 18 inches at planting.
(f) 
In addition to the required trees and shrubs, islands shall be planted with grass, low ground cover, shrubs, flowers, decorative stone/river rock, mulch, or a combination thereof. Mulches and decorative stone shall be installed so that the loose material will not erode, fall, be plowed, or be otherwise transported onto paved surfaces.
(g) 
To ensure proper visibility within the parking lot, shrubs shall be no higher than two feet and the branches of trees shall start no less than six feet from the ground, unless located in areas that do not affect driver visibility.
(5) 
Parking lot screening required by § 300-6.06I shall count toward the landscaping requirements of this section.
(6) 
Paved area expansions shall be subject to the same landscaping formula requirements as new paved areas (see Figure 300-8.30d). The formula shall not be applied to paved areas developed prior to the adoption of this chapter.
C. 
Street frontages.
(1) 
For every 100 linear feet of the longest 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 300-8.30d.
(2) 
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.
(3) 
Landscaping shall not be located within a public right-of-way. Landscaping shall not impede vehicle or pedestrian visibility. See § 300-6.05.
(4) 
A minimum of 50% of all points shall be devoted to decorative or medium trees, or a combination of such trees.
(5) 
In the case of any new principal building, building expansion, new paved area, or paved area expansion on a previously-developed site, a percentage of the landscaping points specified in Figure 300-8.30d shall be required. For new paved areas and expansions, the required percentage shall be equal to the percentage of the paved area expansion as compared to the existing paved area square footage. For new buildings and expansions, the required percentage shall be the percentage of the building expansion as compared to the existing building square footage.
D. 
Yards.
(1) 
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 300-8.30d.
(2) 
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.
(3) 
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).
(4) 
Building expansions shall be subject to the same landscaping formula requirements as new buildings (see Figure 300-8.30d). The formula shall not be applied to portions of buildings developed prior to the adoption of this chapter.
E. 
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).
(1) 
The required level of bufferyard opacity is listed in Figure 300-8.30e. Detailed bufferyard requirements are listed in Figure 300-8.30f. 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.
(2) 
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.
(3) 
To ensure that the year-round screening objectives are fulfilled, only the plant classifications in Figure 300-8.40b listed as “appropriate for screening” shall count toward bufferyard point totals, unless non-screening plants are used in combination with a solid fence or a berm of six feet or more, in accordance with Figure 300-8.30f.
(4) 
Reduction of required bufferyard width.
(a) 
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.
(b) 
Where the minimum permitted width for the required bufferyard is not available under the current or proposed state of development, the Planning Commission, 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:
[1] 
Steep slopes that contain retaining walls or rip-rap.
[2] 
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.
(c) 
If there is permanently protected green space located on an adjoining property adjacent to the portion of a site that requires a bufferyard, the Planning Commission, 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.
(5) 
Use of required bufferyard and landscaped areas.
(a) 
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.
(b) 
No swimming pools, tennis courts, sports fields, golf courses, or other such similar active recreational uses shall be permitted.
(c) 
No parking, buildings, outdoor light fixtures, and no outdoor display of storage of materials shall be permitted.
(d) 
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.
F. 
Determination of landscaping requirements.
(1) 
The requirements of this article are additive to each other and any other landscaping or screening requirements in this chapter.
(2) 
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.
G. 
Measurement and calculation.
(1) 
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 Building/Zoning Inspector.
(2) 
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.
(3) 
Any partial plant derived from the required calculations of this section (for example: 23.3 shade trees) shall be rounded up to the next whole plant (for example: 24 shade trees).
H. 
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. However, the width of such areas may be counted as part of a landscaping width requirement for bufferyards.
I. 
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. Alternatively, such areas may be maintained in crop production if a principal use exists on-site and if approved by the Building/Zoning Inspector.
Figure 300-8.30d
Landscaping Requirements for Regular Development1
Requirement
Landscaping Component2
Building Foundation Perimeter
Paved Areas
Street Frontage Length
Yards
Bufferyards
Type of Landscaping
A minimum of 25% of points on side facing public street and 50% of points on side of main entrance. Shade trees and tall trees not allowed.
A minimum of 30% of points devoted to tall trees and 40% to shrubs
A minimum of 50% of points devoted to tall trees and 30% to medium trees
Any type allowed
See types “Appropriate for Screening” in Figure 300-8.40b.
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 300-8.30f
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 the longest street right-of-way frontage
Points per 1,000 sq ft of gross floor area on all floors of all buildings on a lot
See Figure 300-8.30f
Zoning Districts
Rural Holding (RH-35)
Fairgrounds (FG)
20
20
20
10
Only required along certain zoning district boundaries.
See Figure 300-8.40b for requirements
Single-Family Residential (SR-2) (SR-3) (SR-5) (SR-7) (SR-10)
40
50
100
20
Two-Family Residential (DR-8) (TF-10)
50
50
100
20
Multifamily Residential (MRL-8) (MRM-12)
60
50
100
20
Mobile Home Residential (MH-7)
40
50
100
20
Institutional (I)
40
50
100
20
Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU)
40
50
100
20
Suburban (SMU)
80
50
100
20
Urban Mixed-Use (UMU)
40
40
60
10
Downtown Historic (DHMU)
0
50
0
0
Business Park (BP)
80
50
100
20
Light Industrial (LI)
60
50
100
20
Medium Industrial (MI)
40
40
60
10
Heavy Industrial (HI)
30
30
50
10
Intensive Outdoor Storage (IOS)
60
50
100
20
Intensive Outdoor Commercial (IOC)
60
50
100
20
Adult-Oriented (AO)
60
50
100
20
Extraction (EX)
30
30
50
10
NOTES:
1
Single-family dwelling units, two-family dwelling units, and agricultural land uses are exempt from landscaping requirements.
2
See Figures 300-8.30g and 300-8.40a for points associated with plant types and see Figures 300-8.70a through 300-8.70g for example of the point calculations used for this table.
Figure 300-8.30e
Required Bufferyard Opacity Values
Apply the required opacity value from this Figure to Figure 300-8.30f and select the most appropriate bufferyard option. Note that certain land uses, conditional uses, and planned development projects may have more stringent bufferyard requirements.
Adjacent Property’s Zoning District
RH-35, FG
SR-2, SR-3, SR-5
SR-7, SR-10, MH-7
DR-8, TF-10
MRL-8
MRM-12, NMU, I
DHMU
SMU, UMU
BP, LI
MI
HI
IOS, IOC
AO
EX
Subject Property’s Zoning District
Rural Holding (RH-35)
Fairgrounds (FG)
*
Single-Family Residential - 2 (SR-2)
*
0
Single-Family Residential - 3 (SR-3)
*
0
Single-Family Residential - 5 (SR-5)
*
0
Single-Family Residential - 7 (SR-7)
*
0
0
Single-Family Residential - 10 (SR-10)
*
0
0
Duplex Residential - 8 (DR-8)
*
0
0
Two-Flat Residential - 10 (TR-10)
*
0
0
Mobile Home Residential - 7 (MH-7)
*
.2
.2
0
Multifamily Residential - 8 (MRL-8)
*
.2
.2
.2
0
Multifamily Residential - 12 (MRM-12)
*
.3
.3
.3
0
0
Neighborhood Mixed-Use (NMU)
*
.3
.3
.3
.2
0
Institutional (I)
*
.3
.3
.3
.2
0
Downtown His. Mixed-Use (DHMU)
*
.3
.3
.3
.3
.2
0
Suburban Mixed-Use (SMU)
*
.4
.4
.3
.3
.2
0
0
Urban Mixed-Use (UMU)
*
.4
.4
.3
.3
.2
0
0
Business Park (BP)
*
.4
.4
.3
.3
.2
0
0
Light Industrial (LI)
*
.4
.4
.4
.4
.4
.3
.3
0
Medium Industrial (MI)
*
.4
.4
.4
.4
.4
.3
.3
.3
0
Heavy Industrial (HI)
*
.6
.6
.6
.6
.6
.3
.3
.3
.3
0
Intensive Outdoor Storage (IOS)
*
.6
.6
.6
.6
.6
.4
.4
.4
.3
.2
0
Intensive Outdoor Commercial (IOC)
*
.6
.6
.6
.6
.6
.4
.4
.4
.3
.2
0
Adult-Oriented Entertainment (AO)
*
.6
.6
.6
.6
.6
.4
.4
.4
.3
.2
.2
0
Extraction (EX)
*
.8
.8
.8
.8
.8
.6
.6
.6
.5
.4
.4
.4
0
Figure 300-8.30f
Detailed Bufferyard Requirements
Opacity
Required Number of Landscaping Points per 100 feet
Required Minimum 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:
1
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 300-8.30g
Landscaping Points
Plant Category
Landscaping Points Per Plant1
Minimum Permitted Installation Size
Shade tree2
50
1 1/4 inches in diameter
Tall deciduous tree2
30
1 1/4 inches in diameter
Medium deciduous tree2
15
1 1/4 inches in diameter
Low deciduous tree2
10
1 1/4 inches in diameter
Tall evergreen tree2
40
4 feet tall
Medium evergreen tree2
20
4 feet tall
Low evergreen tree2
12
4 feet tall
Tall deciduous shrub
5
12 inches tall
Medium deciduous shrub
3
12 inches tall
Low deciduous shrub
1
12 inches tall
Medium evergreen shrub
5
12 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
NOTES:
1
Point values will be increased by 10% for the use of Wisconsin native plant species
2
Any existing on-site mature tree that is protected with no impervious surface or grading within its canopy is worth three times the point value as provided in this table. If said tree dies, it shall be replaced with the comparable new tree landscaping points as provided in this table.
Species suitable for landscaping and compatible with local climate and soil factors are listed in Figure 300-8.40a. Plant species native to Wisconsin are noted by an asterisk (*). This list is not intended to be exhaustive, and the Building/Zoning Inspector, shall review proposals for the applicability of species not listed and is authorized to approve appropriate similar species. See Figure 300-8.40b for species appropriate for specific and common landscaping situations (e.g., planting under power lines), and Figure 300-8.40c for a list of species to use sparingly or to avoid.
Figure 300-8.40a
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 tree
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
3
Weigela
Weigela spp.
Medium deciduous
3
Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster spp.
Mediulduous
3
Forsythia (Virgina, Rugosa)
Forsythia
Medium deciduous
3.3
Shrub Rose
Rosa spp.*
Medium deciduous shrubs
3.3
Viburnum (Arrowwood, Warfaring Tree, Nannyberry)
Viburnum spp.*
Medium deciduous
3.3
Potentilla
Potentilla spp.*
Medium deciduous
3.3
Bush Honeysuckle
Diervilla spp.*
Medium deciduous
3
Ninebark
Physocarpus spp.
Low deciduous shrubs
1
Azalea
Rhododendron (Azalea) spp.
Low deciduous shrubs
1.1
Gro-Low Sumac
Rhus 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
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Coneflower
Echinacea spp.*
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Catmint
Nepeta spp.
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta*
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Lily
Lilium spp.
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Daylily
Hemerocallis spp.
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Ornamental Grass
varies
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Lady’s Mantel
Alchemilla spp.
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Columbine
Aquilegia spp.*
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Aster
Aster spp.*
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Jack Frost
Brunnera macrophylla
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Blazing Star
Liatris spp.*
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Black Bugbane
Cimicifuga simplex
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Peony
Paeonia spp.
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Pachysandra
Pachysandra spp.
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Stonecrops
Sedum spp.*
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Astilbe
Astilbe spp.
Perennial plantings
1 or 20 per 20 square feet
Hosta
Hosta spp.
Pollinator perennials
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Butterfly Weed
Asclepias Tuberosa*
Pollinator perennials
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Smooth Blue Aster
Aster Laevis*
Pollinator perennials
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Wild Bergamot
Monarda Fistulosa*
Pollinator perennials
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Prairie Blazing Star
Liatris Pyconstachya*
Pollinator perennials
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Sweet Black-Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia Subtomentosa*
Pollinator perennials
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Smooth Penstemon
Penstemon Digitalis*
Pollinator perennials
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Showy Goldenrod
Solidago Speciosa*
Pollinator perennials
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Prairie Dropseed
Sporobolus Heterolepis*
Pollinator perennials
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Prairie Onion
Allium Stellatum*
Pollinator perennials
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Lance-leaf (sand) Coreopsis
Coreopsis Lanceolata*
Pollinator perennials
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Wild Lupine
Lupinus Perennis*
Pollinator perennials
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Pale Purple Coneflower
Echinacea Pallida*
Rain garden mix
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Purple Prairie Clover
Sporobolus Heterolepis*
Rain garden mix
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Boneset
Eupatorium Perfoliatum*
Rain garden mix
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Blue Vervain
Verbena Hastata*
Rain garden mix
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Brown Fox Sedge
Carex Vulpinoidea*
Rain garden mix
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia Canadensis*
Rain garden mix
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Blue Wood Aster
Aster Cordiforlium*
Rain garden mix
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Tell Bellflower
Campanula Americana*
Rain garden mix
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Cardinal Flower
Lobelia Cordiforlium*
Rain garden mix
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Palm Sedge
Campanula Americana*
Rain garden mix
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Mountain Mint
Pycnanthemum Virginianum*
Rain garden mix
2 or 40 per 20 square feet
Downy Wood Mint
Blephilia Ciliata*
NOTE:
*
Wisconsin native plant species identified with an asterisk are preferred plant materials and an additional 10% has been added to their respective point values.
Figure 300-8.40b
Sample Plant Species Appropriate for Specific Situations
Classification
Plant Category
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 trees
Spruces
Picea spp.
Tall evergreen trees
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 shurb
Yew (Japanese)
Taxus spp
Low evergreen shrub
Boxwood
Buxus spp
Figure 300-8.40c
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 sparingly
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
Populus 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 Clethra 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 § 300-10.20. 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.
A. 
Definition.
(1) 
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.
(2) 
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.
B. 
Requirements.
(1) 
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 for 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.
(2) 
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.
(3) 
Installation shall not be proposed for any of the following areas of a site:
(a) 
Areas where there is known soil contamination unless the rain garden or bioswale is proposed to be constructed with an under-drain;
(b) 
Areas where the characteristics of the soil would not allow for the proper infiltration, as defined by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, of water into the ground; or
(c) 
Areas where there are expected to be high levels of foot traffic, unless such areas are protected from foot traffic.
(4) 
The owner of the site shall record a maintenance agreement with the City if utilized for required stormwater management on the site. 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.
(5) 
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.
(6) 
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 Engineer. 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.
A. 
Installation.
(1) 
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, unless specified below in Subsection A(2). Failure to comply with this requirement shall be subject to the fees and penalties in §§ 300-10.60 and 300-10.61.
(2) 
For any lot less than one acre in size or for any building less than 10,000 square feet, any and all landscaping and bufferyard materials required by the provisions of this chapter shall be installed on the subject property, in accordance with the approved site plan within 730 days of the issuance of any occupancy permit for any building on the subject property.
B. 
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.
C. 
All landscaping and bufferyard areas shall be seeded with lawn or native ground cover unless such vegetation is already fully established.
D. 
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:
(1) 
Evergreen shrubs shall be planted in clusters to maximize their chance for survival.
(2) 
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.
(3) 
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.
(4) 
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.
(5) 
The restrictions on types of plants listed in this article shall apply.
E. 
Upon completion of the approved landscape improvements, a certification of compliance shall also be submitted by the owner or agent.
F. 
Maintenance.
(1) 
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 chapter shall constitute an agreement by the property owner to comply with the provisions of this section.
(2) 
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 12 months.
Sample landscaping schemes that may be used for building foundations, street frontages, paved areas, yards, and bufferyards are depicted in Figures 300-8.70a through 300-8.70g.
Figure 300-8.70a
Sample Landscaping Schemes: Site Before Required Landscaping
300-35.tiff
Figure 300-8.70b
Sample Landscaping Schemes: Building Foundation
300-36.tiff
Building Foundation Landscape Requirements
Requirement per Figure 300-8.40a:
40 points per 100 linear feet of building foundation. Plantings shall be located within 10 feet of the building foundation.
Building foundation
15 feet + 15 feet + 60 feet + 160 feet + 20 feet + 30 feet + 55 feet + 115 feet = 465 feet
470 feet/100 feet = 4.7
4.7 x 40 points = 188 points required
195 points provided
Figure 300-8.70c
Sample Landscaping Schemes: Paved Area
300-37.tiff 
Paved Area Landscaping Requirements
 
Requirement per Figure 300-8.40a
50 points per 10 parking stalls. Plantings shall be located within paved area or within 10 feet of paved area.
Paved area
34 Stalls/10 Stalls = 3.4
3.4 x 50 points = 170 points required
230 points provided
Figure 300-8.70d
Sample Landscaping Schemes: Street Frontage
300-38.tiff 
Street Frontage Landscaping Requirements
 
Requirement per Figure 300-8.40a
100 points per 100 feet of the longest street frontage. Plantings shall be located within 10 feet of public right-of-way.
Street frontage
150 feet/100 = 1.5
1.5 x 100 points = 150 points required
150 points provided
Figure 300-8.70e
Sample Landscaping Schemes: Yard
300-39.tiff 
Yard Landscaping Requirements
 
Requirement per Figure 300-8.40a
20 points per 1,000 square feet of gross floor area of all principal and accessory buildings. Plantings may be located anywhere on the site.
Building area
10,350 square feet/1,000 square feet = 10.35
10.35 x 20 points = 207 points required
210 points provided
Figure 300-8.70f
Sample Landscaping Schemes: Bufferyard
300-40.tiff
Bufferyard Landscape Requirements
Zoning Bufferyard:
SMU to DR-8 requires:
0.4 opacity bufferyard per Figure 300-8.40b
Option 1:(shown)
6-foot solid fence + 53 points per
100 feet and 10 feet minimum width
150 feet/100 feet = 1.5
1.5 x 53 points = 80 points required
93 points provided
Option 2:
44-inch picket fence + 330 points per 100 feet and 20 feet minimum width
150 feet/100 feet = 1.5
1.5 x 330 points = 495 points required
Bufferyard Option 1 shown
Figure 300-8.70g
Sample Landscaping Schemes: All Required Landscaping
300-41.tiff
All Required Landscaping
Building foundation:
15 feet + 15 feet + 60 feet + 160 feet + 20 feet + 30 feet + 55 feet + 115 feet = 465 feet
470 feet/100 feet = 4.7
4.7 x 40 points = 188 points required
195 points provided
Paved area:
34 stalls/10 stalls = 3.4
3.4 x 50 points = 170 points required
230 points provided
Street frontage:
150 feet/100 = 1.5
1.5 x 100 points = 150 points required
150 points provided
Yard:
Building Area = 10,350 square feet
10,350 square feet/1,000 square feet = 10.35
10.35 x 20 points = 207 points required
210 points provided
Zoning bufferyard:
Option 1: (shown)
6-foot solid fence + 53 points per 100 feet and 10 feet minimum width
150 feet/100 feet = 1.5
1.5 x 53 points = 80 points required
93 points provided