(a) 
Purpose.
The purpose of this article is to:
(1) 
Establish landscaping standards that preserve and enhance the character of the city;
(2) 
Improve the compatibility between different adjoining uses; and
(3) 
Conserve water by promoting the use of native and drought-resistant trees and shrubs.
(b) 
Applicability.
(1) 
The requirements of this article apply to all land in the city. All site development plans, plats, and land development proposals are subject to the minimum regulations and policies of this article.
(2) 
Exception.
The requirements of this article are not applicable for modifications to nonresidential buildings where a building expansion or redevelopment does not exceed the gross floor area of the existing building by more than 10 percent or 3,000 square feet, whichever is less.
(Ordinance 19-3690 adopted 4/23/19)
(a) 
Irrigation.
(1) 
General requirement.
All landscaping must be irrigated or located within 100 feet of a private water outlet to which a hose may be connected.
(2) 
Waivers of general requirement.
The administrator shall have the authority to waive or delay implementation of the requirements of subsection (a)(1):
(A) 
When public improvements (e.g., water, sanitary sewer, drainage, street facilities) have been authorized and scheduled which would affect landscaping on a lot or tract; or
(B) 
For a temporary use which will be in operation for period of one year or less.
(b) 
Public right-of-ways.
(1) 
Generally.
It shall be unlawful to set out, construct, maintain or permit to be maintained any shrub or plant (excluding trees), sign or structure, or any other obstruction having a height of greater than three feet, as measured from the top of the curb of the adjacent street, in the public right-of-way.
(2) 
Exemption.
Subsection (b)(1) shall not apply to any government-owned traffic-control sign or signal, street sign, or mailbox provided that the structure does not:
(A) 
Interfere with the free passage of vehicles on the street;
(B) 
Interfere with pedestrian access on a sidewalk;
(C) 
Obscure the view of motor vehicle driver; or
(D) 
Otherwise create a traffic hazard.
(3) 
Trees in the public right-of-way.
All trees with a trunk diameter greater than two inches measured three feet above ground level that are within any of the parkway area shall be trimmed so that no foliage is less than six feet above the top of the curb of the adjacent street. No evergreen or coniferous species of tree shall be allowed in the public right-of-way.
(c) 
Street tree planting and spacing.
Street trees planted to fulfill the requirements of this article shall be:
(1) 
Planted no closer 10 feet from the curb, curb lines, sidewalks, fire hydrants, underground utilities, overhead transmission lines, or other utilities; and
(2) 
Planted no closer than 20 feet from any street corner, measured from the point of nearest intersection of curb or pavement lines.
(d) 
Prohibited plant species.
Plant species that require extensive irrigation, are invasive, or are not drought tolerant are prohibited.
(e) 
Recommended plant list.
See the City of Plainview Recommended Planting List.
(Ordinance 19-3690 adopted 4/23/19)
(a) 
Landscaping required.
(1) 
General requirements.
(A) 
New nonresidential uses and apartment developments shall be required to have 10% of the development site landscaped.
(B) 
Landscaping, including all calculations used as the basis for the plan, shall be approved as part of section 14.12.006, Site Development Plans.
(2) 
Exception to general requirement.
The 10 percent landscaping requirement set forth in subsection (a)(1)(A) may be reduced by up to 5 percent with site plan approval setting forth a plan for xeriscape landscape treatments, preservation of existing vegetation, and Water-Wise irrigation systems for at least two-thirds of total area of the development.
(3) 
Recommended plantings.
The city highly recommends that all landscaping that is planted as part of a new development shall be from the recommended plant list per section 14.07.002(e), Recommended Plant List; however, the city requires that no plants shall require extensive irrigation, are invasive, or are not drought tolerant as per section 14.07.002(d), Prohibited Plant Species.
(b) 
Landscaping location requirements.
(1) 
At least 50 percent of all required landscaping shall be located between the front of a primary building and the street right-of-way.
(2) 
Landscaping shall be comprised of a mixture of native trees, shrubs, and succulent plants, using methods that promote water conservation and plant sustainability.
(3) 
Landscaping may be clustered or placed in smaller islands, provided that the landscaping is sustainable when located in parking lots and near streets.
(4) 
The administrator may approve a deviation from the 50 percent criteria in order to:
(A) 
Preserve existing vegetation on another side of the site;
(B) 
Provide additional buffering in a critical location where it may be required, such as along a rear property line; or
(C) 
Create an amenity area in another portion of the site.
(c) 
Downtown District.
The 50 percent requirement of subsection (b)(1), above, shall not apply to the Downtown District (DT) due to the “build to” setback requirement. In the Downtown District, landscaping may be dispersed across the entire site.
(d) 
Landscaping calculation guidelines.
(1) 
Clustering of vegetation.
(A) 
The 50 percent landscaping requirement of subsection (b)(1), above, does not preclude the clustering of vegetation or the even distribution of landscaping. Landscaping should be placed within areas that will ensure the longevity of the landscaping and efficient irrigation that promotes water conservation;
(B) 
Where practical, it is the preference of the city to maintain existing trees and other vegetation;
(C) 
Bufferyard landscaping located between the front building facade and a street shall be counted toward fulfilling the bufferyard and 50 percent landscaping requirements;
(2) 
Location of vegetation.
Landscaping will be strategically located, and vegetation preserved, in locations that simultaneously satisfy the requirements of multiple landscaping requirements; and
(3) 
Site development plans.
Any landscape plan submitted via section 14.12.006, Site Development Plans, must contain calculations and planting schedules that demonstrate how each landscaping requirement has been satisfied and the amount of existing vegetation credits that are proposed. Existing areas to be preserved shall be adequately denoted and described on the landscape plan, with details provided about the preservation of these areas during construction.
(e) 
Landscape design criteria.
(1) 
All plant material must meet specifications of the American Association of Nurserymen (AAN) for No. 1 grade.
(2) 
All plants shall be sized as set out in table 14.07.003, Minimum Planting Size Requirements, with the exception of plants required in order to satisfy the bufferyard requirements set out in section 14.07.004, Bufferyards.
(A) 
When opaque screening or a bufferyard is required to be a specific height, the size of landscaping shall be sufficient to satisfy that requirement at the time of planting.
(B) 
Required plant height necessary to satisfy the applicable bufferyard requirements may be reduced by the height of an earthen berm, if landscaping is installed on the berm or above the natural grade.
(3) 
Where larger sized plants are required to satisfy bufferyard requirements, the minimum required plant size shall comply with the more stringent requirement.
Table 14.07.003. Minimum Planting Size Requirements
Plant Type
Minimum Size
Standard deciduous trees
1-1/2" caliper
Small ornamental and flowering trees
1-1/2" caliper
Evergreen trees
4 feet
Shrubs/ground covers
Adequate size to be consistent with design intent
(Ordinance 19-3690 adopted 4/23/19)
(a) 
Generally.
The bufferyards required by this chapter are based on the amount of screening they provide, which are classified from less screening (Type A) to more screening (Type D), depending on the types and intensity the adjacent land uses and/or zoning district.
(b) 
Bufferyard types.
(1) 
There are four types of bufferyards, each of which vary in the width of the bufferyard and the numbers and types of plants that are required per 100 linear feet, or portion thereof.
(2) 
The minimum planting requirements for each type and composition of bufferyard are set out in table 14.07.004(A), Bufferyard Classifications.
(c) 
Classification of bufferyards.
Bufferyards may be classified as:
(1) 
Structural bufferyards.
Structural bufferyards are those that include a fence or wall to achieve the required level of screening or preferred for privacy or security; and
(2) 
Natural bufferyards.
Natural bufferyards are those that include an earthen berm, a geologic grade change, an arroyo, or a higher density of plant materials to achieve the required level of screening.
Table 14.07.004(A). Bufferyard Classifications
Type
Width
Required Plantings per 100 Linear Feet
(Structural/Natural)
Height of Berm, Wall or Fence1,2
Large Trees
Evergreen Trees
Small Trees
Shrubs
Type A
5 ft.
1/2
1/2
1/3
10/15
–
Type B
10 ft.
2/3
2/3
2/6
20/30
–
Type C
25 ft.
3/6
3/6
3/9
30/40
6 ft.
Type D
35 ft.
4/8
4/8
4/12
40/55
8 ft.
Table notes:
1 An earthen berm, wall, or fence is not required for natural bufferyard.
2 Special use permit approval may require additional bufferyard requirements as a condition of approval.
(d) 
Bufferyards in specific locations.
(1) 
Between districts.
Structural bufferyards are the preferred composition along a district boundary that is not a street, or where there is a specific privacy or security need that requires a wall or fence.
(2) 
Between mixed housing types and uses.
Structural or natural bufferyards may be used between mixed housing types and mixed uses within a development.
(3) 
Adjacent to land zoned Single-Family Residential (R-1).
Natural bufferyards are preferred where practical to reinforce the rural or suburban character of the district.
(4) 
Along resource features and recreation uses.
Natural bufferyards are desired along natural areas and floodplains to provide open space and enhance water quality and public safety.
(e) 
Exemptions.
A parcel proposed for development, redevelopment, or substantial improvement may be exempt from the requirement to provide a bufferyard under the following conditions:
(1) 
When there is an elevation difference between two adjacent properties that is six feet or greater; or
(2) 
When the parcel proposed for development, redevelopment, or substantial improvement is separated from the adjacent property by a natural or man-made area that meets or exceeds the level of screening required by the applicable bufferyard.
(f) 
Credits for existing landscaping improvements.
(1) 
Generally.
Existing trees, fences, and landscape or retaining walls that meet, in part but not in whole, the bufferyard requirements set out herein, may be counted toward a bufferyard requirement, provided that the trees and landscaping are in good health or the fences or walls are structurally sound.
(2) 
Existing landscaping credit.
Credit shall be given for existing trees and landscaping within bufferyards and perimeter yards.
(g) 
Zoning district boundary bufferyard standards.
(1) 
Generally.
Set out in table 14.07.004(B), Zoning District Boundary Bufferyard Standards, is the classification of bufferyards that are required between zoning districts that are not separated by a public street right-of-way.
(2) 
Interpretation of the table.
(A) 
The table is a matrix in which all zoning districts are grouped into categories of similar land use intensities.
(B) 
The rows indicate the zoning of the parcel proposed for development and the columns indicate the zoning of the adjacent property or properties.
(C) 
Where “–” is found, no bufferyard is required.
Table 14.07.004(B). Zoning District Boundary Bufferyard Standards
Zoning of Parcel Proposed for Development
Zoning of Adjoining District
RA, SR
MR, MF, MH
CU, DT, MU, NC
GC, LI
HI
RA, SR
–
–
–
–
–
MR, MF, MH
A
–
–
–
–
CU, DT, MU, NC
B
B
–
–
–
GC, LI
C
C
B
–
–
HI
D
C
C
–
–
(3) 
Relationship to other bufferyard requirements.
If bufferyards are required by another section of this chapter along property boundaries that are also district boundaries, then the greater bufferyard requirement shall prevail.
(h) 
Bufferyard fencing and screening.
(1) 
Orientation.
Where a fence is used to provide a buffer, the finished side of all fences shall face outward toward any adjacent rights-of-way or the property that is being buffered. All support posts and stringers shall face inward toward the property upon which the fence is located, or the development being screened.
(2) 
Construction materials.
Any screening wall or fence qualifying as a bufferyard shall be constructed of wood, masonry or reinforced concrete which does not contain openings constituting more than 40 square inches in each one square foot of wall or fence surface, and the surface of such wall or fence shall constitute a visual barrier. All wall or fence openings shall be equipped with gates equal in height and screening characteristics to the wall or fence.
(Ordinance 19-3690 adopted 4/23/19)
(a) 
Generally.
All plant material shall be maintained at all times in a living and growing condition. Any landscaping material that dies shall be replaced with healthy material.
(b) 
Trimming.
Any tree or other form of landscaping overhanging a public alley, street, or highway shall:
(1) 
Be trimmed by the owner, agent or occupant of the property on which the landscaping is planted so that there is a clear height of 18 feet above the surface of the street, alley or highway and eight feet above the sidewalk surface, that is unobstructed;
(2) 
If a tree or any other landscaping in any way causes a hindrance to the general public, or in any way endangers the security or usefulness of any public street, right-of-way, highway, alley, utility, or sidewalk, it may be declared to be a public nuisance; and
(3) 
If the owner of such tree or landscaping does not correct or remove such nuisance within 30 days of written notification, the city shall cause the nuisance to be corrected in accordance with the requirements set out in article 14.14, Enforcement and Remedies.
(c) 
See also section 14.02.006, Planned Development (PD) District Regulations, and section 10.03.003, Property Owner Associations.
(Ordinance 19-3690 adopted 4/23/19)