All nonresidential and multiple-family development that is otherwise
subject to site plan review shall meet the requirements of this article.
All landscaped areas are subject to the following standards:
A. Lawn area.
1) Grass areas shall be planted in a species well adapted to localized
growing conditions in Ontario County, New York. Grass areas may be
sodded, plugged, sprigged, hydromulched, or seeded except that solid
sod shall be used in swales or other areas subject to erosion.
2) In areas where other than solid sod or grass seed is used, over-seeding
shall be sown for immediate effect and protection until coverage is
otherwise achieved.
3) Replacement or over-seeding mixes shall match or compliment the original
installation.
B. Perimeter landscaping. Landscaping shall be required along the perimeter
of projects, or within the required setbacks, and shall be provided
except where driveways or other openings may be required. The Planning
Board may consider alternatives to the location of landscaping materials,
based on the existing character of the neighborhood. For large development
projects such as shopping centers, perimeter landscaping shall apply
to the full perimeter of the project, and not to internal property
lines. The linear feet guidelines below are to be used to calculate
the number of required plantings; they do not require that plantings
be uniformly spaced. Rather, grouping of plants consistent with accepted
landscape practice is encouraged. Specific requirements are as follows:
1) At least one tree for each 40 linear feet of the perimeter of the
lot; and
2) At least one shrub for each 10 linear feet of the perimeter of the
lot.
C. Building foundations. Building foundations shall be planted with
ornamental plant material, such as ornamental trees, flowering shrubs,
perennials, and ground covers. The arrangement of said landscaping
shall be arranged along the front facade as well as any facades visible
from the public right-of-way. Trees and shrubs shall be provided according
to the following requirements:
1) At least one tree for each 30 linear feet of the perimeter of the
building; and
2) At least one shrub for each five linear feet of the perimeter of
the building.
D. Parking areas. Parking lots containing 10 or more spaces shall be
internally landscaped and provide the following:
1) A landscaped buffer at least 10 feet in width provided between a
parking lot and the public rights-of-way;
2) A landscaped island or median for every 10 spaces, planted with at
least one tree no smaller than two-inch caliper (trunk diameter at
four foot height). 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 in parking areas;
3) Islands and medians a minimum of eight feet wide at the shortest
side to protect plant materials and ensure proper growth (see figure
below);
4) Islands utilized to separate parking stalls into groupings of not
more than 20 spaces between islands (see figure below); and
5) Parking lots broken up into "rooms" of no more than 40 spaces, separated
by landscaped islands or pedestrian accessways or sidewalks (see figure
below).
E. Screening requirements.
1) A fence without landscaping shall not be considered a buffer.
2) A landscaped barrier at least 10 feet in width shall be provided
to screen vehicular activity from adjacent properties. If there is
insufficient space to accommodate a ten-foot landscaped area, the
Planning Board may allow screening to consist of a wall, fence, berm,
hedge, or other plant materials or combinations thereof no less than
five feet in height.
It shall be the responsibility of the property owner and/or
lessee to maintain the quality of all plant material, non-plant landscaping,
and irrigation systems used in conjunction with the landscaping.
A. Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to; watering, weeding,
mowing (including trimming at the base of fencing), fertilizing, mulching,
proper pruning, and removal and replacement of dead or diseased trees
and shrubs on a regular basis.
B. All landscaping and plant material that is missing, dead, decaying,
or injured as of September 30 shall be replaced by June 30 of the
following year at the owner's expense. The replacement shall
be of the same species and size unless otherwise approved by the Code
Enforcement Officer.
C. Irrigation systems shall be designed to minimize spray on buildings,
neighboring properties, roads or sidewalks; maintained in proper operating
condition and conserve water to the greatest extent feasible through
proper watering techniques.
D. Improper maintenance shall be determined through periodic inspection
by the Code Enforcement Officer. The Code Enforcement Officer may
require a review and status report of plantings by a professional
landscaper, arborist, or engineer. All reasonable costs for review
and determination shall be at the expense of the property owner.
In any district, all dumpsters, service areas or mechanical
units used or intended to be used for any building or land use other
than one-family and two-family dwelling units, shall be subject to
the following:
A. All dumpsters, service areas and mechanicals must be located behind
the front building line; and
B. All dumpsters, service areas and mechanicals shall be screened from
view with either a wall, a solid fence or a combination of fencing
and evergreens creating a solid visual barrier from adjacent properties
and the public right-of-way. Said barrier shall be a height of at
least five feet above grade level on all sides where the adjacent
land is in a residential district or a residential use.
Where any nonresidential use abuts a residential use or district,
including off-street parking areas, a landscaped buffer of at least
five feet in width shall be provided. Such buffer shall include one
or any combination of the following screening as approved in site
plan review. The requirements may be modified by the Planning Board
if deemed necessary to fulfil the purpose and intent of these regulations.
A. A landscaped earthen berm a minimum of two feet high plus plantings
a minimum of two feet high (a total of four feet high).
B. A decorative concrete or masonry wall.
C. A wood, vinyl, tubular steel, or similar fence compatible with the
character of the area in which the fence is to be placed. Fences or
walls used to meet screening requirements shall display a finished
face toward adjacent streets and properties.
D. A compact hedge or other live vegetative barrier.