Town of Prosper, TX LANDSCAPING

Preserving natural geographic features; or

Physical constraints such as overall property size, configuration, or topography exist.

Landscaping, sidewalks, and amenities such as tennis courts and swimming or wading pools may be located within usable open space areas. Detention ponds that contain a constant water level, are landscaped, or otherwise treated as an amenity for the development, as determined by the Director of Development Services or his/her designee, may be calculated toward the required open space.

Open space shall contain one minimum three-inch caliper large tree for every 1,000 square feet of required open space. The tress shall be maintained in a healthy and growing condition, and must be replaced with trees of similar variety and size if damaged, destroyed, or removed. A landscape plan must be approved prior to approval of the final plat.

Multifamily landscape area requirements.

These standards apply to all multifamily zoning districts. Any area within a PD district containing landscaping standards shall comply with the standards set forth in the PD district.

General requirements.

Landscaped areas will be of varying depths intended to separate and screen incompatible land uses from one another and to provide green areas along major thoroughfares.

Foundation plantings of a single row of shrubs are required along the front façade of all buildings adjacent to a public street.

Trees required by the open space planting requirements are encouraged to be placed along the south and west sides of the residential building(s) to increase energy efficiency.

A summary of tabulations for all required plantings, preservation credits, tree mitigation, and/or other data as necessary to document the landscape requirements shall be shown on the landscape plan.

Perimeter requirements.

A landscaped area at least 25 feet wide shall be located between multifamily developments and public street(s) unless otherwise stated in another ordinance. One large tree, three-inch caliper minimum, will be planted on 30 foot centers within the required landscaped area (or quantity for size substitution can be approved by the town). All landscaping shown on the approved landscape plan will be installed in the vicinity of the building and its adjoining parking prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for units in said building. Required landscape areas adjacent to public streets shall be exclusive of easements or other restrictions which could inhibit planting, growth, or permanence of landscaping.

Where multifamily development is adjacent to the property line of single family zoned property or areas shown as single family on the future land use plan, a double row of three-inch caliper trees on 50 foot offset centers shall be located adjacent to single family zoning districts with one row being shade trees and the other row being evergreen trees in a 25 foot wide landscape perimeter area, unless otherwise approved by the Director of Development Services or his/her designee.

Where a multifamily development is adjacent to the property line of property zoned for uses other than single family or parcels not shown as single family on the future land use plan, a 15-foot wide landscape area is required. In addition, one large tree, three-inch caliper minimum, will be required for each 50 linear feet that abuts the adjacent property line. Trees will be located within the 15 foot perimeter area or within the area located between the property line and the side or rear building line. Trees required under this division that are planted in parking areas may not be credited towards meeting the number of required trees as outlined in the interior parking requirements listed below.

Berms ranging in height from three feet to six feet, and an overall minimum average of four and a half feet, shall be required along US 380, Frontier Parkway/FM 1461/Parvin Road, Custer Road/FM 2478, Preston Road, Dallas Parkway, and FM 1385.

Interior parking requirements.

Twenty square feet of landscaping for each parking space shall be provided within the paved boundaries of the parking lot, exclusive of the required perimeter landscape requirements stated above.

One large tree, three-inch caliper minimum, must be provided for every ten parking spaces, in addition to the perimeter trees required in article 4, § 4.2.6(B)(2). In addition, the trees required in this division may not be planted in the required perimeter landscaped areas to receive credit for the perimeter landscape area. Three small trees, a minimum of six feet in height and three inches in diameter, may be substituted for one required large tree for up to 25 percent of the required large trees.

Landscaped islands within the parking lot shall be a minimum of 160 square feet, not less than nine foot wide, and a length equal to the abutting space.

There shall be at least one large tree, three inch caliper minimum, within 50 feet of every parking space. Only trees located in parking areas are available to meet this requirement.

Landscaped islands will be located at the terminus of all parking rows, and should contain at least one large tree, with no more than 12 parking spaces permitted in a continuous row without being interrupted by a landscaped island. Areas where parking is located between the public street and the buildings, trees will be placed every five parking spaces.

Landscape islands in parking areas may be grouped to form one large island subject to town approval, provided however, grouping for large islands is prohibited adjacent to public street frontage.

All landscaped areas will be protected by a raised six inch concrete curb or wheel stop where curbs are not provided. Pavement will not be placed closer than four feet from the trunk of a tree unless a town approved root barrier is utilized.

A solid living screen using evergreen trees shall be placed around any RV/trailer parking areas.

Irrigation requirements.

Permanent irrigation shall be provided for all required landscaping as follows:

Irrigation lines shall be placed a minimum of two and one-half feet from a town sidewalk. Reduction of this requirement is subject to review and approval by the Town Engineer.

Trees and shrubs shall be irrigated by bubbler irrigation lines only. Other landscaping may be irrigated by spray irrigation. Separate valves shall be provided to turn off the spray irrigation line during periods of drought or water conservation.

Rain, freeze, and wind detectors shall be installed on all irrigation lines.

Open space.

Each parcel of land developed under the MF standards shall provide usable open space totaling 30 percent of the area being developed. The open space shall be computed on the percentage of total platted area in the subdivision, excluding right-of-way dedicated major thoroughfares. Areas provided as usable open space shall meet the following criteria:

The open space shall have a maximum slope not exceeding ten percent.

The open space shall have a minimum dimension of not less than 30 feet.

Of the required open space, 15 percent or 20,000 square feet, whichever is greater, shall be arranged or located in a contiguous mass. Flood plain used for open space may receive full credit for that portion that is maintained in its natural state. Floodplain that is reclaimed and used for open space shall receive a 50 percent credit toward open space.

At the time of preliminary site plan approval, the Planning and Zoning Commission may give full or partial credit for open areas that exceed the maximum slope, that are otherwise unusable, or that are less than the 15 percent or 20,000 square feet required in article 4, § 4.9.16(B)(3). These areas must be determined to be environmentally or aesthetically significant and/or an enhancement to the development or the area.

Landscaping, sidewalks, and amenities such as tennis courts, swimming or wading pools, and clubhouses may be located within usable open space areas. Detention ponds that contain a constant water level, are landscaped, or otherwise treated as an amenity for the development, as determined by the Director of Development Services or his/her designee, may be calculated toward the required open space.

vi.

Non-residential landscaped area requirements.

These standards apply to all non-residential uses. Any area within a PD containing landscaping standards shall comply with the standards set forth in the PD district.

Perimeter requirements:

A landscaped area consisting of living trees (as specified below), turf, or other living ground cover and being at least 25 feet in width measured from the property line interior to the property shall be provided adjacent to and outside of the right-of-way on all properties located adjacent to a major or minor thoroughfare as defined by the Town of Prosper Thoroughfare and Circulation Designs Standards.

The landscaped area may be reduced to 15 feet for the portion of a property adjacent to a collector or equivalent street as defined by the Town of Prosper Thoroughfare and Circulation Designs Standards.

The landscaped area shall be increased to 30 feet for properties adjacent to Preston Road, University Drive, and Dallas Parkway.

One large tree, three-inch caliper minimum per 30 linear feet of roadway frontage shall be planted within the required landscape area. The trees may be planted in groups with appropriate spacing for species.

In the DTO District, one large tree, three-inch caliper minimum per 30 linear feet of roadway frontage, excluding the width of driveways at the property line, shall be planted within the required landscape area. Where the width of the roadway frontage is greater than 80 feet, excluding the width of driveways at the property line, the number of large trees may be planted at a rate of one, three-inch large tree per 40 feet of roadway frontage, in lieu of the required one tree per 30 linear feet. The trees may be planted in groups with appropriate spacing for species. In the DTO District, the substitution of three small, ornamental trees for one large tree shall not be permitted.

A minimum of 15 shrubs with a minimum size of five gallons each will be planted in the landscaped area for each 30 feet of linear frontage.

vi.

Parking abutting the landscape area shall be screened from the adjacent roadway. The required screening may be accomplished with shrubs or earthen berms.

vii.

Unless there is parking adjacent to the landscape area, shrubs are not required in the landscape area in the DTO District.

viii.

Required landscape areas adjacent to public streets shall be exclusive easements or other restrictions which could inhibit planting, growth, or permanence of landscaping.

ix.

Where a non-residential development is adjacent to the property line of residential zoned parcels or areas shown as residential on the future land use plan, one large tree, three-inch caliper minimum, will be planted on 30 foot centers in a 15 foot landscape area, with the following exceptions:

Evergreen trees, three-inch caliper minimum, that will reach a minimum of 15 feet in height, shall be planted on 20 foot centers within the 15 foot landscape area where truck docks or loading spaces are adjacent to residentially zoned property or areas shown as residential on the future land use plan.

Evergreen trees, three-inch caliper minimum, that will reach a minimum of 15 feet in height, shall be planted on 20 foot centers within the 15 foot landscape area on any lot containing a drive-through restaurant, drive-in restaurant, and/or automotive use as defined in article 4, § 4.9.11(A) that is adjacent to a residential zoning district or area shown as residential on the future land use plan. All landscape screening materials shall be maintained in a manner to provided the intended screening.

In the DTO District, regardless of the adjacent use, zoning, or future land use designation; the width of perimeter landscape area adjacent to the property line may be reduced to a minimum of five feet.

In the DTO District, in lieu of the required large trees, one small (ornamental) tree shall be planted 30-foot centers along the adjacent property lines.

Where a non-residential development is adjacent to the property line of parcels zoned for uses other than residential or parcels not shown as residential on the future land use plan:

A five-foot-wide landscape area is required.

If the property line is the centerline of a fire lane or drive aisle, the five-foot-wide landscape area will begin at the edge of the lane/aisle. If the drive aisle or fire lane only allows access to parking spaces, the landscape area may be eliminated or moved at the discretion of the town.

The five-foot-wide landscape area may be eliminated for a building where the building is attached to another building and the attached buildings are shown on an approved site plan.

One small tree and one five-gallon shrub shall be planted every 15 linear feet. These trees and shrubs may be clustered in lieu of placing them every 15 feet.

All uses containing a drive-in, drive-through, or that require stacking shall provide a ten-foot-wide landscape area along the perimeter of the property. If the property line is the centerline of a fire lane or drive aisle, the ten-foot-wide landscape area will begin at the edge of the lane/aisle. The landscape area shall contain a minimum three-inch caliper evergreen trees planted 15 feet on-center with minimum five-gallon shrubs planted three feet on center.

Interior parking requirements.

Any non-residential parking area that contains 20 or more parking spaces shall provide interior landscaping, in addition to the required landscaped edge, as follows:

Fifteen square feet of landscaping for each parking space shall be provided within the paved boundaries of the parking lot area.

Where an existing parking lot area is altered or expanded to increase the number of spaces to 20 or more, interior landscaping shall be provided on the new portion of the lot in accordance with this division.

All landscaped areas shall be protected by a raised six-inch concrete curb. Pavement shall not be placed closer than four feet from the trunk of a tree unless a town approved root barrier is utilized.

Landscaped islands shall be located at the terminus of all parking rows, and shall contain at least one large tree, three-inch caliper minimum, with no more than 15 parking spaces permitted in a continuous row without being interrupted by a landscaped island. Where there is a minimum eight-foot-wide landscaped median between two rows of head-in parking, landscaped islands are required every 20 spaces.

Landscaped islands shall be a minimum of 160 square feet, not less than nine feet wide and a length equal to the abutting space.

Subject to approval by the town, islands may be grouped to form one large island.

There shall be at least one large tree, three-inch caliper minimum, within 150 feet of every parking space. This minimum distance may be expanded with town approval in the event that required islands are grouped to form larger islands.

Required parking lot trees may be consolidated into groups under the following conditions:

The number of required trees is one per ten parking spaces.

Consolidated tree islands require 180 square feet per tree.

The maximum run of parking spaces is increased from 15 to 30.

This consolidation does not include the tree islands at the end of a row of parking or along perimeter parking rows that face a drive aisle or street.

A consolidated tree island shall not be located closer than five parking spaces from an end of row tree island.

All uses containing a drive-in, drive-through, or that require stacking shall be subject to the following standards:

A minimum five-foot-wide landscape island shall be constructed around the outer edge of the drive-through lane(s) along the outer edge of the escape lane, extending from the point entry to the exit.

The landscape island shall contain minimum three inch caliper evergreen trees planted 15 feet on-center with minimum five gallon shrubs planted three feet on center. Ornamental trees may be used in place of a portion of shrubs to create a mixture of species and types of vegetation. If the landscape island is located on the perimeter of the property, perimeter landscaping requirements may be applied towards this requirement.

Building landscaping.

Foundation plantings are required for buildings or groups of contiguous buildings that are 100,000 square feet or larger. One large tree, three inch caliper, shall be required for every 10,000 square feet of gross building area. These trees shall be located within 30 feet of the face of the building. These plantings are intended to provide pedestrian areas while breaking up the large areas of impervious surface. Trees required by other sections of this ordinance will not meet this requirement. Trees may be planted within the building landscape area described above or within tree grates. Trees can be grouped or planted in singular form. These tree plantings should be placed so as not to impede sign visibility. Trees intended for foundation plantings shall meet the following criteria:

Planted within 30 feet of the front building face.

Trees planted less than four feet from the back of curb shall be located in a tree grate with a minimum dimension of four feet.

Small trees may be substituted for large tree foundation plantings at the rate of five ornamentals for each requirement of a large tree (5:1) with town approval. Small trees shall have a minimum size of three inch caliper. Multi-trunk trees will be required to meet a three inch requirement based on standard nursery trade specifications.

Trees may be placed in groups with appropriate spacing for species.

The above requirements may be reduced if approved by the town and additional pedestrian features such as plazas, seating areas, fountains, and outdoor recreation facilities are provided. These facilities must occupy an area equal to or greater than five percent of the total building area.

In the DTR and DTC Districts, large trees shall be planted every 30 feet on center in tree grates within the sidewalk a minimum of four feet behind the back of curb. The trees shall be a minimum three inch caliper at the time of planting.

Irrigation requirements.

Permanent irrigation shall be provided for all required landscaping as follows:

Irrigation lines shall be placed a minimum of two and one-half feet from a town sidewalk or alley. Reduction of this requirement is subject to review and approval by the Town Engineer.

Rain, freeze, and wind detectors shall be installed on all irrigation lines.

Median planting requirements.

Non-residential developments having frontage on a divided thoroughfare are required to plant or escrow funds for one three-inch caliper large tree per 70 linear feet of frontage. The purpose of this requirement is to establish trees in the medians as development of properties adjacent to divided thoroughfares occurs. The Town will be responsible for maintenance of the trees and medians following the initial installation. The town is responsible for the installation of trees and irrigation where funds are escrowed or a bond is provided. The Town will have the sole authority to approve any alternate methods of meeting median obligations. Right-of-way median plantings shall meet the following criteria:

Median plantings within the public right-of-way are to be a minimum of 60 feet from back of curb at the median nose.

Median plantings shall be a minimum of five feet from back of curb.

Visibility corridors are to be shown on landscape plans.

Trees shall be a minimum of five feet from utility lines.

Six inches of topsoil shall be provided in medians.

Open space requirements.

A final open space plan shall be submitted with the final site plan application for all non-residential uses. Open space plans will be used only to ensure minimum standards are met. Open space plans shall be reviewed and approved by the Director of Development Services or his/her designee. The applicant may appeal the decision to the Planning and Zoning Commission. For nonresidential development, seven percent of the net lot area is required to be provided as open space. The open space may consist of any element that is not one of the following:

Vehicular paving.

Required parking lot landscape islands.

Building footprint.