The purposes of this article are to:
A.
Provide visual screening of parking areas and along
property boundaries so as to preserve the existing visual qualities
of adjacent properties, and to generally improve aesthetics.
B.
Reduce surface runoff and minimize soil erosion through
the filtering and soil-retention capabilities of landscaped areas
and green space.
C.
Moderate the microclimate associated with large development
schemes by using vegetation that provides shading, heat absorption,
carbon dioxide absorption, and oxygen production.
D.
Enhance the overall visual quality of new development
by providing a variety of plant materials, in addition to green space,
that is consistent with native vegetation.
All projects requiring site plan review as identified in Article V of this chapter (including Planned Development Districts), all conditional use permits, and all use variances that involve new construction shall be subject to the requirements of this article. Single-family dwellings, individual buildings used for two-family dwelling purposes, and residential accessory structures are not subject to the provisions contained herein.
A.
Preservation of existing conditions.
(1)
All landscaping will attempt to preserve and retain,
insofar as possible, the natural contours, soil, trees and plant life
existing on the site.
(2)
Where possible and reasonable, any trees greater than
10 inches in diameter at breast height of desirable species and in
good health and sound structure shall be retained on the site and
protected during development with a substantial fence not less than
four feet high installed at the critical root zone.
B.
Minimum landscape area.
(1)
All nonresidential uses will retain at least 35% of
the property as green space.
(2)
All multifamily projects will retain at least 40%
of the property as green space.
(3)
Any property being developed for nonresidential purposes
or multifamily development will maintain a minimum of 25 feet of green
space between the street right-of-way and the parking lot. Landscaping
and/or curbing is required in order to prevent vehicle incursion.
Furthermore, no vehicles will be parked in this twenty-five-foot green
area.
C.
Landscape areas in parking lots.
(1)
All parking lots shall be landscaped around the periphery
of the lot to buffer the visual impact of the parking lot on adjacent
properties and streets.
(2)
Parking lots with 20 or more spaces are to be subdivided
by internal landscape islands. Landscape islands are to be equally
distributed for maximum environmental and visual effect, with not
less than one island for every 10 parking spaces. Each landscape island
should contain at least one medium or large shade tree.
(3)
Landscape areas in parking lots may be used for stormwater
management. Stormwater management areas which abut parking lots and
do not have curbs must have concrete curb stops for each parking space
to prevent vehicle intrusion into landscape areas. Landscape areas
which are not to be used as part of stormwater management must have
six-inch concrete or granite curbs.
D.
Pedestrian amenities.
(1)
All landscape plans must include grass strips and sidewalks along streets and roadways as specified in Chapter 221, Sidewalks. These should be located within the street right-of-way whenever possible. The Planning and Zoning Commission or Zoning Board of Appeals may, at its discretion, allow applicants to reserve eight feet along the pavement edge for future sidewalk construction.
(2)
All landscape plans must include shade trees planted
in a tree lawn located between 10 and 15 feet from the edge of pavement.
Trees shall be planted no more than 30 feet apart.
E.
Plant material and installation.
(1)
Only nursery-grown plant materials shall be acceptable.
All trees, shrubs and ground cover shall be planted according to the
accepted standards of the American Association of Nurserymen.
(2)
Minimum size. All deciduous trees shall have a minimum
caliper of 2 1/2 inches DBH (diameter at breast height). The
size of evergreen trees and shrubs shall be allowed to vary depending
on location and type of plant material (species). Landscaping meant
to screen will be effective immediately upon planting and will retain
its usefulness as a screen year-round. Consequently, trees and shrubs
meant to serve as a screen will be of such a height, width and density
as to immediately act as an effective screen.
(3)
Minimum planting area.
(a)
No landscape island will be less than 81 square
feet in area, and landscape islands shall have no dimensions less
than nine feet. Landscape islands may be smaller if structural soil
is used to create soil volume adequate for the chosen plant material.
(b)
All landscape areas in parking lots shall be
excavated to a depth of three feet and backfilled with amended soil.
Backfill should be free of aggregate base, construction debris, or
other materials detrimental to optimal plant growth.
(4)
Plant material shall be selected with respect to scale,
purpose/function, and allotted amount of space. In addition, although
plant materials may be listed under one category, they may also meet
the requirements of another, depending on usage. A list of recommended
plant material is on file with the Town of Glenville Economic Development
and Planning Department.
[Amended 10-1-2014 by L.L. No. 7-2014]
(a)
Landscape plans specifying more than 10 trees
must provide a mix of tree species or cultivars.
(5)
All areas not covered by main or accessory structures,
walks, and vehicular use areas must be covered by one or more of the
following materials: turf grass, organic mulch, ground cover, shrubs,
vines, hedges, or landscape pebbles or rock.
A.
All owners of land or their agents shall be responsible
for the maintenance of all landscaping. This includes mowing and maintaining
abutting rights-of-way, swales, and stormwater treatment areas. Landscaping
shall be maintained in a good condition so as to present a healthy,
neat and orderly appearance at least equal to the original installation
and shall be mowed or trimmed in a manner and at a frequency so as
not be detract from the appearance of the general area. Landscaping
shall be maintained to minimize property damage and public safety
hazards, including removal of living, dead or decaying plant material,
removal of low-hanging branches and those obstructing street lighting.
B.
The owner shall replace dead, dying and/or seriously
damaged plant materials within a reasonable period during the current
(or immediate next) planting season. Any other damaged or missing
elements, including but not limited to fences, bollards, signs, shrubs,
street furniture, etc., of the approved plan must be similarly replaced
by the owner. This will ensure that landscaping remains in compliance
with the final site plan as approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.
All projects subject to the requirements of
this article shall submit a landscape plan as part of the application
for site plan review, conditional use permit, or use variance. Landscape
plans must be prepared by a licensed landscape architect, architect,
or engineer and must contain the following information:
A.
A legible planting plan illustrated on reproducible
material drawn to a scale of no smaller than 50 feet to one inch.
The planting plan may be included on the site plan. The planting plan
will show all existing significant vegetation. Trees over 10 inches
DBH must be shown individually with accurate dimensions for driplines
and caliper as well as species. Masses of trees less than 10 inches
DBH, and other vegetation, may be illustrated by dripline only. The
planting plan must clearly indicate which existing vegetation is slated
for removal.
B.
A planting schedule listing the botanical name, common
name, cultivar (if appropriate), quantity, and initial size of all
planting material specified on the planting plan.
C.
Construction details illustrating planting techniques
and tree protection (if appropriate).
D.
Calculations showing that minimum landscape area requirements
have been met.
E.
Name and signature of the professional engineer, landscape
architect, and/or architect who prepared the plan.
F.
Graphic scale and North arrow.
In the event that conflicting provisions are
discovered within this chapter relative to any other Town ordinances
or local laws, the regulations or provisions which are more restrictive
shall apply.
