This article is intended to enhance the aesthetic
appearance of developments and preserve a sense of place throughout
Washington Township. This will be accomplished through the promotion
of environmental stewardship via the enhancement, preservation, and
protection of the urban forest and vegetation. This objective shall
serve to protect the public health, safety, welfare, environment,
and aesthetics of Washington Township by:
A. Maintaining property values, the quality of life,
and lifestyles valued and enjoyed by the community through the preservation
of Washington Township's native vegetation;
B. Providing visual relief from large expanses of parking
areas and reduction of perceived building scale;
C. Promoting city beautification and civic identity through
diverse and creative landscape designs;
D. Contributing to economic development through the maintenance
of a regional identity that attracts new business, while promoting
business retention;
E. Improving air quality through the preservation of
mature vegetation that removes carbon monoxide and filters dust and
particulates from the air;
F. Assisting in climate modification and reducing energy
costs through the use of native vegetation to shade buildings, streets,
sidewalks, and outdoor areas;
G. Reducing heat islands in large impervious areas by
providing shade;
H. Retaining and reestablishing vegetative features of
habitats that are important to biological diversity and native wildlife
species;
I. Minimizing soil erosion, runoff, and drainage on abutting
land through preservation and revegetation with native plants;
J. Mitigating the adverse impacts of noise and the appearance
of deleterious uses, via buffers and screening.
The following specifications shall apply to
all proposed plant material:
A. Plant material shall be of a species native to the
Washington Township region and shall be of a nursery stock free of
insects and disease.
B. All plant materials shall meet the horticultural standards
of the most current edition of the Guide Specifications for Nursery
Stock, produced by the American Society of Horticultural Science (ASHS).
C. The proportion of deciduous to coniferous trees shall
be approximately 50:50;
D. The following mix of tree sizes shall be used:
(1) Fifty percent of required deciduous trees shall be
a minimum of two-inch caliper, and 50% shall be a minimum of three-inch
caliper;
(2) Seventy-five percent of required coniferous trees
shall be a minimum of 10 feet in height, and 25% shall be a minimum
of 15 feet in height.
E. For street trees, at least two species will be specified
that are not sensitive to the same diseases or unexpected climatic
changes.
F. All shrubs provided for planting shall:
(1) Be a minimum of two-gallon size at the time of planting;
(2) Be a minimum height or spread of 24 inches.
G. Ground cover shall be planted and spaced to result
in total coverage of the required landscape area by utilizing:
(1) Four-inch pots, at 18 inches on center; or
(2) One gallon or greater-sized containers at 24 inches
on center.
H. Grass may be used as ground cover in landscape areas,
provided that the grass area:
(1) Is at least five feet wide at the smallest dimension;
(2) Constitutes no more than 30% of landscape areas.
I. Landscape areas shall be covered with at least two
inches of mulch to minimize evaporation.
J. The regulations of this article regarding the required
plant material and specifications may be waived by the Planner at
the request of a qualified landscape professional, such as a horticulturist
or landscape architect, acting on behalf of the property owner.