[Ord. No. 231, effective 1-5-1997]
The intent of this article is to promote the public health, safety and welfare by establishing minimum standards for the design, installation and maintenance of landscaping, greenbelts and buffer zones. Landscaping, greenbelts, and buffer zones are necessary for the continued protection and enhancement of all land uses. Landscaping and greenbelts enhance the visual image of the Township, preserve natural features, improve property values, and alleviate the impact of noise, traffic, and visual distraction. Buffer zones protect less-intense uses from the noise, light, traffic, litter and other impacts. Specifically, the intent of these provisions is to:
A. 
Improve the appearance of off-street parking areas, vehicular use areas, and property abutting public rights-of-way;
B. 
Protect and preserve the appearance, character, and value of the neighborhoods which abut nonresidential areas, parking areas, and other intensive use areas;
C. 
Integrate the various elements within a site and link a development with the surrounding environment;
D. 
Reduce soil erosion and depletion;
E. 
Increase soil water retention, thereby helping to prevent flooding, erosion and sedimentation;
F. 
Remove air pollutants and control glare and reflection;
G. 
Assist in directing safe and efficient traffic flow and prevent vehicular and pedestrian circulation conflicts;
H. 
Create a more desirable microclimate; and
I. 
Provide natural green space to allow infiltration of stormwater, minimize erosion and filter sediments from runoff.
A. 
Scope of application.
(1) 
The requirements set forth herein shall apply to all lots, sites, parcels and uses which are developed, expanded, or changed following the effective date of this chapter. No site plan, subdivision plat or land use permit shall be approved unless landscaping consistent with the requirements of this article is provided.
(2) 
The landscaping requirements shall be met prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy and shall be continuously maintained in a sound, healthy, and vigorous growing condition.
(3) 
The requirements set forth herein are minimum requirements, and nothing herein shall preclude the applicant and the Township from agreeing to more extensive landscaping.
(4) 
Creativity in landscape design is encouraged. The standards are intentionally flexible to encourage adaptability and creative design. Required trees and shrubs may be planted at uniform intervals, at random, or in groupings, depending on the designer's desired visual effect and the intent of the Township to coordinate landscaping on adjacent properties.
B. 
Definitions. Whenever used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meaning ascribed to them:
BERM
A continuous, raised earthen mound comprised of nontoxic materials with a flattened top and sloped sides, capable of supporting live landscaping materials.
BUFFER ZONE
A strip of land with landscaping, berms or walls singularly or in combination required along mutual lot lines between certain zoning districts based on the landscaping standards of this chapter. The intent of the required buffer zones is to lessen the impact to less-intensive uses from the noise, light, traffic, clutter and litter of adjacent land uses.
GRASS
Any of a family of plants with narrow leaves normally grown as permanent lawns in Wayne County, Michigan.
GREENBELT
A strip of land of definite width and location along a public road right-of-way or private road easement reserved for the planting of trees and ground cover to enhance the visual image of the Township.
GROUND COVER
Low-growing plants that form a dense, extensive growth after one complete growing season and tend to prevent weeds and soil erosion.
LANDSCAPING
The treatment of the ground surface with live plant materials such as, but not limited to, grass, ground cover, trees, shrubs, vines, and other live plant material. In addition, a landscape design may include other decorative nonliving materials, such as wood chips, crushed stone, boulders or mulch. Structural features such as fountains, pools, statues, and benches shall also be considered a part of landscaping if provided in combination with live plant material. Various landscaping related terms are defined below.
ORNAMENTAL TREE
A deciduous tree which is typically grown because of its shape, flowering characteristics, or other attractive features and which grows to a mature height of 25 feet or less.
PARKING LOT LANDSCAPING
Landscaped areas located in and around (within 10 feet of the edge of the parking lot) a parking lot in specified quantities to improve the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, guide traffic movement, improve the environment and improve the appearance of the parking area and site.
PLANTING
A young tree, vine or shrub that would be placed on or in the ground.
SCREEN OR SCREENING
A wall, wood fencing or combination of plantings of sufficient height, length, and opacity to form a visual barrier. If the screen is composed of nonliving material, such material shall be compatible with materials used in construction of the main building but in no case shall include wire fencing.
SHRUB
A self-supporting deciduous or evergreen woody plant, normally branched near the base, bushy, and less than 15 feet in height.
TREE
A self-supporting woody, deciduous or evergreen plant with a well-defined central trunk or stem which normally grows to a mature height of 15 feet or more in Wayne County, Michigan.
A. 
General requirements. All developed portions of a site requiring site plan approval shall conform to the following general landscaping standards, except where specific landscape elements, such as a greenbelt, berms, or screening, are required:
(1) 
Unpaved portions of the site shall be planted with grass, ground cover, shrubbery, or other suitable live plant material. Areas around plantings may be surrounded with stone or other appropriate landscape cover.
(2) 
A mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees shall be planted at the rate of one tree per 3,000 square feet or portion thereof of unpaved open area. This open area is that area of the site that is not occupied by buildings, parking, road rights-of-way, water bodies, greenbelts or buffers required herein.
B. 
Greenbelts.
(1) 
Within all multiple-family residential, mobile home park and industrial districts, a twenty-foot-wide greenbelt shall be planted adjacent to and outside of the public right-of-way or private road easement. Within the Macomb Street District and all commercial districts, a ten-foot-wide greenbelt shall be planted adjacent to and outside of the public right-of-way or private road easement. Where a single-family subdivision or site condominium is proposed, a twenty-foot-wide greenbelt shall be planted adjacent to and outside of the public right-of-way or private road easement that bounds the exterior of the subdivision. Greenbelts shall conform to the following standards:
(a) 
A required greenbelt may be interrupted only to provide for pedestrian or vehicular access.
(b) 
Grass, ground cover, or other suitable live plant material shall be planted over the entire greenbelt area, except where paved walkways are used.
(c) 
Within the Macomb Street District, a minimum of one deciduous shade tree shall be planted for each 30 linear feet, or portion thereof, of required greenbelt length. Trees may be planted at uniform intervals, at random, or in groupings. The Planning Commission may approve substitution of evergreen trees for up to 50% of the required trees.
(d) 
Within all zoning districts other than the Macomb Street District, a minimum of one deciduous shade tree and one evergreen tree shall be planted for each 30 linear feet, or portion thereof, of required greenbelt length. Trees may be planted at uniform intervals, at random, or in groupings.
(e) 
For the purpose of calculating required plant material, greenbelt length shall be measured between side lot lines along the parcel's frontage, following the public road right-of-way or the private road easement.
(f) 
All existing trees six inches in diameter at breast height (dbh) within the greenbelt shall be preserved, except where necessary to install vehicular, pedestrian and utility access points. The standards contained in § 285-13.4E shall be complied with.
(g) 
A residential development that provides a greenbelt greater than 20 feet wide may transfer the density that would be normally be allowed within the greenbelt to another portion of the development, with Planning Commission approval, provided all other standards can be met. The amount of density shall be the area of the greenbelt above and beyond the normally required twenty-foot-wide greenbelt. Within a development that contains lots, the greenbelt shall be set aside as a common area and not included within the individual lots. The greenbelt shall be set aside by the developer through an irrevocable conveyance that is found acceptable to the Planning Commission, such as recorded deed restrictions, covenants that run perpetually with the land, or a conservation easement. The dedicated greenbelt shall forever remain open space, subject only to uses approved by the Township on the approved site plan. Further subdivision of greenbelt land or its use for other than recreation or conservation purposes shall be strictly prohibited.
(2) 
All single- or two-family residential lots shall provide two canopy trees within 20 feet of the front lot line. These trees shall be indicated on the plot plan submittal for a building permit.
(3) 
All tree plantings within the greenbelt shall be located to avoid overhead utility lines.
C. 
Required buffer zones. In order to provide protective screening and buffers between abutting land uses, a landscaped buffer zone and wall, fence or berm shall be provided by the applicant in accordance with the following. This subsection applies to any application for site plan, subdivision or condominium approval. Single- and two-family dwellings located on individual lots of record are exempt from the regulations of this subsection. These regulations do not apply along a lot line where the abutting land use is separated by a public road right-of-way or private road easement.
(1) 
Table 13.3.3.A identifies where and what type of buffer is required between land uses. Table 13.3.3.B details the minimum landscape elements that must be included in each type of buffer zone.
Table 13.3.3.A Required Buffer Zones
Proposed Use Will Be Adjacent To:
The Proposed Use Will Be
Single-Family District
Multiple-Family District
Mobile Home Park District
Macomb Street District
Industrial or Airport District
Single-family residential1
None
B
B
B
A
Multiple-family residential
B
C
B
B
A
Mobile home park
B
B
C
B
A
Commercial2
B
B
B
C
B
Industrial or airport
A
A
A
B
None
NOTES:
1 Applies to applications for subdivision plat or condominium site plan approval only.
2 Includes nonresidential special land uses in a residential district such as boat clubs and churches.
Table 13.3.3.B Description of Required Buffer Zones
Buffer Zone
Minimum Width
(feet)
Minimum Wall/Berm
Minimum Plant Materials
A B
50 20
Continuous wall, fence or required berm Continuous wall, fence or required berm
1 deciduous tree, 2 evergreen trees and 4 shrubs per each 20 linear feet along the property line, rounded upward 1 deciduous tree, 1 evergreen tree and 4 shrubs per each 30 linear feet along the property line, rounded upward
C
10
None required
1 deciduous or evergreen tree or 4 shrubs per each 20 linear feet along the property line, rounded upward
(2) 
Minimum requirements for berms are outlined in Subsection D. Minimum requirements for plant materials are outlined in § 285-13.4. Minimum requirements for walls and fences are outlined in § 285-13.5.
D. 
Berms. Where required or provided, berms shall conform to the following standards:
(1) 
Required berms shall be at least three feet above grade elevation and shall be constructed with slopes no steeper than one foot vertical for each four feet horizontal (twenty-five-percent slope), with at least a two-foot flat area on the top. The Planning Commission may modify the height requirement in cases where sufficient room does not exist to construct a three-foot-high berm.
(2) 
A required berm shall be planted with grass, ground cover, or other suitable live plant material to protect it from erosion so that it retains its height and shape.
(3) 
Required plantings.
(a) 
Berms located in the front yard of nonresidential parcels shall be landscaped in accordance with the requirements for required greenbelt along street frontage, Subsection B.
(b) 
Berms used for screening other than in the front yard shall be landscaped in accordance with the requirements for required buffer zones, Subsection C.
E. 
Landscaping in culs-de-sac at entrances and within medians. Culs-de-sac, site entrances and boulevard medians shall be landscaped with species tolerant of roadside conditions. The landscape plan shall be approved by the Planning Commission in consideration of sight distance, size of planting area, location of sidewalks, maintenance of adequate overhead clearance, accessibility to fire hydrants, visibility to approved signs and compatibility with the visual character of the surrounding area. The landscape plan for public and private roads shall comply with the Rules, Procedures and Standards for Landscaping and Beautification Projects in Wayne County Road Rights-of-Way.
F. 
Landscaping of off-street parking areas.
(1) 
When off-street parking and loading of a non-single-family detached residential use abuts a residential zoning district, the parking lot and loading area shall be screened from such contiguous residential district by a solid, ornamental masonry wall at least six feet tall meeting the requirements of § 285-13.5, in addition to the landscape plant materials required in Subsection E. In lieu of a wall, the Planning Commission may permit or require one evergreen tree planted every 15 feet along the mutual property boundary, in addition to the landscape plant materials required in § Subsection C, Required buffer zones.
(2) 
In addition to screening which may be required around off-street parking and loading areas, all off-street parking areas containing greater than 20 spaces shall also provide the following landscaping within the parking lot envelope, described as the area including the parking lot surface and extending 18 feet from the edge of the parking lot, as illustrated in Figure 13.3.6.A. A minimum of 1/3 of the trees required shall be placed within landscape islands in the interior of the parking lot.
(a) 
One canopy tree shall be required for each 3,000 square feet of the total of the paved driveway and parking lot surface, provided that in no case fewer than two trees shall be provided.
(b) 
Landscaped areas in parking lots shall be no less than 10 feet in any dimension and no less than 150 square feet in area. Landscaped areas shall be protected with curbing or other means to prevent overhang encroachment of vehicles. (See Figure 13.3.6.A.)
(3) 
Required landscaping elsewhere on the parcel shall not be counted in meeting the parking lot landscaping requirements, and the parking lot landscaping required in this Subsection F cannot be credited toward required greenbelts or buffers.
(4) 
Whenever possible, parking lot landscaping shall be designed to improve the safety of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, guide traffic movement, and improve the appearance of the parking area. Landscaping shall be installed such that, when mature, it does not obscure traffic signs or lighting, obstruct access to fire hydrants, interfere with adequate sight distance for motorists, or disrupt drainage patterns on the site or adjacent properties.
(5) 
Landscaping shall be dispersed throughout the parking lot in order to break up large expanses of pavement and help direct smooth traffic flow within the lot.
(6) 
Landscaped areas shall be covered by grass or other living ground cover. Wood chips or similar material a minimum depth of three inches is permitted for planting beds immediately surrounding plant material. Such material should be identified on the landscape plan.
(7) 
Requirements for plant material shall be based on the location, size and shape of the parking lot landscaped area. The landscape plan shall indicate the types, sizes, and quantities of plant material proposed for such areas.
(8) 
Under Article 7, Macomb Street District, off-street parking visible from the public right-of-way must be screened by a hedgerow or a three-foot-tall earth-tone brick wall.
G. 
Landscaping of rights-of-way. Public rights-of-way located adjacent to required landscaped areas and greenbelts shall be planted with grass or other suitable live ground cover and shall be maintained by the owner or occupant of the adjacent property as if the rights-of-way were part of the required landscaped areas or greenbelts. The landscape plan for public and private roads shall comply with the Rules, Procedures and Standards for Landscaping and Beautification Projects in Wayne County Road Rights-of-Way.
H. 
Utility structures.
(1) 
Utility structures such as electrical transformers or sewer pump stations shall be screened from view by landscaping. A minimum of two evergreen trees shall be planted adjacent to the utility structure to screen it from view.
(2) 
All landscape plantings shall be spaced a minimum of 15 feet from any fire hydrant.
I. 
Maintenance of unobstructed visibility for drivers. Where a driveway intersects a public right-of-way or private road or where a site abuts the intersection of public rights-of-way or private roads, all landscaping within the corner triangular areas described below shall permit unobstructed cross-visibility for drivers. Shrubs and portions of required berms located in the triangular area shall not be permitted to grow to a height of more than 30 inches above the pavement grade at the edge of the pavement. Trees may be maintained in this area provided that all branches are trimmed to maintain a clear vision to a height of eight feet above the pavement grade at the edge of the pavement. The triangular areas referred to above are:
(1) 
The areas formed at the intersection of a public right-of-way or private road and a driveway, two sides of each triangle being 10 feet in length measured along the right-of-way line and driveway line from their points of intersection and the third side being a line connecting these two sides; and
(2) 
The area(s) formed at the intersection of two public right-of-way lines or private roads, the two sides of the triangular area being 30 feet in length measured along the intersecting public right-of-way lines from their point of intersection and the third side being a line connecting these two sides.
J. 
Modification of landscape requirements. The Planning Commission may reduce or modify the location of the landscape requirements contained in this section based upon a determination that the landscaping required in this section will not be necessary or effective in meeting the intent of this chapter. In making such a determination, the following shall be considered:
(1) 
Topographic features or other unique features of the site create conditions such that strict application of the landscape regulations would result in a less effective screen than an alternative landscape design.
(2) 
Parking, vehicular circulation, or existing or planned land use are such that required landscaping would not enhance the site or result in the desired screening effect.
(3) 
The public benefit intended by the landscape regulations could be better achieved with a plan that varies from the strict requirements of the chapter.
(4) 
The intent to comply with the standards has been demonstrated by the applicant with alternatives considered by the applicant prior to the Planning Commission consideration of modification to requirements.
A. 
Standards for landscape materials. Unless otherwise specified, all landscape materials shall comply with the following standards:
(1) 
Plant quality. Plant materials used in compliance with the provisions of this chapter shall be nursery grown, free of pests and diseases, hardy in southern Wayne County, in conformance with the standards of the American Association of Nurserymen and shall have passed inspections required under state regulations.
(2) 
Nonliving plant material. Plastic and other nonliving plant materials shall not be considered acceptable to meet the landscaping requirements of this chapter.
(3) 
Plant material specifications. The following minimum specifications shall apply to all plant material at the time of planting proposed in accordance with the landscaping requirements of this chapter:
Minimum Plant Material Size
Plant Type
Minimum Caliper1
(inches)
Minimum Height
(feet)
Minimum Spread
Deciduous shade trees
3
42 first branch
—
Ornamental trees
2
43
—
Evergreen trees4
—
6
2.2 feet
Shrubs
—
2
15 inches
Hedges5
—
4
—
NOTES:
1 Measured 12 inches above grade. Refer to Chapter 282, Woodland and Tree Preservation, for measurement of existing trees.
2 Trees planted along pedestrian routes (i.e., sidewalks, plazas, etc.) shall not have branches lower than six feet. Trees planted within street line (curb) and sidewalk or along bikeways shall maintain a vertical clearance to obstructions of a minimum of 10 feet.
3 Clumped trees (e.g., birch) shall have a minimum height of six feet above grade.
4 The size of the burlapped root ball for evergreen trees shall be at least 10 times the caliper measured six inches above grade.
5 Hedges shall be planted and maintained so as to form a continuous, unbroken, visual screen within two years after planting.
(4) 
Ground cover used in lieu of turf grasses in whole or in part shall be planted in such a manner as to present a finished appearance and reasonably complete coverage after one complete growing season.
(5) 
Grass area(s) shall be planted using species normally grown as permanent lawns in southern Wayne County. Grass, sod, and seed shall be clean and free of weeds, noxious pests, and diseases. Straw or other mulch shall be used to protect newly seeded areas.
(6) 
Mulch used around trees, shrubs, and vines shall be a minimum of three inches deep and installed in a manner as to present a finished appearance.
B. 
Spacing. Planting in informal groupings to create a naturalistic appearance is desirable. Wherever possible, plant materials shall not be placed closer than four feet from the fence line or property line. Plant materials used together in informal groupings should meet the following on-center spacing guidelines:
Plant Material Types
Evergreen
Narrow Evergreen Trees
Large Deciduous Trees
Small Deciduous Trees
Large Shrubs
Small Shrubs
Evergreen trees
Min. 10'
Max. 20'
Narrow evergreen trees
Min. 12'
Min. 5'
Max. 10'
Large deciduous trees
Min. 20'
Min. 15'
Min. 20'
Max. 30'
Small deciduous trees
Min. 12'
Min. 10'
Min. 15'
Min. 8'
Max. 15'
Large shrubs
Min. 6'
Min. 5'
Min. 5'
Min. 6'
Min. 4'
Max. 6'
Small shrubs
Min. 5'
Min. 4'
Min. 3'
Min. 3'
Min. 5'
Min. 3'
Max. 4'
C. 
Suggested plant material. The following table lists recommended plant materials for required landscaping. Plant materials of equal or better quality may be substituted for suggested plant materials.
Recommended Plant Materials
Common Name
Genus
Deciduous Canopy Trees
1.
Oaks*
Quercus
2.
Hard Maples (except Japanese)*
Acer
3.
Hackberry*
Celtis
4.
Planetree (Sycamore)*
Platanus
5.
Birch*
Betula
6.
Beech*
Fagus
7.
Gingko (male)
Ginkgo
8.
Honeylocust (Thornless Cultivars only)*
Gleditsia
9.
Hophornbeam (Ironwood)*
Ostrya
10.
Linden
Tilia
11.
Ashes*
Faxinus
12.
Hickory*
Carya
13.
Hornbeam (Blue Beech)*
Carpinus
*Please note: Although the use of ashes is suggested, due to recent disease and pest problems associated with ashes in the area, it is recommended that more disease-resistant ash cultivars be used and that no one cultivar be planted as the dominant tree type.
Common Name
Genus
Deciduous Ornamental Trees
1.
Amelanchier*
Amelanchier
2.
Redbud*
Cercis
3.
Dogwood (Tree Form)*
Cornus
4.
Hawthorn*
Crataegus
5.
Flowering Crabapple (disease-resistant cultivars)
Malus
6.
Flowering Plum (Tree Form)
Prunus
7.
Flowering Pear
Pyrus
8.
Magnolia
Magnolia
9.
Hornbeam*
Carpinus
10.
Rose of Sharon
Hibiscus
Common Name
Genus
Evergreen Trees
1.
Fir
Abies
2.
Hemlock
Tsuga
3.
Spruce
Picea
4.
Pine*
Pinus
5.
Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga
*Please note: Dwarf, Globe, Pendulous Species/Cultivars are not permitted.
Common Name
Genus
Narrow Evergreens
1.
Juniper*
Juniperus
2.
Arborvitae
Thuja
*Please note: Dwarf, Globe, Spreading Species/Cultivars are not permitted.
Common Name
Genus
Large Shrubs
1.
Deciduous
a.
Dogwood (Shrub Form)*
Cornus
b.
Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster
c.
Forsythia
Forsythia
d.
Mock-Orange
Philadelphus
e.
Sumac*
Rhus
f.
Lilac
Syringa
g.
Viburnum*
Viburnum
h.
Witchhazel*
Hamamelis
i.
Euonymus
Euonymus
j.
Privet
Ligustrum
k.
Ninebark*
Physocarpus
2.
Evergreens
a.
Juniper (Hetz, Pfitzer, Savin)
Juniperus
b.
Yew (Pyramidal Japanese)
Taxus
Common Name
Genus
Small Shrubs
1.
Deciduous
a.
Barberry
Berberis
b.
Boxwood
Buxus
c.
Quince
Chaenomeles
d.
Cotoneaster
Cotoneaster
e.
Euonymus*
Euonymus
f.
Forsythia
Forsythia
g.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea
h.
Holly*
Ilex
i.
Privet
Ligustrum
j.
Potentilla*
Potentilla
k.
Currant*
Ribes
l.
Lilac
Syringa
m.
Viburnum*
Viburnum
n.
Weigela
Weigela
2.
Evergreens
a.
Fir
Abies
b.
False Cypress
Chamaecyparis
c.
Juniper (Low Spreading)*
Juniperus
d.
Spruce
Picea
e.
Pine
Pinus
f.
Yew (Globe, Spreading, Upright)*
Taxus
g.
Arborvitae (Globe/Dwarf)
Thuja
*See § 285-13.4F, Undesirable plant material.
D. 
Installation and maintenance. The following standards shall be observed where installation and maintenance of landscape materials is required:
(1) 
Installation. Landscaping shall be installed in a sound, professional manner to ensure the continued growth of healthy plant material.
(2) 
Protection from vehicles. Landscaping shall be protected from vehicles through use of wheel stops or other means. Landscape areas shall be elevated above the pavement to a height adequate to protect the plants from snow removal, salt, and other hazards.
(3) 
Maintenance. Required landscaping (including berms, greenbelts, buffer zones, walls, wood lots, trees, lawns and ground cover) shall be maintained in a healthy, neat, and orderly appearance, free from refuse and debris. All unhealthy and dead plant material shall be replaced in the next appropriate planting period. The landscape plan shall indicate the individual(s) or business(es) who or which will be responsible for continued maintenance of the landscaping. Those charged with this responsibility shall also be responsible for maintenance of adjacent landscaped areas in public rights-of-way.
E. 
Treatment of existing plant material. The following regulations shall apply to existing plant material:
(1) 
Utilization of existing elements in the landscape design. In instances where healthy plant material exists on a site prior to its development, the Planning Commission may permit substitution of such plant material in place of the requirements set forth previously in this section, provided such substitution is in keeping with the spirit and intent of this section and this chapter in general. Existing hedges, berms, walls, or other landscape elements may be used to satisfy the requirements set forth previously, provided that such existing elements are in conformance with the requirements of this section.
(2) 
Preservation of existing plant material.
(a) 
Site plans shall show all existing trees which are located in the portions of the site that will be built upon or otherwise altered and are six inches or greater in diameter at breast height (dbh). Trees shall be labeled "To Be Removed" or "To Be Saved" on the site plan. Removal of trees shall be undertaken in compliance with Chapter 282, Woodland and Tree Preservation. If existing plant material is labeled "To Be Saved" on the site plan, the protective measures outlined in Chapter 282 shall be complied with.
(b) 
In the event that healthy plant materials which are intended to meet the requirements of this chapter are cut down, damaged or destroyed during construction, said plant material shall be replaced in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 282. An occupancy permit shall not be issued until the applicant has documented compliance with this requirement.
F. 
Undesirable plant material.
(1) 
Use of the following plant materials (or their clones and cultivars) is not encouraged because of susceptibility to storm damage, disease, or other undesirable characteristics:
Undesirable Plant Materials
Common Name
Genus Species
Silver Maple
Acer sacharinum
Box Elder
Acer negundo
Tree of Heaven
Ailanthus altissima
European Barberry
Berberis thunbergii
Northern Catalpa
Catalpa speciosa
Eastern Red Cedar
Juniperus virginiana
Poplar
Populus deltoides
Willow
Salix spp.
American Elm
Ulmus americana
(2) 
The Planning Commission, however, may allow trees from this list when associated with an appropriate ecosystem, such as a wetland area.
Where permitted or required by this chapter, obscuring walls shall be subject to the following regulations:
A. 
Location. Required obscuring walls shall be placed on the lot line except in the following instances:
(1) 
Where underground utilities interfere with placement of the wall on the property line, the wall shall be placed on the utility easement line located nearest the property line.
(2) 
Where located adjacent to a side street, the wall shall be set back eight feet from the side property line. The area between the wall and the property line shall be landscaped in accordance with the greenbelt provisions set forth previously.
B. 
Openings for access. Required obscuring walls shall be continuous with no interruptions except for vehicular and pedestrian access.
C. 
Corner clearance. Obscuring walls shall comply with the specifications for maintenance of unobstructed visibility for drivers as set forth in § 285-13.3I.
D. 
Substitution. As a substitute for a required obscuring wall, the Planning Commission may, in its review of the site plan, approve the use of other existing or proposed natural or man-made landscape features (such as evergreens spaced 10 feet on center) that would produce substantially the same results in terms of screening, durability, and permanence.
E. 
Wall specifications.
(1) 
Required obscuring walls shall be 6 1/2 feet in height and shall be constructed of the materials that are architecturally compatible with the materials used on the facade of the principal structure on the site.
(2) 
Masonry walls shall be erected on a concrete foundation which shall have a minimum depth of 42 inches and shall not be less than four inches wider than the wall to be erected.
(3) 
The Planning Commission may require brick or decorative facing with the same or complementary materials as the principal building on one or both sides of the wall.
(4) 
All residential walls shall comply with Chapter 103, Fences and Walls.
F. 
Fence specifications.
(1) 
Fences erected for screening purposes shall be a minimum of six feet in height and shall be constructed of redwood, cedar, or No. 1 pressure-treated wood, with posts sunk into the ground at least three feet.
(2) 
Chain link fences shall not be permitted for screening purposes.
(3) 
All residential fences shall comply with Chapter 103, Fences and Walls.