§ 506. General Requirements.

506.01. Site protection and general planting requirements.

A.

Topsoil. To the extent needed and practical, topsoil moved during the course of construction shall be preserved and stockpiled for re-use on the site.

B.

Existing trees. Preservation of each existing healthy tree of an approved species (See Table 5-1), within required landscape areas, may count toward fulfillment of these requirements.

1.

The existing tree to be preserved must be approved by the Planning Commission or their designee to receive credit.

2.

Existing trees that are credited towards meeting the requirements of this section shall be subject to the same maintenance and replacement requirements as newly planted trees.

3.

Upon approval of the Planning Commission or their designee an existing area of native vegetation meeting the definition of woodland, may be deemed to satisfy planting of a specific area or bufferyard required by this Ordinance regardless of the mix of plant materials otherwise required.

C.

Slope plantings. Landscaping of all cuts and fills and/or terraces shall be matted or protected until plant cover is adequate to control erosion.

D.

Utility easements. Plantings within Utility Company Easements must comply with the following:

1.

Minimum distances measured horizontally from mature trees to overhead utility lines shall be:

Canopy Trees: 30 feet

Understory Trees: 15 feet

2.

The location and species of trees proposed for location in utility easements shall be approved by the governing public utility before installation.

3.

Any part of a tree growing within 15 feet of an overhead utility line will require maintenance by a certified line trimmer approved by any affected utility companies.

4.

This article shall not be construed to impair:

a.

the right of eminent domain granted by State laws to utilities, whether public or private, or

b.

a utilities' right to design, locate, erect, construct, re-construct, alter, protect or maintain utility poles, towers, lines, conduits, pipes or mains reasonably required in the public service or

c.

a utilities' right to exercise authority conferred by statute, franchise, certificate of convenience and necessity, license or easement. Maintenance, repair, and extension of any public and private utility lines or related infrastructure are expressly allowed. The preceding will apply to work done by the utility's employees, agents and contractors doing work for the utility.

5.

Planting trees and shrubs on underground utility easements shall be avoided, due to the likelihood that root systems may damage or restrict the installed systems.

E.

Plant Material Standards:

Canopy Trees: Shall have an average mature crown spread of at least 25 feet, be a minimum of eight feet in height and have a caliper of at least two inches at planting.

Understory Trees: Shall have an average mature crown spread of at least 15 feet, be a minimum of five (5) feet in height and have a caliper of at least one and one-half inches at planting.

Note: No more than 30% of plant material may consist of crepe myrtle.

Shrubs: Shall be a minimum size of three gallon containers and of such species to obtain a height of 24 inches within two years.

F.

Planting strips, buffers and planted islands are to be sodded, seeded, mulched or planted with shrubs or ground cover so as to leave no bare ground after landscape materials have been installed and permitted to grow for two years. Where mulch is used the area must be kept free of weeds.

G.

Stormwater inlets shall be located within a perimeter planting strip and incorporate rain gardens, bioswales or other staff approved stormwater mitigation techniques to promote infiltration and reduce stormwater runoff and non-point source pollution. Rain Gardens shall include at least one (1) tree. Alternative designs that accomplish the intent of this ordinance may also be permitted subject to approval of the Planning Commission or their designee.

H.

Wherever a required bufferyard overlaps or coincides with a parking area as defined in this Section, the bufferyard shall take precedence; the required parking area planting shall be placed in another location.

I.

The integration of Low Impact Development techniques as part of the landscape plan may be used to meet these requirements.

506.02. Trash Receptacles.

A.

All commercial trash receptacles shall be placed on a pad approved by the City Engineer that allows for pick-up and maintenance as needed.

B.

All commercial trash receptacles shall be enclosed with a fence or wall that is impervious to sight, at a minimum of six (6) feet tall, and is consistent with the architectural materials of the primary structure.

C.

All screens will be completely enclosed with a latching gate.

D.

Trash receptacle sites shall not be located within landscaped areas that are required by this article.