§ 19-6. Screening yards and landscape standards. (Revised 11/27/07)
19-6-1 Applicability. This ordinance shall apply to all site plans or site plan amendments approved after the effective date of this ordinance.
The provisions of this ordinance are not intended to prevent the use of any material or method of installation not specifically prescribed by this ordinance provided the alternative has been approved by the zoning administrator. The zoning administrator may approve any such alternative provided that the proposed design provides the approximate equivalence to the specific requirements of this ordinance.
19-6-2 Screening yards.
(1)
Purpose. Screening yards can provide an impression of separation of spaces and more extensive screening can shield entirely one use from another, enhance property values and provide aesthetic benefits.
(2)
General screening standards. Every development within the zoning districts listed in Table 1 shall provide sufficient screening yards so that neighboring properties are screened from any adverse effects of the development.
The following screening yards shall be provided between various permitted uses and/or zoning districts:
Table 1
Zoning Districts and/or Permitted Uses Minimum Screening Yard Width Commercial or Industrial adjacent to Residential, Agriculture or Conservation 20 Feet Multi-Family Residential adjacent to Single Family Residential, Duplex or Townhouse 20 Feet (3)
Screening yards shall contain sufficient vegetation to provide an adequate screen between uses. Evergreen vegetation shall be planted and spaced in staggered rows, at a 15 foot center. Existing vegetation, such as hedgerows and trees may be used to satisfy the requirements of this ordinance.
(4)
All screening yards shall become part of the lot on which they are located, or in the case of commonly owned land, shall belong to the homeowners' or property owners' association.
(5)
The screening yard shall be maintained for the life of the development. Maintenance shall be the responsibility of the property owner.
(6)
Planting invasive plants are prohibited and are defined and identified by the Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States: Identification and Control, USDA Forest Service, the University of Georgia, USDA APHIS PPQ and USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2003-08
19-6-3 Landscape standards.
(1)
Purpose. The purpose of these standards is for the installation and maintenance of plant materials. The plant material promotes the public health, safety and welfare, provides conservation of energy by providing shade and wind breaks, promotes areas which helps to reduce run-off and to recharge groundwater, improve air quality and assist on minimizing noise, dust and glare.
(2)
General standards. This ordinance shall apply to all site plan and site plan amendments approved after the effective date of this ordinance. This ordinance applies to the construction of any parking lot containing more than five parking spaces. This ordinance shall apply to the enlargement of any parking lot but not to the resurfacing of an existing lot.
(3)
Parking lots shall be designed to prevent vehicles from striking trees. Vehicles are presumed to have a body overhang of three feet, six inches.
(4)
Planting invasive plants are prohibited and are defined and identified by the Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States: Identification and Control, USDA Forest Service, the University of Georgia, USDA APHIS PPQ and USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2003-08
(5)
All landscaping shall be planted according to ANSI A300 standards and/or Virginia Cooperative Extension; Publication Number 430-295, Revised June 2004.
(6)
All landscape shall become part of the lot on which they are located, or in the case of commonly owned land, shall belong to the homeowners' or property owners' association.
(7)
The landscape shall be maintained for the life of the development. Maintenance shall be the responsibility of the property owner.
19-6-4 Parking lot requirements. The parking area shall include planting areas and they shall be calculated to equal 5 percent of the total parking area, to include travelways. The calculation does not include screening yard or front buffer strip. In plans that bioretention is used as a stormwater feature, the planting areas may be 3 percent or more, of the total parking area, to include travelways.
19-6-5 Interior parking landscape. Fifty percent of the required landscape shall be located in the interior parking area. Interior parking planting areas shall not be less than 150 ft 2 and shall have a minimum of one tree and three shrubs planted for every 150 ft 2 .
19-6-6 Perimeter parking landscape. Fifty percent of the required landscape shall be planted around the building and perimeter of the parcel. The rate of installation shall be one tree and three shrubs for every 150 ft 2 .
19-6-7 Front buffer strip landscape. A minimum ten-foot wide buffer landscape strip shall be provided between parking lot and adjacent right-of-way. The buffer strip shall contain at least one small tree and three shrubs per 20 linear feet or one large tree and five shrubs per 40 linear feet. This area may not be included in interior or perimeter planting area calculations.
19-6-8 Applications. Any person submitting a site plan or site plan amendment shall include a landscape/screening plan that shall include the following:
(1)
Landscape plan.
• Landscape work progress calendar
• Existing trees to be retained - location, size (dbh), and species
• Planting schedule—group the tree species list by large or small trees and shrubs size classes as designated by definitions.
• Scientific and common names
• Size of planting stock-caliper and/or pot size for shrubs, designated by definitions
• Quantity
• Snow placement areas (minimize contact with plant material)
(2)
Planting specifications and details.
• Copy of technical specifications
• Details shall show planting depth, mulch, shrubs, groundcover, etc.
• Screening details—plant material
(Ord. of 6-12-18 )
(Ord. of 6-12-18 )