§ 10-4.345.1. Landscape and natural area requirements for nonresidential and multi-family project sites three acres or less in size.

It is the intent of this section to provide an alternative approach to the landscaping requirements in section 10-4.344 and natural area requirements in section 10-4.345 for nonresidential and multi-family project sites three acres or less in size. A 35 percent minimum threshold for landscaping, natural area, and stormwater management facilities will be allowed provided that the site design meets the following criteria:

(a)

Front perimeter landscape area. A 40-foot wide strip of land along the entire front perimeter of a site, located between the front property line and any vehicular use area shall either remain natural or shall be landscaped. Corner parcels where any two streets intersect shall be considered to have perimeter frontage on two sides of the site. Width of sidewalks shall not be included within the 40-foot wide front perimeter landscape buffer. The minimum total tree requirement within this front perimeter shall be determined using a ratio of one tree for every 324 square feet, with no less than 75 percent of said trees being canopy trees. Understory and ornamental trees may be utilized in the remaining 25 percent. This provision is not intended to require trees to be equally spaced.

(b)

Interior landscape for vehicular use areas. In vehicular use areas within the interior of a site, one 800 square foot (sixteen percent) natural or landscape planted area shall be required for every 5,000 square feet of vehicular use area, or major portion thereof. Interior planting areas shall be located to most effectively relieve the monotony of large expanses of paving, reduce heat inversion, and contribute to orderly circulation of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and shall be no less than 24 feet in width, exclusive of curbing.

(c)

Stormwater management facilities can be included in the 35 percent minimum as follows:

(1)

If a wet detention pond meets the requirements in section 10-4.350.

(2)

If a dry retention pond meets the requirements in section 10-4.350. If the dry retention pond has slopes greater than 4:1, five percent will be added to the 35 percent minimum threshold for landscaping, natural area and stormwater making the minimum threshold 40 percent.

(d)

All other interior landscaping requirements must be met.

(e)

If the site contains preservation and/or conservation features that require protection, credit for these features can be provided toward the 35 percent minimum provided that all the other requirements of this section have been met.

(Ord. No. 08-03, § 8, 1-29-08)