76-174. Landscaping requirements.

Whenever any front, side or rear yard is not designated for building, off-street parking, loading and unloading, storage or other purpose within the terms and requirements of a given zoning district, the yard shall be landscaped with either approved natural materials or living plant materials which shall be maintained in an aesthetically pleasing condition.

All landscaping shall consist either of approved natural materials or living plant materials. All landscaped areas shall be protected from the encroachment of vehicles by curbing or other suitable device, as approved by the planning commission. The installation of sprinklers shall be required to ensure the maintenance of all landscaped areas.

A detailed landscape plan for all yard areas shall be submitted to the planning commission showing the common and botanical names, location, spacing, starting size and planting and staking details of all plantings to be installed, and the location and types of all natural materials proposed to be included in the landscape treatment of the yard areas. This provision shall apply to all landscaped yards including those expanded beyond the minimum setback requirements of this article. This landscape plan shall be reviewed and approved by the planning commission.

Existing significant trees, tree stands, natural vegetation and wildlife habitat shall be integrated into the site landscape plan to the maximum extent possible and shall meet the standards of section 76-173.

Undeveloped open portions of the site and subsequent phases of the site shall be seeded, mowed and maintained.

The planning commission may approve constructed features of other materials such as masonry walls or brick, stone and cobblestone pavement as a supplement or substitute, upon a showing by the applicant that general plantings will not prosper at the intended location.

Landscaping shall be planted, landscape elements shall be installed, and earth moving or grading performed in a sound workmanlike manner and according to accepted good planting and grading procedures, with the quality of plant materials and grading as described in subsection (c) of this section. A copy of current acceptable standards is available from the township building department.

The owner of property required to be landscaped by this section shall maintain such landscaping in good condition so as to present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance, free from refuse and debris. All plant materials shall be continuously maintained in a sound, weed-free, healthy and vigorous growing condition and shall be kept free of plant diseases and insect pests. All unhealthy and dead material shall be replaced within one year or the next appropriate planting period, whichever comes first.

Plant and grass materials shall be of acceptable varieties and species, free of pests and diseases, hardy in the county, and shall conform to standards of the American Association of Nurserymen and the township, and shall have passed any inspections required under state regulations. Standards shall be in written form and made available by the building department. No plant materials used to satisfy some or all planting requirements of this section shall be comprised of nonliving materials, except as provided here in this section.

Approved ground cover used in lieu of grass, 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, with at least three plants per square foot.

Grass areas shall be planted in species normally grown as permanent lawns in the county. Grass may be plugged, sprigged, hydroseeded, seeded or sodded, except that rolled sod, erosion reducing net or suitable mulch shall be used in swales or other areas subject to erosion. Grass, sod and seed shall be clean and free of weeds and noxious pests or diseases.

Ample variety and quantity of ornamental plants, trees and shrubs should be provided. A few dominant types are usually chosen with subordinate types interspersed for accent. Repeating some types creates unity, but no types should be overused. Variety should be achieved with respect to seasonal changes, species selected, texture, color and size at maturity.

Landscaping should be encouraged that will serve the functions of enhancing the visual environment, ensuring public safety, moderating the microclimate and minimizing nuisances.

Landscaping should serve to integrate the project with the site, with a particular sensitivity to the natural topography, drainage and existing native vegetation. It should enhance the architecture of surrounding structures, when possible, by being of similar scale.

Preservation of the existing landscape material and landforms is mandatory, particularly where mature trees are a part of the site to the standards of section 76-173.

Visual variety should be the aim of landscaping treatment. Landscaping should be used to break up large expanses of pavement.

Local soil, water, and other climatic conditions should be considered when choosing landscape materials to create optimum conditions for their survival and to ensure that they will thrive with a minimum amount of maintenance.

Landscaping should be protected from vehicular and pedestrian encroachment. Raised planting surfaces and the use of curbs are ways of achieving this objective.

Species that are a public nuisance or that cause litter should be avoided. When landscaping is to be installed in areas that children will frequent, trees and bushes with sharp needles shall be prohibited.

The aesthetic and functional aspects of the proposed landscaping, both at installation and at maturity, shall be a paramount consideration in review and approval by the planning commission.

All plant materials used shall be placed in fertile soil with good surface drainage and shall be given reasonable maintenance necessary to ensure their healthy existence and survival. All natural materials shall be maintained, refurbished or replaced, as necessary, to ensure a positive aesthetic quality.

All proposed landscaped plantings shall meet the minimum size requirements specified in the following table:

Boxelder.

Soft maple (red silver).

Elm.

Poplar.

Willow.

Horse chestnut (nut bearing).

Tree of heaven.

Catalpa.

Fruit-bearing trees.

All thorned trees and shrubs.

Ribes (gooseberry).

Cottonwood.