§ 15.3. General landscaping.

(1)

Applicability: All new developments and redevelopments shall comply with the general landscaping standards.

(2)

Plan/plan review: A preliminary landscaping plan for general landscaping shall accompany the preliminary site plan and contain the general description of the proposed landscaping. The final landscaping plan shall accompany the final site plan and contain all the detail to comply with the standards set forth in this Code for review and recommendation by the planning and zoning commission and review and approval by the city council.

(3)

Requirements:

a.

Residential lots shall contain one canopy tree, one understory, ornamental or evergreen tree and four shrubs per 100 linear feet of street frontage. Where the street frontage is less than 50 linear feet only one canopy tree or two understory, ornamental or evergreen trees are required in addition to four shrubs. Required trees and shrubs are encouraged to be clustered and/or used for foundation plantings to allow for the best landscape design.

b.

Commercial and industrial lots shall contain the designated bufferyard and parking lot vegetation requirements.

c.

Trees and shrubs shall be hardy and of a species common to or adapted to mid-Missouri, shall be matched to the site and shall not be of nuisance type species as listed in Exhibit A to this Code Section. In addition, trees that release fruit, nuts, large seed pods or similar materials are discouraged from being used where they abut the right-of-way and in parking lots. The applicant shall ensure that a mix of species, color, texture and form are used.

d.

Existing landscaping may be used to meet the requirements of this Code provided it meets the purpose and intent of the Code and is included on the approved landscape plan. Such landscaping shall be protected during all phases of site development.

e.

The following minimum plant size shall be used in the landscape plan as follows:

1.

Canopy trees shall be deciduous and two inches in caliper, measured at six inches above the ground;

2.

Conifer/evergreen trees shall be five feet tall;

3.

Hedges/live barrier features shall be evergreen and one gallon container size;

4.

Understory plantings and deciduous shrubs shall be one gallon container size;

5.

Groundcover shall be spaced or applied according to nursery specifications; and

6.

Turf grass shall be seed, sod or plug, spaced or applied according to nursery specifications.

f.

Plants shall be installed in accordance with the standards of the Urban and Community Forestry Division of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

g.

Areas not covered by vegetation shall be covered with gravel, cobble, rocks, mulch, wood chips, bark chips, or similar natural materials three inches in depth to prevent weed growth, erosion, and blowing dust and contained by a natural or man-made border. All plants shall be maintained in a healthy condition in accordance with generally accepted professional horticultural and arboricultural standards and practices such as recommended in ANSI Standard A-300. Plants which die or are unhealthy shall be replaced in a reasonable time period after failing to re-grow following normal seasonal growing period. Regular pruning and trimming shall be applied to maintain health and to permit the plants to achieve their intended form and height.

h.

Unless specifically permitted, no portion of the public right-of-way shall be used to meet the landscape requirement of the Code.

i.

No utility easement may be used for required landscaping or bufferyard barrier feature unless approved in writing by the appropriate official of each affected utility. Where specifically permitted to be used for the required landscaping, the plantings on utility easements shall be limited to small canopy trees, shrubs and hedges, ground cover and turf grass.

j.

No parking, storage, or outdoor display shall occur within a required buffer yard area.

(Ord. No. 4140, § 1(Exh. A), 1-5-09)