Chapter 17.20
MASTER LANDSCAPE/SCREENING PLAN
Sections:
17.20.010 Purpose.
17.20.020 Required.
17.20.030 Landscape easement.
17.20.040 Design.
17.20.050 Maintenance.
17.20.060 Irrigation.
17.20.070 Approval.
17.20.080 Subdivision entrance and other decorative structures.
17.20.010 Purpose.
The purpose of the master landscape/screening plan is to increase privacy, mitigate noise, reduce glare and enhance the aesthetics of the streetscape through the use of fences, walls, berms and professional landscaping to separate residential units from thoroughfare streets. (Ord. 2254 § 2)
17.20.020 Required.
A. In any subdivision located within the R-1, R‑2 or equivalent planned zoning district, a master landscape/screening plan shall be required along that portion of the subdivision adjacent to an arterial street.
B. The width of the landscape tract or easement shall be in addition to the minimum required lot depth, lot width and yard setback requirements of the zoning district.
C. For nonresidential development permitted in an R-1 or R-2 zoning district and approved by site plan, the landscape and screening requirements may be incorporated into the approved landscape plan of the proposed development, and a separate dedicated landscape easement or tract of land with deed restrictions is not applicable.
D. The landscape area shall be constructed so that drainage and utility placements are not impaired and so that the required minimum landscape area is not located within a utility easement.
E. Such improvements shown on the approved master landscape/screening plan shall be considered a subdivision improvement and completion of the improvements shall be required prior to the issuance of building permits for any lots within the affected final plat covered by the master landscape/screening plan.
F. In cases when the planting of landscape material may be inappropriate due to weather, the developer may submit an escrow payment or an irrevocable letter of credit, of up to two years, equal to the value of the landscaping material as outlined in bids from the developer’s landscape installer or contractor. Said letter or escrow shall be held by the City until such time as all landscaping is installed per the approved plan. (Ord. 2254 § 2)
17.20.030 Landscape easement.
A. A landscape easement shall be shown on each preliminary and final plat which is subject to these regulations. Said landscape easement shall be immediately adjacent to the public arterial right-of-way and shall be a minimum of 15 feet wide as measured at all points along the thoroughfare. The width of the landscape easement shall be in addition to the minimum required lot depth, lot width, lot and yard setback requirements of the zoning district.
B. As an alternative, a separate landscape tract of the same 15-foot dimension and subject to the same language outlined above may be utilized instead of the landscape easement. (Ord. 2254 § 2)
17.20.040 Design.
A. Landscaping. The approved master landscape/screening plan shall contain the following landscaping materials as a minimum for each 100 linear feet or portion thereof of thoroughfare frontage:
1. Three shade trees with a minimum caliper of two inches as measured six inches above the ground.
2. Two evergreen trees with a minimum size of six feet in height.
3. One ornamental tree with a minimum size of 10 feet in height.
4. The above landscaping materials may be deviated from provided an alternative list of materials is approved by the Community Development Director or his or her designee which achieves comparable screening and buffering.
5. For each tree preserved within the easement or separate tract which meets or exceeds the minimum size requirements outlined above and is part of an alternative plan provided for above, a one-to-one credit shall be given against the minimum tree requirements of this section.
B. Fences/Walls. Fences or walls are not required as part of the master landscape/screening plan. In cases when the developer of the subdivision chooses to install a fence or wall the following standards shall apply: All types of fences installed by the developer, except wrought iron, split rail or similar see-through fence/wall types must be located one foot inside the boundaries of the separate tract or landscape easement along the residential lot side of the tract. Wrought iron or similar see-through fences may be installed by the developer anywhere within the landscape easement or separate tract, except they may be no closer than five feet from the right-of-way line of the abutting thoroughfare.
C. Berms. Berms are not required as part of the master landscape/screening plan. In cases when the developer of the subdivision chooses to install a berm the following standards shall apply:
1. The slope of all installed berms shall not exceed three to one;
2. All berms shall be consistent with good engineering and landscape architectural design; and
3. The grading plan for berms within the separate tract or landscape easement shall be consistent with the approved subdivision grading plan and shall be approved by the City Engineer. (Ord. 2254 § 2)
17.20.050 Maintenance.
Where landscape or screening tracts, or private greenways, parks, or common open space areas are indicated on a proposed final plat, assurance by document shall be provided identifying the organization (e.g., a homes association) that will be the legal entity having permanent responsibility and authority for the installation, maintenance and repair of said areas, as well as for the payment of all expenses, including taxes and special assessments. The documents must also address or prohibit the extension of private fences into the designated landscape area. Said documents or deed restrictions shall be recorded with the Records and Tax Administration Office of Johnson County concurrently with the recording of the final plat. (Ord. 2254 § 2)
17.20.060 Irrigation.
Landscape areas shall be irrigated as necessary to maintain required plant materials in good and healthy condition. Irrigation systems shall comply with the following standards:
A. All landscape areas shall be provided with a readily available water supply with at least one outlet within 100 feet of the plants to be maintained. The use of nonpotable water for irrigation purposes shall be encouraged.
B. No permanent irrigation system is required for an area set aside on approved plans for preservation of existing natural vegetation.
C. Temporary irrigation systems installed pursuant to acceptable Xeriscape landscape practices may be used to meet the standards of this section. Xeriscape means to landscape using vegetation that is drought-tolerant or water-conserving in character.
D. Irrigation systems shall be continuously maintained in working order and shall be designed so as not to overlap water zones, or to water impervious areas.
E. Whenever practical, irrigation systems shall be designed in zones to apply water onto shrub and tree areas on a less frequent schedule than those irrigating grass areas. When technically feasible, a rain-sensor switch shall be installed on systems with automatic controllers.
F. No irrigation system shall be installed or maintained abutting any public street which causes water from the system to spurt onto the roadway or to strike passing vehicular traffic.
G. The use of irrigation-quality effluent or reused water shall be encouraged. (Ord. 2254 § 2)
17.20.070 Approval.
All plans submitted in compliance with these regulations shall be approved by the Community Development Director or his or her designee. All decisions made by the Director may be appealed to the Planning Commission in writing within 30 days of the decision. (Ord. 2254 § 2)
17.20.080 Subdivision entrance and other decorative structures.
Where one or more entrance or street structures or ornaments, such as monuments, pillars, fences, walls, statuary or other decorative features, are to be installed in a permanent fashion, the location, size and design shall be included with the street plans submitted to the City Engineer for approval. This submission shall also include a copy of the bylaws or other documentation of the association which will have permanent responsibility for maintenance. Such bylaws or other documentation shall contain language which will, in the opinion of the City Engineer, assure proper maintenance of such structures by such association. (Ord. 2254 § 2)