Chapter 4.38
LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS
Sections:
4.38.040 Landscaping plan.
4.38.060 Landscaping criteria.
4.38.140 Definitions.
4.38.160 Maintenance.
4.38.180 Enforcement.
4.38.040 Landscaping plan.
A landscape plan shall be required before a building permit and/or a public works permit can be issued under the following circumstances:
A. When an application is made for commercial, industrial, public reserve (P-R) zoned, or multifamily residential projects, such projects must provide landscaping, as required in ECC 4.38.060, whether or not they are also covered as a major project under Chapter 1.45 ECC. Those projects which are not covered as major projects under Chapter 1.45 ECC shall only be required to provide landscaping as provided in ECC 4.38.060. All projects which are major projects under Chapter 1.45 ECC shall be subject to these landscaping requirements and all other site requirements as outlined in Chapter 1.45 ECC.
B. No building or public works permit shall be issued until the landscape plan, or general building and site plan, are approved as required. [Ord. 4245, 2000; Ord. 3998 § 5, 1995.]
4.38.060 Landscaping criteria.
A. The landscape plan shall provide for landscaping which minimizes visual, sound, temperature, and/or traffic distraction impacts of vehicular movements and of the paved area. The variety of materials selected shall be compatible with the climate, planting location, and landscaping function.
B. Landscaping for all multifamily residential projects should be equal to the area of the required setbacks plus an additional 15 percent of the total lot area; landscaping for all industrial, public reserve (P-R), tourist commercial (T-C), commercial highway (C-H), and commercial neighborhood (C-N) zoned projects shall be equal to 15 percent of the total lot area. Required landscaping may include grass swales if required for surface drainage. Landscaping in the central commercial (C-C) zone and central commercial II (C-C II) zone shall be equal to 15 percent of the total lot area; provided, however, applicants for development projects on all C-C zoned lots, and those C-C II zoned lots which contain existing principal buildings and uses may propose the planting of street trees in the city right-of-way in lieu of that amount of the required on-site landscaping not otherwise required by the parking lot requirements of this section. The substitution of street trees for on-site landscaping shall be subject to city approval as to the location and the type of trees to be planted. The number of street trees required shall be determined by dividing the lineal street frontage of the lot being developed or redeveloped by the span of the mature crown area of the street trees proposed and agreed to by the city for planting.
C. In all off-street automobile parking required by this code, except for parking required in conjunction with a regional retail commercial master site plan, parking modules shall conform to the following requirements of this chapter. In the case of regional retail commercial off-street parking, parking modules and the associated landscaping shall conform to the applicable standards set forth in ECC Titles 1 and 13 of this code, as those titles pertain to regional retail commercial master site plans. For all other required off-street parking, parking modules which exceed eight consecutive parking spaces shall include a landscaping node equal in area to one full parking space. Parking modules which exceed 16 parking spaces in a double row shall include a landscaping node equal in area to two full parking spaces. Or, as an alternative to the landscape nodes, commercial projects in the C-C, C-C II, C-H and T-C zones may substitute a five-foot-wide pedestrian pathway, with tree planters planted with deciduous trees every 20 to 25 feet, every other double row of parking modules. In the P-R zone, and church parking lots in all zones, for every nine consecutive parking spaces a minimum landscaped area equal to one parking space in size shall be provided in the parking facility. For every 18 parking spaces double row, a minimum landscaped area equal to two parking spaces in size shall be provided in the parking facility. This landscaped area may be distributed throughout the entire parking facility. In truck or automobile maneuvering areas not subject to the minimum parking requirements, landscaping shall be provided so as to provide the desired site relief and screening effects, without creating hazards or obstructions to the safe, convenient use of such maneuvering areas. Additionally, for building projects accomplished in phases, calculation of the amount of landscaping required shall be based upon the phases approved as part of the site plan. Adequate perimeter screening or maintenance of existing native vegetation on future phases may be required by the board.
D. The landmarks and design commission may substitute all or a portion of required parking lot landscaping area with that area contained in an existing natural feature. Such natural feature would need to be located on the same lot of record as is the proposed parking lot, be made a feature of the general lot landscaping for maintenance/watering, etc., and in the opinion of the landmarks and design commission, serve the same screening or softening effect that parking lot landscaping is intended to serve.
E. Compliance with the requirements of this section shall be verified by the city manager or the manager’s designee prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit or final approval of a public works construction project; provided, however, if weather and other conditions exist which render compliance impossible or impractical upon the completion of the project, compliance may be deferred at the city manager’s discretion, but only to the earliest possible date which would permit compliance. Any deferrals requested under this section shall be subject to the conditions contained in the general design requirements contained in ECC 1.45.500. [Ord. 4497 § 3, 2007; Ord. 4245, 2000; Ord. 4146, 1998; Ord. 4094, 1997; Ord. 4059 § 4, 1996; Ord. 4026 § 3, 1996; Ord. 3998 § 6, 1995; Ord. 3652 § 1, 1989.]
4.38.140 Definitions.
A. “City manager” is defined as the current city manager of the city of Ellensburg or his designee.
B. “Screening” is defined as a wall or partition consisting of shrubs, trees, fencing material or a combination of these having the purpose of separation, protection, privacy, control of sun and wind, sound absorption, and/or blocking of vision. [Ord. 3652 § 1, 1989.]
4.38.160 Maintenance.
The owner/developer and their successors in interest shall be responsible to provide the necessary care to ensure the adaptation and growth of vegetation planted. [Ord. 3652 § 1, 1989.]
4.38.180 Enforcement.
Substantial noncompliance with this chapter shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed the sum of $600.00 plus $100.00 a day for each day of continued noncompliance. This penalty provision shall be in addition to any other remedies provided herein or by the laws of the state of Washington. [Ord. 3652 § 1, 1989.]