Chapter 18.74
FERNDALE LANDSCAPE STANDARDS
Sections:
18.74.010 Purpose of landscape standards.
18.74.020 Applicability.
18.74.025 Buffering.
18.74.030 Required plant materials.
18.74.040 Description of landscape standards.
18.74.050 General provisions.
18.74.060 Criteria for adjustment.
18.74.070 Installation and maintenance.
18.74.080 Irrigation.
18.74.090 Landscape plans.
18.74.100 Plant materials standards.
18.74.105 Credit for preservation of existing vegetation.
18.74.110 Preservation of existing vegetation.
18.74.120 Street trees.
18.74.130 Vision clearance area landscaping.
18.74.140 Parking lot landscape standards.
18.74.150 Landscape performance bonds.
18.74.010 Purpose of landscape standards.
Landscape standards are designed to:
A. Improve the appearance and visual character of the community.
B. Promote compatibility between all land uses by reducing the visual, noise, and lighting impacts of development on adjacent properties.
C. Unify development, and enhance and define public and private spaces on a site.
D. Reduce the visual impact of glare, headlights, and parking lot lights from the public right-of-way and from adjoining properties.
E. Reduce the area of impervious surfaces.
F. Reduce the level of carbon dioxide in areas of heavy vehicle use and return pure oxygen to the atmosphere.
G. Encourage safe and efficient on-site circulation.
H. Encourage the retention and use of existing vegetation.
I. Provide shade as a means of mitigating heat and exposure in parking lots and other paved areas.
J. Encourage efficient water use and conservation.
K. Encourage a pedestrian-oriented street environment. (Ord. 1400 § 2, 2006)
18.74.020 Applicability.
The landscape standards reflected in Tables 18.74A and 18.74B establish minimum landscape requirements that apply to any development, except:
A. Minor building alterations.
B. Site improvements for improved public access.
C. Change of use not affecting exterior of building.
D. Single-family residential construction.
|
|
L-1 Basic |
L-2 Low Screen |
L-3 High Screen |
L-4 High Wall |
L-5 Partial Screen Fence |
L-6 Full Screen Fence |
|
In setback areas of multiple-family development (except as otherwise noted) |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Multiple-family parking (where parking areas abut interior property line or right-of-way) |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
Recycling and garbage areas within or adjacent to vehicular use areas in the RM 1.5 and RO zones |
|
|
X* |
|
|
X* |
|
Property lines within 75 feet of delivery and loading areas on commercially zoned lots abutting residential zones |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Property lines within 75 feet of delivery and loading areas on industrially zoned lots abutting residential zones |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
Street frontage of commercial development where frontage is not occupied by parking (except in CB pedestrian-oriented zone when zero street setbacks are used) |
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outdoor merchandise display areas of greater than 300 square feet in GC, CB, HC and RO zones, excluding plant merchandise displays |
|
X* |
X* |
X* |
X* |
X* |
|
Garbage and recycle screening in CB, GC, and HC zones |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
Parking area landscaping along a public or private right-of-way |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
Parking area driveway or primary circulation route landscaping |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
Parking and loading areas for institutional and commercial uses adjacent to residentially zoned property |
|
|
X* |
X* |
|
|
|
Campground or recreational vehicle park street frontage screening |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Manufactured home park property boundaries |
|
|
X* |
X* |
|
|
|
Electrical substation unless fully enclosed within a building |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Telecommunication or satellite relay station unless fully enclosed within a building |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Pump station, wellhead, tank-style reservoir, and other water or sewer facilities unless fully enclosed within a building |
|
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Vehicle or equipment storage yard in RO, RM 1.5, or any RS zone |
|
|
X* |
|
X* |
|
|
Interior property lines for essential public facility sites |
|
|
X* |
X* |
X* |
X* |
* Specific standard required is subject to administrative review.
(Ord. 1400 § 2, 2006)
18.74.025 Buffering.
Buffering between zones is required based on the provisions of Table 18.74B.
A. Buffering requirements between zones is the requirement of each developing or redeveloping property.
1. Cooperative Agreements. Developers are encouraged to enter into cooperative agreements with adjacent properties to develop a single buffer with joint responsibility for maintenance. This eliminates the need for double buffering.
2. Double Buffering. It is the intent of this code to require double buffering to maximize benefit and equitably burden each property owner where cooperative agreements are not achieved. Where double buffering would create an alleyway or “no man’s land” between walls, fences, or linear plantings, an alternative landscape standard shall be applied so as to accentuate the benefits of a barrier without creating the negative effects of an isolated alleyway.
B. Wetlands/Open Space. Where wetlands, riparian areas, and other open space create an effective buffer that is consistent with the purpose of this chapter, the buffering requirement may be waived or modified upon approval of the Zoning Administrator.
C. Residential Buffers. Where buffers required by Table 18.74B or the PUD ordinance (Chapter 18.68 FMC) occur on residential plats, the buffer shall be on a separate parcel and shall be owned and maintained by a homeowners’ association.
D. Large Retail Buffers.
1. For retail establishments with buffers along interior property lines that exceed 12 feet in width, as required by the City of Ferndale design guidelines, the L-3 planting requirements shall be modified to require two rows of trees within the required landscape buffer. Tree rows shall be staggered.
2. For retail establishments with buffers along interior property lines that exceed 20 feet in width, as required by the City of Ferndale design guidelines, the L-3 planting requirements shall be modified to require two rows of trees and a four-foot high berm within the required landscape buffer. Tree rows shall be staggered.
E. Planned Unit Developments. PUD buffers are required through Chapter 18.68 FMC. Buffer width shall be consistent with the requirements therein. Landscaping within the required buffer shall at a minimum be consistent with the L-3 and/or L-4 standard as appropriate for the particular PUD use.
|
|
CB** |
GC |
HC |
LI |
M** |
RM 1.5** |
All RS |
RO |
|
CB** |
|
|
|
L-2 L-3 |
L-2 L-3 |
L-1 L-2 L-3 |
L-3 |
L-3* |
|
GC |
|
|
|
|
|
L-3 |
L-3 |
L-3* |
|
HC |
|
|
|
|
|
L-3 |
L-3 |
L-3* |
|
LI** |
L-2 L-3 |
|
|
|
|
L-3 |
L-3 |
L-3* |
|
M** |
L-2 L-3 |
|
|
|
|
L-3 |
L-3 |
L-3* |
|
RM 1.5** |
L-1 L-2 L-3 |
L-3 |
L-3 |
L-3 |
L-3 |
|
|
|
|
All RS |
L-3 |
L-3 |
L-3 |
L-3 |
L-3 |
|
|
|
|
RO |
L-3* |
L-3* |
L-3* |
L-3 |
L-3 |
|
|
|
* When existing or proposed RO use is residential.
** Specific buffering requirement based on uses as determined by the Zoning Administrator.
(Ord. 1400 § 2, 2006)
18.74.030 Required plant materials.
Plants used within required landscape areas shall be locally hardy, noninvasive plants with a mature size and growth habit appropriate to the location and use. The City of Ferndale maintains the City of Ferndale plant materials list to aid in the selection of plant materials. Landscape plans may utilize plants not included on the City of Ferndale plant materials list. (Ord. 1400 § 2, 2006)
18.74.040 Description of landscape standards.
A. Basic Landscape Standard (L-1). A landscape treatment to enhance the appearance of street frontages and yard areas. A linear effect is not the goal, but a visually pleasing, park-like effect should be achieved. The minimum width shall be consistent with the setback area unless otherwise specified herein.
1. Required Plant Materials. Basic landscape standard (L-1) requires the installation and maintenance of all of the following:
a. One tree per 30 linear feet as measured along the front lot line.
b. Six shrubs per 30 linear feet as measured along the front lot line.
c. The use of turf as ground cover is discouraged. Drought-tolerant, low-maintenance vegetative ground cover is encouraged.
d. Living plant materials covering a minimum of 70 percent of the required landscape area within five years of planting.
The required plant materials may be installed in the required area in any arrangement and do not need to be linear in design.
2. Exceptions to Required Plant Materials. An exception to the requirement in subsection (A)(1)(a) of this section shall be granted if, excluding any required parking area landscaping, the landscape area required to comply with the L-1 basic landscape standard is located entirely within 15 feet of a building.
B. Low Screen Landscape Standard (L-2). A landscape treatment to enhance the visual appearance of linear spaces while allowing high visibility and an open effect. Low screen landscape areas shall be a minimum of seven feet wide unless otherwise specified herein.
1. Required Plant Materials. Low screen landscape standard (L-2) requires the installation and maintenance of all of the following:
a. Low shrubs to form a continuous screen at least 24 inches high within three years and maintained at a height not to exceed 42 inches.
b. One canopy tree per 30 linear feet as measured along the street lot line.
c. Living plant materials covering a minimum of 70 percent of the required landscape area within three years of planting.
d. The use of turf as ground cover is discouraged. Drought-tolerant, low-maintenance vegetative ground cover is encouraged.
e. A masonry wall or a berm between 30 and 42 inches high shall be permitted as a substitute for the required low shrubs, but the trees and other plant materials are still required. When applied along street frontage, the masonry wall is to be placed farthest from the street with the required landscaping in between the wall and street. When applied along an abutting property, the masonry wall may be placed along the interior lot line.
C. High Screen Landscape Standard (L-3). A landscape treatment to create a living visual barrier and insert a psychological separation. A high screen landscape area shall have a minimum width of seven feet unless otherwise specified herein.
1. Required Plant Materials. High screen landscape standard (L-3) requires the installation and maintenance of all of the following:
a. Evergreen shrubs that are in at least five-gallon containers at the time of planting to form a continuous screen, at least six feet high, within five years of planting.
b. One tree per 30 linear feet as measured along interior lot lines. Evergreens or canopy trees may be used as appropriate to provide the desired screening.
c. Living plant materials covering a minimum of 70 percent of the required landscape area within five years of planting.
d. The use of turf as ground cover is discouraged. Drought-tolerant, low-maintenance vegetative ground cover is encouraged.
e. A masonry wall at least six feet high shall be permitted as a substitute for the shrubs but the trees and other plant materials are still required. When this landscape standard is applied along street frontage, the screen or wall is to be placed farthest from the street with the required landscaping in between the wall and street. When along a street frontage, vines shall be planted a maximum of eight feet on center on the streetward side of the wall. When applied along an abutting property, the masonry wall may be placed along the interior lot line.
D. High Wall Landscape Standard (L-4). A landscape treatment to create a visual separation that provides noise buffering and added security and privacy. A high wall landscape area shall have a minimum width of seven feet unless otherwise specified herein.
1. Required Materials. High wall landscape standard (L-4) requires the installation and maintenance of all of the following:
a. Masonry wall at least six feet high with a maximum height of eight feet. When applied along street lot lines, the wall shall be placed farthest from the street with the required landscaping in between the wall and the street. When along a street frontage, vines shall be planted a maximum of eight feet on center on the streetward side of the wall. When abutting an adjacent parcel, the wall ma