17.49.060 Landscaping and Fencing.
1. Landscaping objectives. Landscaping plans shall be prepared with a view toward accomplishing the following design objectives (plans will be approved or denied based on how well these objectives are satisfied):
a. Enhance the visual environment by:
i. Adding visual interest through texture, color, size, shape, etc., and
ii. Enhancing perspective by framing views complimenting architecture, screening and creating points of interest and activity.
b. Ensure public safety by:
i. Guiding the circulation of cars and people.
ii. Controlling access to parking lots.
iii. Making traffic diverters prominent, and;
iv. Creating street identification by varying the species, height, and location of landscaping.
c. Minimize noise and glare.
d. Conserve energy.
e. Complement architecture by landscaping around buildings.
f. Screen areas of low visual interest.
2. Overall Landscaping Plan. With the application for site plan approval, an overall landscaping plan shall be submitted. Landscaping plans shall show details on specific types and locations of trees and shall also identify areas to be lawn or other types of vegetation or ground cover.
3. Landscaping Strip. Unless otherwise approved by the planning commission, a landscaped strip twenty feet (20') in width shall be landscaped to meet the design requirements of Chapter 17.19 and maintained in a living, growing condition along all public street frontages.
a. The measurement of the twenty (20) feet in landscaping will be measured from the back of walk, or back curb if no sidewalk exists. Areas with meandering sidewalks will have the twenty (20) feet measured from back of curb but may not count sidewalk width as part of the twenty (20) feet landscaping requirement.
b. Thirty percent (30%) of the landscaped strip may consist of decorative rock, bark, mulch, and/or other ground covers other than lawn. A planting/landscaping plan detailing types of ground covers, weed barriers, sprinklers, etc., in the non-lawn areas shall be submitted and approved by the planning director.
c. Tree shall be planted thirty (30) feet on center, centered ten (10) feet from the edges of the strip in all required landscaped and bermed areas.
d. Landscaping requirements concerning trees and landscape materials can be changed and/or altered (with regard to location and design) upon approval of the Planning Commission at the site plan review stage of an application. No net loss of landscaping should occur with any approved alterations. Other landscaping layouts consistent with the Lindon City Commercial Design Guidelines may also be considered by the Planning Commission.
4. Trees. Recommended trees may be found in the list of tree species located in the Lindon City Tree Planting Guide and, unless otherwise specified, shall be at least two (2) inch caliper.
5. Sprinkling and Irrigation. All plantings shall be serviced by an acceptable underground automatic irrigation or sprinkler system, and maintained in a healthful living condition. Dead plant materials shall be replaced as necessary within the first year of planting.
6. Concrete curbing shall be provided between landscaped areas and off-street parking areas that is at least six inches (6") higher than the parking area.
7. A masonry or concrete fence seven (7) feet high, shall be constructed and maintained along any property line between a non-residential development and a residential use or a residential zone. The fence shall be constructed and maintained by the owner of the non-residential development. Perimeter fencing shall not exceed eight (8') feet in height without approval by the Planning Commission. In all zones the Planning Commission may approve a landscaping screen in lieu of a fence, a fence other than a masonry fence, or approve a fence height greater than eight (8) feet if it makes the following findings:
a. The proposed fence/landscape screen provides an adequate buffer for the adjoining residential use;
b. The appearance of the fence/landscape screen will not detract from the residential use and/or non-residential use of the property;
c. The proposed fence/landscape screen will shield the residential use from noise, storage, traffic or any other characteristic of the non-residential use that is incompatible with residential uses.
d. The Planning Commission may waive or adjust this fence/screening requirement upon findings that the fence is not needed to protect adjacent residential uses from adverse impacts and that such impacts can be mitigated in another appropriate manner.
8. If not in conflict with utilities or other infrastructure, a landscape strip with a ten (10) foot minimum width running the length of frontage along Interstate 15 shall be installed and maintained in the T zone. Trees shall be planted thirty (30) feet on center in the landscape strip. As long as there is no net loss of trees, the location of the trees can be altered by the Planning Commission if the strip of landscaping is in conflict with utilities or other infrastructure. (Ord. 2023-1 §1, amended, 2023; Ord. 2012-12, amended, 2012; Ord. 2008-10, amended, 2008; Ord. 98-9, amended, 2000)