17.54.070 Landscaping and screening

17.54.070 Landscaping and screening.

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 complementing 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 and water.

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. Additional interior parking lot landscaping may be required per Chapter 17.18 and Section 17.54.060.

3. Open Space. A minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) of each lot shall be maintained in permanent landscaped open space. Any areas of the site plan not covered by building, parking, etc., shall be landscaped. Developments approved in phases are required to install landscaping for each respective phase at the time of development.

4. Landscaping Strip (Landscaping Behind Sidewalk). Unless otherwise approved by the land use authority, a landscaped strip sixteen feet (16') to twenty feet (20') in width (based on meandering location of sidewalk) shall be landscaped with living plant material 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 sixteen feet (16') to twenty feet (20') in landscaping will be measured from the back of the meandering sidewalk.

b. Thirty percent (30%) of the landscaping strip may consist of decorative rock, bark, mulch, and/or other ground covers other than live plant material. A planting/landscaping plan detailing types of ground covers, weed barriers, sprinklers, etc., i.e., the nonlawn areas, shall be submitted and approved by the planning director.

c. Gravel, Rocks, and Boulders. Because rock, gravel and other hard surface materials as a ground cover retain and emit heat during the summer months when water is scarce, they may not be used within a thirty-six inch (36") radius (seventy-two inch (72") diameter) of any landscape strip tree. Otherwise, gravel, rocks, and boulders may be used on portions of the landscape strip. Rocks used as groundcover must be between one and one-half inches (1.5") and four inches (4") in size or over one foot (1') foot in size. Rocks of over one foot (1') in size must be located at least one and one-half feet (1.5') from the back of curb and the edge of the sidewalk.

d. Trees shall be planted thirty feet (30') on center, centered from the edges of the strip in all required landscaped and bermed areas. Where street trees are required for park strips and street frontage landscape strips, trees may be alternated every thirty feet (30') on center between the park strip and street frontage landscape strip. At least thirty percent (30%) of the landscape strip trees shall be evergreens.

e. Landscaped Berms. Where possible, landscaped berms shall be constructed within required landscaped strips along public street frontages according to the following standards:

i. Berms shall vary in height and shall be sculptured with enclaves, protrusion, etc. Berms shall be at least from one and one-half feet (1.5') to three feet (3') in height with an average height of two feet (2').

ii. The maximum allowable cut or fill slope is three feet (3') horizontal distance for one foot (1') of rise. Slopes steeper than three to one (3:1) will require retaining walls or other types of approved slope stabilization methods on the interior-facing side of the lot. The slope of the berm shall be such as to be mowable with a standard rider mower.

iii. Berms are not required where slopes within the required landscaped strip are excessive and would not reasonably accommodate berms, as determined by land use authority.

a. The property owners shall be responsible for the installation and maintenance of landscaping and fencing on private property and in the abutting public right-of-way, unless otherwise determined by Lindon City. The installation and maintenance of park strip improvements shall be the responsibility of the abutting property owner in all areas of the city, unless otherwise determined by the city. Park strips shall be a minimum of eight feet (8') and maximum of twelve feet (12') with seventy percent (70%) landscaped with living plant material and city-approved shade trees, located every thirty feet (30') on center.

b. Gravel, Rocks, and Boulders. Because rock, gravel and other hard surface materials as a ground cover retain and emit heat during the summer months when water is scarce, they may not be used within a thirty-six inch (36") radius (seventy-two inch (72") diameter) of any landscape strip tree. Otherwise, gravel, rocks, and boulders may be used on portions of the landscape strip. Rocks used as groundcover must be between one and one-half inches (1.5") and four inches (4") in size or over one foot (1') in size. Rocks of over one foot (1') in size must be located at least one and one-half feet (1.5') from the back of curb and the edge of the sidewalk.

6. 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-inch (2") caliper, measured one foot (1') above the ground and shall be at least six feet (6') in height when planted.

7. 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.

8. Landscaping around Buildings. A perimeter landscape strip at least ten feet (10') wide shall be placed around all buildings with the exception of loading/dock areas.

9. Concrete curbing shall be provided between landscaped areas and off-street parking areas that is at least six inches (6") higher than the parking areas. Landscaped areas on the site must be delineated with raised curbing to protect plant materials from vehicular damage.

10. Paving materials, water features and sculpture may be included as landscape design materials, provided such create useful open space, add color and texture to the design and create visual interest. Such materials may not cover more than ten percent (10%) of the required landscaped area.

11. Landscaping requirements concerning berming, trees, and landscape materials can be changed and/or altered (with regard to location and design) upon approval of the land use authority at the site plan review stage of an application. No net loss of landscaping should occur with any approved alterations. (Ord. 2023-1 §1, amended, 2023; Ord. 2017-11 §1, adopted, 2017)