§ 88-425-10. LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING MATERIAL

88-425-10-A. GENERAL

1.

APPLICABILITY

The standards of this section apply to all landscaping, plant materials, and fences or walls used to satisfy the landscaping and screening requirements of this zoning and development code.

2.

PLANT SELECTION

Plants used to satisfy the requirements of this zoning and development code must meet or exceed the plant quality standards of American Association of Nurserymen and the Kansas City Nursery and Landscape Association. Plants used to satisfy the requirements of this article must be native or naturalized species.

3.

ARTIFICIAL PLANTS

No artificial plants or vegetation may be used to satisfy the landscaping and screening requirements of this zoning and development code.

88-425-10-B. TREES

1.

TYPES

Unless otherwise expressly stated, required trees may be broadleaf (deciduous) or conifers (evergreen).

2.

SIZE

Trees provided to satisfy the requirements of this zoning and development code must comply with the following minimum size requirements:

a.

broadleaf trees must have a minimum caliper of 2.0 inches; and

b.

evergreen trees must have a minimum planted height of 5 feet.

3.

SPECIES

If more than 8 trees are required, no more than 40% may be of a single species. If more than 25 trees are required, no more than 25% may be of a single species. This requirement applies to trees being planted, not to existing trees.

88-425-10-C. SHRUBS

1.

All shrubs must have a minimum planted height of 2 feet and a minimum height of 3 feet after the second full growing season.

2.

Broadleaf shrubs must have a minimum container size of 2 gallons.

3.

Evergreens must have a minimum container size of 5 gallons.

4.

Shrubs may also be balled and burlapped.

5.

If more than 25 shrubs are required, no more than 75% may be of a single species.

88-425-10-D. GROUND COVER

1.

All required landscape areas that are not planted with trees or shrubs must be covered with ground cover plants, which may include grasses. Mulch must be confined to areas underneath trees and shrubs and is not an allowed substitute for ground cover.

2.

Ground cover plants other than grasses must be within minimum 4-inch pot or plug. Area planted in ground cover plants other than grasses must be planted at distances appropriate for the species and at a density that will achieve complete coverage after the second full growing season.

88-425-10-E. FENCES AND WALLS

Unless otherwise specified within this section for properties within the downtown loop:

1.

WALLS

Walls or planters must be constructed of brick, stone or other durable masonry material approved by the city planning and development director.

2.

FENCES

Fences must be durable and constructed of wood, decorative rigid vinyl (polyvinyl chloride), metal or wrought iron. Fence posts must be structurally stable. The finished side of the fence must face the adjacent property or street. Chain-link fencing may not be used to satisfy landscaping and screening requirements.

88-425-10-F. PROHIBITED PLANTS (RESERVED)

88-425-10-G. EXISTING TREES AND VEGETATION

1.

Existing vegetation may be used to satisfy the landscaping and screening requirements of this zoning and development code if protected and maintained during site development and construction phases of work and if such trees or plants are not otherwise prohibited.

2.

Preserved trees will be credited toward satisfying the tree planting requirements of this zoning and development code if they meet the minimum size requirements of 88-425-0910-B.2. Trees up to 6 inches in diameter at breast height will be credited on a 1:1 basis. Trees larger than 6 inches, up to 12 inches in diameter at 42 inches will be credited at a ratio of 2:1. Trees that are more than 12 inches in diameter at breast height will be credited at a ratio of 3:1 to encourage the preservation of existing mature trees.

(Ord. No. 120783, § 1, 10-4-2012; Ord. No. 130441, § 1, 7-11-2013; Ord. No. 150378, § A, 5-21-2015)