D. - General landscape standards.

1.

All required landscaping materials shall be installed prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, provided that seasonal planting adjustments may be approved by the zoning administrator.

2.

Existing healthy, well-formed canopy and understory trees, as well as healthy shrubs, shall be credited toward the requirements of this section, provided the vegetation meets the minimum size standards and is protected before and during development of the site and maintained thereafter in a healthy growing condition.

3.

All landscape materials shall be selected and sized in accordance with hardiness rating and growth habit appropriate for the intended placement of materials. All landscape materials shall be well branched and well formed, vigorous, healthy and free from disease, sun and wind damage and insect and shall have healthy and unbroken root systems.

4.

Stormwater management facilities required by this ordinance or other state, federal or city requirements may be incorporated into a proposed landscaping plan, potentially resulting in a credit towards landscaping or open space set-aside requirements, where applicable.

5.

The owner of the property upon which the required landscaping or buffering is installed shall be responsible for perpetual maintenance and replacement. If any required tree, shrub, or other landscaping element shall die or be removed after issuance of the certificate of occupancy, the developer, his or her successors or assigns, shall replace each by the end of the next planting season with trees or shrubs of the same or similar species, type, color, or character.

6.

Species of trees shall not be planted if the roots cause damage to public works, the branches are subject to high incidence of breakage, and the fruit is considered a nuisance or high maintenance as determined by the director of public works.

7.

Landscaping shall not obstruct the view of motorists using any street, private driveway, parking isles, or the approach to any street intersection so as to constitute a traffic hazard or a condition dangerous to the public safety. Whenever the enforcement of the provisions of this ordinance may be deemed a traffic hazard, the zoning administrator may waive any or all requirements.

8.

The quality and type of all new plant materials installed on a site shall be in accord with the specifications of the American Association of Nurserymen, provided that the transplanting of trees and shrubs may be done in accordance with accepted horticultural and forestry practices.

9.

All landscape materials shall conform to the following minimum size or height standards at the date of planting:

a.

Deciduous shade trees: Two-inch caliper

b.

Ornamental and understory trees: Six-foot height.

c.

Coniferous trees: Six-foot height.

d.

Evergreen shrubs: Eighteen-inch spread or height.

e.

Deciduous shrubs: Twenty-four-inch spread or height.