§ F. Landscaping plan.

(1)

A landscaping plan shall be submitted to the community development department for their approval at the same time other plans (i.e. architectural design, lighting, parking, signage, and site plans) are submitted to Paulding County Plan Review. This plan shall be drawn to scale, including dimensions and distance, shall delineate all existing and proposed structures, private parking areas, walks, ramps for handicapped, terraces, driveways, signs, lighting standards, steps and other similar structures; and shall delineate the location, size, and description of all landscape materials. Landscape treatment for plazas, roads, paths, service and private parking areas shall be designed as an integral and coordinated part of the landscape plan for the entire lot. Additional information may be requested by the community development department for the filing of landscaping plans.

(2)

Areas to be landscaped.

(a)

Greenbelt. (Non-residential) The greenbelt (located on the front-side of buildings) shall be suitably landscaped and shall be otherwise unoccupied except for steps, walks, terraces, driveways, lighting standards, and other similar structures, but excluding private parking areas. The greenbelt shall be a minimum of ten feet wide. Mounding and other innovative treatments are to be especially encouraged in this area.

(Residential) The greenbelt shall include a 20-foot landscaped strip along the site's frontage along the corridor and other public roads excluding curb-cut right(s)-of-way. Landscaping shall include evergreen trees, other acceptable vegetative material, berms, or a combination thereof.

(b)

Peripheral planting. There shall be peripheral landscaping strip, four feet in depth, located along the side of any private parking area which abuts any front, side or rear property line.

(c)

Planting within parking lots. All parking lot landscaping shall be a quality to improve and enhance the site and its surrounding area. Effective use of mounding and existing topography is encouraged. Landscaping and planting areas shall be reasonably dispersed throughout the parking area, and not less than five percent of a private parking lot shall be landscaped. (For purposes of this computation, landscaping in: (1) the greenbelt; (adjacent to buildings;) and (2) on the periphery of the lot shall not be included.) Landscaping shall be specifically provided at the ends of parking rows and as a means of separating parking from major circulation isles within lots.

(3)

Landscaping standards.

(a)

The interior dimensions, specifications and design of any planting area or planting medium proposed to be constructed shall be sufficient to protect the landscaping materials planted therein and to provide for proper growth.

(b)

Primary landscaping materials used in the greenbelt and adjacent to buildings shall consist of one or a combination of the following: shade trees, ornamental trees, shrubs, ground covers, grass, mulches, etc.

(c)

The primary landscaping materials used in and around private parking areas shall be trees, which provide shade at maturity. Shrubbery, hedges, and other planting material may be used to compliment tree landscaping, but shall not be the sole contribution to the landscaping.

(d)

All shade trees proposed to be used in accordance with any landscaping plan shall be a minimum of eight feet in overall height and have a minimum trunk diameter, 12 inches above the ground of two inches upon planting. They should be of a variety which will attain an average mature spread greater than 20 feet. The types of trees shall be those specified in the buffer sections of the zoning ordinance—Article VI, section E, (4) Standards, (l).

(e)

Landscaping materials selected should be appropriate to local growing and climatic conditions. Wherever appropriate existing trees should be conserved and integrated into the landscaping plan. Plant material shall be selected for interest in its structure, texture, color and for its ultimate growth. Indigenous and other hardy plants that are harmonious to the design, and of good appearance shall be used.

(f)

The landscaping plan shall ensure that sight distances are not obstructed for drivers of motor vehicles.

(g)

Where natural or existing topography patterns contribute to beauty and utility of a development, they shall be preserved and developed. Modification to topography shall be permitted where it contributes to good appearance.

(h)

Grades of walks, parking spaces, terraces, and other paved areas shall provide an inviting and stable appearance for walking and, if seating is provided, for sitting.

(i)

Landscape treatment shall be provided to enhance architectural features, strengthening vistas and important axis, and provide shade. Spectacular effects shall be reserved for special locations only.

(j)

Unity of designs shall be achieved by repetition of certain plant varieties and other materials and by correlation with adjacent developments.

(k)

In locations where plants will be susceptible to injury by pedestrians or motor traffic, they shall be protected by appropriate curbs, tree guards, or other devices.

(l)

Where building sites limit planting, the placement of trees in parkways or paved areas is encouraged.

(m)

Screening of service yards and other places that tend to be unsightly shall be accomplished by use of walls, fencing, planting, or combinations of these. Screening shall be equally effective in winter and summer.

(n)

In areas where general planting will not prosper, other materials such as fences, walls, and pavings of wood, brick, stone, gravel, and cobbles shall be used. Carefully selected plants shall be combined with such materials where possible.

(o)

Miscellaneous structures and street hardware shall be designed to be part of the architectural concept of design and landscape. Materials shall be compatible with buildings, scale shall be good, colors shall be in harmony with buildings and surroundings, and proportions shall be attractive.

(p)

Lighting in connection with miscellaneous structures and street hardware shall meet the criteria applicable to site, landscape, buildings and signs.

(4)

Landscaping installation and maintenance.

(a)

Installation. All landscaping required by the approved landscaping plan shall be installed prior to the issuance of a building certificate of occupancy permit if said permit is issued during a planting season, or within six months of the date an occupancy permit is issued during a non-planting season. If not planted, a bond shall be required for plantings for a period of one year (12-months) from date of certificate of occupancy.

(b)

Maintenance. It shall be the responsibility of the owners and their agencies to insure proper maintenance of the landscaping, in accordance with the standards set by this ordinance and as indicated on the landscaping plan, which has been approved by the community development department. This is to include, but not limited to, replaced dead plantings with identical varieties or a suitable substitute, and keeping the area free of refuse and debris.

(c)

Changes after approval. No landscaping which has been approved by the community development department may later be altered, eliminated, or sacrificed, without first obtaining further approval from the community development department.

(d)

Inspection. The community development department shall have the authority to visit any lot within the corridor overlay zone to inspect the landscaping and check it against the approved plan on file.