20-1009 Landscape Material Standards
The following standards are the minimum required planting standards for all trees and Landscape Material.
(a) Plant Quality
Plants installed to satisfy the requirements of this Article shall meet or exceed the plant quality standards of the most recent edition of American Standard for Nursery Stock, published by the American Association of Nurserymen. Plants shall be nursery-grown and adapted to the local area.
(b) Artificial Plants
No
artificial plants or vegetation may be used to meet any standards of this
section, with the exception of
synthetic turf, provided that the use
of synthetic turf is approved by the City Commission
Planning Director in accordance with
Chapter 18, Article 4, Section 18-402(b) of the City Code. Any appeals of administrative decisions shall be submitted to
the Board of Zoning Appeals per Section 20-1311.
(c) Trees
(1) Types
(i) Required
Where required or permitted, trees shall be of Ornamental Trees, Evergreen Trees, or large Deciduous types, such as oak, maple, ash, hickory, or thornless honey locust. Use of the following trees is discouraged and may not be used to satisfy the standards of this Article: box elder, soft maple, hackberry, American elm, poplar, ailanthus (tree of heaven), willow or mimosa.
(ii) Species Mix
When more than ten (10) trees are required to be planted to meet the standards of this Article, a mix of species shall be provided. In order to promote diversity in the urban forest, the number of species to be planted varies according to the overall number of trees required to be planted in accordance with the following requirements:
Required Number of Trees |
Minimum Number of Species |
11-20 |
2 |
21-30 |
3 |
31-40 |
4 |
41+ |
6 |
(2) Sizes
(i) Shade Trees
Shade Trees planted to satisfy the standards of this Article shall have a minimum Caliper size of two and one-half (2½) inches.
(ii) Ornamental Trees
Ornamental Trees planted to satisfy the standards of this Article shall have a minimum Caliper size of one and three-fourths (1¾) inches.
(iii) Upright Evergreens and Conifers
Upright Evergreen Trees planted to satisfy the standards of this article shall have a minimum planted height of six (6) feet above Grade.
(d) Shrubs (Deciduous, Broadleaf and Evergreen)
Shrubs shall have a minimum planted height of 24 inches above Grade. Deciduous and Broadleaf Shrubs shall be a minimum container size of 2 gallons. Evergreens shall be a minimum 5-gallon container size or balled and burlapped.
(e) Ground Treatment
The ground area within required landscape areas shall receive appropriate landscape treatment and present a finished appearance and reasonably complete coverage upon planting. The following standards apply to the design of ground treatment:
(1) Ground Cover
Ground Cover appropriate for the area may be planted in lieu of turf grass. Ground Cover shall be of a size and spacing to provide a minimum of 50% coverage after the first full Growing Season and complete coverage at maturity. Edging material shall be provided for all Ground Cover.
(2) Mulch
Mulch shall be installed and maintained at a minimum depth of 2 inches and a maximum depth of 4 inches on all planted areas except where Ground Cover plants are fully established. Mulch may be used as a permanent ground treatment in those landscape designs where Ground Cover or grass is inappropriate.
(3) Grass Seed and Sod
Turf areas shall be planted with species suitable as permanent lawns in Lawrence. Turf areas may be sodded or seeded.
(i) In areas where grass seed is used, maintenance shall be provided until coverage is complete, and complete coverage shall be provided after the first full Growing Season.
(ii) Erosion control methods shall be installed in drainage swales and areas with a gradient of 5 percent (5%) or greater. The method of erosion control shall be approved by the City Engineer prior to obtaining a Building Permit.
(f) Fences and Walls
Fences and walls used to meet the standards of this Article shall be of uniform appearance and design throughout the subject development.