8-3-7: LANDSCAPING:

   A.   Purpose: The purpose of this Section is to:

      1.   Ensure development consistent with the goals of the applicable comprehensive plan related to community design;

      2.   Enhance the aesthetic appearance of streets, parking areas, and development sites and visually screen and buffer incompatible land uses;

      3.   Preserve existing healthy trees and rare plants;

      4.   Encourage the use of native species and drought tolerant landscape materials with the intent to maintain wildlife habitat areas and conserve water;

      5.   Break up large areas of pavement, and provide shade in parking areas and around structures with the intent to promote energy conservation;

      6.   Provide pervious surface areas to minimize storm water runoff and promote ground water recharge; and

      7.   Separate pedestrians from automobile fumes, noise, and dust, and reduce glare from vehicle headlights.

   B.   Applicability:

      1.   The standards in this Section apply to all projects requiring master site plan review unless otherwise exempt under subsection B2 below.

      2.   All principally permitted and accessory uses in the rural base districts as listed in Section 8-2-23 (Use Table) of this Title are exempt from these regulations. Requirements of this Section may be waived or modified for conditional uses in the rural base districts (see conditional use procedures in Chapter 6 of this Title).

   C.   Process:

      1.   A landscape and screening plan shall be required as a component of a master site plan.

         a.   Within an area of impact, the landscape and screening plan shall be prepared by a licensed landscape design professional such as a landscape architect.

         b.   The landscape and screening plan shall contain the following items:

            (1)   The location, size, and type of all proposed landscaping and screening materials (including a plant list detailing common and botanic names of all species), and verification that minimum landscaping and screening requirements have been satisfied. All plants shall be shown at seventy five percent (75%) mature growth.

            (2)   Existing vegetation to be saved shall be identified on the landscaping and screening plan along with protection measures to be used during grading and construction.

            (3)   If the proposed development project shall be completed in phases, the phases shall be noted on the landscape and screening plan.

      2.   Landscaping and screening shall be in accord with the approved landscaping and screening plan, by the beginning of the next planting season for that species after issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the project. The Director may extend the time limit for compliance up to one additional planting season after issuance of a certificate of occupancy when circumstances beyond the control of the applicant or owner warrant an extension.

   D.   General Landscaping Standards:

      1.   For the purposes of this Section, landscaping elements shall mean all exterior enhancements of a project including, but not be limited to: deciduous trees (shade and ornamental), evergreen trees, sidewalks, paths, site furniture, trellis, fences, walls, sound walls, shrubs, flowering plants, vines, pots, vases, window boxes, raised planters, and grade work such as berms, grassy swales, and water retention features.

      2.   Existing trees, native vegetation, and existing rare plants shall be retained wherever possible.

         a.   Existing native vegetation may be accepted in lieu of new plantings, provided they contribute to achieving the intent of this Section.

         b.   To control erosion and soil loss, the existing vegetation shall only be removed from the current phase of the project.

      3.   All existing trees six-inch (6") caliper or larger proposed for removal on any new or infill development shall be mitigated at the following rate:

 

      4.   Landscaped areas shall incorporate a hierarchy of plantings from ground covers to shrubs to trees. Shrub areas shall incorporate a vegetative ground cover wherever possible. If the site configuration or plant type prohibits the use of a ground cover in conjunction with the shrubs, shredded tree bark or other mulch shall be provided.

      5.   The landscape plan shall include plant material that provides seasonal color during the spring, summer, and fall.

      6.   All landscaping shall be designed to consider the microclimate of the site and surrounding properties by addressing sun, shade, and wind for increased energy efficiency.

         a.   Deciduous trees shall be the preferred method of providing shade in parking lots and around structures.

         b.   Evergreen trees shall be located with adequate space to accommodate mature spread at the base and primarily used for screening and accent purposes.

         c.   If unenclosed air conditioning systems are located on the west or south side of a structure, trees shall be planted so that, at maturity, they shade the unit during the months of July, August, and September.

         d.   Trees shall be planted so that, at maturity, they shade fifty percent (50%) of ground floor window surfaces on the west and south sides of each structure during the months of July, August, and September.

      7.   All landscaping shall be designed to be waterwise per the suggested plant list provided by Ada County.

         a.   The use of native and low-water and native plant material is highly encouraged.

         b.   Plants shall be grouped into hydrozones based on similar water needs to minimize the unnecessary use of water plants with low water needs.

         c.   High water-use plant material such as bluegrass lawn shall comprise no more than fifty percent (50%) of any landscape area.

      8.   Landscaping elements shall not violate the clear vision triangle requirements at a street intersection as defined in this Title (see Chapter 8-10).

      9.   Landscaping elements shall not violate the clear pathway of a pedestrian or bicycle facility.

      10.   If the subject property is within a flood hazard overlay district or wildland-urban interface overlay district, a landscaping and screening plan may be proposed that meets the intent of this Section in addition to complying with the standards of Section 8-2-28 (Flood Hazard Overlay District) and Section 8-2-25 (Wildland-Urban Interface Overlay District).

      11.   Installation of required landscaping shall be the responsibility of the property owner.

         a.   All plant material shall be planted according to industry standards, using acceptable topsoil, or incorporating organic soil amendment at a rate of three cubic yards per one thousand square feet (3 cy/1,000 sf).

         b.   All proposed plant material shall be in accord with the American Association of Nurserymen standards in terms of size, character, and quality.

         c.   Trees planted within a sidewalk or other pedestrian traffic areas shall be installed with protective tree grates with expandable centers. The minimum size opening within the sidewalk shall be four feet by eight feet (4' x 8').

         d.   The following minimum plant sizes are required:

         e.   All landscaped areas shall be provided with a permanent and automated underground irrigation system of such design and capacity to satisfactorily serve the landscaped areas.

      12.   Maintenance and replacement of required landscaping and screening shall be the responsibility of the property owner.

         a.   All plant materials shall be pruned, trimmed, watered, and otherwise maintained to create an attractive appearance and a healthy growing condition. No trees shall be severely pruned or topped.

         b.   Dead, diseased, stolen, or vandalized plant materials shall be replaced by the next planting season.

         c.   Property owners shall keep landscaped areas free of weeds and trash.

         d.   Stolen, vandalized, or otherwise damaged fences and/or walls shall be replaced immediately. Fences and/or walls shall be maintained to create an attractive appearance.

   E.   General Screening Standards:

      1.   Screening Elements: For the purposes of this Section, screening elements shall include, but not be limited to, deciduous trees (shade and ornamental), evergreen trees, berms, solid fences, walls, and sound walls. Cyclone or chain link fencing (with or without slats) shall not be deemed a screening material.

      2.   Solid Fence Or Sound Wall: Where a solid fence, wall, or sound wall is used for screening, the landscape plan shall incorporate vegetative materials along the length of the solid fence or sound wall at the following rate:

         a.   A minimum of one deciduous tree per fifty linear feet (50').

         b.   Shrubs at a rate of ten (10) small to medium shrubs or five (5) large shrubs per fifty linear feet (50').

         c.   Columnar evergreen trees and shrubs are encouraged to be placed between deciduous trees.

      3.    Trash Dumpsters: Trash dumpsters shall be fenced or enclosed and screened from public view. The sight obscuring screen shall be at least six feet (6'), but not greater than ten feet (10'), in height. One side of the enclosure may be left unenclosed or unscreened, provided that the trash dumpster shall not be visible from a public roadway or an abutting property.

      4.   Outdoor Storage Areas: All outdoor storage areas shall be completely fenced or enclosed and screened from public view. The sight obscuring screen shall be at least six feet (6'), but not greater than ten feet (10') in height. One side of the outdoor storage area may be left unenclosed or unscreened, provided that the materials stored in the area shall not be visible from a public roadway or an abutting property.

      5.   Loading Areas: Loading areas (including, but not limited to, loading spaces, loading docks, and service or maintenance areas) shall be screened from public view. In addition, loading areas that abut a residential district shall attenuate noise associated with such use by providing a sound wall and/or berm with screen plantings around the loading areas or at the property line abutting the residential district. Planting shall be in conformance with subsection E2 above.

      6.   Berm Slopes: Berm slopes shall not exceed a rise to run ratio of one to two (1:2) and shall be a minimum of three feet (3') in height.

      7.   Sound Walls:

         a.   Sound walls shall meet all the following construction standards (see Figure 8-3-7-2 Sound Walls):

            (1)   The wall shall be tall enough to break the line of sight from the noise emitter and the noise receiver on abutting property.

            (2)   There shall be no break in the barrier between the noise emitter and the noise receiver on the abutting property.

            (3)   The wall shall be constructed of a rigid, dense material that provides a noise reduction of ten (10) dBA greater than the expected reduction in the noise diffracted over the top of the barrier as certified by a qualified engineer or architect licensed in the State of Idaho.

         b.   For the purposes of this Section, the location, height, and direction of the noise emitter and the location and height of the noise receiver on the abutting property shall be determined as follows:

            (1)   For outdoor address systems, the noise emitter shall be at the height and location of the speaker and in the direction that the speaker is oriented.

            (2)   For parking lots, the noise emitter shall be at a height of four feet (4') at any location where an automobile may travel and six feet (6') at any location where a truck or trailer may travel. The noise shall be measured in all directions that are not otherwise attenuated by a structure.

            (3)   For loading areas, the noise emitter shall be at a height of six feet (6') above the floor of the loading dock. The noise shall be measured in all directions that are not otherwise attenuated by a structure.

            (4)   The noise receiver on the abutting property with an existing structure shall be at a height of six feet (6') above the floor (including upper floors, if applicable) of the structure and any outdoor patio area.

            (5)   The noise receiver on the abutting property where there is no existing structure shall be set at a height of six feet (6') at any location where a structure can be built.

      8.   Within an area of impact, expanses of walls or solid fences that are greater than one hundred feet (100') along a roadway shall be interrupted with offsets and provided with accents to prevent monotony (see Figure 8-3-7-3, Solid Fence Offsets).

         a.   For the purposes of this standard, accents shall include, but not be limited to, other landscape elements as listed in subsection D of this Section.

         b.   Offsets shall be designed with pedestrian safety in mind, such as small alcoves with angled sides that provide full visibility.

   F.    Perimeter Landscaping And Screening:

      1.   Purpose: The intent of this Section is for landscaping and screening standards required along the perimeter of the property. Table 8-3-7-3 Minimum Required Depth and Plant Material of this Section specifies the standards for the minimum depth and minimum number of trees and shrubs per one hundred linear feet (100') as measured along the property line.

      2.   Property Lines That Do Not Abut A Roadway: All principally permitted and accessory uses in the RP, RR, RUT, R1, R2, R4, R6 and R8 base districts as listed in Section 8-2-23 (Use Table) of this Title shall be exempt from these regulations. Conditional uses in the RP, RR, RUT, R1, R2, R4, R6 and R8 base districts as listed in Section 8-2-23 (Use Table) of this Title shall require a perimeter buffer where the property subject to a development application contains a commercial or industrial use. Where the dimensional standards for the base district of the subject property require side and/or rear setbacks of ten feet (10') or more, a perimeter landscape area will be required to be located on the property subject to development application per the following:

         a.   Abutting a residential district, a minimum of one (1) deciduous tree and ten (10) small shrubs or five (5) large shrubs shall be provided per fifty linear feet (50').

      b.   Abutting a rural, commercial, or industrial district, a minimum one (1) deciduous tree and ten (10) small shrubs or five (5) large shrubs shall be provided per one hundred linear feet (100').

   Figure 8-3-7-5 Perimeter Landscaping Abutting a Rural, Commercial, or Industrial District

         c.   Alternatively, a solid fence with a minimum height of six feet (6') may replace the shrub requirement.

         d.   The Director may waive perimeter landscaping requirements along portions of property lines not abutting a roadway where needed to accommodate construction of vehicular cross-access across property lines and where cross-access easements to adjacent properties are provided.

      3.   Property Lines That Abut A Roadway: Entryway corridors shall be as identified in the applicable comprehensive plan. Interstate, arterial, collector, and local streets shall be as identified by the Ada County long range highway and street map functional street classification system.

   G.   Parking Area Landscaping And Screening Standards:

      1.   Parking lot landscaping is intended to break up large expanses of pavement, create shade, buffer views of parking lots from adjacent streets and development, and enhance the overall appearance of each project.

      2.   All parking lots with ten (10) spaces or more shall be subject to the following requirements.

      3.   Interior parking lot landscape requirement:

         a.   A minimum of one landscape island shall be provided per fifteen (15) parking spaces with a minimum width of nine feet (9').

         b.   Each island shall contain one (1) shade tree and seventy five percent (75%) live plant material cover.

      4.     Perimeter parking lot landscape requirem ent:

         a.   A minimum eight-foot (8') wide landscape area shall be provided at the perimeter of surface parking lots abutting any public right-of-way.

         b.   A minimum of one (1) tree shall be provided per forty (40') linear feet of required perimeter landscape area.

         c.   The parking lot perimeter shall be screened by one of the following methods:

            (1)   A hedge of shrubs and ornamental grasses with a minimum height of thirty inches (30") and maximum height of thirty-six inches (36") to screen seventy five percent (75%) of headlights;

            (2)   A berm with a minimum of thirty inches (30") height; or

            (3)   A masonry wall with a height between three and four feet (3-4') paired with landscape material for at least fifty percent (50%) of the length of the landscape area placed on the street side of the wall.

      5.   Limit areas of irrigated sod to landscape areas with a minimum width of ten (10') feet.

      6.   Where landscaping elements abut parking spaces, curbs, wheel stops, or two feet (2') of additional landscaping planted in ground cover to protect shrubs and trees from damage by vehicles shall be provided.

      7.   Pedestrian access shall meet the requirements of subsection 8-6-19G2 (Master Site Plan standards for Nonvehicular Access and Internal Circulation) of this Title.

(Ord. 1002, 10-28-2025)