14.25.040 Landscaping Plan—Performance Criteria.
(a) Objectives for Landscaping Plan. An effective landscaping plan should utilize a variety of techniques for achieving the intent of this section. The appropriate placement or retention of vegetation in sufficient amounts will provide the best results. Perimeter, interior, street right-of-way, and parking lot landscaping must be included as components of the overall landscaping plan.
(b) Perimeter/Buffer Landscaping. Perimeter/buffer landscaping involves the land areas adjacent to the lot lines within the property boundary. This buffer landscaping serves to separate and minimize the impact between adjacent uses. Buffer landscaping may be desirable along the perimeter of the property to shield vehicular or building lights from adjacent structures and to provide a visual separation between pedestrians and vehicles and commercial and residential uses. Landscaping adjacent to residential zones shall have landscaping beds/buffers that meet all of the following minimum standards:
(1) Landscaping Beds. Minimum in width equal to the setback along all property lines, which adjoin residential zones, exclusive of driveways and other ingress and egress openings.
(2) Screening. Developers are encouraged to maintain natural screening when existing screening meets the intent of this chapter to shield between residential and commercial uses. When natural screening does not exist or is lost due to weather or disease, the following requirements must be used to meet the intent of this chapter:
(i) Combination of shrubbery and trees; and/or
(ii) Fencing. A six (6) foot high wood fence, masonry wall fence or other fence material of similar screening and structural character shall be required only to meet screening of the developed portion of the property. Sections of the fence must be no longer than twenty-five (25) feet. Sections must be offset a minimum of four (4) feet so as not to impede the movement of wildlife.
(3) Ground Cover. One hundred percent (100%) within three (3) years of planting and continuous maintenance so there will be no exposed soil. Flower beds may be considered ground cover.
(4) Trees and/or shrubs appropriate for the climate shall be included in the landscaping beds. All trees, shrubs or other vegetation in the required landscaping must be of a stock rated as hardy for the United States Department of Agriculture Climatic Zone 3. It is not the intent to require specific species; however, property owners are encouraged to understand local climate conditions. Property owners are discouraged from planting invasive species as defined by the Alaska Cooperative Extension Service. Property owners are encouraged to contact the Alaska Cooperative Extension Service for a list of plant species which are appropriate for Climate Zone 3. In all cases the materials shall be living and free of defects and of normal health, height and spread as defined by the American Standard for Nursery Stock, ANSI Z60.1, latest available edition, American Nursery and Landscaping Association.
(c) Interior landscaping involves those areas of the property exclusive of the perimeter and parking lot areas. Interior landscaping is desirable to separate uses or activities within the overall development. Screening or visual enhancement landscaping is recommended to accent or complement buildings, to identify and highlight entrances to the site, and to provide for attractive driveways and streets within the site. Landscaping may include landscaping beds, trees, and shrubs. Small parking lots having less than forty (40) spaces may be exempted from the parking lot landscaping standards by the administration official.
(d) Parking Lot Landscaping. Parking lot landscaping involves the land areas adjacent to or within all parking lots and associated access drives. Parking lot landscaping serves to provide visual relief between vehicle parking areas and the remainder of the development. It also is desirable for the purpose of improving vehicular and pedestrian circulation patterns.
(e) Street right-of-way landscaping softens the impact of land uses along street rights-of-way, but does not obscure land uses from sight. Landscaping beds must meet all of the following minimum standards; except where properties are adjacent to state of Alaska rights-of-way, the Administrative Officer may approve alternatives, which meet the intent of this section but protect landscaping from winter maintenance damage.
(1) Landscaping Beds. Minimum of ten (10) feet in width along the entire length of the property lines which adjoin street rights-of-way, exclusive of driveways and other ingress and egress openings;
(2) Ground Cover. One hundred percent (100%) ground cover of the landscaping bed within three (3) years of planting and continuous maintenance so there will be no exposed soil;
(3) Trees and/or shrubs appropriate for the climate shall be included in the landscaping beds.
(f) Review. The Administrative Official may consider plans for amendments if problems arise in carrying out the landscaping/site plan as originally approved.
(Ords. 2148-2006, 2209-2007, 2288-2008, 2421-2009, 2993-2017)