HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Text amendment to adopt alternative landscaping standards for auto and marine craft trade uses ORDINANCE NO. 4119
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF THE CITY OF
AMES, IOWA, BY REPEALING SECTIONS 29.403(4)(b), 29.403 (5),
29.403(6) AND ENACTING NEW SECTIONS 29.403(4)(b), 29.403(5),
29.403(6), 29.403(7) THEREOF, FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING
ALTERNATIVE LANDSCAPE PROVISIONS FOR AUTO AND MARINE
CRAFT TRADE USES; REPEALING ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR
PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH
CONFLICT; PROVIDING A PENALTY; AND ESTABLISHING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS,the City has adopted landscaping standards for the following purposes:
i. Reduce heat-generating pavement
ii. Provide greater space for trees to shade and cool pavement
iii. Provide more space for trees to shade and cool buildings,thereby reducing energy consumption
for air conditioning
iv. Reduce the number of lights needed to illuminate parking lots and thereby reduce energy
consumption and facilitate Dark Sky objectives
v. Reduce stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces
WHEREAS,current landscaping standards for parking lots do not differentiate between parking lots serving different
types of uses; and
WHEREAS,parking lots for auto and marine craft trade are not only for purposes of providing parking for individuals
that visit or frequent the site,they also serve to display products for sale;and
WHEREAS,alternative landscaping standards for auto and marine craft trade parking lots have been drafted that address
the marketing needs of the auto sales industry while also ensuring that the stated purposes of landscape standards are
achieved;
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same is hereby amended by
repealing Sections 29.403(4)(b),29.403(5),29.403(6),and enacting new Sections 29.403(4)(b),29.403(5),29.403(6),
29.403(7),to read as follows:
1See.29.403. LANDSCAPING AND SCREENING.
(4) Landscaping Requirements For Surface Parking Lots,Generally.
I(b) Setback and perimeter landscaping. The minimum setbacks and perimeter landscaping
standards for parking areas,and for any driveways and drive aisles accessing parking areas, are set
forth in Table 29.403(4)below.For Auto and Marine Craft Trade Uses, see Section 29.403 (5),below.
(5) Alternate Landscape Standards for Automotive and Marine Craft Trade Uses.As an alternative
to the requirements of Section 29.403(4)(b)and 29.403(4)(c),the following standards may be applied to sites developed
for automotive and marine craft trade as defined in Article 5;
(a) Landscaped area between parking lot pavement and property lines.
(i) Minimum Landscape Width—20 feet along all property lines abutting public right-
of-way lines, 10-feet along all other property lines along a zoning boundary,and 5 feet along all other property lines of
properties within the same zone,landscaped as follows:
(a) Five feet of the landscaped setback shall be landscaped according to the
L2,Low Screen landscaping standards of this Section,with the balance landscaped according to subsection iv below;
or
(b) Landscaped according to L1 standards, except that required numbers of
trees and shrubs maybe strategically clustered to allow visual openings into the site. Trees and shrubs must be clustered
in regular intervals within required landscaped areas,spaced no greater than 200 feet apart. Each cluster shall include
no less than three trees spaced no greater than 15 feet apart(center to center)with the trunk of at least one tree in the
cluster located within 8 feet of the parking lot edge(to ensure some shading of abutting pavement). Because landscaping
under this option is less effective at softening impacts of lighting common to parking areas, all outdoor lighting shall
conform to the Guidelines for Signage and Lighting in Section 29.1109(18),except 19.1109(18)0). All lighting fixtures
shall be shielded in such a manner that the lenses of the fixtures are not visible from public rights-of-way.
(ii) Setback areas beyond the minimum setbacks shall be fully landscaped applying the
landscape element ratios in the LI General Landscaping standards of this Section.
(b) Landscaping around perimeter of all principal building facades visible from a public street.
(i) Minimum landscape area equivalent to 5 feet times the length of each visible facade.
(ii) Building perimeter landscaping maybe reduced or eliminated along selected areas
of the perimeter if an equivalent amount of landscaped area is added to other areas of the building's perimeter,provided
that perimeter areas of increased landscaping are along building facades visible from public rights of way.
(iii) Up to 25% of the required landscaped area may consist of either a brick-paved
surface,or a raised sidewalk/pedestrian area consisting of either brick pavers or colored and pattern-stamped concrete.
(iv) Landscaping shall consist of one tree per 50 feet of building facade,and one shrub
for every six feet of building facade. Plants and trees may be clustered as desired.
(c) Landscaped Entry Feature. A landscaped entry feature shall be provided that consists of either
a landscaped sidewalk or driveway extending from the right-of-way providing primary vehicular access to the site,to
within 20 feet of at least one principal building on the site. The landscape entry feature shall consist of the following:
(i) A five foot wide landscape strip on each side of the sidewalk or driveway. Said
landscaping shall extend either:
(a) The full length of the required landscape entry feature;or
(b) At least 50%of the length of the landscape entry feature,provided that the
entire length and width of the entry feature consists of a color-contrasted brick paved surface. (Colored and pattern-
stamped concrete may be used for walkway areas,but will not suffice in areas of vehicle travel due to its poor color
retention over time).
(ii) Landscaping in the entry feature shall consist of one shrub or tree for every 40 square
feet of landscaped area. Shrubs may be low-lying to maximize visibility through the landscaped area.
(d) In addition to the minimum landscaping areas and plantings described above,the balance of
all setbacks,landscape areas,and other portions ofthe site not otherwise developed withpavement,buildings,stormwater
facilities and/or protected environmentally sensitive areas, shall be landscaped with lawn or groundcover plants(e.g.,
Sweet Woodruff,AjugaBugleweed,Candytuft,Periwinkle,Vinca,Hosta,Carpet Juniper,prairie wildflower mix,etc.),
and additional shrubs,flowers and trees as desired. Ground covers shall be typed, spaced and sized to provide at least
75%coverage within a three-year period.Within this context,Lawn means a managed area of grass forming a continuous
turf mowed and maintained at a low and consistent height,and that is generally free of weeds,sedges,and invasive or
volunteer plants or grasses.
(e) For sites 3 acres or larger,all of the above landscape provisions apply. For sites less than 3
acres,the applicant may eliminate either the building perimeter landscaping of subsection(b)above,or the landscaped
entry feature of subsection(c)above.
(6) Landscaping Requirements for Apartment Dwellings in the UCRM,RM and RH Zones.
(a) Generally. These landscaping requirements are intended to be applied to front yards and side
yards that abut streets for apartment dwellings in the UCRM,FS-RM,RM and RH zoning districts. This landscaping
is required to enhance the yard area and to soften the impact of the building from the street and from nearby residential
areas.
(Ord. No. 3591, 10-10-00)
(b) Required Landscape Elements. A minimum of one landscaping unit,consistent of:
One(1)deciduous(over-story)tree,or
Two(2)ornamental(understory)trees,or
Two(2)evergreen trees,or
One(1)ornamental(understory)tree or one(1)evergreen tree,and
Six(6)deciduous and evergreen shrubs,
shall be planted for every 60 feet or part thereof of frontage along a public or private street.
(i) Shrubs. Shrubs shall be a combination of deciduous and evergreen plant materials,
and no more than b of the shrubs shall be of one type or the other. The majority of the shrubs shall serve as foundation
plantings for the multiple family structure,and no more than 50 percent of the building foundation,exclusive of windows,
shall be visible from the street in the summer upon maturity of the shrubs.
(ii) Minimum Size. The plant materials shall meet the following minimum sizes when
planted:
Deciduous(over-story)tree: 1-1/2 inch caliper,measured 6 inches above the ground.
Ornamental(understory tree): Six(6)feet in height.
Evergreen tree: Three(3)feet in height.
Shrub: Small shrub—minimum of a 12-inch spread.
Medium and large shrub—minimum of an 18 inch spread.
(Ord. No. 4099, 01-10-12)
(iii) Trees and Shrubs. Trees and shrubs may be traded within a landscape unit,when
there are utility easements or other site impediments that prevent the planting of a specific plant established above,e.g.
one deciduous(over-story)tree maybe traded for an additional one ornamental(understory)tree and three(3)additional
shrubs.
(iv) Existing Vegetation. Developers shall be encouraged to save existing desirable
vegetation on the development site,and they will be given credit on a one for one basis against the required landscape
units for desirable species saved.
(v) Any undeveloped area on the site not planted with trees or shrubs shall be planted
with grass,sod or other cover that is suitable to the local climate and is a suitable variety of ground cover plantings to
present a completed appearance and provide full coverage within one(1)year.
(vi) Installation and Maintenance. Installation and maintenance of the landscaping
for apartment dwellings in the UCRM,FS-RM,RM and RH zones shall meet the requirements provided for in
Section 29.403(3).
(Ord. No. 3591, 10-10-00)
(7) Screening and placement of mechanical units. Mechanical units must meet all screening
requirements of Section 29.408(4)and must be located outside ofrequired landscape areas.However,in situations where
upgrades or relocations of mechanical units for utility services are necessary to provide continued service,the Director
of Planning&Housing may approve placement of mechanical units in required landscape areas, and may also waive
screening requirements of mechanical units,if the Director determines that such upgrades or relocations could not have
been anticipated either at the time of platting or at the time of site development when the utilities were first planned
and/or installed,and that there is insufficient room for the relocated or upgraded utility mechanical units to be screened
or placed outside of required landscape areas.
(Ord. No. 3997,07-14-09)"
Section Two.Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a municipal infraction punishable
as set out by law.
Section Three. All ordinances,or parts of ordinances,in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent
of such conflict,if any.
Section Four. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as
required by law.
Passed this 10`' day of July ,2012.
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Diane R.Voss, City Clerk nn . Campbell,Mayor