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nonces have been replaced by re§u~ations
<br />that reflect changing use intensities and
<br />philosophies abuut land-use patterns-for
<br />example, the prevalence of mixed-use
<br />development. Even still, land-use incompat-
<br />ibilities remain.
<br /> New buffer regulations include the use
<br />of fences, bermin§, trees, shrubs, and set-
<br />backs. A site with nei§hborhood commercial
<br />uses such as a barbershop would require
<br />buffering from adiacent residential properties.
<br />In a§ricuRural areas on the urban periphery,
<br />setback requirements are used to buffer
<br />encroaching residential deveWpments from
<br />agricultural lands where farmers use pesti-
<br />cides and fertilizers.
<br />
<br /> Over the past decade, communities have
<br />called for more screemng along property lines
<br />~o provide privacy and more clearly define
<br />boundaries. 'typically, non-residential land-
<br />scape nrdinances mandate screening on all
<br />sides of a properW, Jociuding [he front lot line
<br />at the road, parking lot edges and parking lot
<br />islands, .Jnd along ¢1e foundations of large,
<br />imposing buildings.
<br />
<br />LANDSCAPING FOR
<br />COMff~U NIl"! IDENTIT/
<br />Aesthetic appeal creates
<br />identity. While architec-
<br />ture and lighting can also
<br />provide community char-
<br />acter, landscaping regu-
<br />lations, when applied to
<br />corridors or entrance
<br />gateways into the com-
<br />munity or a subdivision,
<br />help achieve the same
<br />end. Landscape stan-
<br />dards consist of more
<br />than just planting an ornamental tree, shade tree,
<br />or shrub every 30 feet. Plans for corridors require
<br />a broader, more conceptual view of how to inte-
<br />grate landscaping throughout many sites, includ-
<br />in§ incorporating foundation plantings to mini-
<br />mize the dwi gray of a building or introducing
<br />landscape pavers to bring distinction to the area
<br />around a walkway or jogging path.
<br />
<br />THE FIVE-PART m~,NDSCAPE ORDINANCE
<br />Landscape ordinances ideally should have five
<br />main components: provisions for on-site land-
<br />scaping, buffering and screening, street trees,
<br />parking lot landscaping, and tree preservation.
<br />Though administered differently, each compo-
<br />nent ora five-part ordinance can fulfill the afore-
<br />mentioned community goals and objectives.
<br />Unfortunately, most landscape ordinances hold
<br />fast to the traditional "bare bones" approach,
<br />and thus are incapable of delivering the distinc-
<br />tion to which some communities now aspire. In
<br />this regard, the ordinances featured in the fol-
<br />lowing sections are unique.
<br />
<br />On-site landscaping. On-site [andscap-
<br />ing increases the greenery on open areas of a
<br />
<br />site, adding beauty to both property and com-
<br />munity. It includes foundation plantings, front,
<br />side, and rear-yard greenery, and common
<br />area plantings, but usually not street frontage
<br />space such as parkways or rights-of-way, park-
<br />ing lots, or buffers.
<br />
<br /> Though on-site landscaping can be
<br />implemented in many ways, two common
<br />approaches include landscaping based on a
<br />percentage and specific requirements per '
<br />site. For example, Blacksbur§, Virginia, des-
<br />ignates tree canopy coverage requiremer~ts
<br />by zoning district, requiring a percentage of
<br />canopy coverage on the site based on tree
<br />maturity of at Wast ~o years (see Tab{e ~).
<br />
<br />RR-x 2o
<br />R-~. and R-5 2o
<br />OTR ~o
<br />RM-27 and RM-fl8 ~o
<br />DC,GC,OO and I to
<br />Planned DJstricts Per uses above
<br />
<br />The placement of the trees on the site is not
<br />specified and is at the discretion of the
<br />applicant.
<br />
<br /> Using a formula, the applicant must
<br />convert the site acreage to a percentage of
<br />the acreage to be covered and then ensure
<br />that the selected tree canopies at maturity
<br />are correct. What constitutes a mature tree
<br />canopy can usually be found in tree refer-
<br />ence manuals used by landscape architects,
<br />.nurserymen, andarborists. Underthis'
<br /> approach, the applicant wilt need a planner
<br />
<br />ZONING ?',','.~C'7; CZ o~+,o~
<br />
<br />
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