§ 845. Landscaping.

A subdivision landscape plan shall be submitted with the subdivision improvement plans for review to the Department of Public Works and prior to submitting the proposed final subdivision plat. The subdivision landscape plan shall contain types, sizes, and locations of all proposed and existing plantings. The subdivider shall guarantee the installation of additional landscaping as shown on the approved landscaping plan in accordance to this subdivision code. The subdivision landscape plan shall include the following:

(a)

Street trees. Street trees shall be clearly delineated in the subdivision landscape plan submitted with subdivision improvement plans. Street trees shall be subject to the following standards:

(1)

Street trees shall be deciduous hardwood trees, not less than three (3) inch caliper with a branching height of at least seven (7) feet six (6) inches.

(2)

Street trees may include existing trees, new trees, or a combination thereof provided that there is one (1) street tree for every thirty (30) lineal feet, or part thereof, on each side of street frontage and such street trees shall be located at least two (2) feet-six (6) inches, but not more than twelve (12) feet, from the back of the curb.

(3)

Plant material shall be of species compatible with the climate and soil factors within the City of Black Jack. A list indicating acceptable plant material is available from the Department of Public Works.

(4)

The subdivider shall maintain and warrant all street trees for a period of three (3) years. In the event that any existing or new street tree enters a state of shock, shows poor health or dies, the subdivider will have thirty (30) days from the date of notification from the Director to replace the street tree in conformance with this section.

(b)

Planting screening. Within areas defined on the subdivision improvement plans for screen planting or buffer, a continuous planting of evergreens and deciduous trees shall be provided consisting of a minimum of one (1) two and one-half (2½) inch caliper deciduous tree, two (2) two and one-half inch (2½) inch caliper flowering trees, and eight (8) six (6) to eight (8) foot tall evergreens for each one hundred (100) feet of such screen.

(c)

Nonresidential subdivisions. Planting in nonresidential subdivisions shall be done in accordance with the requirements of the Commission as determined in each case.

(d)

Total tree density requirement for residential subdivisions.

(1)

The subdivider shall provide new and/or existing trees throughout the subdivision to the average minimum of one (1) tree per two thousand (2,000) square feet of site area less street right-of-way. (This excludes required street trees and screening trees).

(2)

Each lot shall have a minimum of one tree (new or existing) per four thousand (4,000) square feet of lot area. (This excludes street trees and screening trees).

(3)

Trees shall be spaced so that each lot has a minimum tree canopy coverage area of three hundred fifty (350) square feet per one thousand (1,000) square feet of lot area (thirty-five (35) percent coverage). The subdivider shall provide a subdivision landscape plan which locates and identifies by species new and existing trees to be counted as fulfilling the tree requirements. The tree canopy area shall be shown on the approved subdivision landscape plan. The canopy for each tree shall be drawn in accordance with the canopy sizes for mature trees shown on the acceptable plant material list available from the Department of Public Works.

(4)

Preserved existing and new deciduous trees shall be at least two and one half inches (2½) inches in caliper. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of six (6) feet in height. Trees shall be of a species approved by the City.

(5)

Significant existing trees shall be live, healthy trees of a species suitable for the urban environment having a caliper of eight (8) inches or greater, as approved by the Commission.

(6)

The subdivision improvement plans shall show significant trees designated by the Commission to be saved by the subdivider. If a significant tree or trees designated in the subdivision improvement plans to be saved is lost for any reason by the time the final inspection of the subdivision, the lost tree(s) shall be replaced by three (3) times the number of trees lost.

(7)

Where it is determined that removal of significant trees has occurred within two (2) years prior to the filing of the preliminary subdivision plat, the Commission and/or City Council may require plantings in excess of the above requirements up to one and one-half (1½) times the number of trees that would otherwise be required.

(Ord. No. 958, § 1, 1-20-09)