Parking lots.
§ 255-1750. Parking lots.
A. When a parking lot is located adjacent to a public street, alternatives should be considered to reduce the visual impact of the parking lot. Some alternatives are:
(1) Landscape setbacks. Provide at least a ten-foot-wide landscaped area exclusive of that required for sidewalks or utility easements between the street and the parking lot, to be planted with shade or ornamental trees, and at least a three-foot-high evergreen hedge, wall, or fence.
(2) Grade changes. In cases where substantial grading is necessary and results in a parking lot lower in elevation than the surrounding or adjacent right-of-way, the resulting embankment should be planted with low shrubs and shade or ornamental trees. A minimum of 10 feet of landscaping should be provided between the street and the parking lot.
(3) Landscape berms. Where feasible, create a berm at least 2 1/2 feet high with slopes not to exceed three to one for planting lawn, ground cover, or shrubs.
(4) Existing woodlands. In cases where quality woodland exists, preserve existing trees between the parking lot and the right-of-way. Provide additional evergreen shrubs if needed to achieve an effective visual buffer. The vegetation should be preserved.
B. Along the perimeter of the parking lot, to reduce its visual impact:
(1) Provide a landscape strip around the perimeter of the lot, to be planted with shade trees and low shrubs in compliance with § 255-1730A. Provide a minimum of one shade tree per every 40 feet of lot perimeter. Additional shade trees may be necessary to effectively shade/screen the parking lot.
(2) In cases where quality woodland exists, preserve it to provide the minimum buffers set forth in § 255-1730A. Provide additional shrubs if needed.
C. Provide a minimum of 5% interior landscaping for the purpose of planting shade trees. The following alternatives should be considered:
(1) Provide a continuous landscape strip between every four rows of parking. This should be a minimum of eight feet in width to accommodate a low hedge and shade trees.
(2) Create large planting islands (over 600 square feet) to be located through the lot and planted with shade trees, low shrubs, and/or ground cover. These should preferably be located at the ends of parking rows.
(3) Provide planting islands (a minimum of nine feet wide) between every 10 to 15 spaces to avoid long rows of parked cars. Each of these planting islands should provide at least one shade tree having a clear trunk height of at least six feet.
D. Within the interior of the parking lot, landscaping should be used to delineate vehicular and pedestrian circulation patterns. Clear and legible signs, different color and texture paving materials, raised areas, and other techniques should be used to further direct the flow of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the lot. Mechanical equipment, trash, and loading areas shall be screened by walls, fences, or landscaping.