Discussion and Review of Tiffin Municipal Code Revisions – Preparation for Setting the Public Hearing — Tiffin City Code - DRAFT

CHAPTER 169 SCREENING AND BUFFERING STANDARDS B. If the plantings cannot be installed prior to occupancy or commencement of a use due to seasonal conditions that may reduce survivability, the Building Official may issue a temporary certificate of occupancy and grant a delay of installation until the seasonal calendar dates of June 1 or November 1, whichever occurs first, and the property owner must place in an escrow account, established with the City, an amount which will cover 110 percent of the estimated cost of plants and installation. 2. Plant Materials Specifications. A. The minimum planting height of shrubs is 18 to 36 inches, depending on species or as noted in the S-Series requirements. B. The use of mulch must be confined to the areas around plantings. Lawn grass or other living ground cover, such as low growing shrubs and creeping plants should be used for exposed areas. Decorative landscaping gravel, cobbles, or small stones may be used as a mulch alternative. 3. Planting Area Specifications. A. The minimum width of a planting area will be specified in the base zoning requirements, use regulations, or development standards for the use or development being screened or buffered. If not specified in any of the above listed provisions, the minimum width of a planting area is five feet. However, a wider planting area may be needed to accommodate the number and types of plants proposed and the spacing requirements listed in Section 169.07. B. Screening and buffering requirements will often coincide with required trees. (See Chapter 168). In such a case, the landscaping design and the size and width of the planting area must accommodate both trees and shrubs. 4. Siting Requirements. A. Plantings may not be located in violation of the provisions of intersection visibility requirements in the City design standards. B. At the time of planting, trees and plantings must be separated from other structures and features on a site in order to minimize conflicts as plants mature. Section 169.07 below lists the minimum spacing between plants and between plants and other features and structures on a site. However, the minimum distances between trees, between trees and shrubs, and between shrubs may be reduced by 25 percent to permit design flexibility or to create denser screening where desired. Distances are measured to the center of a tree or the approximate center of individual shrubs. 169.05 PROTECTION AND MAINTENANCE. 1. The provisions of this section apply to all plantings required by the Zoning Code, whether newly planted or preserved. 2. Required planting areas shall be separated from abutting vehicular use areas, including parking spaces, drives, aisles, alleys, vehicle display, and loading areas, etc., by an unmountable curb or barrier that is a minimum of five inches in height. The curb or barrier must be constructed in such a manner that saltwater runoff will not damage trees or plantings. CODE OF ORDINANCES, TIFFIN, IOWA - 1818 -