HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-25-Ordinance 2365_Site Plan, Landscaping and BermingORDINANCE NO.2365 IANORDINANCETOAMENDSECTION304.5(H),WAUKEE MUNICIPAL CODE,
SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS OF THE CITY OF WAUKEE,row A,TO INCLUDE
ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR LANDSCAPING AND BERMING PARKING AREAS.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council ofthe City of Waukee:
Section 1.Section 304.5(H),Waukee Municipal Code,Site Plan Requirements of the City
of Waukee,is hereby amended by including additional provisions for landscaping and benning
parking areas so that said section reads as follows:
H.Landscaping,Screening and Open Space Requirements.It is desired
that all parking areas be aesthetically improved to reduce obtrusive characteristics which are
inherent to their use.Therefore,wherever practical and except for single and two family
detached and townhouse style residential parking in driveways,parking areas shall be
effectively screened from general public view by incorporating the natural landscape and
togography with the introduction of permanent earthberming and landscape plantings,
(1).All parking areas shall include landscaped areas,screens,islands
etc.,equal to not less than ten percent (l0%)of the interior parking mea.Such landscaped
area shall be in addition to the open space requirements.Landscaped islands within the
parking area shall have suitable,non-erodable groundcover (eg.grass,shrubs,etc.).
Landscape islands shall be at least eight feet (8')in width from the back of curb to the back
of curb and landscape planters a minimum of six feet (6')in diameter.No parking space
shall be greater than eighty feet (80')from a landscaped open space with a minimum area of
two hundred fifty (250)square feet.Parking spaces shall be separated from any adjoining
roadway,except that roadway or parking bay aisle providing direct access to the parking
space,by a landscaped island or elevated separation (e.g.sidewalk)of a minimum nine feet
(8')width.
I
(2).Earthberming shall be a minimum of three (3)feet above the top of
the curb of the adjoining parking lot,if applicable,or public thoroughfare,and shall be
designed to not negatively affect the drainage of the surrounding area and to be aesthetically
pleasing to the general public.Higher berms may be required it is determined by the City
that this standard is inadequate to provide effective screening and buffering.Plantings and
shrubbery may be substituted for a portion of the height of the earthbenn if it can be shown
that the shrubbery provides adequate screening and improves the appearance of the
development.
(3)Any berming or planting designed to comply with this ordinance
must not create a traffic hazard by interfering with line of sight at intersections or
driveways.(301.8L)
(4)Where benning will impede the owner or developer of a property
from operating effectively (e.g.blocking the view of vehicles on a car sales lot)the I
developer may request relief from this ordinance provided they substitute other design
amenities/open space options that meet or exceed the aesthetic objective of this ordinance
according to the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council.
Section 2.Repealer.All ordinances or parts of ordinances iu conflict with the provisions
of this ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 3.Severability Clause.If any section,provision or part of this ordinance shall be
adjudged invalid or unconstitutional,such adjudication shall not affect the validity ofthe ordinance
as a whole or any section,provision,or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional,
Section 4.Effective Date.This ordinance shall be in effect upon its final passage,
approval and publication as provided by law.
Passed by the City Council of the City of Waukee,Iowa,this 25t11 day of February 2002,and
approved thi&;Q'0~day of'~J->~2002.
\