18.31.460 Landscaping | Covington Municipal Code

(1) Applicability. The provisions herein supplement the landscaping standards in Chapter 18.40 CMC. Where there is a conflict, the standards herein apply.

(a) To enhance the character and livability of downtown.

(b) To soften the appearance of larger building facades.

(c) To screen the view of parking areas.

(d) Reduce erosion and stormwater runoff.

(e) Improve the air quality and provide wildlife habitat.

(a) The minimum amount of landscaped area for sites in the downtown zones is established by Table 18.31.150. Subsection (3)(b) of this section describes how different types of landscaping are credited towards the minimum area. For example, a 2:1 ratio means one square foot of landscaping provided is counted as two square feet of required landscaping. A 1:2 ratio means two square feet of landscaping provided is counted as one square foot of required landscaping.

(b) The following landscape types and credits may be used to meet the standards:

(i) Ground level planting beds qualify as landscaped surfaces at a 1:1 rate. Ground level planting area that supports trees (which will require deeper soil depths) may qualify for bonus credit. Specifically:

(A) Planting areas that support a large tree (height greater than 30 feet at maturity) may be counted at 2:1 ratio (includes planting area under projected dripline at maturity.)

(B) Planting areas that support a medium sized tree (height greater than 15 feet at maturity) may be counted at 1.5:1 ratio.

(C) Terraced or other raised planting surfaces qualify as landscaped surfaces at the same ratios as ground level planting beds depending on the soil depth (shallow soil depths capable of supporting only ground cover plants qualify at a 1:2 rate).

Figure 18.31.460(3)(b)(i). Planting Bed Examples

(ii) Green Roof. Green roofs qualify as a landscaped surface at a 1:2 rate. Green roof areas supporting large shrubs and trees may qualify for bonus credit (up to a 1:1 rate) as determined by the Director depending on the planting’s visibility.

Figure 18.31.460(3)(b)(ii). Green Roof Examples

(A) Artistic green walls adjacent to ground level publicly accessible space with decorative patterns qualify as a landscaped surface at a 1.25:1 rate.

(B) Standard green walls qualify as landscaped surfaces at a .75:1 rate.

(C) Vine trellis/arbors/walls qualify as landscaped surfaces at a 1:2 rate. Planter areas shall feature minimum soil depth necessary to maintain healthy vine growing conditions as determined by a licensed Landscape Architect.

Figure 18.31.460(3)(b)(iii). Green Wall Examples

(i) Suitable Plant Species. Plant materials for required landscape surfaces shall be selected from a City-approved palette of species and minimum size at time of planting. Plant materials should be native and adaptive drought-tolerant species.

(A) Prominent trees should be preserved to the extent feasible (see Chapter 18.45 CMC).

(B) Trees planted within five feet of public curbs or in paved areas shall be installed with root guards and grates to prevent physical damage to sidewalks, curbs, gutters, pavement, and other public or private improvements.

(C) Groundcover shall be planted to have 100 percent groundcover in two years.

(iii) Soil Quality, Depth, and Volume. Applicants for new projects in downtown shall include the relevant planting provisions in construction details, including:

(A) In planting beds: place three inches of compost and till to a depth of eight inches.

(B) In turf areas: place 1.75 inches of compost and till in to an eight-inch depth.

(C) Scarify (loosen) subsoil four inches below amended layer to produce a 12-inch depth of uncompacted soil.

(D) After planting: apply two to four inches of arborist wood chip mulch to planting beds. Coarse bark mulch may be used but has fewer benefits to plants and soil.

(iv) Irrigation. All landscaped areas shall be provided with an approved automatic irrigation system consisting of waterlines, sprinklers designed to provide head to head coverage and to minimize overspray onto structures, walks and windows. Water conserving types of irrigation systems should be used.

(v) Maintenance. All landscaping shall be maintained in good condition. Maintenance shall include regular watering, mowing, pruning, clearance of debris and weeds, removal and replacement of dead plants, and the repair and replacement of irrigation systems.

(4) Parking Lot Screening. Parking lots shall be screened from streets by at least 10 feet of Type III Landscaping per CMC 18.40.040.

Exceptions:

(a) Landscaped buffers along gateway block-frontages shall be at least 15 feet wide.

(b) The following alternative landscape buffer designs may be used between the sidewalk and parking lots along mixed or basic block-frontages:

(i) Raised concrete or masonry planters between 24 to 36 inches tall and planted with at least five feet width of Type III landscaping.

(ii) A minimum five-foot-wide planting bed planted with Type III landscaping in front of a low masonry or concrete wall (36 to 42 inches tall).

Figure 18.31.460(4). Examples of Alternative Parking Lot Landscaping Buffers

(a) Parking lot landscaping shall consist of Type III (see CMC 18.40.040), and there shall be at least one tree planted for every five parking stalls. Trees should be distributed throughout the parking area to provide ample shading and visually soften the parking area. Shrubs and perennials shall be planted as understory at the base of tree planting beds.

(b) Grouping trees may be allowed to accommodate natural features, so long as the equivalent number of trees are planted and so long as the grouping is within the parking area.

(c) Tree retention in parking lots is encouraged. Every tree over six inches in caliper that is retained is equivalent to one required new tree.

(d) See also CMC 18.31.450(3) regarding the design of parking spaces near landscaped areas.

(6) Foundation Screening. All street-facing elevations should have landscaping along any exposed foundation, except those areas that provide access for pedestrians or vehicles to the building.

Figure 18.31.460(6). Foundation Planting Examples