Code
City of Fayetteville, North Carolina
Article IX Landscape Standards
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Codified through Ord. No. S2004-005
Adopted April 12, 2004
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The purpose of this landscape code is to protect existing trees and to provide attractive views. Screening of unattractive land uses is therefore of utmost importance and is required along property lines of commercial, professional and industrial use adjacent to residential areas. Loading and service areas and truck terminals which are visible from a public right-of-way must also be screened. In addition to screening undesirable views, other landscape requirements are enacted to enhance the character of the community. Streetscape planting is required for all developed properties other than residential abutting public rights-of-way. Streetscape trees must be planted in a perimeter buffer strip at least 6’ wide running the length of the property line. The planting strip must be planted with grass and mowed on a regular basis, pavement is not allowed in this area though planting beds are.
The Fayetteville code has in place vehicular use area standards as would be expected in a community that sites aesthetic enhancements as one of its primary goals. Required trees are calculated based on the s.f. of vehicular use area. A standard is also present, not more than 25% of all parking spaces are allowed more than 100’ from the trunk of a required tree. Since there is no mention that spaces must be within a certain distance of a class A tree, this section is most likely intended for even distribution of plant materials for aesthetic reasons rather than as a shade requirement. Streetscape trees that also fall within the area of the vehicular use area may be credited towards the VUA requirements.
The screening requirements, unlike the street tree planting and vehicular use areas requires evergreen shrubs. Minimum sizes and planting strip width are specified. These shrubs may be used in combination with fences and berms as approved by the inspection superintendent.
Existing trees may be used towards either
partial or total fulfillment of required plantings in vehicular use areas and
street tree planting areas. The code list minimum protection areas
around each tree but does not provide a tree credit table.
The code requires submission of a landscape plan with a scale of 1”=50’ or larger. Required plant material, planting areas, protection measures, screening type and location and calculations are required on this plan.
Inspection of sites may be periodically performed by agents and authorized representatives of the city. Section. 30-293, Inspection of sites does not establish who the inspectors are or who is responsible for plan review. There is also no mention of who may prepare the required landscape plan.
This landscape code is clearly oriented toward aesthetic principles as evident by the dominance of screening standards. Shrubs are only required when needed for screening purposes and are for some reason not deemed important in other areas. The code does a good job at requiring minimum planting areas which when neglected leads to stunted growth especially in class “A” trees. The code overall does not give enough information in terms of tree credits, the inspection process, who can prepare plans and appeal procedures. The code, although limited in what it sets forth to accomplish, does adequately meet its goals, though a shrub/groundcover requirement would strengthen it considerably in terms of aesthetic impact.
Dan Farrah