Orange
Park Code of Ordinances
Town of Orange Park, FL
Appendix
A Land Development Regulations
Article
V.
5.00.00 Objective
The objective of this article is:
1.
To improve the appearance of setbacks and yard areas as well as
parking lots and other vehicular use areas which will help to protect and
preserve the appearance, character and value of the surrounding area and
thereby promote the general welfare and aesthetic qualities of the town.
2.
To create buffer areas between properties of different zoning
classifications to reduce nuisances of sight and sound and other
incompatibilities between abutting land uses; and
3.
To establish minimum landscaping criteria
for off-street parking areas to promote the safety and general welfare.
4.
To promote the preservation and use of trees in the community.
Technical Requirements
a. Required landscaping for nonresidential
properties adjacent to residential properties and for
multifamily
properties adjacent to single-family properties shall include:
1.
A fence or wall not less than six (6) feet nor more than eight (8)
feet to form a visible barrier (reference: zoning ordinance, section
2.05.10.00, "buffer between districts"); and
2. A buffer yard of at least twenty (20) feet in width with solid hedge or acceptable group plantings to form a visual and sound barrier (reference: zoning ordinance, section 2.05.10.00); and
3. A tree for each twenty (20) lineal feet, located between the common lot line and the off-street parking area, with each tree planted in an area at least one hundred fifty (150) square feet with a minimum dimension of at least ten (10) feet. Spacing of trees may be varied for aesthetic or functional purposes.
b. Required landscaping adjacent to commercial
properties shall include:
1.
A buffer planting strip at least five (5) feet in width, two (2)
feet of which shall be
considered
part of the required dimensional parking space, and protected by wheel
stops
or curbing
(see diagram 3); and
2.
An acceptable group planting to form a visual barrier; and
3. For each fifty (50) lineal feet, provide one (1) tree between the common lot line and the off-street parking areas with each tree planted in an area at least one hundred fifty (150) square feet with a minimum dimension of at least ten (10) feet. Spacing of trees may be varied for aesthetic and functional reasons.
5.05.00
Landscaping site and tree plot plan approval:
Prior to an occupancy permit being issued for a new or improved structure (excluding single and 2 family dwellings), a Landscaping, drainage, and tree plot plan must be submitted and approved. The code talks about all the requirements of this plan including acceptable scales, information that must be included in the plan, and plant material credits for saving existing plant materials.
5.15.00 Replacing of trees, or landscaping may be required:
If construction of a structure requires the removal of existing trees on a site, the owner may be required to replace the tree with comparable substitutes at least twelve feet in height or with suitable landscaping somewhere on the property.
2.06.01.00 Design standards for parking, drives, lighting, drainage, and screening.
5.02.0 General requirements for certain yard areas
and off-street parking and other
vehicular use areas.
-installation, maintenance, and
quality of plant materials to be installed on a site
-gives requirements and specs.
-gives
specs of tree credits
4.01.0 Applicability
The procedures and provisions of this article are
applicable to all new construction and substantial landscape alteration within the town except (a) Owner occupied single-family
residences which are not subject to subdivision regulations, (b) Adjustments to
alignment of utilities to meet field conditions, (c) Shifting of structure
location within yard requirements to meet unanticipated field conditions, not
to result in changes in landscaping or other approved site plan conditions.
New construction shall be the
complete development of an unimproved lot which includes providing new water,
sewer, electric, paving and drainage facilities and building footage for which
a building permit must be issued.
The conversion of existing buildings to new occupancies or new
purposes shall require site plan review.
This
ordinance is very specific and covers most aspects of design issues that a
designer today would face in a city environment. The way in which the ordinances are organized
is somewhat inefficient and it requires a good bit of jumping around to find
all elements of “landscape” related requirements. I found no mention of requiring a licensed
landscape architect to stamp plans in this community. The code makes no known use of graphic
illustrations to further clarify the technical requirements. All in all, the information needed to design
to the code is there…however it is not very well organized for ease of use.
Adam McGovern