Morrisville Unified Development Ordinance – September 2018

Article 5: Development Standards Section 5.12. Landscaping 5.12.3. General Landscaping Standards

Required landscaping areas shall be protected from vehicular damage by the installation of curbing, wheel stops, or extra width in the landscaping strip. (Ord. No. 2016-001, 05/10/2016) B. Existing Vegetation The use of existing healthy, well-formed canopy trees, understory trees, evergreen trees, and shrubs shall be maximized wherever practical to comply with these landscaping standards. The use of existing vegetation shall be credited towards meeting tree protection standards (Section 5.4), perimeter and streetyard buffer standards (Section 5.6) and the landscaping standards in this section provided the vegetation meets those standards, is protected before and during development of the site in accordance with Section 5.4.6, Tree Protection During Development Activity, and is maintained thereafter in a healthy growing condition. C. Stabilization All required landscape planting areas shall be stabilized and maintained with turf, ground covers, or other approved materials to prevent soil erosion and allow rainwater infiltration. D. Easements Nothing except ground cover shall be planted or installed within any underground or overhead utility, drainage or gas easement, or within three feet of a fire protection system, except in accordance with the consent, standards, or guidelines of the utility provider, easement holder, or the Town, as appropriate. E. Berms All berms shall comply with the following standards: Berms shall be at least one and one-half feet high, with side slopes not exceeding a ratio of three horizontal feet to one vertical foot, and with a crown at least two feet wide. Berms proposed to be placed along street rights-of-way shall be designed and constructed to provide adequate sight distances at intersections and shall not impair safe operation of vehicles. In no case shall berms be located or designed so they damage the roots or trunks of existing healthy vegetation designated to be preserved. Berms shall not be located or designed so as to block or divert a natural drainage flow on to or off of any other land. F. Time for Installation of Required Landscaping Installation Before Certificate of Compliance/Occupancy All required landscaping (including ground cover) shall be installed in accordance with the required planting standards set forth in this section prior to issuance of a Certificate of Compliance/Occupancy unless the Planning Director allows delayed installation in accordance with subsection 2 below. Allowance of Deferred Installation a. The Planning Director may, for good cause shown, allow installation of required landscaping to be deferred until after issuance of a Certificate of Compliance/Occupancy. Circumstances that may warrant an extension include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) Unusual environmental conditions, such as drought, hurricanes, or over-saturated soil; (2) The inappropriateness of the current season for planting the approved plant species; or (3) Utility work occurring in a proposed landscaped area that is incomplete or delayed.

September 25, 2018

Morrisville, NC

Page 5-124

Unified Development Ordinance