Morrisville UDO - June 2017 version

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Article 5: Development Standards
Section 5.12. Landscaping
5.12.3. General Landscaping Standards
June 23, 2017 Morrisville, NC
Page 5-124 Unified Development Ordinance
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
subsectio 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.
b. Any allowance of deferred installation shall be conditioned on the required landscaping being
installed as soon as practicable after the circumstances warranting deferral cease to exist, but
no later than six months after such time, and the provision of a performance guarantee ensuring
such installation in accordance with Section
G. Maintenance of Required Landscaping
The owner shall be responsible for maintaining, in perpetuity, all required landscape areas and
landscaping materials (including berms, walls, and fences as well as vegetation) in accordance with
the approved landscape plan or alternative landscape plan and the standards of this section.
Required vegetation shall be maintained in a healthy condition and landscape areas shall be kept
in an orderly appearance, free from refuse and debris.
All required vegetation shall be maintained in their characteristic natural shape and shall not be
severely pruned or sheared. Trees shall not be topped or shaped as shrubs. Vegetation that has