Secondary and Cumulative Impacts Master Management Plan - 2014

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Article 5: Development Standards
Section 5.12. Landscaping
5.12.3. General Landscaping Standards
Morrisville, NC June 2013
Unified Development Ordinance - Public Hearing Draft Page 5-121
3. Upgrading of Landscaping Nonconformities420
Where existing development is nonconforming in terms of compliance with this section‘s standards
for off-street parking and loading, such development is subject to the limitations and upgrading
requirements in Section 9.7, Nonconforming Site Features.
C. Landscape Plan Required
A landscape plan shall be included as part of any application for Major Subdivision Preliminary Plat
Approval (Section 2.5.6.B), Minor Subdivision Plat Approval (Section 2.5.6.D), Major Site Plan
Approval (Section 2.5.7.B), or Minor Site Plan Approval (Section 2.5.7.C) or Construction Plan
Approval (Section 2.5.8) for development subject to the standards in this section. Landscape plans shall
be prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Administrative Manual.
D. Allowed Deviation of Standards
Deviations from the landscaping standards in this section may be authorized in Section 2.5.19,
Administrative Adjustment, Section 2.5.20, Alternative Equivalent Compliance, or Section
5.12.3. General Landscaping Standards
A. New Planting Standards421
1. Required vegetation shall be planted
in accordance with American
Standards of Nursery Stock
guidelines.
2. At the time of planting, vegetation
included as part of required
landscaping shall comply with the
following size standards:
a. Shade trees shall have a caliper
of at least three and one-half
inches and be at least 14 feet in
height above ground level. They
shall be capable of attaining a
height of at least 35 feet and a
crown diameter of at least 30
feet at maturity.
b. Understory trees shall have a
caliper of at least two inches and
shall be at least eight feet in
height above ground level.422
c. Shrubs shall be upright in nature
and at least 24 inches in height
above ground level. They shall be capable of attaining a height of at least 30 inches within
three years after planting.
420 This recognizes that landscaping nonconformities (generally the lack of currently required landscaping) may be required to be
upgraded towards conformity where substantial expansion or remodeling of principal structures is proposed.
421 The tree size standards are carried forward from the standards for interior vehicle use areas in Part C. Art. IX, Sec. 7.3 of the
current Zoning Ordinance. The shrub standards are carried forward from the minimum height standard for street yard planting
next to vehicle use areas (Part C, Art. IX, Sec. 7.2.G).
422 This adds a minimum height requirement to the current minimum caliper requirement.
Figur Minimum new planting standards. [to be revised to
match text]