§ 6A-7. Landscaping.

Well planned and maintained landscaping will achieve several benefits in furtherance of the intent of this article. Specifically, this section is designed to:

(a)

Preserve and enhance the visibility of traffic on the designated corridor.

(b)

Preserve and enhance the visual quality of the designated corridor.

(c)

Maintain existing topography.

(d)

Buffer adjacent uses.

(e)

Reduce the volume and improve the quality of stormwater runoff.

(f)

Shade parking lots, reducing heat generation.

1.

Landscaping plan required. A landscaping plan shall be submitted in conjunction with the site plan in accordance with the County's Stormwater Ordinance, Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance, Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance, and other requirements of this ordinance. Such plan shall be drawn to scale, shall show dimensions and distances, shall delineate all proposed structures, parking areas, and drives, and shall specify the location, size, and description of all landscaping materials to be installed or vegetation to be preserved.

2.

Plant materials specifications. All plant materials shall be living and in healthy condition. In order to achieve the highest likelihood of survival, plants shall be suitable for climatic zone 7a, 7b, and 8a as defined on the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

3.

Installation and bonding requirements.

a.

All landscaping shall be installed in accordance with professionally accepted landscaping practices and procedures. Once completed, landscaped areas shall be protected from vehicular encroachment by means such as, but not limited to, wheel stops, concrete, or bituminous curbs.

b.

Where landscaping is required, no certificate of occupancy shall be issued until the landscaping is completed in accordance with the approved landscaping plan, or the owner or developer provides a form of surety satisfactory to the zoning administrator in an amount equal to the costs of completing the required landscaping.

c.

All required landscaping shall be installed and approved by the first planting season following issuance of a certificate of occupancy, or the surety described above may be forfeited to the county. The length of time for planting may be extended, for good cause, upon request in writing. This requirement shall not preclude phasing of landscaping programs for larger developments, the timing of which shall be subject to approval as part of the landscape plan.

(Ord. of 9-2-2014(3))

(Ord. of 9-2-2014(3))