03/24/2020 Ordinances 9766ORDINANCE NO. 9766
An ordinance to amend Chapter 36 of the Grand Island City Code specifically, to
amend Landscaping Requirements Section 36-102; to repeal any ordinance or parts of ordinances
in conflict herewith; and to provide for publication in pamphlet form and the effective date of
this ordinance.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA:
SECTION 1. Section 36-102 of the Grand Island City Code is hereby amended to
read as follows:
§36-102. Landscaping Requirements
(A) Purpose: The landscaping and screening regulations are intended to improve the physical appearance of the
community; to improve the environmental performance of new development by contributing to the abatement of heat,
noise, glare, wind and dust; to promote natural percolation of storm water and improvement of air quality; to buffer
potentially incompatible uses from one another; and, to protect and enhance the value of property and neighbarhoods
within the city.
(B) Applicability:
(1) The provisions of this section shall apply to the following zones: Medium Density Residential Zone, Medium
Density Small Lot Residential Zone, High Density Residential Zone, Residential Office Zone, Light Business
Zone, General Business Zone, Arterial Commercial Overlay Zone, Heavy Business Zone, Industrial Estates
Zone, Light Manufacturing Zone, Heavy Manufacturing Zone, Commercial Development Zone, Residential
Development Zone and Travel Development Zone. Landscaping of lands within districts such as the Central
Business District and Fourth Street Business District, as defined elsewhere in this code and/or below, shall be
exempt from this section. Properties subject to Streetscape Improvement Projects supported by Business
Improvement Districts created far the purpose of establishing and/or maintaining district wide landscaping
plans shall be exempt from this section as long as the Business Improvement District is in effect.
a. Old Potash Highway District: COMMENCING AT THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SECTION 13,
TOWNSHIP 11 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M., CITY OF GRAND ISLAND,
HALL COUNTY, NEBRASKA, SAID POINT ALSO BEING THE POINT OF
BEGINNING;THENCE NORTHERLY ALONG THE EAST OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER
OF SAID SECTION 13; THENCE EASTERLY ALONG A LINE BEING 100' NORTH OF AND
PARALLEL TO THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 13 TO A POINT ON THE EAST LINE
OF SAID SECTION 13; THENCE SOUTHERLY ALONG SAID EAST LINE TO THE
SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SAID SECTION 13; THENCE SOUTHERLY ALONG THE EAST
LINE OF SECTION 24, TOWNSHIP 11 NORTH, RANGE 10 WEST OF THE 6TH P.M., CITY
OF GRAND ISLAND, HALL COUNTY, NEBRASKA; THENCE WESTERLY ALONG A LINE
BEING 100' SOUTH OF AND PARALLEL TO THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 24 TO A
POINT ON THE WEST LINE OF WESTGATE INDUSTRIAL PARK SUBDIVISION IN THE
CITY GRAND ISLAND, HALL COUNTY, NEBRASKA; THENCE NORTHERLY ALONG
SAID WEST LINE TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID SUBDNISION, SAID POINT
ALSO BEING ON THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SECTION 24; THENCE EASTERLY ALONG
SAID NORTH LINE TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.
(2) The provisions of this section shall apply to the Airport Overlay Zone with the exception that three shrubs may
be substituted for each required shade or ornamental tree to conform to standards of wildlife management
required near an airport.
Approved as to Form�
March 23, 2020 tt City Attorney
ORDINANCE NO. 9766 (Cont.)
(3) The provisions of this section shall apply to all new development, including surface parking, on each lot or site
upon application for a building permit, except as follows:
(a) Reconstruction or replacement of a lawfully existing use or structure.
(b) Remodeling, rehabilitation or improvements to existing uses or structures which do not substantially
change the location or building footprint of existing structures, or the location and design of parking facilities or
other site improvements. However, additions or enlargements of existing uses or structures, which increase
floor area or impervious coverage by more than 25% adjacent to the existing street frontage, shall be subject to
the provisions of this section, which shall only apply to that portion of the lot or site where the new
development or use occurs.
(c) Residential structures containing three dwelling units on a single lot, or less shall be exempt from the
requirements of this section.
(4) Landscaping which exists on any property shall not be altered or reduced below the minimum requirements of
this section, unless suitable substitutions are made which meet the requirements of this section, pursuant to a site
plan approved by the city.
(5) Any conflict between this section and another section of this chapter shall be resolved in favar of the more
restrictive provision.
(C) Nonconforming Status: Any property or use of property, which as of August 1, 2004 or any amendment hereto is
lawfully nonconforming only as to the regulations relating to landscaping, may be continued in the same manner as if the
landscaping were conforming.
(D) Definitions: The following definitions shall be used for terms contained within this section:
Bu er ard: A landscaped area provided to separate and significantly obstruct the view of two adjacent land uses
or properties from one another.
Cano�v tree: A deciduous tree having a minimum mature height of 30 feet and a minimum caliper of 1 inch at the
time of planting. One canopy tree equals two understory/ornamental or evergreen trees.
Ever�reen iree: An evergreen ar conifer tree having a minimum mature height of 20 feet and a minimum 2 gallon
container size or bare root1ba11 equivalent at the time of planting.
Landscaped area: That area within the boundaries of a given lot consisting primarily of plant material, including
but not limited to grass, trees, shrubs, flowers, vines, groundcover and other organic plant materials (this does not
include plant materials typically used as a cash crop). Tall varieties of native and ornamental grasses may be
planted and left in their natural state in selective and limited locations, deemed appropriate by the city. Inorganic
materials such as brick, stones, aggregate, ponds or fountains may be used within landscaped areas, provided that
such materials comprise no more than 35 percent of the required landscaped area. Flat concrete or asphalt, other
than walkways five feet or less in width, may not be used within a required landscaped area.
Minimum equivalent street landscaping: The minimum landscaped area which must be provided in a street yard,
expressed as a percent of the total area contained within that street yard.
Shrub: A deciduous or evergreen plant having a minimum height of 18 inches at the time of planting, with a
maximum mature height of less than 10 feet.
Street vard:
(1) The area of a lot or parcel which lies between any street property line and the fronting walls of any
building or buildings on the parcel. The street yard shall follow all irregularities or indentations in the front wall
of the building, excluding minor projections or indentations such as steps or unenclosed porches. For the
purposes of defining the street yard area, the front wall shall be extended from the outermost corners of the
building, parallel with the fronting street, until intersecting with the side property line [see Attachment B
hereto]. Street yard depth shall not exceed 100 feet for the purposes of calculating the minimum equivalent
street landscaping area requirement.
(2) On lots or parcels with multiple buildings, the street yard area shall be defined by all building front walls
having direct, visual frontage onto the street. Any space between buildings equal to 15 percent of the length of
such frontage, but in no case more than 100 feet, shall be considered an extension of the continuous building
front wall for the purpose of delineating the street yard.
Understorv/ornamental tree: A flowering or non-flowering deciduous tree having a maximum mature height of 30
feet and a minimum caliper of 2 inch at the time of planting.
(E) Street Yard Landscaping Standards:
(1) Street yard landscaping shall be provided adjacent to each street property line and within street yards, as set
forth below, in accordance with an approved site landscaping plan.
(2) Minimum equivalent street landscaping area:
%a
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,
ORDINANCE NO. 9766 (Cont.)
(Minimum E uivalent Street Landsca in Area
Zoning District Percent of Street Yard Minimum Landscaping Depth
(%) of Street Yard*** (ft.)
R3SL 65 20
R3 65 20
R4 60 10
RO 30 10
B 1 25 10
B2 20* 10*
AC 20 20*
B3 0 0
ME 20 20
M 1 20 20
M2 20 10
M3 20 10
TD 30 30
CD ** 30
RD ** 10 or 30
*Unless otherwise established in an approved Streetscape lmprovement Yro�ect.
**As determined by approved plan
(3) When a lot contains more than one street frontage, the area of all street yards and the proposed street yard
landscaped areas may be combined for the purposes of determining compliance with this section.
(4) Any required street yard landscaping shall include the following minimum shrub and tree plantings (or an
appropriate equivalent as determined by the city) for every 100 feet (any fraction of .5 or less rounded to the
next lowest number; any fraction exceeding .5 rounded to the next highest number) of property line adjacent to
a public street right-of-way: 1 canopy tree; 1 understory/ornamental or evergreen tree; 3 shrubs. Existing trees
or shrubs approved for preservation shall be counted toward satisfaction of this provision.
(F) Buffer Yard and Parking Landscaping Screening Standards:
(1) Buffer yard landscaping shall be installed and maintained adjacent to the affected common side or rear
property line(s), when a use is established in a more intensive zoning district located adjacent to a less intensive
zoning district, as set forth below:
More Intensive Zoning District Required Buffer Yard Width Less Intensive Zoning District
�ft )*
RO, B1, B2, AC, CD, TD 10 TA, LLR, Rl, R2, R3, R3SL, R4,
RD
ME, Ml, M2, M3 20 TA, LLR, Rl, R2, R3, R3SL, R4,
RO, RD, CD, TD, B1, B2, B2,
AC, B3
*When an alley, street or railroad R.O.W. separates adjacent districts requ�ring a butter yard, me butter
yard width shall be halved.
(2) Buffer yard landscaping is intended to provide screening of loading docks, refuse collection points,
truck/equipment parking, sources of noise, glare, light, dust, or other negative impacts. Buffer yard landscaping
shall include hedges or screens of evergreen ar approved deciduous plant material, capable of providing a
substantial opaque barrier, and attaining a minimum height of 6 feet within three years of planting. Opaque
fencing may also supplement the vegetative plantings, but shall be installed no closer to the property line than
the width of the required buffer yard.
(3) Buffer yard landscaping and parking landscaping screening strips shall not be placed on an easement.
(4) A parking landscaping screening strip, having a Minimum Landscaping Depth of Street Yard as identified
above, shall be installed along any parking area adjacent to a public street right-of-way. No parking area shall
contain more than 100 spaces except as allowed within these regulations. If a greater number of parking spaces
ORDINANCE NO. 9766 (Cont.)
is required, separate parking areas shall be provided, and shall be separated from other parking areas by
landscaped dividing strips, having a minimum width of 6 feet. These strips shall include trees, shrubs, grasses
and other vegetative coverings for a creative aesthetic appearance. A parking landscaping screening strip shall
also count towards meeting any requirements associated with minimum equivalent street or buffer yard
landscaping.
Alternate plans for parking lots with more than 500 spaces may submitted for approval by a committee
comprised of the Planning Director, Building Department Director and Public Works Director with
recommendations from other appropriate city staf£ The Committee shall establish criteria for the review and
approval of larger parking lots based on but not limited to the following areas of concern: overall area and types
of landscaping provided shall not be less than would be required under the conventional regulations, provision
for storm water management and filtering using best available practices, provisions for adequate lighting, fire
protection and security throughout the lot, provisions for pedestrian access through and around the lot, and
provisions for pedestrian access to the site requiring said parking lot.
(5) A development may continue to comply with the buffer yard landscaping requirements in effect at the time
of issuance of its initial building permit, regardless of whether an adjacent lot or property is rezoned to a less
restrictive zoning district which requires additional buffer yard landscaping.
(G) Site Plan Requirements:
(1) A site plan showing the required street yard, buffer yard and/or parking screening landscaping shall be
submitted to the city for review and approval as part of the application for a building permit. The plan shall
include, but not be limited to the following:
(a) Location of proposed landscaping drawn to scale.
(b) Location, size, type and condition of proposed plant and non-plant landscaping materials including
fences, walks, ponds, fountains, benches, lighting and irrigation systems.
(c) Estimated date of completion of the installation of all plantings and finishing materials.
(H) Installation and Maintenance Requirements:
(1) Required landscaping areas shall be installed and maintained in a neat, clean, orderly and healthful
condition. Maintenance shall include proper pruning of trees and shrubs, mowing of lawn and grass areas,
weeding, removal of litter, fertilizing, replacement of plants consistent with this section when necessary, and the
regular watering of all plantings.
(2) The installation of landscaping shall be completed prior to the issuance of any occupancy permit for
buildings on the property, or commencement of the intended use of the property.
(3) If, at the time of commencement of the intended use of the property or application for a certificate of
occupancy, any required landscaping has not been installed or completed due to seasonal or climatic conditions
or plant material being unavailable, the developer or owner of the property shall submit the following to the
Building Department:
(a) A request for extension of the proposed completion date for installation of the required landscaping,
stating the reason for the request, the property owner's current mailing address, and a commitment to
complete the installation of the landscaping by a date certain, not to exceed six months from the building
completion date.
(b) A drawing showing the plan and layout of the landscaping areas.
(c) A cost estimate for the installation of the landscaping area.
(d) A bond, certificate of deposit, letter of credit, cash ar other financial surety as may be approved by
the City Attorney guaranteeing faithful performance of the owner or developer's commitment to
complete installation of the required landscaping and payable to the City of Grand Island in the event that
the developer fails to carry out the commitments described in sub-paragraph (a) above.
(4) Upon approval of the foregoing request for extension of time to complete the landscaping installation, the
owner or developer shall be issued a conditional certificate of occupancy or a conditional letter authorizing
commencement of use of the property by the Building Department. The owner or developer shall complete the
installation of the landscaping in accordance with the commitments made pursuant to sub-paragraph (a) above,
and, upon inspection and approval by the Building Department, a certificate of occupancy or commencement of
use letter shall be issued. All limitations on the use of the property relating to landscaping are deemed to be of
no force ar effect at that time, and the City shall release the surety or other security submitted by the owner or
developer.
(5) If the owner or developer has not installed the required landscaping with the commitments made pursuant to sub-
paragraph (a) above, the owner or developer shall be deemed to have granted the City or its ofiicers, employees, agents
4
ORDINANCE NO. 9766 (Cont.).
or representatives permission to enter upon the property to install the required landscaping in accordance with the plan
submitted pursuant to sub-paragraph (c) above using the surety or security filed by the owner or developer as payment
for said installation. The Building Department shall send the owner or developer written notice of default and intention
to enter onto the property to install required landscaping by certified mail, return receipt requested, and ordinary first
class mail sent to the last known address of said owner or developer at least five (5) business days prior to making such
entry.
Amended by Ordinance No. 9256, effective 04-07-2010
Amended by Ordinance No. 9419, effective 02-15-2013
Amended by Ordinance No. 9422, effective 04-02-2013
Amended by Ordinance No. 9738, effective 07-10-2019
Amended by Ordinance No. 9766, effective 04-08-2020
SECTION 2. Sections 36-102 as existing prior to this amendment, and any
ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, are repealed.
SECTION 3. The validity of any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of
this ordinance shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other section, subsection,
sentence, clause, or phrase thereof.
SECTION 4. That this ordinance shall be in force and take effect from and after its
passage and publication in pamphlet form within 15 days according to law.
Enacted: March 24, 2020
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er G. Steele, Mayor
Attest:
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RaNae Edwards, City Clerk * � � � � *
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