Morrisville Unified Development Ordinance - September 2020

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

2. Expansion Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3 below, if an existing structure or use is expanded or enlarged (in terms of the number of dwelling units, floor area, number of employees, seating capacity, or other size unit), additional landscaping shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of this section to serve the expanded or enlarged part of the structure or use. Upgrading of Landscaping Nonconformities 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 Type 1 Subdivision Preliminary Plat Approval (Section 2.5.6.B.1), Type 2 Subdivision Preliminary Plat Approval (Section 2.5.6.B.2), Site Plan Approval (Section 2.5.7) 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 5.12.6, Alternative Landscape Plan. 3. (Ord. No. 2016-001, 05/10/2016) 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. c. Shrubs shall be upright in nature and at least 18 inches in height above ground level. They shall be capable of attaining a height of at least 30 inches within three years after planting. 3. All landscape plant materials shall be of standard quality or better, true to name and type of species or variety. 4. The use of drought-tolerant vegetation native to the Morrisville area is strongly encouraged (see the list of acceptable native plant species in the Administrative Manual). 5. Required landscaping areas shall be protected from vehicular damage by the installation of curbing, wheel stops, or extra width in the landscaping strip. d. Grasses and groundcovers do not have a required minimum. (Ord. No. 2014-051, 11/10/2014) 5.12.3. General Landscaping Standards A. New Planting Standards

(Ord. No. 2016-001, 05/10/2016)

Morrisville, NC

September 1, 2020

Unified Development Ordinance

Page 5-122