A.    Landscaping shall be provided in all residential major subdivisions and in all commercial and industrial subdivisions. It shall be designed to preserve natural features, enhance the identity of the subdivision, and provide any required buffering from neighboring uses.

    B.    All living landscape material planted in the landscape screen must meet the standards set forth in the most current American Standard for Nursery Stock approved by the American National Standards Institute, Inc.

    C.    Street trees are required in residential subdivisions. These trees should be so located as not to interfere with utilities or sidewalks. They may be placed in the public right-of-way or in a landscape easement. Tree species selected shall be appropriate to their location. Factors to consider in tree selection include but are not limited to soil and weather conditions, effects on sight distance, and effects on utility lines and pavement (both street and sidewalk).

    D.    Landscaping intended as a screen shall meet the standards for a Type A buffer as defined in the Columbus zoning ordinance. Where trees and shrubs are used to create a screen, total opacity and a minimum height of six feet shall be required within three years of the issuance of an occupancy permit. If such screen does not meet these requirements within three years, a fence or wall meeting these requirements shall be constructed. Where such screening is required, the location of the screen shall meet the requirements of the applicable section of this title.

    E.    The plan commission may require landscaping in any subdivision (residential or nonresidential) to meet the goals and policies of the comprehensive plan and/or to ensure compatibility with neighboring properties. Landscaping may include plant materials such as trees, shrubs, ground covers, perennials and annuals, and other materials such as rocks, water, sculpture, art, walls, fences, paving materials and street furniture.

    F.    Subdivisions adjacent to land actively used for the growing of crops or raising of livestock shall be designed with a buffer area at least twenty feet wide between the subdivision boundary and the agricultural land. This buffer area may be landscaped or may contain natural plants. If the adjacent land ceases to be used for agriculture, the buffer may be eliminated.

    G.    Plants used to satisfy the requirements of this ordinance shall meet the American Standards for Nursery Stock.

    H.    Timing of Installation.

    1.    Any required landscape screening shall be installed within one year after the execution of the subdivision improvement agreement or within thirty days after the first building is occupied, whichever is shorter.

    2.    Any required landscaping in common areas, such as medians and entries, shall be installed within one year after the execution of the subdivision improvement agreement or within thirty days after fifty percent of the primary structures in any phase of the subdivision are occupied.

    3.    Street trees shall be installed within two years from the date of execution of the subdivision improvement agreement.

    4.    The landscape review committee may grant an extension of time if there are weather conditions or other factors which necessitate such extension. In deciding whether to grant the extension, the staff shall consider the degree of completion of construction in the subdivision, the effect of the extension on property owners in the subdivision, and weather or other conditions affecting installation. The committee's decision to deny an extension may be appealed to the commission. (Ord. 99-24 § 3 (part), 1999)