§ 110-59. Landscaping.

In new residential subdivisions or when the development of commercial or employment property occurs, the plan commission will review landscaping plans before final approval of any new plat and shall require street trees to be planted in any of the parkways and other public places abutting lands henceforth developed and/or subdivided as required by this article. To the extent of any conflict between the provisions of this article and the provisions of the zoning ordinance or subdivision ordinance, the provisions of the zoning ordinance or subdivision ordinance shall govern.

Trees planted in the parkway of new residential subdivisions shall be provided at the equivalent of two trees per residential lot, and on corner lots at the equivalent of five trees per residential corner lot from the permitted species list.

Residential lots located on cul-de-sacs or where the configuration of the lots will not allow the minimum planting of two trees per lot as normally required under this article due to the minimum spacing permitted may be exempted from the minimum tree planting requirement.

The tree planting locations must have acceptable clearance around utilities, establish safe lines of sight at intersections, not interfere or block from clear view any traffic control device or sign, and not restrict the flow of the city, the rules and regulations enforcing the planting, spacing and permitted species will be set by the Illinois Department of Transportation. A copy of their current specifications will be kept on file by the city clerk for reference when needed.

In new residential subdivisions or commercial development or in mass plantings of 25 or more trees anywhere in the city, no one tree species can make up more than 25 percent of the planting stock.

The developer of the residential subdivision will be required to plant the required number of trees per lot type, within one year of transfer of title to the new home owner during the proper planting season, the spring and fall. A performance bond of $500.00 per residential lot shall be submitted to the city clerk to ensure compliance with this article. The developer shall ensure the proper care and maintenance for one year, from date of planting. If tree(s) need to be replaced the developer will be responsible for that cost.

This list of approved and prohibited street tree species as set forth in this article shall be reviewed and revised every five years, or as needed, by the Ottawa tree board.

No multistemmed trees or clump form shall be allowed as street trees in the city parkway.

(Ord. No. 60-99, § 9, 12-7-1999; Ord. No. O57-2006, § 1(c), 8-15-2006)