Sec. 9.8. Vehicular Use Area Landscaping

9.8.1. General

A. Vehicle Use Areas

For the purposes of this section, areas used for vehicleClosed All motorized vehicles as defined by the State of North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motorcycles. This definition shall not include “Heavy Equipment” as defined elsewhere. service, parking (including structured parking), parking lot drive aisles, and business transactions such as areas adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. to gasoline pumps (even if under a canopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather.) and areas for drive-up service, shall be considered vehicular use areas.

1. DrivewaysClosed A private roadway located on a parcel or lot used for vehicle access. that are perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the street and serve as an entrance to the site shall not be considered vehicular use areas for purposes of this section.

2. Vehicle storage yardsClosed A bulk and non-public holding facility for fleet vehicles or heavy equipment, vehicles held for sale or repair, or the storage of operable or inoperable vehicles awaiting adjustment or settlement of insurance claims or motor vehicles that have been impounded by the police. No dismantling of vehicles is permitted. shall not be considered vehicleClosed All motorized vehicles as defined by the State of North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motorcycles. This definition shall not include “Heavy Equipment” as defined elsewhere. use areas for the purpose of this section.

B. Applicability

The following areas shall meet the requirements of this section.

1. Any new off-street parking area containing four or more spaces, or vehicular use area of 1,500 square feet or more (except for parking associated with single-familyClosed A residential use consisting of one dwelling unit per lot of record. As described in Sec. 7.1, Housing Types, includes: single-family detached house; zero lot line house; traditional house; or attached house. Not to include manufactured housing. or two-familyClosed A residential use consisting of two individual dwelling units on a single lot of record. This definition does not include a single-family dwelling with an accessory dwelling unit. developmentClosed Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. on single lots).

2. Any expansion of an existing off-street vehicular use area consistent with the dimensions identified above.

3. Sites where a buildingClosed As defined in the North Carolina Building Code, as amended, or the North Carolina Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings, as amended, as applicable. is torn down and reconstructed, regardless of whether or not the new buildingClosed As defined in the North Carolina Building Code, as amended, or the North Carolina Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings, as amended, as applicable. is larger than the original buildingClosed As defined in the North Carolina Building Code, as amended, or the North Carolina Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings, as amended, as applicable. if the vehicular use area associated with the new buildingClosed As defined in the North Carolina Building Code, as amended, or the North Carolina Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings, as amended, as applicable. meets the standards listed above.

4. Only the regulations in paragraph 9.8.4, Vehicular UseClosed The purpose for which a building, structure, or area of land may be arranged or occupied or the activity conducted or proposed in a building, structure, or on an area of land. Area Landscaping in the SRP-C (County Only), CI District and Design Districts, shall apply to vehicular use areas in the SRP-C (County Only), CI, and Design Districts.

C. Standards

1. Location from Edge of Vehicular Use Area

a. No canopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather. trees used for vehicular use area landscaping credits shall be planted farther than 10 feet from the edge of the vehicular use area.

b. No understory trees or shrubs shall be planted farther than 15 feet from the edge of the vehicular use area.

c. When existing utilities or easementsClosed A grant by a property owner for use by the public, a corporation or persons of an area of land for specific purposes. prohibit the placement of trees or shrubs as required above, the placement of the plant material shall be set back the minimum amount necessary to be clear of the utility or easementClosed A grant by a property owner for use by the public, a corporation or persons of an area of land for specific purposes. and to provide the minimum required growing area for the plant material.

d. All shrubs and trees shall be located at least three feet from either the back of curb of the vehicular use area or back of wheel stops.

2. Plant materials shall be located to facilitate safe sight distances within parking lotsClosed An area of land where vehicles are kept on a daily, overnight, or temporary basis; not to include the storage of wrecked or abandoned vehicles, vehicle parts, or the repair of vehicles.. Plants located at the end of parking lotClosed An area of land where vehicles are kept on a daily, overnight, or temporary basis; not to include the storage of wrecked or abandoned vehicles, vehicle parts, or the repair of vehicles. islands, within the sight distance triangles, or in medians shall be a species with a maximum mature height of 30 inches.

3. Tree planting and site lighting shall be separated by a minimum of 10 feet to reduce conflicts between mature trees and light standards.

4. Unless specifically stated otherwise, all canopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather. trees used for vehicular use area landscaping shall be two-and-one-half-inch caliperClosed The diameter of plant material, measured at six inches above grade for calipers of up to four inches, and 12 inches above grade for larger calipers. at the time of installation.

5. A contiguous growing area not encroachedClosed When used in reference to Sec. 8.4, Floodplain and Flood Damage Protection Standards, the advance or infringement of uses, fill, excavation, buildings, permanent structures or development into a floodplain, which may impede or alter the flow capacity of a floodplain. upon by impervious pavement shall be provided for each tree as specified within the Landscape Manual. Sidewalks shall be permitted to encroachClosed When used in reference to Sec. 8.4, Floodplain and Flood Damage Protection Standards, the advance or infringement of uses, fill, excavation, buildings, permanent structures or development into a floodplain, which may impede or alter the flow capacity of a floodplain. for sites within the Urban, Compact Neighborhood, and Downtown Tiers when a critical root path system is implemented pursuant to the Landscape Manual.

6. Unless specifically stated otherwise, shrubs shall be installed at a minimum height of 15 inches, and shall be of a species expected to reach a minimum height of 30 inches and a minimum spread of 30 inches within five years of planting. Shrubs planted within sight distance triangles shall have a maximum mature height of 30 inches.

7. At least 60% of required shrubs shall be evergreen.

9.8.2. Vehicular Use Area Perimeter Landscaping

A. Vehicular Use Areas Visible From Streets

1. Applicability

Any vehicular use area subject to this section that has exposure to a public or private street (except an alleyClosed A strip of land, either publicly or privately owned, that is set aside primarily for vehicular service access to the rear or side of properties otherwise abutting on a street.), and is located within 50 feet of a right-of-wayClosed A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, rail corridor, or public utility. or access easementClosed A grant by a property owner for use by the public, a corporation or persons of an area of land for specific purposes. shall provide a landscaped area, adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. to and outside of the street right-of-wayClosed A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, rail corridor, or public utility. or access easementClosed A grant by a property owner for use by the public, a corporation or persons of an area of land for specific purposes., equal to six square feet for each linear foot of street frontageClosed The boundary of a property adjacent to one side of a street., less drivewaysClosed A private roadway located on a parcel or lot used for vehicle access., which may cross required landscape areas if constructed at angles perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to property lines.

2. Standards

a. Any landscaped area used for credit shall be a minimum of three feet and a maximum of 30 feet in width in all Tiers except Compact Neighborhood, where the maximum width shall be 10 feet.

b. Canopy Trees

(1) CanopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather. trees (except under overhead power lines, where understory trees shall be used) shall be planted at the rate of one tree per 40 linear feet of vehicular use area along the street, less drivewayClosed A private roadway located on a parcel or lot used for vehicle access. widths.

(2) Areas with canopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather. trees shall be at least 10 feet deep from right-of-wayClosed A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, rail corridor, or public utility. to back of curb or pavement edge.

(3) Project boundary bufferClosed A portion of property designated to mitigate impacts between land uses or transportation routes, or to protect water features from pollutants. canopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather. trees pursuant to Sec. 9.4, Project Boundary Buffers, (to the extent such trees are located to serve the function of this section) and street trees pursuant to Sec. 9.6, Street Trees, may be credited for purposes of this section.

c. Shrubs

(1) Shrubs shall be planted at the rate of one shrub per three linear feet of property line abutting public streets less drivewaysClosed A private roadway located on a parcel or lot used for vehicle access..

(2) A wall consistent with the requirements of Sec. 9.9, Fences and Walls, and at least 30 inches tall may be substituted for the required shrubs.

B. Vehicular Use Areas Visible from Adjacent Property

1. Applicability

Any vehicular use area subject to this section on projects not required to provide a project boundary bufferClosed A portion of property designated to mitigate impacts between land uses or transportation routes, or to protect water features from pollutants. pursuant to Sec. 9.4, Project Boundary Buffers, shall provide a landscaped area between the edges of the pavement and the perimeter property lines not required to provide landscaping pursuant to paragraph A, VehicleClosed All motorized vehicles as defined by the State of North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motorcycles. This definition shall not include “Heavy Equipment” as defined elsewhere. UseClosed The purpose for which a building, structure, or area of land may be arranged or occupied or the activity conducted or proposed in a building, structure, or on an area of land. Areas Visible from Streets, unless the property lines fall within a vehicular use area in common use.

2. Standards

a. The minimum landscaped area shall be large enough to accommodate the plant materials required in paragraph 9.8.2B.2.b below, but shall not be less than six square feet per linear foot of vehicular use area edge facing off site, unless wheel stops are provided, in which case the minimum area can be reduced to four square feet.

b. Required landscaping shall consist of the following materials:

(1) Evergreen or deciduous canopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather. trees, at the rate of one per 25 linear feet of vehicular use area, to be planted within an area with a minimum dimension of 10 feet in the vicinity of the tree.

(2) Understory trees, at the rate of one per 18 feet, with a contiguous growing area of 125 square feet and a minimum dimension of seven and one half feet.

(3) Evergreen shrubs, at the rate of one per four linear feet of required planting area.

c. When adjoining properties are already developedClosed Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. with parking lotsClosed An area of land where vehicles are kept on a daily, overnight, or temporary basis; not to include the storage of wrecked or abandoned vehicles, vehicle parts, or the repair of vehicles. adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. to the proposed site and have landscaping installed to satisfy the requirements of this section only, 50% of the required plant materials shall be required.

9.8.3. Landscaping within Vehicular Use Areas

A. Applicability

1. DevelopmentClosed Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land. with vehicular use areas exceeding 3,000 square feet (including accessory drives and aisles but excluding areas under canopies and within structured parking) shall provide and maintain landscaped areas based upon the surfaced vehicular use area.

B. Standards

1. General

a. Areas used for landscaping shall be provided in the amount equivalent to at least 15% of the vehicular use area, and shall be used for planting trees and shrubs according to the standards below.

b. Minimum curb radii of three feet shall be required on the corners of all tree islands and medians to allow for free movement of motor vehiclesClosed All motorized vehicles as defined by the State of North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motorcycles. This definition shall not include “Heavy Equipment” as defined elsewhere. around planting materials. All islands or medians shall have raised edging or other devices (such as wheel stops) around them to protect plants from being damaged by motor vehiclesClosed All motorized vehicles as defined by the State of North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motorcycles. This definition shall not include “Heavy Equipment” as defined elsewhere..

2. Trees

a. Tree planting areas shall be located such that no portion of a parking spaceClosed A designated off-street area designed to accommodate the parking of one vehicle. is farther than 50 feet from a canopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather. tree trunk.

b. Trees shall be planted at a rate of one two-inch caliperClosed The diameter of plant material, measured at six inches above grade for calipers of up to four inches, and 12 inches above grade for larger calipers. canopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather. tree per 2,000 square feet of vehicular use area.

c. Landscaped areas surrounded by impervious surfacesClosed A surface composed of any material that impedes or prevents natural infiltration of water into the soil and qualifies as “built-upon area” as defined by NCGS 143-214.7, as amended. shall have a minimum width of 10 feet when they include canopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather. or understory trees, and shall contain at least 200 square feet of growing area per tree, unless a larger growing area per tree is specified in the Landscape Manual.

3. Shrubs

One shrub shall be required per 250 square feet of vehicular use area.

C. Maintenance

All canopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather. trees located within vehicular use areas shall be limbed up to a height of six feet to allow for clear views under them.

9.8.4. Vehicular Use Area Landscaping in the SRP-C District (County Only), CI District and Design Districts

A. Applicability

1. This section applies to any vehicular use area located in the SRP-C District (County Only), CI District and Design Districts that is not located within a parking structureClosed A walled or roofed constructed object that is principally above ground; vertical projections meeting the definition of antenna-supporting or wireless support structures; or, when used in reference to Sec. 8.4, Floodplain and Flood Damage Protection Standards, a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above ground. Included in this definition are extensions or additions which are covered by a roof supported by walls or columns, such as but not limited to porte cocheres, carports, covered or screened porches, and breezeways., including parking lotsClosed An area of land where vehicles are kept on a daily, overnight, or temporary basis; not to include the storage of wrecked or abandoned vehicles, vehicle parts, or the repair of vehicles. where no building permitClosed A permit issued by the Inspections Department in conformance with the State Building Code. is required.

2. In Design Districts, loading areasClosed A space used to transfer goods and material between vehicles and a building or lot. shall be exempt from VUA requirements.

B. Standards

1. General
a. Vehicular Use Area Perimeter Landscaping

(1) A landscaped area equal to six square feet for each linear foot of street frontageClosed The boundary of a property adjacent to one side of a street. shall be provided adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. to and outside of the right-of-wayClosed A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, rail corridor, or public utility.;

(2) The area shall be provided along the entire street frontageClosed The boundary of a property adjacent to one side of a street., less drivewaysClosed A private roadway located on a parcel or lot used for vehicle access.; and

(3) The area shall have a minimum depth of three feet and a maximum depth of 10 feet.

b. Landscaping within Vehicular Use Areas

(1) Vehicular use areas completely internal to the blockClosed A usually rectangular space enclosed by right-of-way and occupied by or intended for buildings. and not adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. to a street shall be exempt from providing internal landscaping, except as stated in paragraph 9.8.4B.1.b(3) below.

(2) The provision of paragraph 9.8.4B.1.b(1) above shall not apply to projects in the SRP-C District (County Only), CI District and the CD District where the vehicular use area is greater than 10,000 square feet or 40 parking spacesClosed A designated off-street area designed to accommodate the parking of one vehicle., whichever is smaller, but shall instead meet the following standards:

(a) Such parking areas shall be required to meet the standards of paragraph 9.8.3, Landscaping within Vehicular UseClosed The purpose for which a building, structure, or area of land may be arranged or occupied or the activity conducted or proposed in a building, structure, or on an area of land. Areas.

(b) Such parking areas shall provide a pedestrian path at least four feet wide, unobstructed and clear of vehicleClosed All motorized vehicles as defined by the State of North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles, including but not limited to automobiles, trucks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and motorcycles. This definition shall not include “Heavy Equipment” as defined elsewhere. overhang, paved with unit pavers or a monolithic surface, and which shall connect the parking area to the sidewalk or buildingClosed As defined in the North Carolina Building Code, as amended, or the North Carolina Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings, as amended, as applicable..

(3) Surface parking areas with 65 feet of street frontageClosed The boundary of a property adjacent to one side of a street. or greater shall be required to meet the standards of paragraph 9.8.3, Landscaping within Vehicular UseClosed The purpose for which a building, structure, or area of land may be arranged or occupied or the activity conducted or proposed in a building, structure, or on an area of land. Areas.

2. Plant Materials

a. CanopyClosed A roof-like cover extending over an outdoor area for the purpose of sheltering individuals or equipment from the weather. trees shall be planted at a rate of one tree per 30 linear feet of vehicular use area street frontageClosed The boundary of a property adjacent to one side of a street.. Street trees may be used to meet this requirement.

b. Shrubs shall be required at a rate of one per four linear feet of required landscape area.

3. Amenities

StreetscapeClosed The appearance or view of an entire street or street network in general, including sidewalks, utilities, landscaping, street furniture, and the structures that make up the street wall. amenities in the Design districts may be located in the vehicular use area landscaping area, adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. to the street.