§ 8-1009. Material and construction standards.

A.

Plant material standards. .....All plant materials shall be in a living, healthy condition and shall be in conformance with the applicable standards of the most recent edition of the "American Standard for Nursery Stock," published by the American Association of Nurserymen. It is recommended that indigenous plant materials be utilized in all cases except that alternative species may be used, upon certification from a licensed landscape architect that such species have rated hardiness and growth habit appropriate for the intended location on site.

B.

Berms and earthform standards. .....All berms and earthforms required or otherwise proposed for use shall conform to the following standards:

1.

The maximum side slope shall be three (3) horizontal feet to one (1) vertical foot (3:1) and appropriate erosion and sediment controls are to be utilized during construction.

2.

Berms and earthforms shall be designed with physical variations in height and alignment throughout their length.

3.

Plant materials shall be installed on berms or earthforms and shall be arranged in an irregular pattern to accentuate the physical variation and achieve a natural appearance.

4.

Berms and earthforms shall be located and designed to minimize the disturbance and adverse impact to existing trees located on the site or adjacent thereto.

C.

Tree protection standards. .....Development of land for different uses and intensity of uses may necessitate the removal of trees to accommodate roads, parking, buildings, and facilities. It is the express intent of this section that every effort is made through the design, layout, and construction of development projects to incorporate and preserve as many trees as possible.

1.

No person shall cut, destroy, move, or remove any living, disease-free tree of any species having a trunk with a diameter of eight (8) inches or larger, measured four and one-half (4½) feet from the base, in conjunction with any development of land governed by this ordinance unless and until such removal or destruction has been approved under the provisions of this article.

2.

No person shall cut or clear trees for the sole purpose of offering land for sale. Land may be cleared of underbrush ("bushhogged") in preparation for sale or development.

3.

If it is determined that trees of eight (8) inches or larger and/or vegetation has been removed without specific approval for such removal in accordance with this ordinance, the zoning administrator shall require the replacement of said trees or vegetation. At a minimum, replacement trees shall meet the specifications of section 8-1004 for large deciduous or evergreen trees.

4.

All trees which are to be preserved on-site shall be subject to the minimum standards of the most current Virginia Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook. (7-7-05; 4-21-16; 7-19-18.)