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ORDINANCE N0. 3 0 3 1
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, REPEALING CHAPTER 11.16 OF
AUBURN CITY ORDINANCE N0. 1702, AND CREATING A NEW SECTION THEREOF
TO BE KNOWN AS CHAPTER 11.16.280 AND REFERRED TO AS THE "MINIMUM
LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE OF THE CTTY OF AUBURN".
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Auburn City Ordinance No. 1702, Chapter 11.16, is herewith
repealed in its entirety.
Sectjon 2. There is hereby created a new Section under Chapter 11.16 af
the Codified Ordinances of the City of Auburn; said Section ta be known as 11.16.280
and hereinafter referred to as the "Minimum Landscape Ordinance of the City of
Auburn",and shall read as follows:
CHAPTER 11.16.280
Minimum Landscape Requirements
I. Introduction:
Landscaping, in urban and industrial areas provides an opportunity for a
balanced and harmonious environment for both the local citizens of a com-
munity as well as the resident wildlife species of an area. Man has the
ability to shape and mold his environment to meet his needs, but often
foregoes the needs of other species sharing his environment.
Wildlife, one of nature's greatest indicators of a quality environment,
has decreased in urban areas to the point where they are almost non-existent.
Many species of wildlife cannot be maintained under conditions of urbani-
zation even with intensive management. Fortunately, a great number of
species are compatible with urbanization if consideration is given to pro-
viding their basic needs food, water and cover.
The most typical wildlife species that can be attracted to urbanized areas,
whether residential or industrial, are songbirds. The secret is landscaping:
Proper selection and arrangement of landscaping can emphasize the buildings
they surround, be pleasing to the eye and still be useful to the birds with
surprising rates of success.
By providing a diversity of trees, shrubs, and grasses, one can increase the
chances of providing a balanced habitat for a greater variety of wildlife,
while at the same time provide an aesthetic, pleasing, visual environment
in the urbanized areas for man.
A large variety of trees and shrubs are available to meet the needs of well
balanced landscape plans. It is recommended that 50% of all landscape plans
be comprised of trees and shrubs indigenous to the Pacific Northwest.
11-10-75
Page One
II. Purpose:
1. To provide an opportunity for the development of a pleasing visual en-
vironment in the commercial and industrial district of this City from
the viewpoint of the local resident and the visitor passing through the
City.
2. To insure the preservation of land-values in the industrial and commercial
districts and also the adjoining residential and/or unrelated zoned pro-
perty.
3. To encourage the preservation of existing topographic patterns that
contribute to the beauty and utility of a development.
4. To provide not only for the health, safety and general welfare of the
citizens and minimizations of discordant and unsightly surroundings,
but also for the beauty and balance of the City, and as such are the
property and necessary concerns of local government.
5. To provide adequate control over the application of landscaping stan-
dards so the above objectives are accomplished in the most effective manner.
6. To break up visual blight created by large expanses of barren asphalt
which makes up a typical parking lot.
III. General and Minimum Site Screening Requirements:
The following general and minimum site screening standards will be required
in all districts where landscaping is mandatory:
1. Landscaped areas shall include liberal use of evergreen or deciduous
trees and shrubs, perennial or annual flowers, gravel, river rock,
driftwood, rockeries, lawn or a combination of such materials. Fifty
percent (50%) of all landscaped areas will be required to include trees
and shrubs native to the Pacific Northwest area. The remaining fifty
percent (50%) may include those trees and shrubs at the discretion of
the property owner.
Trees and shrubs native to this area that should be considered in 50%
of the landscaped area include the following: *
TREES SHRUBS
Birch (White Azalea
Cedar Blueberry
Cherry (Flowering) Firethorn
Douglas Fir Heather
Dogwood Huckleberry
Hemlock Laurel
Liquid Amber Mugho Pine
Madrone Oregon Grape
Maple (Vine) Rhododendron
Oak (Red) Sumac
Pine
Plum (Flowering)
Spruce
*See Chapter 8.15, Sections 8.15.010 to 8.15.070 - Auburn City Code.
Street Tree Ordinance of the City of Auburn. (Ordinance No. 1356,
Section 1, 1959).
11-10-75
Page Two
2. A plot plan drawn to scale shall be submitted to the Planning Director
showing the size of the property, location of buildings, driveways,
loading docks, outside storage areas, size, type of plantings,and loca-
tion of landscaping areas.
3. No artificial lawn or shrubbery will be permitted in landscaped areas.
4. Where commercial, industrial, or conditional use permit developments
face or adjoin the front, side, or rear yard of residential areas, the
proposed developments shall observe and respect the established character
of those established residences and will be required to provide compatible
site development and landscaping.
The boundary shall be screened by one of the following methods:
a. Screen type shrubs planted and sized to provide a solid screen to a
minimum height of six (6) feet within three (3) years after planting.
b. Screen type fencing a minimum of six (6) feet in height and shall
include the planting of screen type shrubs a minimum of six (6) feet
in height and spaced a maximum of ten (10) feet on center.
5. Motels and Motor Hotels sha11 provide and maintain a solid planting of
evergreen trees and shrubs a minimum depth of five (5) feet on any boun-
daries adjoining residential districts.
6. Where the primary building is so situated on the property and not
separated from a public street by a parking lot, the area between said
building and the public street shall be landscaped and maintained in
accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The landscaping area
shall be a minimum of 10 percent of the total area between the building
and the public street but not less than 5 feet in width running the full
length of the building.
7. Where required, a minimum of five (5) foot wide planting area along the
entire street f rontages wi11 be mandatory except for driveways and
pedestrian walks within the property.
8. Where landscaping areas are required along street frontages, no shrubs
shall be higher than thirty-six (36) inches and no tree shall have branches
or foilage below five (5) feet or placed within twenty (20) feet of the
corner of a driveway, alley, or street intersection.
9. Each individual landscape area one hundred (100) sq. ft. or less, shall
include at least one (1) tree a minimum of six (6) feet in height. Where
more than one tree is required for an individual landscaping area in ex-
cess of 100 sq. ft. the number of trees may be dispersed throughout the
area or clustered together.
10. Where a fire hydrant is located, shrubs eighteen (18) inches in height
or less must be placed a minimum of five (5) feet away from said hydrant.
Shrubs or trees larger than eighteen (18) inches in height must be placed
a minimum of twenty (20) feet away from a hydrant.
IV. Parking Lots:
Parking areas shall include landscaping as a part of their design and shall
include tree and shrub plantings within the parking area.
1. Where the primary building is so situated on the property and separated
from a public street by a parking lot, a minimum of ten (10) percent of
11-10-75
Page Three
the parking area shall be landscaped and maintained in accordance
with the provisions of this chapter but shall not be less than
the following:
a. A five (5) foot wide planting area along the entire street
frontage except for driveways.
b. No parking stall shall be located more than fifty (50) feet
frvm a landscaped area.
c. Interior parking lot landscaping will be left to the discretion
of the Planning Director according to the size and location of
the parking lot. In no case shall a parking stall be located
more than fifty (50) feet from a landscaped area.
d. Parking lots adjacent to residential districts will be required
tq provide the minimum site screening by one of the following
methods:
1. Screen type shrubs planted and sized to provide a solid
screen to a minimum height of six (6) feet within three
(3) years after planting.
2. Screen type fencing a minimum of six (6) feet in height
and shall include the planting of screen type shrubs a
minimum of six (6) feet in height and spaced a maximum
of ten (10) feet on center.
e. Landscaping shall be proportionately distributed throughout the
parking area in a manner which best fulfills the objectives of
this chapter.
V. Site Screening - Storage Yards, etc:
Outdoor storage yards, garbage storage yards,-loading docks and permanent
equipment storage areas that are visible from a public street or adjacent
to residential "R" Classified property shall be screened by the planting
of evergreen trees, shrubs or screen fencing or a combination of both and
shall conform to one of the following standards:
1. Screen type shrubs planted and sized to provide a solid screen to a
minimum height of six (6) feet within three (3) years after planting.
2. Screen type fencing a minimum of six (6) feet in height and shall include
the planting of screen type shrubs a minimum of six (6) feet in height
and spaced a maximum of ten (10) feet on center.
VI. Maintenance:
1. All landscaping and screening areas shall be maintained in a healthy,
growing condition. Broken, dead or dying trees, shrubs or plants shall
be replaced immediately. All landscaping and screening areas shall be
maintained reasonably free of weeds and trash.
2. Sprinkling systems for watering landscaped areas will be encouraged.
3. Any trees, shrubs or plants which are susceptible to injury by
pedestrian or motor traffic, should be protected by appropriate curbs,
tree guards or other protective devices.
11-10-75
Page Four
VII. Industrial Zones:
A significant portion, not less than two (2) percent of the land involved,
be designated and commerce-industry managed fior the life of the project
to produce wildlife habitat for species best suited to site, conditions,
and location. This condition does not preclude or limit the intent or
provisions of this chapter.
VIII. Exception:
Where landscaped areas are required under a marquee projection over public
property, the required trees may be eliminated.
IX. A eals:
Whenever landscaping is required, the Planning Director may approve said
plans if they comply with the requirements of the City of Auburn Landscaping
and Screening Plan existing at the time of application and submission of
plans. Appeals to the requirements of City or the interpretation of the
Planning Director shall be made in writing to the Planning, Beautification
and Building Codes Committee of the City Council.
Section 3. This Ordinance shall take effect and be in force five (5)
days from and after its passage, approval and publication, as provided by law.
INTRODUCED: NOVEMBER 17, 1975
PASSED: NOVEMBER 17, 1975
APPROVED: NOVEMBER 17, 1975
`
MAYOR
EST:
4ty erk
APP,ROVED AS TO FORM:
1 ~
\ R.'~ ly+~'46
~ City Attorney
i
PUBLISHED: NOVEMBER 20, 1975
11-10-75
Page Five & last
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5TATE OF WASHINGTON )
) ss.
COUNTY OF KING )
I, Dawn L. Hodson, the duly appointed, qualified and acting City C1erk of
the City of Auburn, a Municipal Corporation and Code City, situate in the County
of King, 5tate of Washington, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a fu11,
true and correct copy of Ordinance No. 3031 of the ordinances of the City of
Auburn, entitled "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, REPEALING CHAPTER
11.16 OF AUBURN CITY ORDINANCE NO. 1702, AND CREATING A NEW SECTION THEREOF TO BE
KNOWN A5 CHAPTER 11.16.280 AND REFERRED TO AS THE "MINIMUM LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY OF AUBURN". "
I fur_ther certify that said Ordinance No. 3031 was duly passed by the
Council and approved by the Mayor of the said City of Auburn and published as
provided by law in the Auburn Globe-News, a weekly newspaper published in the
City of Auburn, and of general cirauZation therein, on the 20th day of
November , A.D., 19 75.
WITNE5S my hand and the official seal of the City of Auburn, this 21st
day of November , A.D., 1975 .
D
CITY CLER OF THE CITY OF AUBURN