January 1, 1993 City of Westminster Maryland Landscape Manual
Westminster, landscape, plants, environmentalism, Maryland,
Carroll County, trees
CITY OF WESTMINSTER MARYLAND LANDSCAPE MANUAL
MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL
W. Benjamin Brown, Mayor
Edward S. Calwell
Stephen R. Chapin, Sr.
William F. Haifley, Council President
Rebecca A. Orenstein
Kenneth A. Yowan
LANDSCAPE MANUAL COMMITTEE
Joseph Barley, Chairman
Susan Bare
Joan R. Hollinger
Neil Ridgely
Donna Baker
Christopher Batten
Donald E. Donovan
Thomas G. Ford
Thomas Hoff
Councilwoman Rebecca Orenstein
STAFF
Thomas B. Beyard
Director of Planning and Public Works
Katrina L. Tucker
Town Planner
John B. Walsh, Jr.
City Attorney
January 1, 1993
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction Page 1
I. Purpose Page 2
II. Definitions Page 3
III. Landscape Plans Page 9
IV. Existing Conditions
Plan Page 11
v. Landscape
Standards and Criteria Page 13
VI. Approval
Process Page 17
VII. Plan Preparation and Certification Page 20
Appendices
Appendix A
Appendix B
Appendix c
Appendix D
Appendix E
Appendix F
Existing Conditions Plan Checklist
Schematic Landscape Plan
Checklist Final Landscape Plan
Checklist Approved Trash Dumpster Screening
Tree Protection Screening Specifications
List of Recommended Trees for Westminster
Introduction
The Mayor and Common Council of Westminster adopted
Ordinance No. 553 which adds new sections to the Subdivision Ordinance of the
City of Westminster. Chapter 164 of these
sections provides for the adoption of a landscape manual for
the City to enhance
its environmental and visual character for its citizens' use and
enjoyment.
The Mayor and Common Council recognize that developers and
property owners will expend additional costs for landscaping required by this
landscape manual. However, it also recognizes the important value of this
highly regarded amenity. It further
finds that a landscape manual will preserve and stabilize the City’s ecological
balance, improve air and water quality, reduce flooding and erosion, and provide
protection from climatic conditions.
This manual has been adopted by The Mayor and Common Council
of Westminster pursuant to Ordinance No. 553 so that its purposes and
objectives can be achieved to the benefit of all of the City’s citizens.
It is intended that
this manual be used and implemented by landowners,
developers, contractors, civil
engineers, landscape architects, landscape contractors, urban foresters, natural resource
specialists and planners in obtaining appropriate approval from the
City in connection with development.
The landscape manual is supplementary to and does not
replace the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act as contained in Section
5-1601 of the Natural Resources Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
Purpose
The purpose of this Landscape Manual is to preserve, protect
and improve - the public health and general welfare by promoting the
environmental and public benefits of landscaping. This Landscape Manual provides for the use of
landscape elements in an organized manner designed to augment and enhance the
City's physical environment and visual character with resulting benefits to its
citizens.
In achieving this purpose, the City adopts the following
goals and objectives for landscape design:
(a) to
provide varying and attractive landscape elements including
deciduous and evergreen planting,
earthen berms planted with suitable vegetation and a variety of
harmonious shrubs, groundcovers, grasses and perennials.
(b) to preserve
and enhance natural vegetation to the
maximum extent feasible, to protect the natural ecosystem and achieve
aesthetically pleasing appearances.
(c) to require
new planting which is compatible
with the existing vegetation of
Westminster and its environs.
(d) to preserve
steep, erodible and wooded slopes and
provide suitable planting on artificially graded slopes.
(e) to design
streets and roads, streetscapes and grading to accommodate and respect the
natural terrain and vegetation.
(f) to utilize
landscape elements to stabilize soil and prevent erosion, sedimentation and reduce stormwater
run-off with its potential damage.
(g) to utilize
elements of landscape design in aiding the removal of pollutants from the air
and assist in the generation of oxygen.
(h) to provide a buffer
and screen against noise, pollution and dissimilar uses.
(i) to
provide a haven and shelter for birds
and other fauna.
(j) to
provide shade thereby reducing ambient
temperature, mitigating heat islands and providing protection from adverse
environmental conditions, including sun
glare, heat, noise and wind.
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