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Section 11.08

Specifications for Landscape Improvements and Plant Materials

Adopted July 27, 2026

1. Wall Standards. While walls are not necessarily encouraged, certain situations may be appropriate for provision of a wall. When provided, walls shall meet the following requirements: a. Walls shall be located on the lot line or within the required setback when it is desired to have plant material on both sides of the wall. b. Walls shall be continuous except for openings for pedestrian connections as approved by the Planning Commission. c. Walls shall be constructed of the primary building material of the principal structure as determined by the Planning Commission. d. The height of any wall shall be as determined by the Planning Commission based on the intended screening.
2. Berm Standards. While berms are not necessarily encouraged, they may be appropriate in certain situations. In instances where wider open spaces are available between uses, the Planning Commission may allow the substitution of a berm with additional landscaping in place of the wall requirement. Berms shall be constructed with horizontal and vertical undulations so as to represent a natural appearance with a crest area at least four (4) feet in width. Berms shall be planted with trees, shrubs or lawn to ensure that it remains stable. The exterior face of the berm shall be constructed as an earthen slope. The interior face of the berm may be constructed as an earthen slope or retained by means of a wall, terrace or other similar method. The maximum slope of the berm shall not exceed one (1) foot of vertical rise to three (3) feet of horizontal distance.
3. Plant Material. All plant material shall be hardy to the Village of Mayville, be free of disease and insects and conform to the American Standard for Nursery Stock of the American Nurserymen. Landscaped areas shall include only living plant materials and planting beds, no pebbles or stones are permitted. a. Minimum Sizes and Spacing. The minimum plant sizes and spacing shall be provided in accordance with the following: 1) Wherever screening is required, screening shall consist of closely spaced evergreen plantings which can be reasonably expected to form a complete visual barrier. Deciduous plant material may be used for variety to supplement evergreen plantings.

Minimum Sizes and Spacing Type of Plant Material Minimum Plant Sizes Spacing Requirements Deciduous canopy trees 2½ in. caliper 25 ft. on-center Ornamental trees 2 in. caliper 6 ft. height (clump form) 15 ft. on-center Evergreen trees 8 ft. height 15 ft. on-center Narrow evergreen trees 4 ft. height 12 ft. on-center Deciduous shrubs 3 ft. height 4 ft.-6 ft. on-center Upright evergreen shrubs 3 ft. height 3 ft.-4 ft. on-center

Spreading evergreen shrubs 18 in.-24 in. spread 6 ft. on-center

b. Mixing of Species. The overall landscape plan shall not contain more than thirty- three percent (33%) of any one plant species. The use of native species and mixture of trees from the same species association is strongly encouraged. c. Trees Not Permitted. The following trees are not permitted as they split easily, their wood is brittle, their roots clog drains and sewers, and they are unusually susceptible to disease or insects. The Planning Commission may however allow trees from this list when associated with an appropriate ecosystem. Trees not permitted are as follows: Box Elder, Elms, Tree of Heaven, Willows, Soft Maples (silver), Poplars, Horse Chestnut (nut bearing), Ash, Ginkgo (female), Cottonwood, Mulberry, Black Locust, Honey Locust (with thorns). d. Planting Beds. Bark used as mulch shall be maintained at minimum of two (2) inches deep. Planting beds shall be edged with plastic, metal, brick or stone in residential districts and metal edging in all other zoning districts. e. Topsoil. Topsoil shall consist of a 4" base for lawn areas and an 8"-12" base within planting beds. f. Proximity to Utilities. Plant material shall not be located in a manner that will interfere with or cause damage to underground utility lines, public roads or other public facilities. g. Lawn Grasses. Lawn grasses shall be planted in species normally grown as permanent lawns in Tuscola County. Grasses may be plugged, sprigged, seeded or sodded except that rolled sod, erosion reducing net or suitable mulch shall be used in swales or other areas susceptible to erosion and shall be staked where necessary for stabilization. When complete sodding or seeding is not used, nurse grass seed shall be sown and mulched for immediate protection until permanent coverage is achieved. Grass sod and seed shall be free of weeds and noxious pests or disease.