Street Services - MOWmentum Program Landscaping Guidelines

General Guidelines for Landscaping

In order to maintain landscape continuity, safety and visibility for the general public within areas containing traffic signs, pedestrian crossings, railroad crossings and school zones, the following guidelines pertain to all landscape projects within parks, open space and City-owned right-of-way.

1. Tree planting, both in the median, marginal divider and along the parkway, must have a minimum height of 8' from the top of curb line. Where extending beyond the curb, low branches should be no lower than 17 feet above the pavement. Shrub planting must not exceed 2 ½ feet in height above the top of the curb.
2. Tree plantings in pedestrian areas must provide adequate clearance for pedestrians so as not to create a safety hazard.
3. No tree planting within left turn lanes of medians or marginal dividers will be permitted.
4. Tree plantings should normally be located no closer than 50 feet from the tip of an end of a median, marginal divider or parkway. However, adequate sight distance must be provided.
5. Trees should not be located within 25 feet of any existing and/or proposed light standard, signal standard, regulatory or warning signs, or any other traffic control device.
6. Trees should not be planted within 3 feet from the back of curb line on medians and marginal dividers.
7. No tree planting within medians and marginal dividers measuring 6 feet or less in width will be permitted.
8. No tree planting will be allowed within 150 feet of a school crossing. Shrub planting not to exceed 1½ feet above the top of curb grade would be acceptable.
9. No planting should be allowed within 250 feet of a railroad crossing.
10. No planting shall be allowed to overhang on the curb on any median or parkway.
11. All planting should be 25 feet from the property line of the alley at alley intersections with streets.
12. Planting is not allowed if they occur in a visibility triangle and are between 2 ½ and 8 feet in height.
13. An adequate watering and drainage system must be provided as part of all landscape proposals, including proposals for drought tolerant plantings, which must be used when an irrigation system is not available.
14. An acceptable maintenance schedule must be provided and approved when landscape plans are submitted. The application of pesticides and/or herbicides will only be performed by an approved licensed professional.
15. Above grade planters and other permanent structures located in the public right-of-way require a license agreement as issued by the Development Services, Building Inspection Permits and Registrations; you may contact this office at (214) 948-4495.
16. Medians
    a.   Modify the MowMentum agreement to specify that the City owns the landscaping.
    b.   Under the MowMentum agreement, allow only relatively minor landscaping such as trees,
             shrubs and plants subject to the approval by the traffic engineer.
    c.   More permanent structures (e.g., monuments, lighting, irrigation), require licenses as
             currently required by Code. The City would not own these structures.
                  i.   Licenses will include existing indemnification and insurance requirements
                 ii.   Licenses will require a $750 application fee but no annual fee.
                 iii.   Proof of insurance must be submitted annually at the expiration date of the insurance.