Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
4 <br /> 3 <br /> PROPOSED AMENDMENT <br /> DOCUMENT: Zoning Ordinance, Article 12 (Revised 8/28/95) <br /> Subdivision Regulations, Section IV-B-8 <br /> REFERENCES: LANDSCAPE AND BUFFER REQUIREMENTS <br /> Article 12 .3 Plan Review and Approval <br /> Section IV-B-8-b Landscape Plan Review and <br /> Approval <br /> ORIGIN OF AMENDMENT: X Staff Planning Board <br /> BOCC Public <br /> Other: <br /> PUBLIC BEARING DATE: August 28, 1995 <br /> Purpose of Amendment: <br /> To add language to the landscape and buffer requirements <br /> in the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations to <br /> specify that the amount of a financial guarantee for <br /> required landscaping shall include the cost to purchase <br /> plant materials as well as labor costs for installation. <br /> Impacts/ Issues: <br /> Applicants for subdivision and site plan approval often <br /> choose to delay planting required landscaping until the <br /> appropriate season when conditions are suitable. To <br /> record a subdivision plat or obtain a building permit, <br /> the planting must be guaranteed for twelve months with <br /> an approved letter of credit, escrow agreement, or <br /> performance bond. <br /> The amount of the guarantee is based on an estimate <br /> prepared by a nursery operator, landscape contractor, <br /> landscape architect, or other individual qualified to <br /> calculate the cost to complete the required improvements <br /> based on the approved landscape plan. In most cases, <br /> the applicant proposes to install the landscaping <br /> without hiring a contractor to do the work. <br /> The difference in cost between an owner-installed job <br /> and the services of a contractor is approximately 2.5 to <br /> 3 times the wholesale plant price. For example, a 5-6- <br /> foot red maple tree may have a wholesale price of $20. <br /> A contractor may charge $50 to $60 to pick up the tree <br /> at the nursery, deliver- it to the site, plant it, water <br /> it, provide mulch, pruning, and other maintenance as <br /> necessary. Usually, the contractor's price includes a <br /> guarantee to replace the tree during a specific time <br /> period, generally one year or until the tree is <br /> established. <br /> In the event the County had to obtain funds guaranteed <br />