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THE PENINSULA NEIGHBORHOOD
LANDSCAPE STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
The memorable quality of Savannah, Paris and Old Philadelphia can be attributed as
much as to the organized patterns of trees as to the architecture and urban design.
Henry Arnold, Trees in Urban Design, Second Edition
“The right theory is that no theory is always right--that good sense and good taste
must dictate the socially appropriate solution for each special problem.….most
Americans tend to overlook formal style in designing small town gardens where
naturalism inevitably backfires.”
Marianna Schuyler Van Rensselaer.
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LANDSCAPE STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
THE PURPOSE OF THE LANDSCAPE STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
The purpose of these STANDARDS is to ensure coherent neighborhood STREETS and to assist property
owners with understanding the relationship between the STREET and their own FRONT YARDS. The
landscape within the Peninsula Neighborhood should complement the surrounding environment. The
preservation and use of native plants is strongly encouraged. The use of native trees and shrubs
maintains the natural habitat, supports local bird populations, conserves water and generally requires
less maintenance. Formal elements are recommended for development near and in relation to the
house; increasingly naturalistic schemes may then unfold toward the perimeter of the designed
landscape.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
1.
FRONT YARDS AND BACK YARDS
• FRONT YARDS are a part of the streetscape of the Peninsula Neighborhood. They are the
public "face" of every building, and the biggest factor in the appearance of the overall
neighborhood. Therefore, there are high standards for their configuration and
maintenance.
• BACK YARDS are the private realm of the owner, and are of concern to the larger
community only in cases of significant disturbance to neighbors.
• Maintenance will require more attention in the FRONT YARD as "semi-public" space
than in the private BACK YARD.
2.
THE STREETSCAPE
• STREET TREES are part of an overall streetscape plan designed to give special
character to each STREET and coherence to each neighborhood in the Peninsula.
MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR PRIVATE LOTS
1.
FRONT YARDS
• At least one (1) tree shall be planted within the FRONT YARD and no closer than four
(4) feet to a COMMON LOT LINE. Species shall be selected from the Peninsula
Neighborhood Master Plant List, Street Trees. For EDGE LOTS with a STREET
FRONTAGE greater than 50 feet, a tree from the Master Plant List, Street Trees, Large
Trees is required.
• At planting, such trees shall be at least 2" caliper (at knee height), and at least ten (10)
feet in overall height
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•
•
•
•
•
2.
Front yards, and any planting area directly fronting the lot within the street ROW,
shall be solidly sodded to within 12" of the front yard fence and common lot lines.
Groundcovers may be used in place of turf grass within the private lot.
Fences and/or Hedges are strongly encouraged along COMMON LOT LINES.
Hedges should be pruned so that the top is slightly narrower than the bottom, to
allow for proper sunlight and adequate growth.
Flowering vines and/or hedges (Min. height 18", max. 40") are encouraged along the
STREET FRONTAGE.
Invasive exotic species are not allowed.
BACK YARDS & BACK LOT LINES
•
Along COMMON LOT LINES (in the BACK YARD area), any PRIVACY FENCING made of
wire shall have a hardy species of hedge or climbing vine planted along it (installed
at no greater spacing than 24" on center).
• At least one (1) STREET TREE shall be planted in the BACK YARD area and not closer
than four (4) feet to any common property line (excepting as per table 5) or building
foundation. Such trees shall be at least 3" caliper (at knee height) and eight (8) feet
in overall height. Species shall be selected from the Master Plant List.
4.
MINIMUM TREE REQUIREMENTS, BY LOT SIZE
Lot Width
25 – 40’ wide
40’ to 59’ wide
> 60’ wide
BUILDING TYPE
FRONT YARD Trees
BACK YARD Trees
Bungalow/Rowhouse/
Town/LW
None
None
Various Types
House – Estate
Estate
Min. one (1) tree
Min. one (1) STREET TREE
Min. one (1) STREET TREE
per 34 linear feet of
Min. one (1) tree
Min. one (1) STREET TREE
Min. one (1) STREET TREE
(unless BACK YARD is
clearly heavily wooded
after construction).
STREET FRONTAGE
5. FENCE REQUIREMENTS, BY BUILDING PLACEMENT STANDARD TYPE
BUILDING TYPE
FRONT YARD FENCE
PRIVACY FENCES (along COMMON LOT LINES)
Small Apartment
Optional
Required
Rowhouse
Optional
Required
Bungalow
Required (1 ft off ROW)
Optional
Live Work
None
Required
Townhouse
Required (1 ft off ROW)
Required
Cottage
Required (1 ft off ROW)
Required
Pen. House
Required (1 ft off ROW)
Optional
Estate, Interior
Required (1 ft off ROW)
Optional
Estate, Edge
Required (1 ft off ROW)
Optional
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•
•
•
•
GENERAL NOTES
All plant material (including trees) shall conform to the standards of the American Association
of Nurserymen and shall have passed any inspections required under state regulations.
For special locations or lot configurations, the REGULATING PLAN may recommend or require
certain additional plantings.
Invasive exotic species found anywhere on the lot should be removed.
Hedges (between 18” and 40” high) or flowering vines are encouraged along the STREET
FRONTAGE.
TREES (STREET TREES, OTHER TREES, MASTER PLANT LIST)
• Canopy trees selected from the Master Plant List shall be planted and maintained in accordance
with the above chart. Trees in the FRONT YARD area shall be at least 2" caliper (at knee height),
and at least ten (10) feet in overall height
• Required FRONT YARD trees may be of a different variety than the specified STREET TREE.
• STREET TREEs shall be initially planted by the developer, consult the TOWN ARCHITECT for the
tree designated for each street.
• Additional trees are permitted in front and back yards.
TURF AND GROUNDCOVER (WHERE VISIBLE FROM THE STREET and along the ALLEY)
• All turf grass must be solidly sodded at installation, not seeded, sprigged, or plugged (consult
the TOWN ARCHITECT).
• Groundcovers may be used in place of turf grass.
• In addition to the Lot, the owner must maintain the following areas:
o The portion of the STREET between their lot line(s) and the back of the curb.
o The portion of the ALLEY or COMMON DRIVE between the lot line(s) and the edge of pavement.
SIDEWALKS
• The owner (builder) is responsible for constructing and maintaining the sidewalk in the
STREET(s) abutting their lot, including snow removal. Sidewalks in the ROW not otherwise
designated in the REGULATING PLAN are a minimum of five (5) feet wide. The construction of
the sidewalk must meet all City specifications.
• Owners may place pavers and/or stepping stone walks between the curb and the sidewalk and
sidewalk to porch/steps. Within the STREET the width shall not exceed 6 feet and shall not be
less than 8 feet from any STREET TREE.
STREET TREES
• The City will be responsible for maintaining STREET TREES within the Right of Way at a
designated point in time. Trees shall be limbed up to not interfere with pedestrian or auto travel
(minimum seven (9) feet clear over the sidewalk, and 13 feet over the travel lanes of the street).
CONSERVATION LINE
• EDGE LOTS generally extend deep in the wooded ravines and hillsides of the Peninsula site. A
Conservation Line has been established to guarantee the preservation of these natural areas and
slopes and to preserve the pristine views from the EDGE LOT houses. Land beyond the
Conservation Line shall not be built upon, driven on, re-graded or otherwise disturbed.
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THE PENINSULA NEIGHBORHOOD MASTER PLANT LIST
The Peninsula Neighborhood Master Plant List is provided to assist in the design of yards and
gardens that complement the surrounding landscape. The preservation and use of native plants
is strongly encouraged; certain plant species are prohibited due to their damaging effect on the
local environment. Native trees and shrubs can contribute to privacy, noise reduction, maintain
the natural habitat, encourage local bird populations, and protect water-quality, native species
require less maintenance. Xeriscaping practices are encouraged.
The following list contains all species approved for use in STREETS as well as yards. It contains
primarily Iowa native species, designated with a double asterisk (**). Some acceptable non-native
plants that have proven to be hardy to the region; these species are marked with a single asterisk
(*). However, invasive exotic species may not be used anywhere on lots or other areas within the
Peninsula Neighborhood.
Trees and plants are categorized by size and usage. Minimum size designations apply to plants to
be used in STREETS: trees shall be at least 3" caliper (at knee height), and at least ten (10) feet in
overall height at the time of planting.
STREET TREES
LARGE TREES (Mature Height above 75‘):
ƒ Acer nigrum** Black Maple
ƒ Acer rubrum* Red Maple
ƒ Acer saccharum** Sugar Maple
ƒ Carya ovata** Shagbark Hickory
ƒ Celtis occidentalis* Common Hackberry
ƒ Fraxinus americana**White Ash
ƒ Fraxinus pennsylvanica laceolata**Green Ash
ƒ Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo (male only)
ƒ Gymnocladus dioicus**Kentucky Coffeetree
ƒ Koelreutaria paniculataGolden Raintree
ƒ Liriodendron tulipifera* Tulip Poplar
ƒ Platanus occidentalis**Sycamore
ƒ Quercus alba** White Oak
ƒ Quercus bicolor** Swamp White Oak
ƒ Quercus borealis** Northern Red Oak
ƒ Quercus macrocarpa* Bur Oak
ƒ Quercus velutina** Black Oak
ƒ Quercus rubra** Red Oak
ƒ Taxodium distichum* Bald Cypress
ƒ Tilia tomentosa** Silver Linden
ƒUlmus americana**American Elm
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ƒ Tilia Americana** Basswood
ƒ Juglans nigra** Black Walnut
ƒCarya laciniosa** Shellbark Hickory
MEDIUM TREES (Mature Height between 50’ and 75’):
ƒ Aesculus octandra*Yellow Buckeye
ƒ Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam
ƒ Caltalpa species* Northern Catalpa
ƒ Fraxinus pennsylvanica**Green Ash
ƒ Gleditsia triacanthos**Thornless Honeylocust
ƒ Juglans cinerea** Butternut
ƒ Magnolia acuminata* Cucumbertree Magnolia
ƒ Nyssa sylvatica* Tupelo Black Gum
ƒ Quercus coccinea** Scarlet Oak
ƒ Quercus ellipsoidalis**Nothern Pin Oak
ƒ Populus grandidentata Michx**Big Tooth Aspen
ƒ Prunus serotina** Black Cherry
ƒ Zelkova serrata Japanese Zelkova
ƒ Prunus serotina** Black Cherry
ƒ Ulmus rubra** Slippery Elm
ƒ Cercis Canadensis** Eastern Redbud
ƒ Corylus colurna Turkish Filbert
ƒ Sophora japonica Scholar-tree
OTHER TREES (not for use as STREET TREES)
MEDIUM TREES (Mature Height between 35 and 50 feet):
ƒ Betula nigra** Riverbirch
ƒ Carpinus carolinus**Hornbeam or Bluebeech
ƒ Cladrastis lutea* Yellowwood
ƒ Diospros virginiana* Persimmon
ƒ Craegus mollis** Downy Hawthorn
ƒ Ostrya virginiana** Hophornbeam
ƒ Phellodendron Amurenses Amur Corktree
ƒ Populus tremuloides Michx**Quaking Aspen
ƒ Prunus virginiana “Shubert” Flowering Plum
ƒ Quercus imbrecaria**Shingle Oak
ƒ Quercus Oak marilandica**Blackjack
ƒ Quercus muchlenbergii**Chinkapin Oak
ƒ Rhus typhina** Staghorn Sumac
ƒ Sassafras albinum* Sassafras
ƒ Salix nigra** Black Willow
ƒ Morus rubru ** Black Mulberry (male only)
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SMALL TREES (Mature Height between 20 and 35 feet):
ƒ Acer ginnala Amur Maple
ƒ Amelanchier arborea**Downy Serviceberry
ƒ Amelanchier laevis**Allegany Serviceberry
ƒ Cornus alternifolia**Alternate Leaf Dogwood
ƒ Cornus drummondii**Roughleaf Dogwood
ƒ Cornus florida** Flowering Dogwood
ƒ Cornus mas** Cornelian Dogwood
ƒ Cornus racemosa** Dogwood
ƒ Cornus rugosa** Dogwood
ƒ Euonymus atropurpureus**Eastern Wahoo
ƒ Hamamelis virginiana**Witch Hazel
ƒ Prunus americana ** American plum
ƒ Rhus glabra ** Smooth Sumac
ƒ Syringa reticulata Japanese Tree Lilac
ƒ Viburnum lentago**Nannyberry viburnum
ƒ Zanthoxylum americanum**Common Pricklyash
ƒ Virburnum prunifolium * Blackhaw Virburnum
CONIFERS (Evergreen):
(not as Front Yard Trees unless kept trimmed to 3 feet or less in height.)
ƒ Pinus strobus** White Pine
ƒ Pinus sylvestris Scots Pine
ƒ Pinus resinosa* Red Pine
ƒ Pinus banksiana (divaricata)Jack Pine
ƒ Pinus mugo Mugo Pine
ƒ Picea abies Norway Spruce
ƒ Picea glauca* White Spruce
ƒ Picea pungens* Blue Spruce
ƒ Larix deciduas European Larch
ƒ Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas Fir
ƒ Abies balsamea** Balsam Fir
ƒ Abies concolor* White Fir
ƒ Juniperus virginiana** Eastern Redcedar
ƒ Thuja occidentalis* Northern White Cedar
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TREES NOT ALLOWED:
ƒ Tree of Heaven Ailanthus altissima
ƒ White Poplar Populus alba
ƒ Paper Birch Betula papyrifera
ƒ European Birch Betula pendula
ƒ Siberian Elm Ulmus pumila
ƒ White Mulberry Morus alba
ƒ Mountain Ash Sorbus americana
ƒ Silver Maple Acer saccharinum
ƒ Norway Maple Acer platanoides
ƒ Box Elder Acer negrundo
ƒ Eastern Cottonwood Populus deltoids
ƒ Ginkgo (female) Ginkgo biloba
ƒ Bradford Pear
SHRUBS NOT ALLOWED:
ƒ Autumn Olive Elaeagnus umbellata
ƒ Common Barberry Berberis vulgaris
ƒ Japanese Barberry Berberis thunbergii
ƒ Common Privet Liggustrum vulgare
ƒ Manhattan Euonymus Euonymus
This list will evolve over time. It represents the beginning of the evolution of the plant palette of the
Peninsula Neighborhood. Plants develop new diseases; plants are discovered and improved, they
become available commercially. And unfortunately, plants go in and out of fashion. For all of these
reasons, least of all the last, these lists should evolve to reflect the educated opinions of a group of
citizens that have developed criteria for analyzing these plants as landscape plans are submitted for
approval. Plants collected from the wild are prohibited. Only commercially grown or propagated plants
are allowed, with the exception of seeds.
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