I can't help with a ground cover idea. But..my husband and I removed our lawn (approx. 1/2 acre.) Rather than using chemicals and waiting for the grass to die and dealing with straggler grass we used a sod cutter. It will be loud like a lawn mower - but only for a day. It went quickly. We rented the sod cutter, for about four hours, and cut deep enough to remove all roots. We rolled up the sod and had it removed via truck. It was completed within a day. We brought in fresh dirt and planted. Good luck!
