1.

Applicability. Buffers must be provided as required in Table 10-1 and as described in this Section. Buffers are the responsibility of the developing land use. A Landscaping Plan must be provided in accordance with §10.05. Buffer requirements are based on the developing land use and the existing, abutting use.

2.

Required yards, where corresponding with the buffer area, may overlap and may be counted toward buffer width requirements.

3.

Buffer requirements may be modified by the approving authority as follows:

a)

When the proposed use will abut an existing, nonconforming use on a property that is designated for another use in the Comprehensive Plan and is zoned accordingly, the buffer may be modified to be consistent with the planned use of the neighboring property.

b)

If the land use relationship between two abutting lots changes so that a lesser buffer would be required, the previously provided buffer may be reduced.

c)

Whenever the proposed use abuts vacant land, buffer requirements are based on the zoning of the abutting property or the use projected by the Comprehensive Plan, whichever requires a lesser buffer.

d)

Buffers may not be used for parking, recreational use or any other purpose, except as provided herein. The approving authority may permit a walkway through a buffer where appropriate. Public utilities and storm drainage facilities may be constructed in a buffer, so long as the buffer otherwise complies with this Section.

4.

Design Standards.

a)

Prior to occupancy of the premises, the buffer must provide a visually impervious barrier, from the ground to five ft above grade level throughout the length of the buffer. Within one year after installation, the buffer must be at least six ft above grade throughout the length of the buffer.

b)

Required plantings must be evergreen and may be supplemented with other plant materials.

c)

The buffer width may be reduced as provided in Table 10-1 when a fence is provided that is five to seven ft tall and that meets the requirements in §10.04.

(Ord. No. 12-2017-05, § 10.01, 12-18-2017)

Screening provides visual separation of certain site elements from public areas and adjoining properties.

1.

Applicability. For all multifamily, nonresidential and mixed use developments, the following require screening:

a)

Garbage collection, recycling and refuse handling areas

b)

Maintenance areas or utility structures associated with a building or development

c)

Utility meters and air conditioners/mechanical units

d)

Outside runs for veterinary clinics, animal shelters, and kennels

e)

Outdoor storage of materials, stock, equipment, and vehicles (such as those stored for repair), not including retail display

f)

Any other uses for which screening may be required by the reviewing authority

2.

Design Requirements. Screening must comply with the following and as approved by the reviewing authority:

a)

Location of the site element should be the first consideration in providing required screening. The reviewing authority may lessen screening requirements when the location of the site element obscures it from public view and from neighboring properties.

b)

Screening may not impede any drainage way or block access to any above-ground, pad-mounted transformer. The utility company may require a minimum clear distance.

c)

The method of screening, including height and materials, must sufficiently screen the site element from view. The minimum height needed is preferred.

d)

Multiple site elements may be screened together.

e)

Site elements that produce objectionable noise or odors must be located to minimize any nuisance to the public and abutting properties.

f)

Shrubs must be evergreen and spaced no more than five feet on center. If used in combination with a fence, shrubs may be deciduous and may be spaced no more than eight ft on center.

g)

Trees must be evergreen and, in the absence of a fence, must be supplemented with shrubs to create a continuous, opaque screen.

3.

Requirements for specific uses.

a)

Refuse and recycling containers may not be located forward of the front building line. These containers must be screened on three sides with an opaque gate(s) for access. The fence must be at least two ft taller than the container.

b)

Outdoor storage must be screened to a height of two ft taller than the material or equipment to be screened.

c)

Service areas, work yards, and similar uses should be located to minimize their visibility to the public and to any abutting properties to which such functions would be objectionable. Where location on site is insufficient to screen the element, required screening must be at least six ft in height.

(Ord. No. 12-2017-05, § 10.02, 12-18-2017)

1.

Applicability. These regulations apply to vehicular areas on a nonresidential, multifamily or mixed-use development used for off-street parking and loading; vehicular storage, display, maneuvering and washing; and the dispensing of motor fuels. If the size of an existing vehicular area is increased by more than 20% or by 10 or more spaces, the new vehicular area must comply with this Section.

2.

Requirements.

a)

Required trees must be a species that reaches a mature height of at least 20 ft.

b)

Each vehicular area must have interior landscaping covering at least five percent of the total vehicular area.

c)

Where the vehicular area abuts a side or rear lot line, a landscaping strip of five ft or greater in width must be provided and planted with evergreen shrubs and one tree per 50 ft of lot line. Where this overlaps or conflicts with other landscaping requirements, the greater requirement governs.

Driveway connections between adjacent businesses and other compatible uses are encouraged and are subtracted from perimeter landscaping requirements.

d)

Street Frontage Landscaping.

1)

A landscaped strip at least 10 ft wide must be located between any vehicular area and an adjoining street.

2)

Shrubs must be evergreen and spaced no more than five ft on center.

3)

At least one tree per 50 If of street frontage must be planted.

4)

When a fence, meeting the requirements of §10.04 and that is between 2.5 to 3.5 ft tall, is provided, the landscaping strip may be reduced to five ft and no shrubs will be required.

(Ord. No. 12-2017-05, § 10.03, 12-18-2017)

Fences used to meet the landscaping requirements of this Article 10 are subject to the following:

1.

Fences must be masonry, durable wood, or a combination thereof. Untreated wood, chain-link, plastic or wire fencing cannot be used to meet landscaping requirements. No more than 25% of the fence surface may be left open. The finished side of the fence must face abutting property or public views.

2.

Shrubs and trees must be planted on the exterior side of the fence.

3.

If a fence extends more than 100 ft in one direction, it must have columns of wood or masonry, which project outward from the fence surface and spaced no greater than 50 ft on center.

(Ord. No. 12-2017-05, § 10.04, 12-18-2017)

A Landscaping Plan must be submitted with development applications involving required buffers, screening or landscaping. The plan must be drawn to a scale no larger than one inch equals 50 ft and contain the information listed in Appendix A-4.

(Ord. No. 12-2017-05, § 10.05, 12-18-2017)

Planting requirements may be modified in any of the following circumstances, as determined by the approving authority:

1.

Existing natural vegetation, which meets, in whole or in part, landscaping requirements, may be counted. However, additional planting may be required to fully achieve the requirement.

2.

Where impending development of adjacent property would make these standards unreasonable or impractical.

3.

Where the view from adjoining properties is blocked by a change in grade or other natural or man-made features.

4.

Where planting will not thrive due to poor soil conditions, intense shade or similar conditions that cannot be reasonably overcome.

(Ord. No. 12-2017-05, § 10.06, 12-18-2017)

1.

All required fences must be permanently maintained in good condition and replaced or repaired as needed. Plant material must be tended and maintained in a healthy growing condition, replaced when dead and kept free of weeds, refuse and debris.

2.

Drought-tolerant, native species are recommended; otherwise, an automatic irrigation system may be required.

(Ord. No. 12-2017-05, § 10.07, 12-18-2017)