The potential for negative visual impact on adjoining uses by assembly district uses is substantial. Therefore, buffers are required for the protection of adjoining land uses.

A natural or manmade planted buffer shall be maintained along the property boundary of any assembly district use which abuts a non-assembly district use according to the following schedule:

1.

Residential uses or districts: A buffer having a minimum horizontal dimension of 30 feet shall be provided, provided that if the owner prefers, a four foot high bermed buffer of 20 feet in depth is allowed;

2.

Business park and office park uses: A buffer having a minimum horizontal dimension of 20 feet shall be provided.

Buffers shall be permanently maintained as indicated on the approved site plan, subject to inspection by the City of Griffin, and consistent with any other property improvement. The dimension of the buffer shall not be in addition to any other landscaping requirements of this section.

As the purpose of the buffer is to visually screen and distance the uses of the assembly district from adjoining uses, one-half of all plant materials shall consist of one or more species that retain foliage throughout the year. Provision of opaque fencing, though desirable, shall not decrease the horizontal dimension of the required buffer.

Within the assembly district, those uses identified as permitted uses may utilize the buffer requirement in computing the overall percentage of landscaping required by the tree preservation and landscaping ordinance.