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Lafayette City Zoning Code

§ 13-13G.9

Landscaping, Buffering and Lighting.

[Added 7-6-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-16]
a. 
Landscaping shall be provided including a generous supply of foundation plantings and ornamental trees for the residential rental apartment buildings.
1. 
A landscaping plan addressing the requirements of § 13-8B.5a2 and 3, and § 12-8.3 (Design and Architectural Standards and Considerations, and Design Standards) shall be submitted for Board review and approval, which shall identify all proposed landscaping for residential site development.
2. 
The landscaping plan shall identify supplemental, replacement and required buffer plantings in accordance with the requirements set forth below.
3. 
Driveways, internal roads and parking areas shall be suitably landscaped as may be necessary to minimize headlight glare impacts and screen the view of parked vehicles to residential uses off site and within the tract.
4. 
An open space area including an open play area not less than 75 feet by 100 feet shall be provided within the residential development.
5. 
A tot lot, benches and picnic tables shall be provided to serve apartment residents.
b. 
Buffers.
1. 
Perimeter Buffer. A minimum twenty-five-foot-wide landscaped buffer shall be maintained along all boundaries, which shall not be occupied by any site improvements, including buildings, driveways, parking, etc., however a pedestrian walking path circulating around the perimeter of the site shall be permitted within or adjacent to the landscaped buffer, and stormwater management grading may be permitted within the landscaped buffer to the extent deemed necessary by the Board.
2. 
Frontage Buffer. A minimum twenty-foot landscaped buffer shall be maintained along Route 15, which shall include landscaping and fencing referenced in § 13-13G.5 above, except that trees planted shall attain a height of not less than 20 feet within four years of planting.
3. 
Hedgerows, tree lines, forested areas. Efforts shall be made to maintain existing significant stands of trees and common hedgerows along property lines and the public right-of-way. The objective is to minimally impact adjacent land uses and roadside features by maintaining existing vegetation to the extent achievable and practicable.
4. 
Supplemental buffering and landscaping. When found necessary and desirable by the Planning Board, supplemental buffering and landscaping may be required to enhance visual screening of various elements of the development when viewed from off-tract.
5. 
Landscaped buffer easements shall be designated over all required buffers, which shall be protected and maintained in perpetuity. Landscaping lost to damage, pests, disease, die-off, removal or another cause shall be promptly replaced as per site plan approval.
c. 
Lighting. Adequate artificial lighting shall be provided in parking areas and along sidewalks, walkways and internal roads and driveways.
1. 
The source of lighting shall be directed downward, away from buildings and adjoining streets and property lines so as to prevent light pollution and light trespass as these terms are defined at § 13-5.
2. 
Lighting fixtures shall be so arranged that the direct source of light is not visible from any adjacent property.
3. 
Lighting fixture specifications shall indicate that lighting used throughout the residential development portion of the tract shall emit light in the range of 2800°K — 3500° K.
4. 
Lighting fixtures used throughout the tract shall be thematically coordinated with similar styles and lighting sources.
5. 
All lighting shall be subject to an in-service lighting inspection by the Board Engineer. Where deemed necessary and appropriate by the Engineer to minimize off site glare, lighting fixtures shall be adjusted or fitted with shields to reduce glare and brightness.