A.

Residential districts.

(1)

In any R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-8 District, a landscape screen and/or fence or wall a minimum of six feet in height shall be planted and/or erected to separate any permitted nonresidential use from any existing residential use on a contiguous lot. Such landscape screen and/or fence or wall may extend into the lot setback, side yard and rear yard.

(2)

In any R-3 or R-8 District, for any lot developed for garden apartments or townhouses, a landscape screen and/or fence or wall a minimum of six feet in height shall be planted or erected to separate any contiguous lot developed as a single-family detached or semi-detached residential dwelling on any contiguous lot zoned R-1 or R-2. Such landscape screen and/or fence or wall may extend into the lot setback, side yard and rear yard.

(3)

Buffers along arterial streets. Where development proposals front on an arterial street, a landscape buffer shall be required along the arterial road frontage. These buffer areas shall be a minimum of 30 feet in depth, measured from the right-of-way line of the arterial street, and shall, at the time of development of the property, be planted with a variety of trees, shrubs and ground cover so as to create a distinctive and consistent visual character of the arterial street. The landscape design and planting plan for these arterial street buffer areas shall be subject to the approval of the Planning Commission or City Council as an integral part of the site development plan. When it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Commission or City Council through the plan review process that, due to specific constraints related to existing lot size, lot configuration or the orientation of existing buildings on adjoining properties, compliance with this section would severely limit the development potential of the property or would cause the property to be out of character with the surrounding built environment, the Commission or City Council may approve a lesser amount of buffering, provided that the basic objective of establishing landscaped green space along arterial roadways is achieved.

B.

Commercial districts. In any C-1, OB-1, OC-1, C-2 or C-3 District, a fifteen-foot visual and sound buffer area shall be provided on non-residential use properties (other than agricultural uses) when abutting a residential use. Screening shall consist of an opaque barrier at least six feet in height accompanied by landscaping.

(1)

Opaque barrier options. The requirement for the opaque barrier may be met by choosing one of the following:

(a)

An opaque wooden fence.

(b)

A wall constructed of masonry materials, either stucco, brick, split-faced block, or decorative concrete.

(c)

An earthen berm (4:1 maximum side slopes).

(d)

Dense, durable and continuous evergreen tree planted screen of at least six feet in height at the time of planting and arranged to effectively achieve an opaque visual buffer.

(e)

Any combination of fencing, landscaping and/or berming that achieves a six-foot-high opaque barrier.

C.

Institutional, Industrial and Business Park Districts: H-1, IM, IS, I-1, I-2, and BP.

(1)

Each use established in these districts shall set aside at least 20 feet in width immediately adjacent to any street upon which the lot has frontage, and extending for the full frontage of the lot, for purposes of providing for proper site distance and buffering from the public road. Within such area, the owner shall establish and maintain a planting of grass and/or horticultural ground cover. Other landscape materials may be incorporated, provided that there is no obstruction to vision, other than a tree trunk, in the area between two feet and seven feet above ground level.

(2)

Each use established in these districts shall provide a 50-foot visual and sound buffer area on non-residential use properties (other than agricultural uses) when abutting a residential use. Screening shall consist of an opaque barrier at least six feet in height accompanied by landscaping.

(a)

Opaque barrier options. The requirement for the opaque barrier may be met by choosing one of the following:

[1]

An opaque wooden fence.

[2]

A wall constructed of masonry materials, either stucco, brick, split-faced block, or decorative concrete.

[3]

An earthen berm (4:1 maximum side slopes).

[4]

Dense, durable and continuous evergreen tree planted screen of at least six feet in height at the time of planting and arranged to effectively achieve an opaque visual buffer.

[5]

Any combination of fencing, landscaping and/or berming that achieves a six-foot-high opaque barrier.

[Ord. No. 2022-06, 1-24-2022]

It shall be the responsibility of the property owner of record or his delegated representative(s) to properly maintain and care for any landscape plan planted or erected.

[Ord. No. 2022-06, 1-24-2022]