It is the intent and purpose of this article to establish minimum landscaping and buffering requirements for new development within the city. Two types of landscaping/buffering are described in this article: Transition buffers and dumpster screening.

(Ord. No. 2020-1, §§ 40-1—40-380, 2-11-2020)

Landscaping, screening and buffering, as required in this article, shall be provided for all new development, except that specifically exempted in section 40-153 of this article.

(Ord. No. 2020-1, §§ 40-1—40-380, 2-11-2020)

Improvements or repairs to existing development that do not result in an increase in floor area and changes in use that do not result in an increase in intensity shall be exempt from the regulations of this article.

(Ord. No. 2020-1, §§ 40-1—40-380, 2-11-2020)

(a)

Location of buffers. Transition buffers shall be located along those portions of a site that are along those portions of adjoining lots with a different zoning classification.

(b)

Responsibility for installing buffers. The developing property shall always be responsible for providing required buffers.

(Ord. No. 2020-1, §§ 40-1—40-380, 2-11-2020)

When a transition buffer is required by this Code, such transition buffer shall consist of a planting screen meeting the specifications herein. A landscaped berm or a fence screen meeting the specifications herein may be used in lieu of such planting screen if a variance for such substitution is granted by the zoning board of adjustment.

(a)

Planting screens. Planting screens shall consist of trees, bushes or shrubs of a variety and so planted and kept as to be achieved within 36 months after occupancy of the premises to be screened.

(1)

Such screen shall have a maximum height of six feet above grade at any particular point along its length.

(2)

Any two-foot square segment of a planting screen shall contain no more than 30 percent open space affording a direct horizontal view through such screen if such segment is over two feet above grade.

(b)

Landscaped berm. Adequate evidence shall be furnished demonstrating that the construction of such berm, along with any necessary culverts and ditching, will not create adverse drainage and flooding conditions on adjacent property.

(1)

Such berm shall be at least 30 feet in width at the base and at least four feet in height, as measured perpendicular to grade level at any point along its length. Side slopes shall have a gradient no steeper than three to one.

(2)

Side slopes of such berm shall be sodded or sealed so as to prevent erosion. The top of the berm shall contain a planting screen above except that the minimum height of such planting screen need be no more than three feet above the top of the berm at any particular point along its length. Construction and material of such berm shall be as approved by the zoning board of adjustment.

(c)

Fence screen. A fence screen shall six feet, in height above grade level, at any particular point along its length. Any two-foot square segment of such screen shall contain no more than 30 percent open space affording a direct horizontal view through such screen. Construction and material of such fence screen shall be as approved by the planning and zoning commission.

(Ord. No. 2020-1, §§ 40-1—40-380, 2-11-2020)

Landscape buffers shall be provided and maintained when certain land uses are adjacent to one another. This requirement is intended to help ease the land use transition between areas of varying development intensity and to ensure land use compatibility.

(a)

Determination transition buffer requirements. The following procedure shall be followed in determining if a transition buffer is required. Using the matrix in section 40-155, transition buffer requirements, of this article:

(1)

Identify the minimum zoning classification required to accommodate the proposed use. These classifications are listed under "Proposed Zoning" in the first column.

(2)

For transition buffer requirements, identify the actual zoning classification of the abutting sites. These classifications are listed under the heading "Adjacent Zoning."

(3)

Determine if a transition buffer is required by crossing the previously identified proposed zoning with the adjacent zoning. The letter "R" indicates that a transition buffer is required, otherwise, no transition buffer is required.

(b)

Transition buffer requirements.

(Ord. No. 2020-1, §§ 40-1—40-380, 2-11-2020)

Dumpsters for solid waste located in "C-1", "C-2", "C-3" "C-4" and "I-1" Districts shall be completely screened from view of roadways and adjacent sites by fences, walls or vegetative screens. The screen shall be designed to accommodate refuse hauling equipment and provide complete visual screening of the dumpster and be compatible in material and color with the principal structure on the lot.

(Ord. No. 2020-1, §§ 40-1—40-380, 2-11-2020)