Definitions. See Chapter 17.10 NCC, Definitions.

Purpose. To interrupt vision and diffuse the transmission of sound between nonresidential and residential agricultural uses and the "greening" of the city.

Buffering and Landscaping. Requirements are at locations where the side and/or rear property lines of a lot used for nonresidential purposes abuts a residential and/or residential agricultural zone or at locations otherwise required.

The following plants shall be approved for such purpose of buffering, but shall not be exclusive of other plants which may be suitable; provided, that they can form a hardy screen, dense enough and high enough both to interrupt vision and to diffuse the transmission of sound:

Said strip shall be planted and maintained in a healthy, growing condition by the property owner. No such buffer strip shall, however, extend nearer to a street right-of-way line than the established building setback line of the adjoining lot. The owner of said buffer area is also required to erect a permanent wall or fence of not less than six feet in height.

Except as provided above, the natural topography of the land shall be preserved. The natural growth shall not be disturbed beyond that which is necessary to prevent a nuisance, or to thin such natural growth where too dense for normal growth, or to remove diseased, misshapen, or dangerous and decayed timbers. However, a slope easement may be cleared and graded where required to prevent soil erosion; provided, such easement shall be immediately replanted upon completion of easement improvements.

Such buffer strip shall not be used for parking or a structure other than a fence, wall or drainage improvements required by the city. However, a buffer area may be used for vehicular access and utility easements (only if such uses are provided approximately perpendicular to the greater distance to the buffer area) and for drainage improvements required by the city based upon competent engineering studies which show such improvements to be necessary.