The intent of these requirements shall be to enhance the visual and aesthetic appearance of the city; provide space definition and landscape continuity between the built environment and the natural environment; provide appropriate barrier and relief from traffic, noise, heat, glare and the spread of dust and debris; reduce the impact of development on the community's storm drainage system and reduce flooding; aid in the conservation of energy; replenish the atmosphere with oxygen; provide for a more pleasant and relaxing urban environment; and increase property values. Furthermore, the intent shall be to create a screen between residential zoning districts and other zoning districts or to screen certain uses in order to minimize potential nuisances such as noise, dust, odor and light glare; to reduce the visual impact of unsightly aspects of adjacent development to provide for the separation spaces; and to establish a sense of privacy. Existing vegetation should be preserved to the greatest extent possible and innovative designs that combine landscaping with walls, fences and berms are strongly encouraged. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

   A.   Regulations Not Applicable: The regulations herein do not apply to one- and two-family residential dwellings on a single lot.

   B.   Landscaped Buffer Areas: Landscaped buffer areas shall be located generally parallel and within the perimeter of a lot or parcel and extending to the lot or parcel boundary line. Landscaped buffer areas shall be a minimum of five feet (5') in width and located in the required side and rear yard setbacks. Buffers shall not be located on any portion of an existing, dedicated or reserved public or private street right of way. In addition, nothing shall be planted or installed within an underground or overhead utility easement or a drainage easement without the consent of the city. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

   C.   Minimum Standards: The provisions of required buffers, as specified in these regulations in chart 1, "Landscape Buffers", of this chapter, are minimum standards. None of the provisions of these regulations shall be construed as prohibiting additional plant material, screening and/or land above that required by these regulations or to prohibit the modification of existing buffers to perform to an equivalent degree as the buffer required by these regulations. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001; amd. Ord. 2003-11, 4-13-2004)

   D.   Fences And Walls: All opaque fences and walls shall be not less than six feet (6') in height nor more than eight feet (8') in height and constructed of durable materials. No walls of exposed cinder block are permitted. No opaque fence or wall shall be higher than thirty inches (30") in such locations where vehicular or pedestrian safety is a factor (e.g., street intersections and driveways).

   E.   Two Identical Zoning Districts: Landscape buffers are not required between two (2) identical zoning districts (e.g., commercial and commercial or residential multi-family development and residential multi-family development) but they are encouraged for increased aesthetic value.

   F.   Species: Landscaping species should be hardy and native to the area and free of insects and diseases.

   G.   Selection: When selecting the landscaping species and location, consideration should be given to the location of underground and overhead utilities to avoid any interference.

   H.   Location: Location of plants and design of landscaping, including maintenance, shall be according to sound landscape and horticulture principles.

   I.   Screening: The landscaping used to provide screening must reach the required height within three (3) years from the date of planting.

   J.   Existing Plants: Existing plant material located within the proposed buffer area which meets the requirements of these regulations may be counted as contributing to the total buffer required between adjacent land uses.

   K.   Maintenance Of Landscaping And Screening: All landscaping and screening should be installed and permanently maintained as follows:

      1.   All new landscaped areas should be installed within six (6) months after the occupancy or use of the building or premises. Dead plant materials should be replaced within twelve (12) months with living plant material, taking into consideration the season of the year, and shall have at least the same quantity and quality, of landscaping as initially approved. This includes, but is not limited to, the replacement of plants damaged by insects, diseases, vehicular traffic, acts of God, and vandalism.

      2.   All landscaping and screening should be maintained in a healthy, neat, trimmed, clean and weed free condition. Landscaped areas should be covered with either grass and/or other types of pervious ground cover located beneath and surrounding the trees and shrubs. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

   L.   Streets: Streets shall not be considered part of the buffer requirement. (Ord. 2003-11, 4-13-2004)

Minimum planting requirements shall be as follows:

   A.   Medium and large deciduous shade trees - two inch (2") caliper as measured six inches (6") above the ground.

   B.   Small deciduous and ornamental trees - six feet (6') in height, with the exception of true dwarf species.

   C.   Conifers - four (4) to five feet (5') in height.

   D.   Upright evergreen trees - four feet (4') in height except for true dwarf species.

   E.   Shrubs - twelve inches (12") in height.

   F.   Earthen berms shall not be less than 1.5 feet in height and shall be covered with grass or other living vegetative ground cover with a minimum side slope of two to one (2:1).

   G.   All buffer yard areas shall be seeded with lawn grass or suitable ground cover. (Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)

   A.   Landscape buffer requirements are waived in the central business district due to lot size constraints.

   B.   Landscape buffers for planned unit developments shall be reviewed on a case by case basis by the planning commission.

   C.   A maximum of fifty percent (50%) of the required number of trees may consist of a mix of ornamental and evergreen trees.

   D.   Where a residential use adjoins a nonresidential use and both are located in a nonresidential zoning district, minimal screening shall be required. The minimum buffer shall be determined by the planning commission on a case by case basis during the site plan review process. This provision is to buffer the residential use until the time that such property is developed for nonresidential purposes.

   E.   Generally, landscaping required by this title should be in an irregular line and spaced at random. For example, when the regulations require at least one tree for each forty feet (40') to be planted in the buffer area, this should not be construed as requiring the planting of trees on forty foot (40') centers.

   CHART 1

   LANDSCAPE BUFFERS

   BUFFER TYPES IN PROPOSED ZONING

 

Notes to chart:

*     =     No buffer necessary.

**     =     District allows various uses; refer to typical buffer for that zoning district.

n/a     =     Not applicable.

Buffer A: 8 foot opaque fence or wall, 3 canopy trees and 2 understory trees for each 100 feet.

Buffer B:

   Option 1: An ornamental masonry wall or opaque fence at least 6 feet in height above grade with 3 canopy trees for each 100 feet.

   Option 2: A mix of trees and shrubs that may be expected to form a 6 foot screen within 3 years of planting.

Buffer C: 3 canopy trees, 1 understory tree and 10 shrubs for each 100 feet.

Buffer D: 2 canopy trees, and 10 shrubs for each 100 feet.

(Ord. 2001-2, 6-12-2001)