Plumsted City Zoning Code
§ 15-5.14
Buffer Requirements.
[Ord. #95-17, § 29]
a.
All proposed uses, other than single-family dwellings, shall provide buffer areas along all side and rear property lines which abut areas zoned for residential use and along front property lines on local, minor collector and major collector streets which abut areas zoned for residential use. Except as may otherwise be provided in this chapter, the width of the buffer area shall be not less than ten feet or more than 50 feet, in accordance with the minimum provided for in the following schedule or as determined to be appropriate by the municipal agency.
b.
Buffer areas shall be maintained and kept free of all debris, rubbish, weeds and tall grass.
c.
No structure, storage of materials or parking of vehicles shall be permitted within the buffer area, except that, where permitted by the municipal agency, the buffer area may be broken for vehicular or pedestrian access and appropriate directional and safety signs provided.
d.
Prohibited Activities Within Buffer Areas:
1.
Removal, excavation, grading or disturbance of the soil.
2.
Dumping or filling with any materials.
3.
Erection of structures.
4.
Placement of pavements or any impervious cover.
5.
Destruction of plant life which would alter the existing pattern of vegetation or cause substantial change of the buffer, including but not limited to clear cutting, burning or application of herbicides.
e.
Conditional Activities. The following activities may be conducted in buffer areas, provided that the activities are performed in a manner that minimizes adverse effects to the buffer area:
1.
Normal property maintenance, which means activities required to maintain lawfully existing artificial and natural features, and landscaping.
2.
Mowing of existing lawn or field.
3.
Pruning of trees and shrubs.
4.
Selective cutting of trees.
5.
Replacement of existing nonnative plants with either native or nonnative species.
6.
Limited supplemental planting of nonnative species that will not significantly change the character of the existing vegetational community of the buffer area. The creation of lawn is not considered supplemental planting.
7.
Planting of native species.
8.
Maintenance of artificial features, including the repair, rehabilitation, replacement, maintenance or reconstruction of any previously authorized serviceable structure.
9.
Temporary placement of scaffolds, ladders or construction supports for a period not to exceed six months.
10.
Removal of human-made debris by nonmechanical means which does not destroy woody vegetation.