(A) Height regulations, exceptions, special circumstances.

(1) Trash containers and trash compactors – 15 feet from the property line when adjacent to land planned or zoned for a single-family residential use.

(a) All trash containers and trash compactors shall be screened from a public right-of-way by decorative wall or enclosure and shall be not less than two feet above the height of the trash container or compactor.

(2) Flagpoles – 25 feet from any property line, with a maximum height of 50 feet. Pole heights greater than 50 feet may be approved by a conditional permit.

(B) Buffer and landscaping.

(1) Buffer wall. The buffer wall shall be a minimum of six feet in height and shall be constructed of masonry, sealed adobe, brick, or chain link with winged slats or other solid material.

(a) Where nonresidential property abuts residential property, or is separated from residential property only by an alley, easement, roadway, thoroughfare, or right-of-way less than 100 feet in width, the nonresidential property shall have a wall or other opaque barrier along the side(s) and/or rear property line(s) adjacent to or facing the residential property. Side walls required by this subsection shall run from the front fascia of the nonresidential building to the rear lot line.

(b) Where the nonresidential district is separated from the residential district by an easement, roadway, thoroughfare, or right-of-way greater than 100 feet in width, or a privacy wall already exists on the residential property, only buffer landscaping shall be required.

(c) If the buffer wall plus retaining wall have an effective height of over eight feet on the residential side, the city shall decide the required height.

(2) Buffer landscaping.

(a) Landscaped buffer areas shall be a minimum of 10 feet in width measured perpendicular to the buffer wall, or from the property line if no wall is required.

(b) The landscaped buffer areas shall include a minimum of one buffer tree per 25 feet, or an approved equivalent screening density. Minimum tree sizes at the time of planting shall be three-inch caliper, or 30-inch boxed variety or 30-gallon container, or at least 10 feet in height.

(c) Where nonresidential property abuts residential property, the landscaped buffer shall be located inside the buffer wall.

(d) Where the nonresidential district is adjacent to the residential district and is separated by a public thoroughfare, the landscape buffer shall be located outside the wall, or when there is no wall the landscape buffer shall abut the property line. In cases where the building is acting as a partial wall buffer, the landscape buffer may be more than 10 feet in width to allow for the appropriate building setbacks.

(e) Buffer trees may be a mix of conifers and deciduous trees; however, the emphasis shall be placed on conifers.

(f) Buffer landscaping shall be maintained and kept clean of debris and weeds. Any buffer planting shall be maintained permanently and any plant material which does not live shall be replaced within one year or one growing season.

(3) Landscaping. Appropriate landscaping shall be provided for visual relief along the frontage of the parcel; provided, that no less than 10% of the lot shall be landscaped, and no less than one-fourth of the 10% shall be located on the front. Cool season grass shall be limited to areas designated for recreational use and shall be limited to a maximum of 1,000 square feet or 20% of the total lot area, whichever is less. Cool season turf grasses include but are not limited to the following species: Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass), Festuca spp. (fescues), and Lolium spp. (ryegrasses). Plant materials shall be limited to species that are not listed as high water use in the City of Rio Rancho plant list. Existing turf and other plants installed prior to October 31, 2011, are exempt from this regulation.

(C) Any lighting shall comply with the Night Sky Protection Act and be placed so as to reflect the light away from adjacent residential districts.

(D) The use of corrugated metal siding shall not compose more than 20% of a building facade. The use of architectural metal siding as an architectural element of a building that is finished with a powder coating designed to withstand natural elements for a minimum of 20 years is encouraged as long as the metal panels used are composed of two or more colors if metal is the dominant building material used.

(E) No unreasonable noise, odor, or vibration shall be emitted by uses outside the boundaries of the Commercial District. Such comparison shall be made at the boundary of the Commercial District.

(Ord. 18-20; Am. Ord. 19-17)