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River Edge City Zoning Code

ARTICLE XI

Buffer Zones

§ 416-59 Buffer zone requirements.

A. 
In addition to the regulations and requirements set forth herein, § 350-32 of the Site Plan Review Ordinance[1] of the Borough of River Edge shall also apply to buffer zones.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 350, Site Plan Review.
B. 
Within any zone where a nonresidential development or use abuts a residential zone, or where off-street parking and loading for 10 or more vehicles abuts a street, the following buffer zone and landscaping requirements shall apply:
(1) 
A strip of land 10% of the average width and depth of the property, but not less than five feet, when a nonresidential use abuts a residential zone on the side or rear shall be designated as a buffer zone.
(2) 
Buffer zone between parking and loading areas and streets shall be at least five feet wide.
(3) 
The area encompassed in the buffer zone may be utilized for the purposes of computing building coverage and lot coverage, yard setbacks and open space requirements.
[Amended 7-8-2024 by Ord. No. 24-14]
(4) 
Buffer zones shall be maintained and kept clean of all debris and rubbish.
(5) 
Buffer zones shall be kept in their natural state, where wooded, and, when natural vegetation is sparse, a continuous screen of plant material at least six feet in height and/or a solid or tightly-woven fence may be required so as to provide a year-round visual screen by the approving authority. Said planting may be placed in suitable areas in the buffer area as shall be required by the approving authority and the Borough of River Edge Shade Tree Committee and Beautification Committee. Any screen planting shall be maintained permanently, and any plant material which does not live shall be replaced within 30 days after the season permits. Failure to maintain fencing or to replace dead or diseased landscaping or any refuse which may collect therein shall be considered a violation of this chapter, in accordance with § 416-73 herein.
[Amended 5-18-1998 by Ord. No. 1220]
(6) 
Underground utility easements shall be permitted in the buffer zone.
(7) 
No structure, activity, storage of materials or parking of vehicles shall be permitted in the buffer zone, except access drives from public streets, one unlighted directional sign per each direction of traffic per access drive and permitted signs as regulated in Article X.
C. 
The approving authority shall have the power to waive any of the buffer zone requirements if they determine an adequate buffer can be provided in less than five feet while maintaining the purpose of this section. The approving authority shall review the proposed development and the standards and purposes for buffers considering the location of buildings, parking areas, outdoor illumination and topographic features of the area and existing features of natural vegetation; the efficiency, adequacy and safety of the proposed layout of driveways, streets, sidewalks and pedestrian walkways; the adequacy and location of existing green areas and buffer zones; the adequacy and location of screening and parking areas; structures and uses; and similar features.