Landscaping requirements are an essential element in mitigating potential land use conflicts and enhancing the visual appeal of the city. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that landscaped buffers required by these regulations effectively accomplish those goals. (Ord. 2000-02, 3-3-2000)

The width of required buffers shall vary with the nature of the uses being separated, the height of the buildings being separated, and the construction of the buffer, as shown in the table in TCC 9.32.090. The basic buffer width given in that table is the width required where the buffer consists of a level or gently sloping area of sod or ground cover and at least four (4) major trees per one hundred (100) linear feet of buffer. That table also shows where a security fence and/or a solid fence, wall, or berm is required as part of a buffer. (Ord. 2000-02, 3-3-2000)

The basic buffer width shall be increased by the height adjustment factor, where one is established by the table in TCC 9.32.090. The height adjustment factor is a ratio expressing the number of feet that must be added to the basic buffer width for each foot in height over twenty five feet (25') of the principal building being buffered. (Ord. 2000-02, 3-3-2000)

1. Berms: The basic buffer width requirements may be reduced where a berm is included in the buffer. The width reduction shall be twice the height of the berm, but the maximum permitted reduction shall be ten feet (10'). No berm shall have a slope of more than three to one (3:1), except where a retaining wall is incorporated into the berm on the side opposite the use or public way being buffered.
2. Additional Plantings: The basic width requirements may be reduced where a greater density and diversity of plantings is included in the buffer. The buffer width reductions permitted by this section are cumulative and may result in a total reduction of up to thirty percent (30%). The buffer width reduction permitted by Paragraph A of this section is cumulative with those permitted herein.
   1. Major Trees: The required buffer width shall be reduced by ten percent (10%) where five (5) or more major trees per one hundred (100) linear feet are planted or retained.
   2. Understory Trees: The required buffer width shall be reduced by ten percent (10%) where five (5) or more understory trees per one hundred (100) linear feet are planted or retained.
   3. Shrubs: The required buffer width shall be reduced by ten percent (10%) where twenty (20) or more shrubs per one hundred (100) linear feet are planted or retained. (Ord. 2000-02, 3-3-2000)
      

No required buffer shall be less than one-half (112) the basic buffer width or less than ten feet (10') in width, regardless of any reductions permitted by TCC 9.32.040 Paragraph A or B. (Ord. 2000-02, 3-3-2000)

Buffers may be crossed by access driveways, utility lines, sidewalks, and pedestrian trails. A sidewalk or pedestrian trail may also run along the length of a buffer, with its width, up to a maximum five feet (5'), being included in the required buffer width. Buffers may also include permitted signs. (Ord. 2000-02, 3-3-2000)

Plant materials installed in required buffers shall be warranted for one year and meet the following specifications:

1. All trees, major and understory, shall be containerized or bagged and burlapped stock in good condition with a caliper of at least 1.5 inch, measured one foot (1') above grade, for deciduous trees, and a height of at least six feet (6') for coniferous trees; and
2. All shrubs shall be minimum one gallon containerized stock in good condition. (Ord. 2000-02, 3-3-2000)
   

Plant materials installed in required buffers shall be warranted for one year and meet the following specifications:

1. All trees, major and understory, shall be containerized or bagged and burlapped stock in good condition with a caliper of at least 1.5 inch, measured one foot (1') above grade, for deciduous trees, and a height of at least six feet (6') for coniferous trees; and
2. All shrubs shall be minimum one gallon containerized stock in good condition. (Ord. 2000-02, 3-3-2000)
   

TABLE 1 BUFFERING REQUIREMENTS

(Ord. 2000-02, 3-3-2000)