The purpose of these standards is to ensure all new development in the Mixed Use (MU) Zone are compatible with existing surroundings and to provide residents and commercial entities in the MU recommendations for mitigating potential conflicts where a new commercial entity adjoins an existing resident, commercial, or agriculture use. When new buildings are developed next to existing buildings on adjacent properties, particularly residences, there are concerns that the bulk and height of the new structures, or their uses, may have a negative impact on the adjoining uses and structures. When residential and nonresidential uses are adjacent, there is added concern about lighting, noise, odor, unsafe or hazardous conditions, and other nuisances. To address these concerns, in addition to all other zoning requirements, the following are recommend mitigation actions.

   A.   Recommended Minimum Yard Areas (Setbacks):

      1.   When a single-family residential use is adjoined by another single- family residential use, duplex, or triplex/fourplex:

         a.   Any fencing provided maybe a maximum height of six feet (6');

         b.   Minimum side and rear setbacks shall be twelve feet (12') as required by Appendix B;

      2.   When any residential use is adjoined by a nonresidential use:

         a.   Fencing may be provided to a maximum height of eight feet (8');

         b.   Minimum side and rear setbacks shall be twelve feet (12') as required by Appendix B.

   B.   Recommended Buffering:

      1.   When a residential use is adjoined by a nonresidential use.

      2.   A minimum ten-foot (10') wide landscape area, provided as part of the required setback, maybe provided adjacent to adjoining residential use planted with vegetation. The ten foot (10) landscape and buffer area may only be used for planting and screening purposes. When a nonresidential use adjoins another nonresidential use:

         a.   Side and rear fencing may be provided to a maximum height of six feet (6');

         b.   Side and rear setbacks shall be a minimum of twelve feet (12') and shall provide a landscape area as required by in B1 above;

         c.   For all new nonresidential uses in the MU Zone, all buildings and structures should maintain and enhance the Town's small-town and rural character, and provide character and/or landscaping on the street-view side of the property.

   C.   Landscape plans should achieve the following purposes:

      1.   Preserve and complement the character of the natural landscape, mitigate building and parking lot impacts, and add aesthetic charm, interest and character;

      2.   Provide visual interest and variety, and year-round site beautification;

      3.   Provide screening elements and blend with the natural landscape;

      4.   Conserve water.

   D.   Landscape plans and landscape features should demonstrate and provide:

      1.   Landscape buffers between dissimilar or conflicting land uses. Landscape buffers shall be provided for off-street parking and service areas, and these areas shall be screened from public streets;

      2.   A soft landscape transitional treatment when man-made areas and features adjoin areas of natural open space;

      3.   Use of plants and site materials consistent with, and of a similar scale with, existing natural landscape, neighboring landscape, adjacent streetscape areas, and native to the local environment;

      4.   Drought tolerant "xeriscape" landscaping is encouraged. Landscaping improvements may also include berms, contouring, rocks and boulders;

      5.   The size and spacing of landscape elements should also be of appropriate scale and character to all proposed site structures and features.

      6.   Cotton-less (male) cottonwood trees should be part of the landscape plan and preserved (or replaced when necessary) along all Highway 24 frontages.

   E.   When walls, fences and barriers are located adjacent to public rights of way that create a continuous surface greater than twenty feet (20') in length, landscape and planting treatments should be provided to visually soften the wall, fence or barrier.

   F.   Landscape plans should demonstrate that long-term maintenance factors have been considered in the landscape design.

   G.   Landscape plans shall include a timeline for implementation. (Ord. 4-21-001, 4-8-2021)