The Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC) may require a landscaped buffer strip to be provided along a property line to buffer adjacent property from the proposed development. The PZC may impose provision of the landscape buffer to address the following conditions:

9.1.1

To minimize potential conflict between different uses;

9.1.2

To assure privacy and/or the undisturbed use of property;

9.1.3

To lessen potential glare from light sources or reflections;

9.1.4

To screen motor vehicles, parking and loading areas, dumpsters, storage or display areas, heating, ventilating, air condition (HVAC) mechanical equipment, or other industrial equipment.

9.1.5

To provide landscape transitions;

9.1.6

To increase compatibility with neighboring uses, lessen the potential for nuisance, and promote the sound development of the community relative to special permit criteria of Zoning Regulations Section 17.3.1 in regard to both existing and potential development;

9.1.7

To prevent blight, preserve the quality of existing development, and maintain property values.

9.1.8

To provide for enhanced stormwater management through the use of low impact development (LID) techniques such as bioretention in accordance with the Town LID Manual.

The landscaped buffer strip, if required by the PZC:

9.2.1

Shall be shown on the site plan of development or may be a separate landscaping plan to be recorded with the approved site plan of development;

9.2.2

Shall be located immediately adjacent to the property line; an existing tree belt along a property line may serve as a landscape buffer strip if deemed adequate by the PZC as is or enhanced with additional plantings or additional depth;

9.2.3

Shall have a minimum depth of twenty-five feet (25'). The requirement of a buffer deeper than 25' between non-residential uses and residential districts shall be based upon the nature and intensity of the non-residential use. The PZC may reduce such minimum depth if precluded by lot size or configuration;

9.2.4

Shall extend from the property line within, or if necessary beyond, the required zoning district yard setback;

9.2.5

Shall be located on the property for which approval of development is being sought, and maintenance of such buffer shall be the sole responsibility of the owner of the property on which it is located;

9.2.6

Shall be planted such that the field of view between abutting residential and nonresidential uses/zones at grade shall be obscured visually both within 5 years time and at maturity so that activity on the abutting lot is not immediately apparent;

9.2.7

Shall not obstruct line-of-sight for vehicles entering and exiting the premises, nor shall it unduly obstruct line-of-sight for vehicles traveling on abutting Town or State highways. Corner visibility shall be maintained. Buffer landscaping shall not obstruct line-of-sight for vehicles entering and leaving either common driveways or other access ways;

9.2.8

If a landscaped buffer is located so as to overlay, in part, a designated utility or drainage easement, that portion of the buffer that lies within the bounds of such easement shall remain unvegetated.

The landscape buffer strip, if required by the PZC.

9.3.1

Shall be designed by a licensed landscape architect;

9.3.2

Shall be shown on the site plan or landscaping plan in terms of the types of plants, maturities or sizes, spacing, planting schedule, and maintenance plan;

9.3.3

Shall be designed to retain and incorporate existing healthy mature trees whenever possible;

9.3.4

Shall contain a variety of interplanted evergreen, deciduous, trees and shrubs suitable in the judgment of the PZC or its designated agent to provide an adequate screen sufficient to buffer adjacent property from the proposed development, and to meet the following guidelines:

9.3.4.1

Shall contain trees and shrubs that are spaced and located as follows:

1. Evergreen trees and large deciduous trees should be spaced using accepted landscaping practices, usually 20 feet or more on center;

2. Flowering trees should be spaced using accepted landscaping practices, usually 10 or more feet on center;

3. Trees shall not be planted within 20 feet of a sewer line or area of heavy equipment use;

9.3.4.2

Shall contain plantings staggered/clustered to achieve maximum screening after 5 years, and at maturity. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of 5 feet in height at the time of plantings; deciduous shade trees shall be a minimum of 2′′ caliper and 10 feet in height at the time of planting; and flowering trees shall be a minimum of 6 feet in height at the time of planting and 1-½ ′′ caliper;

9.3.4.3

For screening purposes may include, but shall not be limited to, the following varieties of trees and shrubs: Canada Hemlock, Scotch Pine, White Pine, Norway Spruce, Douglas Fir, Pyramidal Arborvitae, Juniper (including Red Cedar), Rhododendron, Azalea, Holly, Forsythia, Viburnum, Lilac, Yew, Flowering Crab, Dogwood, Magnolia, Hawthorn, Flowering Quince, Mountain Ash, Flowering Cherry, Sycamore (Plane Tree), and Male Ginko;

9.3.4.4

Shall not include the following invasive species, identified in part by the Connecticut Invasive Plants Council in accordance with Connecticut Public Act 03-136: White Poplar, Amur Maple, Norway Maple, Sycamore Maple, Princess Tree, Black Locust, Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus), Box Elder, Cottonwood, Basswood (Linden), Catalpa, Silver Maple, Red Maple, and Chinese Elm;

9.3.5

Shall be designed so that when a required interplanted buffer abuts an undeveloped Residential and/or non-Residential Zone, the taller and/or larger varieties of trees and shrubs (at maturity) shall be established adjacent to the zone line;

9.3.6

Shall be subject to modification, which may include an increase of depth or installation of a fence, wall, or barrier, as may be considered necessary by the PZC to fulfill the purpose of the landscaped buffer;

9.3.7

Shall, whenever stormwater best management practices are incorporated, be designed in accordance with the Town LID Manual.

9.3.8

Shall be planted prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy (CO) and a bond may be required to be posted sufficient to complete the planting of the landscape buffer within one (1) year of the issuance of a building permit;

9.4.1

Maintenance of a landscaped buffer in a healthy, neat and attractive condition by the property owner shall be a condition of compliance with these regulations. Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, watering, fertilizing, weeding, cleaning, pruning, trimming, spraying and cultivating. Vegetation that dies shall be replaced as quickly as possible and within one growing season. Replacement plantings shall conform to the original intent of the landscape design;

9.4.2

Clear cutting/harvesting of trees within a buffer area is expressly prohibited at any time without prior Commission approval;

9.4.3

To facilitate operation and maintenance, stormwater best management practices shall be designed in accordance with the Town LID Manual.

9.4.4

The Commission may require the execution of a Landscape Buffer Conservation Easement to insure compliance with the landscape buffer conditions.