§ 27-459. Landscape buffers.

(a)

Landscape buffers shall be established and maintained in accordance with this section. These requirements are illustrated in Figure 27-457-1. [See Figures at the end of article IX.]

(b)

One (1) or more of the following provisions may be applicable to a specific use. In such case, the most stringent requirement shall apply.

(c)

Landscaped buffers shall be deemed the minimum necessary to achieve compatibility between land uses. Vehicular use areas and retention ponds may not be located within buffers.

(1)

Landscape buffers along rights-of-way.

a.

A landscaped area of minimum nine (9) feet in width shall be located between off-street parking areas and abutting rights-of-way. This area shall include one (1) shade tree for every fifty (50) linear feet of frontage. In addition, a hedge of at least two (2) feet in height upon planting shall be located along the parking lot side of this buffer. This width shall be reduced to five (5) feet in the central business district (CBD).

b.

A masonry wall may be substituted for the required hedge, provided it does not exceed four (4) feet in height. One (1) shrub for every four (4) linear feet of barrier shall be planted abutting these masonry walls, and may be clustered rather than evenly spaced. The remainder of the required buffer shall be landscaped with turf, shrubs or groundcover.

c.

Minimum length. Landscape buffers shall extend along the entire length of the property boundary abutting the right-of-way, and may only be altered for the following purposes:

1.

Construction of accessways as necessary and in compliance with an approved development plan.

2.

Installation of stormwater, drainage or utility improvements as necessary and in compliance with an approved development plan.

3.

Grading for retention as necessary and in compliance with an approved development plan.

4.

Selective clearing for visibility of freestanding signs.

5.

The regular pruning of trees to provide clear trunk and visibility between three (3) feet and fifteen (15) feet above grade. Such pruning shall only be permitted for trees with height and maturity necessary to reasonably accommodate such activity.

6.

The regular removal of dead materials and debris.

7.

Installation of additional landscape materials required by this Code.

(2)

Landscape buffers adjacent to residential uses.

a.

A buffer shall be required for any uses other than single-family that abut single-family uses or properties. The buffer shall be minimum ten (10) feet in width, and shall contain an opaque screen composed of either plant materials, or a combination of plant materials and masonry walls. Required buffers shall have a minimum height of six (6) feet.

b.

Landscape materials shall include a visual screen of shrubs that will attain a height of six (6) feet, with seventy-five (75) percent opacity, within twenty-four (24) months of planting. One (1) shade tree per twenty-five (25) linear feet shall be planted within the buffer, or a combination of one (1) shade tree and two (2) understory trees per fifty (50) linear feet.

c.

A six-foot masonry wall may be substituted for the shrub screen. In this case, one (1) shade tree per twenty-five (25) linear feet shall be planted within the buffer.

d.

The remainder of the required buffer shall be landscaped with turf, groundcover or shrubs.

(Ord. No. 2004-10, § 1, 10-4-04)