(a) New development shall provide bufferyards as provided in the Section 1145.07 Bufferyard Requirements of the applicable zoning district. Existing vegetation, that is intended to remain, shall be preserved in accordance with acceptable nursery industry procedures. The following items are suitable for screening use individually or in combination with each other provided they create a dense screen, subject to review and approval by the City. Nursery stock identification tags shall not be removed from any planting prior to inspection and approval of final inspection by the City.
(1) Walls and Fences. When walls or fences are used to fulfill screening requirements, they shall be detailed on the plan. They are to be faced in brick to match the building or other material as approved by the Board of Site Arrangement.
(2) Plants. All plants are to be living and part of the acceptable plants list identified in this Chapter. Plant materials used in conformance with the provision of this Chapter shall conform to the standards of the American Association of Nurserymen and shall have passed any inspection required under state regulations. Trees shall be balled and burlapped or in containers. Shrubs, vines, and ground covers can be planted as bare root as well as balled and burlapped or containers. The City reserves the right to deny any species of plant that is classified as an invasive species.
A. Deciduous trees shall be the minimum caliper of two and one-half inches and shall conform to acceptable nursery industry procedures at the time of planting. If deciduous trees are to be used for screening purposes, additional materials listed in this Chapter must be used to create a dense buffer.
B. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of six (6) feet in height at the time of planting. Evergreen plantings shall be planted at a maximum distance of fifteen (15) feet on center to provide an effective, dense screen within four (4) years of planting.
C. Required shrubs shall be a minimum of five (5) gallons in size upon installation and shall be at least thirty-six (36) inches in height at maturity.
D. Hedges shall be designed to provide an effective, dense screen and mature height of at least six feet in height within four (4) years of the time of planting.
E. Grass of the Fescues (Gramineak) or Bluegrass (Poaceae) family shall be planted in species normally grown as permanent lawns in Blue Ash. In swales or other areas subject to erosion, solid sod, erosion reducing netting, mats, or suitable mulch shall be used and nurse grass seed shall be sown for immediate protection until complete coverage otherwise is achieved. Bioswales or other alternative designs may be proposed but shall be subject to review and approval by the City. Grass sod shall be clean and free of weeds and noxious pests or diseases. Ground cover shall be planted at a maximum spacing of one foot on center to provide seventy-five (75%) complete coverage after two growing seasons.
(3) Earth. Mounds may be used as physical barriers that block or screen a view. Differences in elevation between areas requiring screening do not constitute an earth mound. Earth mounds shall be constructed of earthen materials and shall conform to the following standards:
A. The maximum side slope shall be three horizontal to one vertical (3:1) and the design shall be reviewed by the City to ensure that proper erosion prevention and control practices have been utilized.
B. Berms and earthforms shall be designed with physical variations in height and alignment throughout their length.
C. Landscape plant material installed on berms and earthforms shall be arranged in an irregular pattern to accentuate the physical variation and achieve a natural appearance.
D. The landscape plan shall show sufficient detail, including a plan and profile of the berm or earthform, soil types and construction techniques to demonstrate compliance with the above provisions.
E. Berms and earthforms shall be located and designed to minimize the disturbance to existing trees located on the site or adjacent thereto.
F. Adequate ground cover shall be used and maintained to prevent erosion of the earth mound.
(b) Existing Landscape Material. Any existing landscape material that is in satisfactory condition may be used to satisfy these requirements in whole or in part when, in the opinion of the Community Development Director, such material meets the requirements and achieves the objectives of this chapter.
(c) Bufferyard Establishment. Once a bufferyard has been approved by the City and established by the owner, it may not be used, disturbed or altered for any purpose.
(Ord. 2017. Passed 1-26-17.)