(A) All lots of record created after January 3, 1991 and all properties with development or redevelopment projects received after August 1, 2020 that would result in one acre or more of soil disturbance or that would result in one acre or more of additional impervious surface coverage to a developed site, shall provide and maintain a wetland buffer strip and structure setback abutting all wetlands.
(B) Buffer strip vegetation shall be established and maintained in accordance with the requirements of this section. Except for removal of noxious weeds and nuisance or dead vegetation, wetland buffer strips shall not be disturbed, cut (mowed) or cultivated, without prior approval of a buffer restoration/management plan by the city. Buffer strips shall be identified within each lot by permanent monumentation approved by the city.
(C) For roadways that must be aligned either adjacent to or across wetlands and are subject to WCA replacement requirements, additional wetland filling to create a buffer strip shall not be required. Public trails that are intended to serve an interpretive function may also be exempted from the buffer strip requirement. All other roadways and trails shall meet the buffer strip standards established by this section.
(D) If the area of the buffer strip has a preconstruction slope of 12% or greater, the buffer strip shall be at the applicable maximum width for the wetland classification. The use of a meandering buffer strip to maintain a natural appearance is encouraged but not required in areas of flat topography.
(E) The required structure setback shall apply to all structures except those identified in § 154.420 of this subchapter and roadways, driveways, parking lots, trails, and their related retaining walls and fences.
(F) Wetland buffer strips not required by this section may be voluntarily created in conformance with the requirements of this section concurrent with approval of a site plan, or in the absence of a site plan, upon approval of the city.
(Ord. 290, passed 7-7-2020)