Screening and buffering along the entire length of the common boundary shall be provided in accordance with the following regulations and shall be approved as part of the development plan required by Chapter 1183.
(a) When Required. A buffer yard shall be required when:
(1) A lot in any Commercial or Industrial District abuts a Residential District;
(2) A lot in a Multi-Family District abuts a Single-Family or Traditional Residential District;
(3) A lot in the R-1 District is developed with attached single-family units as part of a PURD; or
(4) A lot in a Residential District is devoted to a nonresidential use.
(b) Width of Buffer Yard. Each required buffer yard shall have a minimum width equal to the parking setback required for the district, except as otherwise required in Section 1152.07(h) for PURDs.
(c) Screening. Screening within the buffer yard shall consist of one or a combination of the following:
(1) A dense vegetative planting incorporating existing trees and/or shrubs or new plantings of a variety, which shall be equally effective in winter and summer.
(2) A non-living opaque structure such as a solid masonry wall, or a solid fence.
(3) A fence with openings through which light and air may pass, together with a landscaped area at least 5 feet wide.
(4) A landscaped mound or berm at least 10 feet wide.
(d) Location. The location of the wall, fence, or vegetation shall be placed within the buffer yard to maximize the screening effect, as determined by the Planning Commission.
(e) Height of Screening. The height of screening shall be in accordance with the following:
(1) Visual screening walls, fences, or mounds and fences in combination shall be a minimum of 6 feet high measured from the natural grade, except as otherwise required in subsection (e)(3) below.
(2) Vegetation shall be a minimum of 6 feet high measured from the natural grade, in order to accomplish the desired screening effect, except as otherwise required in subsection (e)(3) below. The required height shall be achieved no later than twelve months after the initial installation.
(3) Whenever the required screening is located along the common side lot line in the area extending from the front building line of the abutting residential use to the street, the required screening shall not exceed a height of 3 feet. Fences and walls in a front yard shall also comply with Section 1167.08.