§ 10.2 DETERMINATION OF BUFFERING REQUIREMENT.

   10.2.1   Procedure. The type of buffer strip required to be installed shall be determined as follows.

   (A)   Identify the zoning type for the proposed project and all adjacent properties, excluding properties across a public right-of-way. The zoning types are defined as follows for the purposes of this article only:

      (1)   Rural Zoning Districts. Rural Zoning Districts include the RP and RR Districts;

      (2)   Low Intensity Zoning Districts. Low Intensity Zoning Districts include the RS, RT, and RMX Districts;

      (3)   Moderate Intensity Zoning Districts. Moderate Intensity Zoning Districts include the RMF, OI, NB, and CB Districts; and

      (4)   High Intensity Zoning Districts. High Intensity Zoning Districts include the HB, LI, and HI Districts.

   (B)   Determine the buffer type (A, B, or C) required for each adjacent zoning type from Table 10-1.

Table 10-1 Buffer Type Determination
Zoning Type of Subject Property	Zoning Type of Adjacent Property
	Rural	Low Intensity	Moderate Intensity	High Intensity
Rural	A1	A2	B2	C2
Low Intensity	A		B2	C2
Moderate Intensity	B	B		B2
High Intensity	C	C	B
1 - Applies to the exterior project boundary of new single-family subdivisions only. 2 - Buffer strip required to be installed when adjoining developed property does not meet the buffering requirements.

 

   (C)   Select the desired buffering option for the required buffer type as set forth in the following.

      (1)   Type A buffer strip. The Type A buffer strip is a low-density screen designed to partially block visual contact and create spatial separation between adjacent uses. The three design options that may be used to satisfy this buffering requirement are identified in Table 10-2.

 

Table 10-2 Type A Buffer Strip Options
Minimum Buffer Strip Width	Minimum Plantings Per 100 Linear Feet
10 feet	8 trees, 10 primary evergreen plants, 20 supplemental evergreen shrubs
20 feet	5 trees, 10 primary evergreen plants, 20 supplemental evergreen shrubs
30 feet	4 trees, 8 primary evergreen plants, 16 supplemental evergreen shrubs

 

      (2)   Type B buffer strip. The Type B buffer strip is a medium density screen designed to block visual contact and create spatial separation between adjacent uses. The three design options that may be used to satisfy this buffering requirement are identified in Table 10-3.

 

Table 10-3 Type B Buffer Strip Options
Minimum Buffer Strip Width	Minimum Plantings Per 100 Linear Feet
20 feet	18 trees, 20 primary evergreen plants, 20 supplemental evergreen shrubs
30 feet	15 trees, 12 primary evergreen plants, 16 supplemental evergreen shrubs
40 feet	12 trees, 16 primary evergreen plants, 12 supplemental evergreen shrubs

 

      (3)   Type C buffer strip. The Type C buffer strip is a high-density screen designed to eliminate visual contact and create spatial separation between adjacent uses. The two design options that may be used to satisfy this buffering requirement are identified in Table 10-4.

 

Table 10-4 Type C Buffer Strip Options
Minimum Buffer Strip Width	Minimum Plantings Per 100 Linear Feet
30 feet	20 trees, 30 primary evergreen plants, 25 supplemental evergreen shrubs
50 feet	16 trees, 20 primary evergreen plants, 20 supplemental evergreen shrubs

 

   10.2.2   Additional standards.

   (A)   Fractional calculations. Fractional planting requirement calculations shall be rounded to the next higher whole number.

   (B)   Existing vegetation. Existing vegetation within the required buffer strip may be included in the computation of the required plantings with approval of the Ordinance Administrator.

   (C)   Fence or wall option. An opaque fence or wall may be used in lieu of not more than 50% of the required evergreen buffer strip plantings with the approval of the Ordinance Administrator and providing the following conditions are met, where applicable.

      (1)   Fence or wall height for high intensity zoning types. The minimum required fence or wall height shall be eight feet above ground level when the proposed project zoning type is classified as a high intensity zoning type.

      (2)   Fence or wall height for other zoning types. The minimum required fence or wall height shall be six feet above ground level when the proposed project zoning type is classified as any zoning type except those classified as high intensity.

      (3)   Vegetation planted on exterior sides. Where a fence or wall is used as part of the required screening, all required vegetation shall be planted on the exterior side of the fence or wall.

      (4)   Screening rural and low intensity zoning types. Where the fence or wall option is used to screen rural and low intensity zoning types from more intense zoning types, the required vegetation may be planted on the interior side of the fence or wall.

      (5)   Distribution of remaining vegetation. Where a fence or wall is used in lieu of not more than 50% of the required vegetation, the remaining vegetation to be used in conjunction with the fence or wall shall be evenly distributed in the buffer strip.

   (D)   Earthen berms. Earthen berms six feet in height or greater, or earthen berms with combined evergreen shrub plantings reaching a minimum height of six feet, may be used in lieu of not more than 50% of the evergreen buffer strip plantings providing the following conditions are met.

      (1)   Live ground cover. The entire berm shall be planted and covered with live ground cover.

      (2)   Evergreen shrubs. On berms less than six feet in height, evergreen shrubs, if used, shall be a minimum of one foot high at installation.

      (3)   Shape. Berms shall be naturally shaped, shall have a minimum crown width of two feet, and shall have side slopes stabilized to sedimentation and erosion control standards.

   10.2.3   Conflicting requirements. If any conflict exists between the buffering requirements as identified in this article and any use standards or zoning district regulations contained in other sections of this ordinance, the more restrictive requirements shall apply.