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(1) Requirements For Residential Subdivisions And/Or Developments, Regardless Of Zone, And For Any Mixed Use Subdivisions Or Developments That Contain Residential Dwellings:
A. The percentage of gross land area to be designated as common open space shall be based upon the overall average residential lot size as follows:
Overall Average Lot Size (Square Feet) | Percentage Of Gross Land To Be Reserved As Open Space | ||
Below 6,000 | 10.0 | ||
6,000 - 7,499 | 8.0 | ||
7,500 - 8,999 | 6.0 | ||
9,000 - 11,999 | 5.0 | ||
12,000 and over | 4.0 | ||
B. Common open space areas are established for use by the subdivision's or development's occupants and guests, but not for the general public living outside the subdivision or development, unless the common open space has public easements running through it that make it publicly dedicated or the land has been dedicated for public purpose. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
C. Common open space will not be required for subdivisions or developments containing fewer than eleven (11) residential dwelling units unless they are part of a phased development or located in the Indian Creek corridor or the Boise River corridor. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008; Ord. 2755, 9-22-2008)
(2) Requirements For Multi-Family Subdivision And Planned Unit Developments:
A. At least ten percent (10%) of a multi-family subdivision's or planned unit development's gross land area shall be designated as common open space.
B. These common open space areas are established for use by the subdivision's or development's occupants and guests, but not for the general public living outside the subdivision or development, unless the common open space has public easements running through it that make it publicly dedicated or the land has been dedicated for public purpose. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
(3) Requirements For C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, I-P, M-1, M-2, H-D, C-D, And A-D Zones:
A. No common open space required unless the subdivision or development is either wholly or partially residential in use, in a residential zone or is a multi-family subdivision or planned unit development in which case requirements as listed under subsections (1) and (2) of this section would apply. (Ord. 2755, 9-22-2008)
B. Additionally, all other landscaping requirements as referenced in this article shall apply unless stated otherwise. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008; Ord. 2755, 9-22-2008)
(4) Criteria For Common Open Space:
A. Nonqualifying Open Space:
1. Street right of way areas.
2. Areas dedicated for future right of way purposes.
3. Stormwater retention/detention areas.
4. Islands/medians at project entrances.
5. Islands/medians/roundabouts throughout the project.
6. Riparian, wetland and wildlife areas (as determined by the appropriate jurisdictional agency).
7. Street landscape buffers. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
8. (Rep. by Ord. 2805, 11-2-2009)
9. Floodway areas.
10. Drainage easements and/or rights of way.
11. Irrigation easements and/or rights of way.
12. Utility easements. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
B. Qualifying Open Space: Anything other than what is listed as nonqualifying open space as approved by the city's landscape plan reviewer including, but not limited to, the following items: (Ord. 2805, 11-2-2009)
1. Open park areas of at least one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet in size.
2. Community gardens.
3. Ponds or water features.
4. Plazas.
5. Additions to a public park or other public open space area.
6. Clubhouse, fitness facilities, enclosed bike storage, picnic areas, swimming pool, play areas, other general recreational facilities.
7. Buffers between differing land uses.
8. Additional street landscape buffer width over and above the required street landscape buffering.
9. Micro pathways (paved or porous surfaced portions and landscaped portion). (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
10. Major pathways (paved or porous surfaced portions and landscaped portions). (Ord. 2805, 11-2-2009)
C. Location Of Open Space:
1. Common open spaces shall be located and designated as common lots platted for common open space purposes when within a platted subdivision. If the project is not a platted subdivision, the common open space must be located within a recorded permanent landscape easement.
D. Minimum Required Landscaping For Open Space:
1. Lawn, either seed or sod.
2. Combination of trees, shrubs and vegetative and nonvegetative ground cover.
3. Areas for active playground purposes shall be designed to minimize injury to children.
4. Common open space should be suitably improved for its intended use, except that natural features such as wetlands, rock outcroppings, ponds, creeks, groves of trees and other naturally occurring features may be left unimproved and undeveloped in their natural state.
E. Connectivity Of Common Open Space:
1. Common open space shall be required to be connected within a subdivision or development by means of five foot (5') wide paved or porous micro pathways with a five foot (5') wide strip of landscaping on each side of the paved or porous surface for a total of fifteen feet (15'), to be located within a common lot if part of a platted subdivision or within a recorded permanent landscape easement if not part of a platted subdivision.
2. The micro pathways and accompanying landscaping strips count towards the required common open space.
F. Americans With Disabilities Act:
1. Landscape areas shall not interfere with pedestrian sidewalk access or pose impediments to those who are disabled or infirm.
2. Landscape buffering and screening devices shall not be constructed to impede or eliminate the pedestrian's ability to access any abutting development.
3. If landscaping creates a continuous perimeter barrier, sufficient pathways shall be provided through the landscaping every six hundred sixty feet (660') unless there are physical barriers like a canal or a cliff that prevent the construction of such access.
4. Any landscape application that may limit access shall be called out so that an appropriate remedy may be found. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
(1) Responsibility: The controller, a homeowners' or business owners' association is responsible for maintaining all landscaping and screening devices within a subdivision and/or development and/or the subject property. (Ord. 2805, 11-2-2009)
(2) Maintenance: All landscaping and screening devices shall be maintained in an attractive, safe and healthy manner. Trees and/or shrubs located on controller's private property, within right of way or right of way area adjacent to controller's private property and/or having any portion of the trees and/or shrubs on controller's private property growing onto, within, over or under any right of way or right of way area adjacent to the controller's private property shall be maintained as follows: trees and/or shrubs shall not interfere with or impede any irrigation, drainage, or stormwater system, whether private or public, and shall be removed immediately to prevent any such interference or impediment; trees and/or shrubs presenting a safety hazard to the public shall be removed immediately; trees and/or shrubs shall be trimmed back and up such that no portion of trees and/or shrubs shall be within a ten foot (10') vertical height of any sidewalk and/or unimproved right of way, and a fourteen foot (14') vertical height of any street or alley; all vegetation and foliage shall be trimmed such that no portion of any vegetation or foliage grows over or onto any public sidewalk. Property with landscape areas littered with weeds or trash, where plant material (including, but not limited to, grass, trees, and/or shrubs) is dying or dead, where ponds or water features are growing moss or algae, and/or where trees and/or shrubs are not being maintained as noted above shall be considered in violation of this article and subject to city planning and zoning code enforcement and any other applicable penalties under this code. (Ord. 3010, 11-16-2015)
(3) Condition Kept: All properties, and the right of way or right of way area adjacent to properties, shall be kept in a hazard free, neat, orderly, and clean condition. Required and voluntary landscaping and landscaping areas shall be maintained in a healthy manner. Dead or dying landscape (including, but not limited to, grass, trees, and/or shrubs), weeds, trash, rubbish, and litter shall be removed immediately from all required and voluntary landscaping and landscaping areas, as well as all right of way and right of way areas adjacent to properties. Any item on property, as well as right of way and right of way areas adjacent to property, that presents a safety hazard, vision obstruction to vehicular or pedestrian traffic, and/or impediment to any private or public irrigation, drainage or stormwater system shall be removed immediately. (Ord. 2911, 9-4-2012)
(4) Tree Grates: Tree grates located within a public right of way must be widened as necessary to accommodate the growing tree trunk and prevent tree girdling.
(5) Damaged Plant Materials: Dead plant materials or plant materials exhibiting evidence of insect pests, disease or damage shall immediately be treated or replaced.
(6) Removal Of Weeds: Weeds shall be mowed, removed or otherwise safely mitigated on a minimum monthly basis. At a minimum, the monthly mitigation shall take place each month from April through October. The mitigation shall take place more frequently if necessary to prevent a nuisance condition.
(7) City Inspections: Periodic city inspections of all landscape plans approved after the adoption of this article may take place to assure compliance. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
(8) Enforcement: Any violation of this article may result in a code enforcement action as outlined in section 10-03-13 of this chapter. Further the city of Caldwell has the right to declare a property a nuisance and assume or contract maintenance work required to achieve compliance with this article. In such instances the nuisance abatement process shall be followed as outlined in chapter 7, article 11 of this code and associated expenses shall be levied and assessed in accordance with said nuisance abatement process. (Ord. 2805, 11-2-2009)
(9) Fire Safety Landscape Issues:
A. Dead and dying landscape shall be removed. The removal process shall adhere to all requirements of this code.
B. Permission for any burning of dry vegetation or other refuse must be obtained from Caldwell fire department.
C. Mature trees on unpaved lots shall be limbed upward to a height of approximately six feet (6') above ground level to protect the tree in the event of a grass fire.
D. Areas that have slopes nine percent (9%) or greater shall have a fire defensive zone between the structures and vegetative areas. The fire defensive zone area shall be determined by the Caldwell fire department.
E. Addresses on buildings and street name signs shall not be blocked or occluded by landscape material.
F. Landscape material shall neither visually obscure nor physically impede access to fire appliances including hydrants, fire sprinkler connections, post indicator valves (for sprinkler shutoffs), etc. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
G. Tree branches or limbs shall be trimmed to a height of seventeen feet (17') above the roadways to lessen damage to fire apparatus and to be consistent with article 8 of this chapter; this height limit shall also apply to fire lanes located on private property. (Ord. 2865, 6-20-2011)
H. Large bushes and/or trees shall not be planted directly outside of windows thereby impeding a person's ability to use them for fire escape purpose or reduce the Caldwell fire department's ability to rely upon them for fire or rescue purpose.
I. Low profile landscaping shall be applied within a three foot (3') radius of all fire hydrants in accordance with uniform fire code. Acceptable landscape includes mowed grass and mulch products. Landscape shall be placed in proximity to fire hydrants to create an adequate fire viewshed. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
(1) Purpose Of The Vision Triangle: To prevent sight obstructions that include any hedge, tree, shrubbery, fence, signage or wall that interfere with driver vision.
(2) Observation Of Vision Triangle Standards:
A. All vision triangles located at controlled (signalized) or uncontrolled roadway intersections.
B. Idaho transportation department's (ITD) vision triangle standards shall apply to all state highways located within the city's jurisdiction.
(3) Parameters Of Vision Triangle:
A. Vision triangles shall be measured from the projected intersection of the lip of gutter a distance of forty feet (40') along each roadway edge, and connecting the two (2) points with a straight line. This measuring approach defines the boundaries of a vision triangle at the intersection of two (2) roads.
B. As a roadway is enlarged or constructed, the vision triangle will accommodate the new boundaries.
(4) Intersection Of Roadways With Driveways And Alleyways:
A. The boundaries of a vision triangle at the intersection of a road with a driveway or alleyway are defined by measuring from the intersection of the roadway and the edge of the driveway or alleyway twenty feet (20') along the roadway and ten feet (10') along the driveway or alleyway connecting the two (2) points with a straight line.
(5) Intersection Of Road And Railroad:
A. The vision triangle at the intersection of railroads and street crossings shall be forty feet (40') along the railroad property line and forty feet (40') along the roadway edge and connecting the two (2) points with a straight line.
(6) Items Prohibited Or Limited Within The Vision Triangle:
A. The planting of trees in the vision triangle is prohibited. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
B. All trees existing in the right of way shall be pruned to a minimum height of ten feet (10') above the ground or sidewalk surface and fourteen feet (14') above the adjacent roadway surface or be removed. (Ord. 3065, 9-19-2016)
C. Maximum height of any berm or vegetative ground cover shall be three feet (3') at maturity.
D. No fences may be installed on a berm.
E. No fences higher than three feet (3') are permitted.
F. No structures or objects higher than three feet (3') are permitted, except publicly placed traffic devices.
G. No signs taller than three feet (3') are permitted, except publicly placed traffic directing devices. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
Notes
| 1 | 1. IC 49-221. |
(1) Location:
A. Street landscape buffers shall be located on private property outside of and beyond the street right of way. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
B. Street landscape buffers shall be located within a platted common lot when the project is a platted subdivision and when located within an RS-1, RS-2, R-1, R-2, or R-3 zone. Street landscape buffers shall be located within a recorded permanent landscape easement when the project is not a subdivision or when the project is located in any zone other than those zones listed in the previous sentence. (Ord. 2755, 9-22-2008)
C. The measuring point for the street landscape buffer width associated with attached sidewalks shall be from the property line and not the sidewalk or curb.
D. The buffer width associated with detached sidewalks may be measured from the front of curb when it can be demonstrated there is no opportunity for expansion of the street section within the right of way. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
E. The required street landscape buffer width for principal arterial roadways only may include the sidewalk width, if the following requirements are satisfied: (Ord. 3010, 11-16-2015)
1. The sidewalks shall be detached.
2. The sidewalks shall be on a flat surface that is ADA accessible and is not sloped, meandering, bermed or hilly such that ADA accessibility is hindered.
3. An easement shall be provided allowing for general public use of the sidewalks and access for the city for any maintenance the city may opt to perform.
4. Existing transit stops shall not be separated from the normal walkway. (Ord. 2982, 2-2-2015)
F. The area dedicated for right of way purpose is not credited toward the street landscape buffer width. Road dedication for right of way purpose is in addition to street buffer dedication requirements. All rights of way areas not occupied by streets, curb, gutter, sidewalk or pedestrian amenities shall be completely covered with grass and shall be maintained by the property owner adjacent to said rights of way areas. All rights of way areas shall be maintained in a weed free and dust free manner. (Ord. 3065, 9-19-2016)
G. Entrances into residential subdivisions or developments: (Ord. 2755, 9-22-2008)
1. Entrance buffers on each side of all entrances shall be required.
2. Entrance buffers shall be placed adjacent to the developable lots.
3. Entrance buffers shall be placed in a common platted lot if a subdivision or placed in a recorded perpetual landscape easement if not a subdivision.
4. Entrance buffers shall be the length of the first developable lot's side property line closest to the street entrance.
5. Entrance buffers shall be a minimum width of fifteen feet (15').
6. Entrance buffers shall meet all the vision triangle requirements and shall be landscaped so as to not impede public safety.
7. Entrance buffers shall be landscaped with vegetative or nonvegetative ground cover, flowers or shrubs.
H. Street landscape buffers located along frontages of residential subdivisions and/or developments shall not exceed a maximum height of eight feet (8'). Within the eight foot (8') maximum, fencing shall not exceed six feet (6') in height and berms shall not exceed five feet (5') in height. Exception: Berms located in street landscape buffers along state highways shall meet all berm requirements of Idaho transportation department. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
I. There is no minimum or maximum berm height for subdivisions or developments located within a C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4, M-1, M-2, I-P, C-D, H-D, or A-D zone, unless the subdivision or development is wholly residential in use in which case subsection (1)H of this section applies, although this does not preclude all applicable safety rules and regulations and the rules applicable to the vision triangle. (Ord. 2755, 9-22-2008)
(2) Applicability:
A. Street landscape buffers shall be required along all subdivision and/or development boundaries that have frontage on a classified public roadway. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
B. Street landscape buffers shall when platted as a common lot, be owned and maintained by either a homeowners' or business owners' association. (Ord. 2755, 9-22-2008)
C. Street landscape buffers not platted as a common lot shall be placed in a recorded permanent landscape easement and shall be maintained in dedication format by a specified controller, homeowners' or business owners' association. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008; Ord. 2755, 9-22-2008)
D. Street landscape buffers are not intended to impede or conflict with driveway or entrance access requirements and shall follow any vision triangle restrictions and/or requirements.
E. Placement of street landscape buffers into either platted common lots or recorded permanent landscape easements shall not negate, substitute for, or replace a property's zoning frontage requirement as per section 10-02-03 of this chapter. The zoning frontage requirements as per section 10-02-03 of this chapter shall be met regardless of, and separate from, the placement of common lots or easements. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
F. The placement of a landscape buffer into a platted common lot that is located between a street and a corner lot may change the status of the corner lot to an interior lot, provided the landscape buffer is a minimum of ten feet (10') wide and runs the entire length of the interior lot. (Ord. 3156, 7-16-2018)
(3) Buffer Sizes:
Type Of Roadway | Buffer Width Along Each Side Of A Roadway |
Local, residential or nonclassified streets (does not include access easements, alleys, driveways, and/or private streets which do not have a buffer requirement) | 10 feet |
Minor, major or urban collectors | 15 feet |
Minor arterials | 20 feet |
Major or principal arterials | 25 feet |
State Highway 20/26, State Highway 55, I-84 | 30 feet |
(Ord. 3010, 11-16-2015)
A. Local, residential or nonclassified streets internal to any subdivision or development in an RS-1, RS-2, R-1, R-2, R-3 Zone or internal to any subdivision or development that is wholly residential in use, are not required to have the ten foot (10') wide street landscape buffer.
(4) Buffer Width Reduction: Buffer width reductions may be granted at the discretion of the City's landscape plan reviewer based upon existing conditions, lot size, right-of-way requirements, topography and geography of the site. Buffer width reductions shall not be granted based upon financial or economic reasons. Appeals to the landscape plan reviewer's decision may be made to the Council following the public hearing. (Ord. 2805, 11-2-2009)
(5) Required Landscaping And Improvements Within The Street Buffers:
A. Mixture of trees, shrubs, lawn, vegetative and nonvegetative ground cover so that the entire buffer area is covered. A minimum of seventy percent (70%) of the buffer area shall be covered with a turf-type grass. For new plantings, grass sod installation is required. Seeding, hydro-seeding, or similar methods shall not be allowed. (Ord. 3156, 7-16-2018)
B. Minimum tree density equivalent to one tree per thirty-five (35) linear feet of buffer area.
C. Minimum shrub density equivalent to one shrub per seven (7) linear feet of buffer area. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
D. Dry landscaping may be utilized if the property does not have an irrigation water right and meets the following conditions: the site is zoned either M-2 (Heavy Industrial) or I-P (Industrial Park), the site is not located within the Indian Creek corridor, the site is not located within the Boise River corridor, and the site is not located along an arterial and/or collector roadway. When dry landscaping is utilized there shall be no shrub or vegetation requirement. Rather the entire buffer width area shall be covered with a combination of trees, hardscape, boulders and rock slabs with a minimum of one boulder per thirty-five (35) linear feet of buffer area, a minimum of two (2) different types of rock ground cover and a minimum of one tree for every fifty (50) linear feet of buffer area. Required boulders, rocks and trees may be grouped according to the landscape plan designer. Trees must be selected from the Class 2 tree list in article 8 of this chapter or approved by the City Forester if not on the tree list. Trees shall further be selected based upon limited requirements for watering. (Ord. 3156, 7-16-2018)
E. The construction of public sidewalks are required as part of the street landscape buffer. Sidewalks shall meet the requirements per the currently adopted Idaho Standards for Public Works Construction (ISPWC) as modified by the City of Caldwell supplemental specifications to the ISPWC. The requirement to construct sidewalk(s) may be waived by the City Engineer and Planning and Zoning Director for the following reasons: limited possibility of sidewalk continuation in the area, scope of the project, existing conditions, topography and geography of the site. Appeals to the City Engineer and Planning and Zoning Director's decision shall be heard following the public hearing requirements set forth in subsection 10-03-03(2) of this chapter. (Ord. 3065, 9-19-2016)
(6) Tree And Shrub Spacing:
A. Trees and shrubs may be grouped together or spaced evenly as desired.
B. Vision triangles, signage, driveways and above grade clearance shall all be accounted for when actually placing trees and shrubs.
C. Trees shall not be spaced closer than eighty percent (80%) of the average mature width of the trees.
D. The planning and zoning staff, in consultation with the city forester, is authorized to review and approve species and spacing variables in buffering areas to assure these factors are accommodated. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
(7) Parking And Vehicle/Merchandise Display Allowed: Vehicles are prohibited from parking within the street landscape buffer area, but vehicles and other merchandise may be displayed as part of the business owner's advertising scheme with permission from the planning and zoning department. (Ord. 2805, 11-2-2009)
(8) Impervious Surfaces Allowed In The Street Buffer Area:
A. Curb cuts, driveways, signs, fire hydrants, mailboxes, telephone poles, light poles, flagpoles and walkways.
B. Other types of impervious surfaces not listed are discouraged and are subject to approval on a case by case basis.
C. Development features, including, but not limited to, patios, may be extended into the street buffer area provided compensation of a like amount of dedicated landscape area is provided elsewhere. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
(9) Fences: Fences shall not be allowed within the street landscape buffer. (Ord. 2967, 7-21-2014)
(10) Additional Amenities: Additional street landscape amenities may be required, as determined by and at the discretion of the planning and zoning director, in gateway street/major entrance areas. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008; Ord. 2967, 7-21-2014)
(11) Buffers Along Highway 20/26 And Highway 55:
A. All parcels, in any zone, that have frontage along Highway 20/26 or Highway 55 shall install a thirty foot (30') wide street landscape buffer, that shall contain a detached sidewalk and accompanying sidewalk landscaping, upon development.
B. All landscaping plans for the street landscape buffer area along Highway 20/26 or Highway 55 shall be subject to review and approval by the landscape plan design review committee.
C. The sidewalk shall meet the following requirements: (Ord. 2755, 9-22-2008; Ord. 2967, 7-21-2014)
1. Shall be detached. (Ord. 3010, 11-16-2015)
2. Shall be on a flat surface that is ADA accessible and is not sloped, bermed or hilly such that ADA accessibility is hindered.
3. Shall be eight feet (8') wide and paved the full width meeting surfacing and cross section standards for sidewalks as per the city engineering department.
4. Shall be dedicated as a public access easement, allowing for general public use of the sidewalk and access to the city for any maintenance the city may opt to perform, and shall be owned, operated and maintained by a homeowners' or business owners' association.
D. The sidewalk landscaping shall meet the following requirements:
1. Both sides of the sidewalk shall be landscaped. (Ord. 2755, 9-22-2008; Ord. 2967, 7-21-2014)
2. Berms shall be periodically incorporated into the landscaping with slopes determined by the landscape plan designer and subsequently approved by the city's landscape plan reviewer. (Ord. 2805, 11-2-2009; Ord. 2967, 7-21-2014)
3. Landscaping width shall be a minimum of eleven feet (11') on each side of the sidewalk for a total of twenty-two feet (22') of landscaping width area. (Ord. 3010, 11-16-2015)
4. (Rep. by Ord. 2805, 11-2-2009)
5. Vegetative and nonvegetative ground cover shall be used and shall be a combination of the following: native grass mix, emergent mix, turf, shrubs, rocks, permabark, bark or similar, and/or flowers. (Ord. 2805, 11-2-2009; Ord. 2967, 7-21-2014)
6. One boulder for every seventy-five (75) linear feet of frontage.
7. Minimum of one class 1 or class 2 tree for every fifty (50) linear feet of frontage.
8. Minimum of ten (10) shrubs for every fifty (50) linear feet of frontage.
9. Groupings of vegetative ground cover, trees and boulders may be determined by the landscape designer so long as the entire sidewalk landscaped area is covered with the items as listed above.
10. There shall be one streetlight provided for every two hundred (200) linear feet of frontage. Said streetlights shall meet all streetlight requirements as listed in subsection 10-12-05(14)B of this chapter.
11. The sidewalk landscaped area shall be dedicated as a public access easement, allowing for general public use of the landscaped area and access for the City for any maintenance the City may opt to perform, and shall be owned, operated and maintained by a homeowners' or business owners' association. (Ord. 2755, 9-22-2008; Ord. 2967, 7-21-2014)
(1) Required: Interior landscape planter islands shall be required in all surface parking lots. For those lots containing fewer than six (6) spaces the size shall be determined at the discretion of the Planning and Zoning Director. (Ord. 3102, 9-5-2017)
(2) Interior Landscape Planter Islands Requirements:
A. Linear grouping of parking spaces shall not exceed twelve (12) in a row, without the installation of an interior landscape planter island.
B. Interior landscape planter islands shall be spaced as evenly as feasible at the ends of parking rows throughout the lot to guide vehicle turning movements.
C. Landscape planter islands shall contain a minimum of sixty (60) square feet of area when serving a single row of parking. Landscape planter islands shall contain a minimum of one hundred twenty (120) square feet of area when accommodating a double row of parking spaces. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
D. Piped irrigation shall be provided to landscape planter islands, unless dry landscaping is utilized. (Ord. 2805, 11-2-2009)
E. Islands shall contain a minimum of one Class 1 or 2 tree and shall be covered with a combination of low shrubs, lawn or other vegetative or nonvegetative ground cover if wet landscaping is utilized. If dry landscaping is utilized, the island shall be covered with rock ground cover and a minimum of one boulder and there shall be no requirement for vegetation. Class 3 trees are prohibited in the interior planter islands. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008; Ord. 2805, 11-2-2009)
F. The required amount of interior planter islands landscaping may be reallocated to the entranceways or perimeter of the general parking lot area if the placement of the islands seriously encumbers the parking lot and traffic circulation functions or in cases involving small or oddly configured land parcels. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
(1) Purpose: Buffer applications are intended to minimize differences in land use activity that may arise due to noise, dirt, litter, glare of lights, aesthetics, creativity and/or other reasons.
(2) Required Buffer Materials:
A. Mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees (class 1 and 2 trees only).
B. Mixture of shrubs, lawn, vegetative and nonvegetative ground cover so that the entire buffer width area is covered. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
C. Trees shall be spaced at thirty-five foot (35') intervals. Shrubs shall be spaced at two (2) to eight foot (8') intervals depending upon individual plant spacing requirements. (Ord. 2755, 9-22-2008)
D. The installation of landscape and screen material shall not prohibit or impair a pedestrian's access to abutting development.
(3) Land Use Intensity Table For Determining Buffer Widths Between Land Uses:
A. The following table is intended to provide a general classification of land use intensities for commonly proposed development activity as a means to determine buffer widths between land uses. The minimum buffer widths will be calculated based upon the classification of the proposed land use and the adjoining land use. If a land use is not listed below, the planning and zoning director shall determine its level of land use intensity based upon common characteristics with one of the classes below:
Class I:
Bed and breakfast
Cemeteries
Duplexes
Espresso/pastry shop
Golf courses
Manufactured homes
Parks
R-S-1, R-S-2, R-1 and R-2 zones
Single-family homes
Vacant land zoned R-S-1, R-S-2, R-1 or R-2
Class II:
Childcare centers
Church
Elementary schools
Libraries
Multi-family dwellings
Nurseries, greenhouses
R-3, C-D, C-C and H-D zones
Residential office
Senior centers
Vacant land zoned R-3, C-D, C-C or H-D
Class III:
C-1 zone
High schools
Medical and professional offices
Middle schools
Personal services
Quasi-public uses
Vacant land zoned C-1
Class IV:
Building supply outlet
C-2, C-3 and C-4 zones
Grocery stores
Hotel/motel
Indoor manufacturing
Parking garages
Restaurants
Retail stores and services
Storage facilities
Vacant land zoned C-2, C-3 or C-4
Warehouses
Class V:
Agricultural usage
Airport
Contractor's storage yard
Dairy product processing
Fairgrounds
Grain storage
Heavy manufacturing
M-1, M-2, I-P and A-D zones
Other industrial uses
Processing plants
Recycling
Truck and tractor repair
Vacant land zoned M-1, M-2, I-P or A-D
Warehousing
Wholesaling
Wrecking yard
(4) Minimum Buffer Widths:
Intensity Class Of Proposed Use | Intensity Class Of Adjacent Use | ||||
I | II | III | IV | V | |
I | 0 | 10 | 10 | 15 | 20 |
II | 10 | 0 | 10 | 15 | 20 |
III | 10 | 10 | 0 | 15 | 20 |
IV | 15 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 15 |
V | 20 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 0 |
(5) Notes Regarding Buffer Widths:
A. Buffer widths are shown in feet.
B. Buffer widths apply to contiguous land uses.
C. Example: If the intensity class of the proposed use is II, and the proposed use property is adjacent to an intensity class of V, then the required buffer will be twenty feet (20').
D. If a street separates varying intensity land uses, the applicant may count the width of the required street landscape buffer towards the width of the buffer between differing uses. The largest required width of the two is applicable. If an alley separates varying intensity land uses, the entire width of the required buffer between land uses is applicable.
E. If the adjacent landowner has provided a portion of the required width and landscaping requirements, the controller only needs to provide the remaining width and requirements (if any) to satisfy this buffer requirement.
F. If an irrigation/drainage easement or irrigation/drainage right of way exists between the differing uses, the controller only needs to provide the remaining width and landscaping requirements (if any) to satisfy this buffer requirement. All improvements would need to take place outside of any irrigation/drainage easement or right of way. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
G. The buffer area shall be placed in a common lot if the project is within a platted subdivision and within any residential zone, or located within a recorded, permanent landscaping easement if not platted or if located within any other zone besides a residential zone. The buffer area shall be operated and maintained by the controller, a homeowners' or business owners' association. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008; Ord. 2755, 9-22-2008)
H. Buffer width reductions may be granted at the discretion of the city's landscape plan reviewer based upon existing conditions, lot size, right of way requirements, topography and geography of the site. Buffer width reductions shall not be granted based upon financial or economic reasons. (Ord. 2805, 11-2-2009)
(6) Commercial And Industrial Containers: Commercial and industrial containers (i.e., trash dumpsters) shall be screened from rights of way by the installation of substantial sight obscuring landscape, fence or stone wall material that completely obscures the container year round. (Ord. 2661, 1-7-2008)
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