(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)