(A) Screening. All commercial, industrial or institutional uses shall provide screening along the boundary of any abutting residential district or when the side or rear of the use (as determined by the Zoning Administrator) is separated from any residential district by a public right-of-way. All screening required by this section shall be subject to § 152.186 of this chapter (traffic visibility) and is to consist of a green belt strip as provided below.
(1) A green belt planting strip shall consist of evergreen trees and/or deciduous trees and plants and shall be a minimum of 20 feet in width and of a sufficient density to provide a visual screen and reasonable buffer. This planting strip shall be designed to provide visual screening to a minimum height of six feet. The grade for determining height shall be the grade elevation of the building or use for which the screening is providing protection, unless otherwise established by the Zoning Administrator. The planting plan and type of plantings shall require the approval of the Zoning Administrator.
(2) A fence may also be installed, but not in lieu of the green belt planting strip. The fence shall be constructed of masonry, brick or wood, except as otherwise provided herein. The fence shall provide a solid screening effect and shall be a minimum of six feet in height but shall not exceed eight feet in height. The grade for determining height shall be the grade elevation of the building or use for which the screening is providing protection, unless otherwise established by the Zoning Administrator. The design and materials used in constructing a required screening fence shall be subject to the approval of the Zoning Administrator.
(B) Residential buffer yards.
(1) Lot depth requirements. Except for lots of record and preliminary platted lots having legal standing on the effective date of this subchapter, double frontage residential lots shall have an additional depth of at least 20 feet designated as an additional drainage and utility easement, in order to allow space for buffering/screen planting along the back lot line.
(2) Lot width requirements. Except for lots of record and preliminary platted lots having legal standing established on the effective date of this subchapter, lots which border major collector or arterial streets on a side yard shall have an additional width of at least ten feet designated as an additional drainage and utility easement in order to allow space for buffering and screening plantings along the lot line bordering the streets.
(3) Screening plan required. For applicable subdivisions, a comprehensive screening plan shall be submitted. The plan shall identify all proposed buffer screening in both plan and sectional view.
(4) Timing/responsibility of installation. Weather permitting, all buffer, bermings and/or plantings shall be constructed or planted prior to the issuance of a final certificate of occupancy.
(5) Design standards.
(a) Plantings. All designated buffer yards shall be seeded or sodded except in areas of steep slopes where natural vegetation is acceptable as approved by the Zoning Administrator. All plantings within designated buffer yards shall adhere to the following.
1. Plant material centers shall not be located closer than three feet from the fence line or property line, and shall not conflict with public plantings, sidewalks, trails and the like.
2. Landscape screen plant material shall be planted in two or more rows. Plantings shall be staggered in rows unless otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator.
3. Deciduous shrubs shall not be planted more than four feet on center and/or evergreen shrubs shall not be planted more than three feet on center.
4. Deciduous trees intended for screening shall be planted not more than 40 feet apart. Evergreen trees intended for screening shall be planted not more than 15 feet apart.
(b) Walls and fences. All walls and fences erected within designated buffer yards shall adhere to the following.
1. Only walls and fences formally approved as part of the subdivision and site plan process shall be permitted within the buffer yard.
2. At least 50% of the street side of a screening fence shall be landscaped with plant materials. Plant materials shall be at least equal to the fence height.
3. Fences and landscaping shall not be located within the traffic visibility triangle defined by § 152.186 of this chapter.
(c) Earth berms.
1. Except in areas of steep slopes or where other topographic features will not permit, as determined by the City Engineer, an earth berm at least four feet in height shall be installed in all designated buffer yards;
2. Shall not exceed a three to one slope unless approved by the City Engineer; and
3. Shall contain no less than four inches of topsoil.
(6) Maintenance.
(a) Maintenance of the buffer strip planting and/or fence shall be the responsibility of the individual property owners or, if applicable, the homeowners' association.
(b) All repairs to the fence or wall shall be consistent with the original fence design in regard to location and appearance.
(c) Replacement of landscape materials or plantings in a buffer yard area shall be consistent with the original screen design.
(d) All repair or plant replacement shall be done within 45 days of written notification from the Zoning Administrator or if applicable, the homeowners' association.
(Prior Code, § 11-20-5) (Ord. 258, passed 5-4-2006)