1. Industrial zones (M-1) that abut residential zones (R-1, R-2). A planted buffer shall reach a minimum height of eight (8) feet. Plants used on a buffer shall be a species that forms a continuous year-round opaque screen within three (3) years after planting. The planted buffer shall be composed of two (2) rows of plants no more than ten (10) feet apart in each row. One (1) of the plant types listed in subsection 4. below shall be used, and the plants shall be located no further apart than the distance indicated for each plant type. The planted buffer area shall be at least ten (10) feet wide.
2. Commercial or business zones (B-1, B-2, B-3) that abut residential zones (R-1, R-2) and non-residential uses in residential zones (R-1, R-2). A planted buffer shall reach a minimum height of six (6) feet. Plants used on a buffer shall be a species that forms a continuous year-round opaque screen within three (3) years after planting. The planted buffer shall be composed of one (1) row of plants no more than ten (10) feet apart in the row. One (1) of the plant types listed in subsection 4. below shall be used, and the plants shall be located no further apart than the distance indicated for each plant type. The planted buffer area shall be at least ten (10) feet wide.
3. Buffer topographic considerations and other exceptions.
a. The required height of the planted buffer shall be measured in relation to the elevation of the edge of the adjacent area to be screened. In such cases as the ground elevation of the location at which the screen is to be planted is less than the elevation of the proposed building site, the required height of the screen shall be increased in an amount equal to said difference in elevation.
b. In lieu of compliance with the above buffer and screening requirement, an applicant may submit to the Planning Director for his or her review and approval a detailed plan and specifications for landscaping and screening.
c. In situations where the topography would render most practical required screening noneffective, the Planning Director may allow the screening to be located outside of the required buffer and placed in a location that will enable the screening to be effective in meeting the intent of this section.
4. Plant types and spacing. Below are listed the types of plants that shall be used in planted buffers and the maximum distance each plant type shall be planted apart. Substitution for another plant type not listed is to be made in writing to the Zoning Administrator and is subject to verification that the proposed plant will thrive and provide adequate screening. No more than thirty percent (30%) of the total plantings in a buffer shall be deciduous plants.
Plant | Distance Apart (in feet) |
Arbor Vitae | 4 |
Ligustrum Japonicum and varieties | 5 |
Photinia | 5 |
Holly | 5 |
a. Nellie R. Stevens | 5 |
b. Fosters #2 | 4 |
c. Savannah | 4 |
d. Bufordi | 5 |
Eleangnus Pungens | 5 |
Osmanthus Varieties | 4 |
Pfitzer Juniper | 4 |
Doublefle Viburnum | 5 |
Forsythia | 3 |
White Pine | 8 to 10 |
Scotch Pine | 5 to 6 |
Deodara Cedar | 8 to 10 |
Dogwood | 8 to 10 |
Flowering Cherry | 8 to 10 |
Flowering Crabapple | 8 to 10 |
Bradford Pear | 8 to 10 |
Oak | 8 to 10 |
Linden | 8 to 10 |
Leyland Cypress | 8 to 10 |
(Ord. of 12-7-04, No. 37-02; Ord. of 6-6-16, No. 22-15)