(a) Function and Materials. Buffering shall provide a year round visual screen in order to minimize adverse impacts from a site on an adjacent property or from adjacent areas. Buffering may consist of fencing, evergreens, berms, rocks, boulders, mounds, or combinations to achieve the stated objectives.
(b) When Required. Buffering shall be required when topographical or other barriers do not provide reasonable screening and when the Planning Commission and/or City Council determines that there is a need to shield the site from adjacent properties and to minimize adverse impacts such as incompatible land uses, noise, glaring light, and traffic. In small-lot developments, when building design and sitting do not provide privacy, the Planning Commission and/or City Council may require landscaping, fences, or walls to ensure privacy and screen dwelling units. Buffers shall be measured from side and rear property lines, excluding access driveways.
(1) Where more-intensive land uses abut less-intensive uses, a buffer strip twenty-five (25) feet, but not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the lot area in width, shall be required.
(2) Garbage collection, utility areas, and loading and unloading areas shall be screened around their perimeter by a buffer strip a minimum of ten (10) feet wide (non-residential use only).
(3) Where residential subdivisions abut higher-order streets (collectors or arterials), adjacent lots should front on lower-order streets, and a landscaped buffer area provided along the property line abutting the road. The buffer strip shall be a minimum of twenty-five (25), but not to exceed ten percent (10%) of the lot area width or wider where necessary for the health and safety of the residents, and include both trees and shrubs.
(c) Design. Arrangement of plantings in buffers shall provide maximum protection to adjacent properties and avoid damage to existing plant material. Possible arrangements include planting in parallel, serpentine, or broken rows. if planted berms are used, the minimum top width shall be four (4) feet, and the maximum side slope shall be 2:1.
(d) Planting Specifications. Plant materials shall be sufficiently large and planted in such a fashion that a screen at least eight (8) feet in height shall be produced within three (3) growing seasons. All plantings shall be installed according to accepted horticultural standards.
(e) Maintenance. Plantings shall be watered regularly and in a manner appropriate for the specific plant species throughout the first growing season, and dead or dying plants shall be replaced by the applicant during the next planting season. No buildings, structures, storage of materials, or parking shall be permitted within the buffer area; buffer areas shall be maintained and kept free of all debris, rubbish, weeds, and tall grass.