(a) Screen Plantings.
(1) New non-residential or multi-family development adjacent to single-family residential property (existing or zoned) shall provide a ten (10) foot wide buffer of screen plantings. Upon installation, the buffer shall be not less than five (5) feet tall.
(2) At least fifty percent (50%) of screen planting specimens shall be evergreens, distributed evenly along the length of the barrier.
(3) All species within screen plantings shall be indigenous or otherwise well-suited to the City.
(4) Screen plantings must be continually maintained by the landowner. Any plant material that does not survive shall be replaced within six (6) months.
(5) Screen plantings may be required by the Board of Zoning Appeals as a condition of a conditional use permit.
(6) Screen planting shall not impose a threat to the public safety by obstructing the view of motorists to oncoming traffic or pedestrians.
(7) Screen planting shall not be required where the lot abuts an area of existing natural vegetation that effectively screens the lot from casual observation to a height of at least eight (8) feet.
(b) Buffer Area. The use of ten (10) feet of screen plantings shall remain the preferred method of buffering. However, where a buffer of screen plantings is considered to be impracticable or inappropriate, an opaque fence at least six (6) feet in height so as to restrict a clear view beyond said buffer area may be substituted in whole or in part for a natural buffer, provided its specifications are approved by the Zoning Officer.
(c) Parking Lot Landscaping.
(1) Parking lots with twenty (20) stalls or less are exempt from the requirements of this section. If only twenty (20) stalls are required under this code and the applicant chooses to provide more parking, the requirements of this section shall apply.
(2) A landscaping strip of at least five (5) feet in width shall be required between the parking area and the abutting property lines that is not a right of-way, except where driveways or other openings may be required. For non-residential uses adjacent to residential uses a buffer area of ten (10) feet is required.
(3) A landscaping strip ten (10) feet in width shall be provided along any side of parking lot that abuts the right of way of any street, except where driveways or other openings may be required.
(4) The landscaped areas shall not obstruct sight distances for motorists or pedestrians, nor shall such landscaping create any potential hazard to public safety.
(5) Landscaped areas shall be protected from the encroachment of vehicles by use of curbing, wheel stops, bollards, fencing, or other approved barriers.
(6) Owners shall be responsible for maintaining all landscaping, replacing it when necessary, and keeping it free from refuse and debris.
(d) All landscaping, screening, and buffering shall conform to the regulations established for clear sight triangles and shall not obscure or impair the visibility of an operator of a motor vehicle exiting or entering a property.
(Ord. 785. Passed 9-16-19.)