(a) The buffer yard shall be a landscaped area free of structures, dumpsters, material storage or display, manufacturing or processing activity, loading and unloading areas or vehicle parking or outdoor display. No new driveways or streets shall be permitted in buffer yards except at points of approved approximately perpendicular crossings for ingress or egress.
(b) All areas not covered by plants, shrubs and trees shall be well maintained by an all season vegetative ground cover and shall be kept free of debris and rubbish and not include grass areas higher than eight inches at grade. Grass shall be the default ground cover.
(c) All plantings must be suitable for the City of Fairborn's soils and climatic conditions and the planting's slope exposure, and:
(1) Shall be distributed so as to provide a relatively uniform planting. Where the planting is along a street and some visibility into the development is desired, the plant material may be arranged to provide view corridors.
(2) The landscaped areas shall be entirely pervious except for barrier structures and walks that provide pedestrian access. No more than 25% of the required area may consist of impervious materials such as gravel, stones, or paving.
(3) A mix of hardwood tree species shall be provided.
(4) Native grasses and plants that are pollinator friendly shall be provided.
(d) If an applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Zoning Administrator and City Engineer that an existing healthy tree line, attractive thick vegetation, natural earth berm and/or steep slopes will be preserved and serve the same buffer purposes that would otherwise be required by this Chapter, then such preserved existing buffer shall be permitted to be used, in part or whole, in place of new ground cover, grading and plantings. If this existing natural buffer is removed at any time, the applicant or property owner shall be required to plant a buffer yard that will meet the ground cover, grading and planting requirements of this chapter.
(Ord. 34-17. Effective 12-7-17.)