The landscape requirements are intended to set minimum standards for quality development and environmental protection and are not intended to be arbitrary or inhibit creative solutions. Site conditions or other reasons may justify the need to request an alternate method of compliance with the landscape requirements. The reviewing authority, as specified in §§ 152.050 - 152.062, above, may alter the requirements of this section as long as existing or added landscape features of the development site comply with the intent of this subchapter. Requests for alternative compliance shall be accepted if one or more of the following conditions are met.
(A) Topography, geologic features, drainage channels or streams, existing natural vegetation, overhead or underground utilities, or other conditions make it unreasonable or meaningless to plant a buffer or meet other landscape requirements.
(B) Space limitations, unusually shaped lots, unique relationships to other properties, and/or prevailing practices in the surrounding neighborhood (such as use of a specific type of vegetation) may justify alternative compliance when changing the use type of an existing building in an established mature neighborhood or when developing in an historic district.
(C) An alternative compliance proposal is equal or better than normal compliance in its ability to fulfill the intent of this article and exhibits superior design quality.
(Ord. passed 10-1-07)