1. Buffer parks not less than 60 feet in width shall be designed by a registered Landscape Architect, Architect or Engineer with earth berming and landscape plantings. The plantings shall be predominantly of evergreen type trees and shrubs to assure year round effectiveness. The earth berming shall be a minimum height of five feet above the top of the curb of the adjoining parking lot, if applicable, or public thoroughfare, and shall be pleasing to the general public. Berms may be required to be higher if the minimum height is identified during the development review process as being inadequate to provide effective screening and buffering. The berm shall be designed such that it does not negatively affect the drainage of the surrounding area.
2. In addition to earth berming, the following standards shall be required for landscape plantings: The equivalent of one overstory tree and three shrubs per 35 linear feet of buffer park. Deciduous trees shall have a minimum of two and one-half inch caliper. Evergreen trees shall be a minimum of six feet in height and will be equal to one overstory tree. Shrubs shall be a minimum size of 18 to 24 inches in height. Whenever practical, existing trees and shrubs shall be preserved and incorporated into the overall design of the buffer park and can be included in the total number of required trees and shrubs, if it is determined during the development review process that the existing trees will provide the necessary screening and buffering. Substitution of plant materials will be allowed at the following rate: two ornamental trees or five shrubs may be substituted for one overstory tree. In no case shall the substitution of overstory trees be in excess of 50 percent of the required number.
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