(a) Purpose. Landscape areas shall be required to separate a proposed development from adjacent major streets and different land uses or zoning designations in order to minimize potential nuisances such as the transmission of noise, dust, odor, litter, and glare of lights; to reduce the visual impact of unsightly aspects of adjacent development; to provide for the separation of spaces; and to establish a sense of privacy.
(b) Required. A landscape area is a strip of land together with the landscaping or screening required thereon. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the type of landscape area required between proposed development and adjacent streets, land uses or zoning designations shall be specified in subsection (f) of this section. Width and screening specifications for each landscape area shall be detailed and illustrated in the county design manual. Screening required within landscape buffers is intended to provide separation of spaces without necessarily eliminating visual contact between spaces, and may consist of existing vegetation, planted vegetation, a landscaped earth berm, a decorative wall, a wood fence, or a combination of the above. Any options specified in the county design manual for the required landscape area type shall satisfy the landscape requirements of this section.
(c) Location. Required landscape areas shall be located along the interior or street lot lines nearest the adjacent streets, land uses, or zoning designations except where such lot lines are intersected by crossing accessways or utility easements, or by a joint parking area. Required landscape areas shall not be located on any portion of an existing or proposed street right-of-way or easement.
(d) Use. Provided the required landscape area width and screening is maintained, a landscape area may contain utilities, pedestrian paths, and other minor or passive uses compatible with the general separation of land uses.
(e) Required landscape area off-site. A landscape area meeting the requirements of this section can be located, wholly or in part, on an adjacent zoning lot, provided that the adjacent zoning lot owner certifies his approval of the landscape area.
(f) Schedule of required landscape areas.
Note: Specifications for each landscape area type are contained in section 6 of the design manual.
Landscape Area Type Chart
Adjacent ** Existing *** Principal Use | Adjacent ** Vacant Land | |||||
Proposed Principal Use | Residential, AR | Arterial Street, Railroad (RR) | Collector Street | Automotive Repair, Storage- Supply Yard, AHH, I-2 | Zoning Districts AR, MHP, RR, OI | Zoning Districts GB, CB, I-1, IHI |
Adjacent ** Existing *** Principal Use | Adjacent ** Vacant Land | |||||
Proposed Principal Use | Residential, AR | Arterial Street, Railroad (RR) | Collector Street | Automotive Repair, Storage- Supply Yard, AHH, I-2 | Zoning Districts AR, MHP, RR, OI | Zoning Districts GB, CB, I-1, IHI |
Major residential subdivision | * | B | A | C | * | B |
Multifamily O&I | A | C | B | C | A | B |
Automotive repair, storage-supply yard | C | C A (RR) | B | A | C | A |
Business use | B | B | B | A | B | A |
Industrial use | C | C *(RR) | B | A | C | B |
Special use district | C | 1.5 X C | 1.5 X C | A | 1.5 X C | A |
* - No landscape area required.
** - Adjacent land uses and vacant lands include uses and land across a street from the proposed use.
*** - Existing uses included uses approved as part of development for which a special use permit or land use permit has been issued.
(g) Existing vegetation. Significant existing vegetation shall be retained and maintained whenever possible so as to permit such vegetation to contribute to landscape area and screening requirements.
(h) Maintenance of landscaping. All landscaping and screening required in this section shall be maintained so as to continue their effectiveness.
(Ord. of 7-10-2000, § 8.10)