§ 155.076 BUFFER YARD STANDARDS.

   The buffer yard standards apply to the following districts: AG, R1, R2, R3, R4, MH, PB, B1, B2, TC, LI, HI.

   (A)   The general purpose of a buffer yard is to soften the potential conflicts between the potential uses in one zoning district and the potential uses in another adjacent district by using setbacks and landscaping. The potential degree (or intensity) of conflict (or potential conflict) between two zoning districts determines the extent of buffer yard required.

   (B)   The following matrix determines the type of buffer yard which shall be installed by the subject development entirely on the subject property.

   (C)   The following general buffer yard standards will apply to all buffer yards.

      (1)   The buffer yard standards only apply along the property lines where the two conflicting zoning districts meet.

      (2)   The developer or owner of the subject property is responsible for installing the buffer yard. The adjacent property owner shall not have to participate in installing the buffer yard.

      (3)   No buffer yard or required landscape materials shall be placed within any right-of-way or septic field.

      (4)   All required buffer yard areas shall be provided entirely on the subject property and shall be in addition to setbacks required by this chapter.

      (5)   All required buffer yard trees shall be irregularly spaced and designed to provide theappearance of a natural landscape unless otherwise specified by this chapter. However, no two trees shall be placed within ten feet of one another.

      (6)   All portions of the buffer yard not planted with trees, shrubs or other landscaped materials shall be covered with grass or other ground covering vegetation.

      (7)   No landscaping required by this section may be used to satisfy the minimum requirements of any other provisions of this chapter.

      (8)   All landscape materials must be properly maintained, and kept in a neat and orderly appearance, free from all debris and refuse. All unhealthy or dead plant material shall be removed by the end of the next planting season.

      (9)   Sites which require a buffer yard shall satisfy the following standards:

         (a)   Less than two acres - buffer yard 1;

         (b)   Between two and five acres - buffer yard 2;

         (c)   Over five acres - buffer yard 3.

Buffer Yard Requirements

The buffer yard type indicated on the table below shall be provided on the subject property where...

...the zoning district for the subject property is...

...and the adjoining property is zoned:

AG

R1

R2

R3

R4

MH

PB

B1

B2

TC

LI

HI

AG

R1

R2

R3

R4

X

X

MH

X

X

X

PB

B1

X

X

X

B2

X

X

X

TC

LI

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

HI

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

   (D)   The required buffer yards shall meet the following minimum requirements:

      (1)   Buffer yard type 1. Buffer yard type 1 shall include a minimum setback of ten feet in addition to the yard setback otherwise required by this Code. In addition, one deciduous canopy tree must be planted in the buffer yard for every 30 feet of contiguous boundary between the subject and adjoining properties.

      (2)   Buffer yard type 2. Buffer yard type 2 shall include a minimum setback of 20 feet in addition to the yard setback otherwise required by this chapter. In addition, one deciduous canopy tree and two evergreen trees shall be planted in the buffer yard for every 25 feet of contiguous boundary between the subject and adjoining properties.

      (3)   Buffer yard type 3. Buffer yard type 3 shall include a minimum setback of 25 feet in addition to the yard setback otherwise required by this chapter, and a row of deciduous canopy trees shall be planted parallel to the property line within the buffer yard with one tree placed every 20 feet long the boundary between the subject and adjoining properties, or a five- foot tall opaque wooden fence or brick or stone wall, a five-foot tall undulating mound planted with shrubs, or a row of evergreen trees shall be placed parallel to the property line within ten feet of the row of canopy trees along the boundary between the subject and adjoining properties.

         (a)   If an undulating mound is used to fulfill the requirements, one shrub for every ten feet of continuous boundary shall be planted on the mound. All required shrubs shall measure 18 inches in height measured from grade at the time of planting.

         (b)   If a row of evergreen trees is used to meet the requirements, one tree shall be placed every ten feet along the property boundary.

(Ord. 2013-02, passed 3-11-13)