(a) Buffering Requirements. To secure a desirable transition between single-family residential zoning districts (A-1, R-A, R, R-OA-1, or R-OA-2) and development occurring on abutting land that is zoned R-4, MHP, NCO, C, M-1, M-2, or P, the required front, side or rear yards within the R-4, MHP, NCO, C, M-1, M-2 or P zoning districts shall be increased by three times, and within such a buffer area a landscaped buffer shall be provided, which shall act as a visual screen. An abutting public right-of-way cannot be considered an abutting land use. A reduction of the required yard area may be considered if additional screening is provided using landscaping, fencing, or mounding, or a combination of techniques thereof.
(b) Landscaping Requirements.
(1) Plantings in buffer areas shall have, within three years after planting, a minimum height of five feet and shall achieve an opacity of one hundred percent in the summer and a minimum of fifty percent in the winter.
(2) Indigenous occurring vegetation that provides some natural buffering may be preserved and used in combination with new plantings needed to achieve the minimum heights and opacity indicated in division (b)(1) of this section.
(3) Earthen mounding may be used as part of the landscaping plan and in buffer areas. The mounding shall have a minimum height of three feet and a maximum height of six feet. Such mounds shall have a maximum slope of three to one and a minimum width across the top of the mound of three feet. The grading of the mounds shall be accomplished to achieve positive storm water drainage with no ponding. Mounds shall be smoothly contoured and seeded or sodded with grass to prevent erosion.
(4) If plantings and earthen mounding are used in combination, a maximum of thirty-three percent of the planting may be installed on the top of the mound.
(5) A minimum of six percent of the parking lot area shall be landscaped.
(6) A minimum landscaping strip of five feet in width shall be located between the parking area and the abutting property lines.
(7) One tree shall be required for each twelve parking spaces or faction thereof and a minimum of 100 square feet of non-paved area per tree in parking lot areas. Trees shall be of a diameter of not less than one and one-half inches.
(8) A minimum landscaping strip of ten feet in depth shall be located between the abutting right-of-way and the parking area.
(9) For all multi-family, manufactured home park, commercial and industrial districts, one street tree shall be planted at an average of every forty linear feet along the lot or parcel frontage of all public right-of-way. Street trees shall be planted and provided according to the regulations set forth in Section 1222.05(d)(23).
(10) The owners and their agents on multi-family residential, manufactured home park, commercial and industrial land use areas shall be responsible for providing, protecting and maintaining all landscaping and trees on their parcel or lot in a healthy and growing condition, replacing it when necessary and keeping it free of refuse and debris.
(c) Landscaping Plan Requirements.
(1) Landscape plans submitted pursuant to this section shall be prepared by a landscape architect.
(2) Landscape plans submitted pursuant to this article shall be drawn to scale, including dimensions and distances, and clearly delineate the existing and proposed parking areas, or other vehicular use area, access aisles, driveways and the location, size and description of all landscape materials and mounding.
(3) A zoning certificate will not be issued until the landscape plan has been approved by the Planning Commission.
(4) The Planning Commission or City Council shall have the authority to require a one-year maintenance bond for landscaping improvements. The maintenance bond shall be returned upon compliance with the approved landscaping plan.
(Ord. 2002-45. Passed 8-22-02; Ord. 2018-53. Passed 1-24-19; Ord. 2023-05. Passed 2-9-23.)