For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES.
(1) Commercial production from the land or on the land of agricultural products, including horticultural, floricultural, dairy, livestock, poultry and apiarian products, but not including forestry products. (See
TREE FARMING herein.)
(2) Clearing trees for the purpose of planting crops, providing pasture for livestock, or constructing buildings accessory to production of agricultural products.
BERM. A mound of earth or the act of pushing earth into a mound.
BUFFER. An area of natural vegetation or human-made construction that is intended to provide a visual and dimensional separation between dissimilar land uses.
BUFFER, NATURAL. A visual screen created by vegetation of such density so as to present an opaque visual separation when viewed from one side to the other throughout the year.
BUFFER, STRUCTURAL.
A visual screen created through construction of a solid wooden or vinyl fence, decorative masonry wall, earthen berm or combination of fence or wall with an earthen berm, which may be supplemented with vegetation, to present an opaque visual separation when viewed from one side to the other throughout the year.
BUILDING TREE LINE. The lines extending from the corners of a building nearest a street to the side lines of the lot (not including a street right-of-way), parallel to the right-of-way line or to the chord of that line.
CALIPER. The diameter of a tree (usually nursery stock) measured at a point six inches above the ground or top of the root ball for up to and including four-inch caliper trees, and at a point 12 inches above the ground or top of root ball for larger sizes.
CANOPY. A roof-like structure supported by columns or projecting from a building and open on at least three sides.
CRITICAL ROOT ZONE. The land area circular in shape and centered on the trunk of a tree, the radius of which circle is determined by the farthest extent of the drip line from the trunk.
DEVELOPMENT SITE. That portion of a tract of land that will be dedicated to a proposed development, including the land containing trees that will be counted toward satisfying the requirements of these provisions. Where the proposed DEVELOPMENT SITE is less than the entire tract, the Director shall to determine the boundaries of the DEVELOPMENT SITE.
DIAMETER BREAST HEIGHT (DBH). The diameter of a tree trunk (usually a mature tree) measured at a height of four and one-half feet above the ground. If a tree splits into multiple trunks below four and one-half feet, the trunk is measured at the narrowest point beneath the split.
DRIP LINE. A perimeter formed by the points farthest away from the trunk of a tree where precipitation falling from the branches of that tree lands on the ground.
GROUND COVER. A low growing plant other than turf grass that forms a continuous cover over the ground surface.
LANDSCAPE MATERIALS. Any combination of living plant materials and non-living materials, such as rock, pebbles, sand, mulch, pavers, berms, fencing, walls, fountains and other decorative materials.
LANDSCAPED PARKWAY. The landscaped or green area between the curb and sidewalk or other improvement.
LANDSCAPING. Landscaping shall consist of shrubs, vines, turf, ground cover and other landscape materials that are utilized to enhance the aesthetic and functional qualities of a site.
OPAQUE. Impenetrable to view, or so obscuring to view that features, buildings, structures and uses become visually indistinguishable.
PLANT MATERIALS. Living plants that include trees, shrubs, ground cover, grasses and perennial flowering plants, turf and vines, which are suitable for ornamental and/or functional use.
RIPARIAN CORRIDOR. A strip of land located along naturally occurring drainage channels.
SCREEN. Natural vegetation or a decorative structure that creates an opaque visual block or obscures an unattractive view. For the purpose of this subchapter, a SCREEN is opaque to a height of six feet above the ground surface or, for a screen of plant materials, has the maximum opacity obtainable with the approved arrangement and species of plant materials, to a height of six feet. SCREENING may consist of any combination of the following, as approved by the Director:
(1) Fencing constructed of cedar, redwood, treated wood or other suitable all-weather material;
(2) Masonry walls;
(3) Plant materials or natural vegetation; and
(4) Earthen berms.
SHADE TREE. A broadleaf tree having an average height at maturity of a least 20 feet and having a broad spread relative to its height (excluding trees with pyramidal, conical or columnar crowns) and a dense canopy, so as to provide shade in the summer months.
SIGNIFICANT TREE. A tree in fair or better condition, which is 20 inches DBH or greater or small ornamental hardwoods such as dogwoods, redbuds or sourwoods whose diameters are eight inches DBH or more.
SHRUB. A self-supporting woody plant that normally reaches a height of less than 15 feet.
TREE. A self-supporting woody plant which normally reaches a height of at least 15 feet.
TREE FARMING. The planting, cultivating and harvesting of trees in a continuous cycle as a regular practice on a tract of land; not including the removal of trees for purposes of development or the removal of trees without replanting.
TURF. Ground cover composed of one or more species of perennial grass that is grown as a permanent lawn.
VINE. A plant that is typically woody and climbs by supporting itself on some other plant or structure.
(Ord. 3474, passed 9-5-2006; Ord. 3817, passed 2-18-2014)