A. Nonresidential Uses: Where any nonresidential use except agriculture and farming (i.e., structure, parking or storage) abuts property zoned for residential use, that nonresidential use shall provide screening along the boundary of the residential property. Screening shall also be provided where a nonresidential use is across the street from a residential zone, but not on that side of a nonresidential use considered to be the front (as defined by this title). All fencing and screening specifically required by this chapter shall be subject to section 11-16-4 of this title regarding traffic visibility and shall consist of either a green belt planting strip, fence or combination thereof, as follows:
1. A green belt planting strip shall consist of evergreen trees and/or deciduous trees and plants and shall be of sufficient width and density to provide an effective visual screen. This planting strip shall be designed to provide complete visual screening to a minimum height of eight feet (8'). Earth mounding or berms may be used but shall not be used to achieve more than three feet (3') of the required screen. The planting plan and type of plantings shall require the approval of the City Council.
2. The City may also require that a fence may be installed, but not in lieu of the greenbelt. A required screening fence shall be constructed of masonry, brick, vinyl or maintenance free composite materials. A required screening fence shall provide a solid screening effect to a minimum of six feet (6') in height but shall not exceed eight feet (8') in height unless allowed by issuance of an interim use permit.
B. Residential Buffer Yards:
1. Overlay Easements Required: Double frontage lots or corner lots abutting a collector or arterial street, as defined by the Comprehensive Plan, preliminary platted after October 14, 2002, shall have an additional ten feet (10') of depth or width to be overlaid with a drainage and utility easement in order to allow space for screening along the lot line abutting such street rights-of-way.
2. Plan Required: For all applicable subdivisions, a landscape plan shall be submitted. The plan shall identify all proposed buffer screening including plantings, berms, and fences. The development contract shall include a security for the cost of materials and installation of the approved plan.
3. Design Standards:
a. Buffer Yard Plantings: All designated buffer yards must be seeded or sodded except in areas of steep slopes where natural vegetation is acceptable as approved by the City Engineer. All plantings within designated buffer yards shall adhere to the following:
(1) Plant material centers shall not be located closer than three feet (3') from the fence line or property line, and shall not conflict with public plantings, sidewalks, trails, etc.
(2) Landscape screen plant material shall be planted in two (2) or more rows. Plantings shall be staggered in rows unless otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator.
(3) Deciduous shrubs shall not be planted more than four feet (4') on center, and/or evergreen shrubs shall not be planted more than three feet (3') on center.
(4) Deciduous trees intended for screening shall be planted not more than forty feet (40') apart. Evergreen trees intended for screening shall be planted not more than fifteen feet (15') apart.
b. Earth Berms:
(1) Except in areas of steep slopes or where other topographic features will not permit, as determined by the City Engineer, an earth berm at least four feet (4') in height shall be installed in all designated buffer yards.
(2) Earth berms shall not exceed a three to one (3:1) slope unless approved by the City Engineer.
(3) Earth berms shall contain no less than four inches (4") of topsoil.
4. Installation: All buffer plantings, berms, and fences shall be installed or planted prior to release of the security required as part of the development contract.
5. Maintenance:
a. Maintenance of the buffer strip planting shall be the responsibility of the individual property owners or, if applicable, the homeowners' association.
b. Replacement of landscape materials or plantings in a buffer yard area shall be consistent with the original screen design.
c. All repair or plant replacement shall be done within forty five (45) days of written notification from the City. (Prior Code § 20-19-3)