The provisions of this section are intended to protect and enhance the visual appearance of the City by encouraging the preservation of existing trees and natural features; protect property values by providing a transition between dissimilar land uses; and to lessen adverse effects such as noise, odors and dust.
(a) Applicability of Requirements. These landscape buffer requirements shall apply to all proposed multi-family developments and residential subdivisions other than minor subdivisions that abut:
(1) Any existing collector street.
(2) Any residential property that is not a part of the proposed subdivision or multi- family development.
(3) Any railroad right-of-way and/or limited access highway (State Routes 2 or 44).
(b) Landscape Buffer Materials.
(1) Walls and/or fences. Solid walls of stone or brick shall be permitted. Solid wood or vinyl fences shall also be permitted. Such walls or fencing shall be not less than four feet in height nor greater than eight feet in height.
(2) Earthen mounds. Earthen mounds as physical barriers to block or screen the view, noise, odor and/or dust shall be permitted. Such mounds shall be a minimum of four feet in height and shall not exceed eight feet in height. The earthen mound shall be constructed having a slope of not greater than 3:1 (one foot of rise for each three feet of run); interfere with drainage; cause ponding; or push water onto adjoining properties as per the requirements of Section 1137.25.
(4) Any combination of paragraph (b)(1), (b)(2) and (b)(3) above. A combination of any of the above is also permitted.
(c) Height. Utilizing the landscape buffering materials listed in subsection (b) above, no such landscape buffer shall exceed 12 feet in height above finished grade.
(d) Location in Common Area. The buffer area shall be constructed on designated common area of the subdivision outside of any subdivision lots to be created.
(e) Maintenance. All buffering elements shall be maintained in good condition at all times. Maintenance of the buffer area shall be the responsibility of the homeowners' association of the residential subdivision or owner of the multi-family development.
(f) Supplemental Information. Either the installation of the required work shall have been completed or the posting of a bond or other approved sureties shall be approved as per Section 1111.05(b)(4) to ensure installation of the buffer improvement.
(Ord. 16-19. Passed 9-16-19.)