For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context indicates or clearly requires a different meaning.
“BUFFER EASEMENT.” A strip of land to be set aside to separate incompatible land uses on which shall be placed trees, bushes, ground covers and barriers as necessary to reduce the deleterious effects of the activities.
“BUSHES.” Planting materials with a functional mature height of two (2) to twelve (12) feet with foliage for its full height.
“EARTH MOUNDS.” Ridges of piled earth up to four (4) feet in height and constructed with proper slopes and plant material to prevent erosion.
“FENCE.” A barrier constructed of wood or metal for the purpose of restricting movement, or screening from sight conflicting activities. The height of fences shall be governed as set forth in the zoning code. Fences shall not be used for advertising purposes in residential or agricultural zones.
“GROUND COVER. Planting with a mature height of twelve (12) inches or less including but not limited to grass, certain junipers, phlox, and ivy. Within interior landscaping areas and landscaping easements next to a public right-of-way, crushed rock, tree bark, or processed shale may also be used.
“HEDGE.” A row of bushes planted at such interval as to create a continuous mass within two (2) years after planting.
“INTERIOR LANDSCAPING AREAS. Planting areas such as islands or peninsulas within a vehicular use area as required by § 81.103.
“LANDSCAPING.” The use of planting material, pavements, walls, fences, and earth mounds to enhance the aesthetic and safety characteristics of new and existing development.
“LOW SHRUBS.” Low lying deciduous or evergreen ground covers.
“TREES.” Planting materials with a functional mature height of ten (10) or more feet. When used in conjunction with interior landscaping areas, trees should have a minimum clear height of five (5) feet from the ground to the lowest branch.
“VEHICULAR USE AREA (V.U.A.). Any open or enclosed area containing more than one thousand eight hundred (1,800) square feet of area and used by six (6), or more, of any type of vehicle, or mobile home, whether moving or at rest, including, but not limited to, parking lots, loading and unloading areas, mobile home parks, and sales and service areas. For the purpose of interior landscaping, driveways shall be considered to be a part of all vehicular use areas to which they are adjacent. For the purpose of landscape buffering, driveways shall be considered vehicular use areas, regardless of size, if they are used by six (6) or more cars and are adjacent to a public street. Intervening curbs, sidewalks, landscaped strips, etc. shall not be considered to eliminate adjacency.
(Ord. passed 1-9-73; Am. Ord. passed 7-20-76, § 3)