(A) Permitted Uses Within Planted Buffer Areas: Planted buffers should be left in an undisturbed natural vegetative state and provided with supplemental plantings. Selective thinning of vegetation and removal of dead vegetation may be permitted as long as the intent of the planted buffer requirement is maintained. Driveways and utilities may cross a planted buffer at or as near a perpendicular angle as practical. Paths and walkways may pass through the planted buffer and pedestrian walkways (greenways) may be installed within the buffer area. Grading in the designated planted buffer may be allowed with site plan approval, if the re-vegetation plan is determined to meet the intent of this Section;
(B) Location of Planted Buffers: Required planted buffers shall be provided along the perimeter of development unless alternate locations are approved by the Village Planner. Planted buffers shall be designated and dimensioned on all site plans and subdivisions plans, where applicable;
(C) Public Pedestrian Easement Required: The full width of all buffer areas shall be designated as a public pedestrian easement and shown on a recorded plat;
(D) Application:
(1) These standards apply to all non-residential and multi-family uses (including townhouse unit development) located within the Village of Pinehurst and its extraterritorial jurisdiction except for properties containing only museums and/or libraries as the primary use and located within the PC Zoning District. Additionally, the Village Council may waive some or all of these standards for developments and uses located within the VC, VMU, VCP and VR Zoning Districts when determined to be in the best interest of the public. In waiving these standards, the Village Council may require an alternate means of buffering if agreed upon by the property owner. When nonresidential and multi-family uses submit a site plan for locations next to property zoned for primarily residential use, planted buffers shall be provided near the perimeter of the nonresidential or multi-family property. One half of the planted buffers requirements shall apply when a public street or railroad right-of-way separates a nonresidential or multi-family uses from a residential property. If a greenway passes through a landscape buffer the area of the greenway shall be subtracted from the total buffer area for plant count purposes.
(3) If said project is adjacent to property that is zoned non-residential or multi-family but is used for single family purposes, half the required planted buffer width along the perimeter of the property adjoining that property shall be required;
(4) A class 3 planted buffer shall be installed along and adjacent to NC 2, Midland Road east of the traffic circle to the zoning jurisdictional boundary of Pinehurst, on the west side of Hwy. 15/501 from the northern extent of the zoning jurisdictional boundary of Pinehurst southward to the western extent of the traffic circle and the intersection with Hwy. 211, Hwy. 211 from the intersection of McKenzie Rd. to the western extent of the zoning jurisdictional boundary of Pinehurst, Murdocksville Rd. from the intersection of Hwy. 211 to the northern extent of the zoning jurisdictional boundary of Pinehurst and on the west side of Hwy. 5 from the intersection of Lake Hills Rd. south to the intersection with Trotter Hills for all non-single family residential uses.
(5) If the adjacent property is zoned for residential use but is vacant at the time of the proposed development, the full required planted buffer width shall be provided;
(6) If the proposed development is non-residential and the adjacent property is zoned or used for multi-family dwellings, one-half of the planted buffer width shall be provided, but not less than ten (10) feet;
(7) If the proposed development is for multi-family dwellings adjacent to property zoned or used for multi-family dwellings, one-half of the planted buffer width shall be provided, whether the property is occupied or not.
(E) Planted Buffer Classifications and Width:
(1) Planted buffer width is based on uses in the following classifications:
(a) Class 1-10 feet: Cemeteries, golf courses, passive recreational areas;
(b) Class 2-20 feet: Offices, churches, schools, public facilities including playgrounds, ball fields, community swimming pools, and similar facilities, day care facilities, multi-family, residential, hotels;
(c) Class 3-30 feet: Neighborhood commercial and service activities including, but not limited to, retail operations, funeral homes, restaurants, banks, convenience stores; and
(d) Class 4-50 feet: Commercial activities with higher vehicle activities including, but not limited to, vehicle repair, theatres, outdoor recreation centers, and outdoor storage.
REQUIRED PLANTED BUFFER WIDTH IN FEET BASED ON BUFFER CLASSIFICATION AND ADJACENT PROPERTY USE AND ZONE | ||||
ADJACENT PROPERTY USE AND ZONE | ||||
Planted Buffer Class | Developed Residential Zone | Principal Residential Use in Nonresidential Zone | Developed Multi-Family Zone | Vacant Multi-Family Zone |
Class 1 | 10 feet | 10 feet | 10 feet | 10 feet |
Class 2 | 20 feet | 20 feet | 10 feet | 10 feet |
Class 3 | 30 feet | 30 feet | 15 feet | 15 feet |
Class 4 | 50 feet | 50 feet | 25 feet | 25 feet |
(2) The required setbacks may be used to meet landscape planted buffer width requirements in all districts. When planted buffers are required for residential uses, the planted buffer requirements shall be designated open space, or common area;
(3) Planted buffer widths and required plantings may be reduced by thirty percent (30%) if the site plan indicates a berm, alternate landscaping, walls, opaque fencing in combination with landscaping or topographic features which will, in the opinion of the Village Planner, achieve the intent of this Section as outlined in Section 9.5.1 and result in equal or better performance. In no case shall a buffer width be less than ten (10) feet. Berms may not have a slope steeper than two (2) horizontal to one (1) vertical and must have a crown width of at least two (2) feet and a minimum height of two (2) feet.
(F) Requirements for Planted Buffer Areas:
(1) Existing Vegetation. Existing vegetation, regardless of species, shall be used to meet all or part of the requirements of this Section wherever possible, if it provides the same level of obscurity as the planted buffer required below. Vegetation to be saved shall be identified on site plans, along with protection measures to be used during grading and construction. (See Section 9.5.2.8 for protection measures and calculation of credits for existing trees);
(2) Planting requirements: Planting requirements for planted buffers include both trees (large and small) and shrubs as described below. (See Appendix F for a listing of native/water conserving trees and shrubs.) In calculating buffer planting requirements, areas of driveways are excluded.
(a) Tree Standards: This requirement may be satisfied as follows:
1. One longleaf pine tree with a minimum size of three (3) inch caliper at planting are required per two hundred (200) square feet of buffer area.
2. Two understory trees a minimum of two-inch caliper are required per five hundred (500) square feet of buffer area, one of which is to be an evergreen species that is not a pine tree.
3. Trees shall be distributed along the entire length and width of the planted buffer. Due to unique characteristics of a site, or design objectives, alternative plant mixes and spacing may be approved by the Village Planner.
(b) Shrub Standards: Shrubs, a minimum of twenty-four (24) inches in height, of a variety that can be expected to reach four (4) to five (5) feet in height and three (3) feet in width within three (3) years of planting, shall be provided. Shrubs shall not be planted closer than six (6) feet to newly planted trees, nor within the drip line of existing hardwood trees. Shrubs shall be distributed along the entire length and width of the planted buffer, preferably in naturalistic groupings so as not to create a hedge-like condition. Shrubs shall be provided at one per seventy-five (75) square feet of buffer area.
(Ord. 21-06, passed - -)