TABLE 155.5203.F.3: REQUIRED BUFFER TYPES AND STANDARDS

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TABLE 155.5203.F.3: REQUIRED BUFFER TYPES AND STANDARDS
Where Required 1	Required Buffer Type by Function and Optional Screening Standards 2,3,4,5,6,7
Between a proposed multifamily dwelling and land zoned RS-1, RS-2, RS-3, RS-4, RS-L, RD-1, or MH-12, or as required per a use-specific standard in Article 4.	Type A Buffer
	This perimeter buffer functions as an intermittent visual obstruction from the ground to a height of at least 20 feet, and creates the impression of spatial separation without eliminating visual contact between uses.
	Option 1	Option 2
	At least 10 feet wide + 1 canopy tree per 30 linear feet + A continuous hedge at least 4 feet high	At least 20 feet wide + 1 canopy tree per 50 linear feet + 1 understory tree per 30 linear feet + 1 shrub per 10 linear feet
Between a proposed institutional, commercial, or mixed-use development and land within a residential zoning district , or as required per a use-specific standard in Article 4.	Type B Buffer
	This perimeter buffer functions as a semi-opaque screen from the ground to a height of at least six feet.
	Option 1	Option 2
	At least 10 feet wide + A wall or semi-opaque fence at least 6 feet high + 1 tree per 30 linear feet + a continuous hedge at least 4 feet high on the exterior side of the wall or fence + 1 shrub per 10 linear feet on the interior side of the wall or fence	At least 20 feet wide + 1 canopy tree per 30 linear feet + 1 understory tree per 20 linear feet + 1 shrub per 5 linear feet
Between a proposed industrial use and land within a non-industrial   zoning district , or as required per a use-specific standard in Article 4.	Type C Buffer
	This perimeter buffer functions as an opaque screen from the ground to a height of at least six feet. This type of buffer prevents visual contact between uses and creates a strong impression of total separation.
	Option 1	Option 2
	At least 10 feet wide + An opaque masonry wall at least 8 feet high + 1 understory tree per 30 linear feet + a continuous hedge at least 5 feet high on the exterior side of the wall or fence + 1 canopy tree per 30 feet on the interior side of the wall or fence	At least 25 feet wide + A wall or opaque fence at least 4 feet high atop a berm at least 4 feet high + 1 understory tree per 15 linear feet on the exterior side of the wall or fence + 1 canopy tree per 30 linear feet on the interior side of the wall or fence
NOTES: 1. Developments with multiple buildings shall provide perimeter buffers around the perimeter of the development   site instead around individual buildings . 2. Deviations from perimeter buffer width and screening requirements may be authorized in accordance with Section 155.2421, Administrative Adjustment. 3. Where an adjacent use is designed for solar access, understory trees may be substituted for canopy trees as necessary to minimize interference with solar access. 4. Fences or walls within a perimeter buffer shall comply with the standards of Section 155.5302, Fences and Walls . 5. A wall shall be designed to not interfere with the rooting of required trees . 6. Walls and fences shall include a gate to allow the access necessary to maintain the required screening. 7. Planting ratios shall be deemed per the prescribed number of linear feet or major fraction thereof.

 

      4.   Location of Perimeter Buffers

   Perimeters buffers required by this subsection shall be located along the outer perimeter of the lot of which it is required, just inside its boundary with the lot being buffered or inside any access or utility easement running along that boundary that precludes or restricts provision of required screening.

      5.   Development within Required Buffers

         a.   The required buffer shall not contain any development, impervious surfaces, or site features (except fences or walls) that do not function to meet the standards of this section or that require removal of existing vegetation, unless otherwise permitted in this Code.

         b.   Sidewalks, trails, and other elements associated with passive recreation may be placed in perimeter buffers if all required landscaping is provided and damage to existing vegetation is minimized to the maximum extent practicable.

         c.   Overhead and underground utility lines required or allowed by the city are permitted to cross perimeter buffers , but shall minimize the impact to vegetation to the maximum extent practicable. Where required landscaping material is damaged or removed due to utility activity within a required buffer, the landowner shall be responsible for replanting all damaged or removed vegetation necessary to ensure the buffer meets the standards in this Code.

   G.   Street Trees

      1.   Street Tree Plan

   A Street Tree Plan is established to depict the species of trees that shall be planted along arterial and collector streets in the city. The Street Tree Plan shall be kept on file in the Development Services Department and is incorporated into and made part of the Administrative Manual by reference.

      2.   Street Trees Required of New Development

         a.   New development shall provide street trees along any street except an alley.

         b.   Required street trees shall be planted in a planting strip that is located between the roadway and the property line and is at least five feet wide. Where such a planting strip does not exist or is impractical to provide, street trees may be located in a vehicle use area's perimeter landscaping strip (See Section 155.5203.D.3, Perimeter Landscaping Strips.) where the perimeter landscaping strip adjoins the street right-of-way.

         c.   Street trees shall be provided at a ratio of one street tree per 40 feet of street frontage. Required street trees shall be spaced no closer than 15 feet apart and no farther than 60 feet apart.

         d.   Required street trees shall be understory trees to accommodate overhead utility lines.

         e.   The variety and species of required street trees shall be in accordance with the Street Tree Plan.

         f.   Installation and maintenance of required street trees shall be the responsibility of the adjoining property owner.

(Ord. 2012-64, passed 9-11-12; Am. Ord. 2013-37, passed 1-22-13; Am. Ord. 2013-73, passed 7-23-13; Am. Ord. 2014-16, passed 1-28-14; Am. Ord. 2014-53, passed 9-9-14; Am. Ord. 2018-67, passed 7-10-18; Am. Ord. 2019-59, passed 4-23-19; Am. Ord. 2019-110 , passed 9-24-19; Am. Ord. 2020-56, passed 5-26-20; Am. Ord. 2021-61, passed 5-25-21)