The following table establishes the minimum buffer area requirements. When any activity or use of land falls under one or more of the categories listed, the most stringent of the requirements shall apply to the entire property or project.
When... | Is proposed to abut... | The minimum buffer area shall be... | With the following materials |
Any non-residential use in the Business “A” District or Reading Road Commercial District or Non-industrial uses in the North Reading Road Office/Industrial District (for industrial uses, see the Industrial row below) | Any Residential District or Residential Land Use | A width sufficient to erect and maintain an acceptable buffer area | A six foot fence, wall or earthen mound/berm AND A mix of evergreen trees, deciduous trees and shrubs to soften the fence, wall or mound/berm. |
OR | |||
A buffer area planted and maintained with evergreens at least five feet in height or an evergreen hedge at least four feet in height, situated so as to provide an effective opaque and permanent visual buffer upon installation. | |||
Any non- residential use in the Business “B” District | Any Residential District or Residential Land Use | A width sufficient to erect and maintain an acceptable buffer area | A six foot fence, wall or earthen mound/berm AND Three evergreen trees plus three shrubs for every 50 lineal feet of buffer area. |
OR | |||
Five evergreen trees, planted in an offset manner as to create an opaque screen, plus five shrubs for every 50 lineal feet of buffer area. |
When... | Is proposed to abut... | The minimum buffer area shall be... | With the following materials |
Any non- residential use in the Business “C” District | Any Residential District or Residential Land Use | A width sufficient to erect and maintain an acceptable buffer area | A six foot fence, wall or earthen mound/berm AND Three evergreen trees plus two deciduous trees plus five shrubs for every 50 lineal feet of buffer area. |
OR | |||
Seven evergreen trees, planted in an offset manner as to create an opaque screen, plus three deciduous trees plus seven shrubs for every 50 lineal feet of buffer area. | |||
Any non- residential use in the Business “D” District or South Reading Road Commercial District | Any Residential District or Residential Land Use | A width sufficient to erect and maintain an acceptable buffer area | A six foot fence, wall or earthen mound/berm AND Five evergreen trees, plus three deciduous trees, plus six shrubs for every 60 lineal feet of buffer area. |
OR | |||
Ten evergreen trees, planted in an offset manner, plus three deciduous trees plus 12 shrubs for every 60 lineal feet of buffer area.
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When... | Is proposed to abut... | The minimum buffer area shall be... | With the following materials |
Any use in the Public and Institutional District or Downtown Reading Mixed Use or the West Benson Street Mixed Use Districts | Any Residential District or Residential Land Use | 10 Feet in Width | A six foot fence, wall or earthen mound/berm AND A mix of evergreen trees deciduous trees and shrubs to soften the fence, wall or mound/berm. |
OR | |||
A buffer area planted and maintained with evergreens at least five feet in height or an evergreen hedge at least four feet in height, situated so as to provide an effective opaque and permanent visual buffer upon installation. | |||
Any industrial use in the Light Industrial District or North Reading Road Office/ Industrial District (for non-industrial uses, see the Business a District row above) | Any Non- Industrial Land Use | 30 Feet in Width | A six foot fence, wall or earthen mound/berm AND Six evergreen trees, plus four deciduous trees, plus eight shrubs for every 75 lineal feet of buffer area. |
OR | |||
Twelve evergreen trees, plus four deciduous trees, plus 14 shrubs for every 75 lineal feet of buffer area.
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When... | Is proposed to abut... | The minimum buffer area shall be... | With the following materials |
Any industrial use in the Heavy Industrial District | Any Non- Industrial or Light Industrial Land Use | 40 Feet in Width | A six foot fence, wall or earthen mound/berm AND Eight evergreen trees, plus five deciduous trees, plus ten shrubs for every 75 lineal feet of buffer area. |
OR | |||
Fourteen evergreen trees, plus six deciduous trees, plus 16 shrubs for every 75 lineal feet of buffer area.
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(Ord. 2003-51, passed 5-20-03; Ord. 2010-58, passed 8-10-10)