1253.09 LANDSCAPE BUFFERS AND SCREENING.
A. Applicability. Landscape buffers shall be required in the following situations as described in Table 1253.09, Summary Table of Landscape Buffers and Screening Requirements. Where more than one of the following situations applies, or where both landscape buffer or screening and parking lot landscaping are required, the more restrictive shall apply.
1. Transition Yards. Landscape buffers shall be provided in the transition yards where multiple-family and nonresidential rear and side yards abut yards of lesser intensity as described below.
a. MF Multiple-Family and A Apartment Residential Districts Where a yard in a multiple-family development in the MF or A District abuts a Single-Family or Two-Family District or use, a landscape buffer a minimum of five (5) feet in width shall be provided. Such buffer shall adequately screen the development from view, as determined by the zoning Administrator.
b. O Office District
(1) Side Yards. Where a side yard in the O District abuts any residential district, such yard shall have a minimum setback of forty (40) feet. In addition, a landscape buffer a minimum of five (5) feet in width shall be provided. Such buffer shall be subject to the approval of the Zoning Administrator.
(2) Rear Yards. Where a rear yard in the O District abuts any residential district, such yard shall have a minimum setback of forty (40) feet. In addition, a landscape buffer shall be provided which shall be subject to the approval of the Zoning Administrator . If such yard abuts a single-family or two-family district, the landscape buffer shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet in width.
c. C1 Limited Commercial District
(1) Side Yards. Where a side yard in the C1 District abuts any residential district, such yard shall have a minimum setback of twenty (20) feet. In addition, a landscape buffer a minimum of ten (10) feet in width shall be provided. Such buffer shall be subject to the requirements of 1253.09.B, Buffers for Commercial Uses.
(2) Rear Yards. Where a rear yard in the C1 District abuts any residential district, such yard shall have a minimum setback of forty (40) feet. In addition, a landscape buffer, a minimum of ten (10) feet in width, shall be provided and such buffer shall be subject to the requirements of 1253.09.B, Buffers for Commercial Uses.
d. C2 General Commercial, C3 Business Commercial, and CM Commercial Mixed Use Districts
(1) Side Yards. Where a side yard in the C2, C3, or CM Districts abuts any residential district, such yard shall have a minimum setback of twenty (20) feet. In addition, a landscape buffer a minimum of ten (10) feet in width shall be provided. Such buffer shall be subject to the requirements of 1253.09.B, Buffers for Commercial Uses.
(2) Rear Yards. Where a rear yard in the C2, C3, or CM Districts abuts any residential district, such yard shall have a minimum setback of forty (40) feet. In addition, a landscape buffer a minimum of twenty (20) feet in width shall be provided. Such buffer shall be subject to the requirements of 1253.09.B, Buffers for Commercial Uses.
Figure 1253.09.A Buffers
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e. I Institutional District. All side and rear yards in the I District shall have a minimum twenty-five (25) foot landscape yard. Landscape yards are yards devoted exclusively to landscaping except however, that driveways and sidewalks needed to serve the use and buildings on the lot may be located within a required landscape yard. No specific improvements are required within landscape yards, except that all landscape areas not planted with trees and shrubs shall be maintained in turf or other approved groundcover.
f. PR Park and Recreation District. All side and rear yards in the PR District abutting residential districts shall have a minimum twenty-five (25) foot landscape yard. All side and rear yards in the PR District abutting non-residential districts shall have a minimum ten (10) foot landscape yard. Landscape yards are yards devoted exclusively to landscaping except however, that driveways and sidewalks needed to serve the use and buildings on the lot may be located within a required landscape yard. No specific improvements are required within landscape yards, except that all landscape areas not planted with trees and shrubs shall be maintained in turf or other approved groundcover.
2. Commercial Uses—Rear Yards. Landscape buffers shall be provided in the rear yard of all commercial uses, regardless of district, subject to the requirements of 1253.09.B, Buffers for Commercial Uses.
3. Commercial Uses Abutting Residential Uses—Rear and Side Yards. Where a rear or side yard of any commercial use, regardless of district, abuts any residential use, a landscape buffer shall be provided along such yard. Such buffer shall be subject to the requirements of 1253.09.B, Buffers for Commercial Uses.
4. Screening of Outdoor Storage and Waste Disposal Facilities.
a. General Requirement. Except as otherwise provided below, permitted outdoor storage and waste disposal facilities shall be located in the rear yard only and shall require screening when adjacent to a residential lot or visible from a public street. Such uses shall be completely surrounded by a solid brick wall, with a solid gate, that is a minimum of six (6) feet in height.
b. Exemptions to Outdoor Storage Facilities Requiring Screening. Except as otherwise provided in this Zoning Ordinance, all storage shall be located within enclosed structures. However, firewood, compost piles and the temporary storage of materials for construction on the premises may be located outdoors and shall not require screening. All other outdoor storage which is specifically permitted by this Zoning Ordinance shall be screened pursuant to the requirements of this Section.
c. Additional Screening. Additional landscape buffering around outdoor storage or waste disposal facility may be required by the City Planning Commission in the case of a conditional use.
5. Screening of Outdoor Sales Lots.
a. Outdoor sales lots associated with garden centers and temporary uses shall be subject to screening requirements as deemed appropriate by the Zoning Administrator.
B. Buffers for Commercial Uses. Landscape buffers and screening shall be provided as directed by Section 1253.09.B, Buffers for Commercial Uses Where indicated by that section, the required landscape buffer for commercial uses consist of the following:
1. A solid brick wall not more than six (6) feet nor less than four (4) feet in height shall be located along the inside edge of the required landscape area. This fence shall be installed pursuant to Section 1262.05, Fences and Walls.
2. A continuous evergreen or dense deciduous shrub hedge extending the entire length of the landscape area shall be planted two and one-half (2.5) feet from the fence described in subsection (2) above. This shrub hedge shall be installed at not less than four (4) feet in height.
3. Shade trees not less than three (3) inches in caliper shall be planted not less than fifty (50) feet on center along a line located seven (7) feet from the fence described in subsection (2) above.
4. All surface area not planted with shrubs or trees shall be maintained as a grass lawn or planted in groundcover.
5. Buffers shall be maintained in good repair and in neat, attractive condition.
Situation Requiring Buffer or Screening | Minimum Setback | Minimum Depth of Landscape Buffer | Landscape Requirements | Fence or Wall | |
Shrubs | Shade Trees | ||||
1. Transition Yards | |||||
a. MF, A Districts | |||||
Side and Rear Yard of Multiple- Family Uses Abutting Single- and Two-Family Districts or Uses. | As described in District Regulations. | Five (5) feet. | An appropriate buffer as determined by the Zoning Administrator. | Not required. | |
b. O District | |||||
Side Yard abutting residential district. | Forty (40) feet. | Five (5) feet. | An appropriate buffer as determined by the Zoning Administrator. | Not required. | |
Rear Yard abutting a Multiple- Family or Apartment District | Forty (40) feet. | An appropriate depth as determined by the Zoning Administrator. | An appropriate buffer as determined by the Zoning Administrator. | Not required. | |
Rear Yard abutting Single- or Two-Family District | Forty (40) feet. | Twenty (20) feet. | An appropriate buffer as determined by the Zoning Administrator. | Not required. | |
Situation Requiring Buffering or Screening | Minimum Setback | Minimum Depth of Landscape Buffer | Landscape Requirements | Fence or Wall | |
Shrubs | Shade Trees | ||||
1. Transition Yards (Continued) | |||||
c. C1 District | |||||
Side Yard abutting any residential district | Twenty (20) feet. | Ten (10) feet. | Masses of 7-9 plants measuring a minimum of two and one- half (2.5) feet in depth. | A minimum of one (1) shade tree, a minimum of three (3) inches in trunk width, planted a minimum of every fifty (50) feet. | A solid brick wall of at least six (6) feet in height shall be provided. |
Rear Yard abutting any residential district | Forty (40) feet. | Ten (10) feet. | Masses of 7-9 plants measuring a minimum of two and one- half (2.5) feet in depth. | A minimum of one (1) shade tree, a minimum of three (3) inches in trunk width, planted a minimum of every fifty (50) feet. | A solid brick wall of at least six (6) feet in height shall be provided. |
Side Yard abutting any residential district. | Twenty (20) feet. | Ten (10) feet. | Masses of 7-9 plants measuring a minimum of two and one- half (2.5) feet in depth. | A minimum of one (1) shade tree, a minimum of three (3) inches in trunk width, planted a minimum of every fifty (50) feet. | A solid brick wall of at least six (6) feet in height shall be provided. |
Rear Yard abutting any residential district | Forty (40) feet. | An appropriate depth as determined by the Zoning Administrator. | An appropriate buffer as determined by the Zoning Administrator. | ||
Rear yard abutting single- or two-family residential districts. | Forty (40) feet. | Ten (10) feet. | Masses of 7-9 plants measuring a minimum of two and one- half (2.5) feet in depth. | A minimum of one (1) shade tree, a minimum of three (3) inches in trunk width, planted a minimum of every fifty (50) feet. | A solid brick wall of at least six (6) feet in height shall be provided. |
Situation Requiring Buffering or Screening | Minimum Setback | Minimum Depth of Landscape Buffer | Landscape Requirements | Fence or Wall | |
Shrubs | Shade Trees | ||||
1. Transition Yards (Continued) | |||||
d. C2, C3, CM Districts | |||||
Side Yard abutting any residential district | Twenty (20) feet. | Ten (10) feet. | Masses of 7-9 plants measuring a minimum of two and one- half (2.5) feet in depth. | A minimum of one (1) shade tree, a minimum of three (3) inches in trunk width, planted a minimum of every fifty (50) feet. | A solid brick wall of at least six (6) feet in height shall be provided. |
Rear Yard abutting any residential district | Forty (40) feet. | Twenty (20) feet. | Masses of 7-9 plants measuring a minimum of two and one- half (2.5) feet in depth. | A minimum of one (1) shade tree, a minimum of three (3) inches in trunk width, planted a minimum of every fifty (50) feet. | A solid brick wall of at least six (6) feet in height shall be provided. |
e. I District | |||||
Side or Rear Yard | Twenty-five (25) feet. | An appropriate buffer as determined by the Zoning Administrator. | Not required. | ||
f. RP District | |||||
Side or Rear Yard | Twenty-five (25) feet abutting residential districts, ten (10) feet abutting other districts. | An appropriate buffer as determined by the Zoning Administrator. | Not Required. | ||
Situation Requiring Buffering or Screening | Minimum Setback | Minimum Depth of Landscape Buffer | Landscape Requirements | Fence or Wall | |
Shrubs | Shade Trees | ||||
2. Rear Yard of All Commercial Uses | |||||
As described in District Regulations. | Ten (10) feet. | Masses of 7-9 plants measuring a minimum of two and one- half (2.5) feet in depth. | A minimum of one (1) shade tree, a minimum of three (3) inches in trunk width, planted a minimum of every fifty (50) feet. | A solid brick wall of at least six (6) feet in height shall be provided. | |
3. Side Yards of Commercial Abutting Residential | |||||
As described in District Regulations. | Ten (10) feet. | Masses of 7-9 plants measuring a minimum of two and one- half (2.5) feet in depth. | A minimum of one (1) shade tree, a minimum of three (3) inches in trunk width, planted a minimum of every fifty (50) feet. | A solid brick wall of at least six (6) feet in height shall be provided. | |
4. Outdoor Storage/Waste Disposal Facilities | |||||
n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | A solid brick wall of at least six (6) feet in height shall be provided. | |
5. Outdoor Sales Lots | |||||
Auto Dealers | As described in District Regulations. | ||||
Garden Centers, Temporary Uses, and other Permitted Outdoor Sales | As described in District Regulations. | ||||
(Ord. 04-132. Enacted 11-22-04.)