(A) An earth berm, not exceeding a slope of three to one, but at least three feet high, shall be placed in all newly-platted residential developments that abut a state highway or county road. The berm shall be placed on the side(s) abutting the state highway or county road, and shall be in addition to other minimum planting requirements. Evergreen trees and shrubs shall be planted on or at the base of the berm to at least 75% opaqueness at maturity and a total height (combined with the berm height) of at least six feet in order to screen the development from the highway or county road.
(B) In the R-1 and R-2 Zoning Districts, each newly-platted single- or two-family lot shall have two shade trees planted in the front building setback. Each new multi-family lot shall have one tree per unit planted in the front building setback.
(C) In the R-6 Zoning District, there shall be one shade tree or two ornamental trees for every two dwelling units on any given property.
(D) In the R-6 Zoning District, landscaped areas averaging three feet in width with at least one shrub every five feet shall be installed along sidewalks. If there is an off-street parking area with a required screen hedge along one side of a sidewalk, the landscape area requirement will be considered met along that stretch of sidewalk.
(E) Vacant lots shall be kept mowed to a height of not more than six inches by the developer or owner.
(F) Multiple-family dwellings shall have trash and trash handling equipment stored within the principal structure or within an attached structure accessible from within the principal structure that is screened, through the use of vegetation, from public streets and adjacent residential properties.
(G) Where any multiple-family use with more than four parking spaces abuts another residential use, the off-street parking for such use shall be screened from adjoining properties by a hedge or other various plantings as approved by the City Council.
(H) Light from automobile headlights and other sources shall be screened whenever it may be directed onto residential windows, including those within the same development.
(Ord. passed 12-17-2014)