Visual screening or landscape buffers shall be provided to: remove, reduce, lessen or absorb the shock impact between one incompatible use or zone and another; break up and lessen the impact of large parking areas; provide interest and lessen the monotony of the streetscape; and obscure the view of outdoor storage, rubbish areas, dumpsters, parking and loading areas; and provide protection from soil erosion.
(a) Landscaping and Maintenance of Yards. Required yards and all other portions of the lot not covered by permitted structures shall be landscaped with grass, trees, shrubbery and/or other appropriate ground cover or landscaping material, which at all times shall be maintained in good and healthy condition. Each lot in a commercial district shall have no less than 25% of the area of the lot landscaped.
(b) Screening of Accessory Uses. Outdoor storage of goods, supplies or equipment used in the operation of the establishment, where permitted, dumpsters and loading areas shall be screened by a solid masonry wall made of the same material, color and detailing of the principal building a minimum of six feet in height placed adjacent to the dumpster, storage or loading area so as to effect screening from any adjacent streets and any adjoining properties.
(c) Screening and Landscaping of Parking Lots. Perimeter and interior landscaping of parking lots shall be provided in accordance with the regulations set forth in Section 1181.10(i).
(d) Screening When Lot Abuts a Residential District. When a lot in a Commercial District abuts a Residential District, screening and buffering along the entire length of the common boundary shall be provided in accordance with Section 1145.09(d)(1) and the following regulations, and shall be approved as part of the site plan required by Section 1137.03.
(1) Screening shall consist of one or a combination of the following:
A. A dense vegetative planting incorporating trees and/or shrubs of a variety which shall be equally effective in winter and summer.
B. A nonliving opaque structure such as a solid masonry wall, solidly constructed decorated fence, or louvered fence.
C. A landscaped mound or berm.
(2) The height of screening shall be in accordance with the following:
A. Visual screening walls, fences, or mounds and fences in combination shall be a minimum of six feet high in order to accomplish the desired screening effect except for fences and walls in a front yard which shall comply with Section 1145.09(d)(1).
B. Vegetation shall be planted with such minimum height to assure that the required six feet high screening effect shall be achieved not later than twelve months after the initial installation.
(3) All screening shall be free of advertising or other signs, except for directional signs and other signs for the efficient flow of vehicles.
(4) The required landscaping shall be maintained in healthy condition by the current owner and replaced when necessary. Replacement material shall conform to the original intent of the landscape plan.
(Ord. 2007-222. Passed 1-10-08.)