(A) Buffering standards. To be considered effective, a combination of buffering elements shall be used to provide a partial view obstruction of those items to be buffered (pavement, parked cars, etc.).
(1) Landscape buffers shall contain at least two of the following elements:
(a) Trees;
(b) Shrubs; or
(c) Berms.
(2) Plants and trees used as buffering elements shall be planted in a permeable landscape area at least 15 feet wide, measured from back of curb, pavement, or face of building to the property line. All plantings shall conform to the provisions of this chapter.
(3) To determine the quantity of elements to be included in a buffer, the following point system should be used. This system assigns a point value to each landscape element listed above. The values for these elements are found in Table 13.2.
(4) For each linear foot of buffer area required, one point of buffering element as listed above should be provided within the buffer area. The buffer area does not have to be planted at the same density throughout. However, the elements should be combined so that no more than one-quarter of the buffer area is absent of elements and no less than two elements are used for more than 50% of the buffer length.
(5) All required landscaping must be accomplished within the boundaries of the site being developed. Landscaping accomplished in any dedicated right-of-way shall not be included in meeting the landscaping or buffering requirements imposed by this chapter. Landscaping areas preserved or planted for the purpose of preserving or creating drainage ways, detention ponds, or sedimentation ponds shall not be included in satisfying the landscaping requirements provided by this chapter, except that the top one-third of the depth of such landscaped drainage way, detention pond, or sedimentation pond may be included in satisfying landscaping requirements.
(6) Fifty percent of proposed landscaped plantings must be conspicuous, e.g., blooming material.
Trees | ||||||
Plant Classification | 1 - 1 ½ Caliper | 2 - 2 ½ Caliper | 3 - 3 ½ Caliper | |||
Trees | Recommended Plant | Other | Recommended Plant | Other | Recommended Plant | Other |
Large tree | 3 pts. | 1 pt. | 6 ps. | 2 pts. | 9 pts. | 3 pts. |
Small tree | 3 pts. | 1 pt. | 6 pts. | 2 pts. | 9 pts. | 3 pts. |
Shrubs | ||||||
Plant Classification | 1 Gallon | 5 Gallon | ||||
Shrubs | Recommended Plant | Other | Recommended Plant | Other | ||
Large shrub | 1 pt. | 1/3 pt. | 3 pts. | 1 pt. | ||
Medium shrub | 1 pt. | 1/3 pt. | 3 pts. | 1 pt. | ||
Small shrub | ½ pt. | 1/6 pt. | 2 pts. | 2/3 pts. | ||
Walls and Berms | ||||||
Decorative wall (3 ft. minimum height) | 3 pts. per linear foot | |||||
Berm per linear foot (3 ft. minimum height at no greater than 3:1 side slope) | 1 pt. per linear foot | |||||