Development shall, when feasible, incorporate a natural area as an undisturbed buffer (maintained in a natural vegetative condition, e.g., undisturbed trees, hedges, etc.) or provide replanting of vegetation as a separation between inconsistent land uses (e.g., residential development next to commercial/industrial development). A buffer is defined as the portion of a yard where special plantings and/or vegetation may be required to separate and partially screen two adjacent land uses that are ordinarily incompatible by virtue of their use (see §§ 157.009 and 157.010). Additional provisions may be required by the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment as part of a specific plan approval or a special use permit. The following shall apply.
(A) Buffers, as defined in this chapter, are those features that preserve existing vegetation and minimize potential erosion by providing a natural buffer. The Planning Board may allow appropriate existing vegetation to substitute for landscape requirements provided the intent of this chapter is maintained.
(B) Buffers as defined in this chapter are permitted to be located within the setbacks (minimum yards) of the development or individual lot/parcel for the respective zoning district (a buffer is not in addition to the setback requirements).
(C) If a lot or parcel adjacent to new development is vacant, then no buffer is required, except in circumstances where the new development requires specific protection of natural resources as determined by county development regulations and North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources regulations.
(D) Buffers are not required on all sides of new development if it is identified to the Planning and Zoning Administrator that the proposed use buffers the existing adjacent use. In all other circumstances, a buffer is required surrounding the perimeter of any new development adjacent to other properties that are not within the new development (not inclusive of easements).
(E) Between incompatible land uses the developer shall either maintain to the maximum extent feasible a 20-foot buffer of undisturbed natural area or provide an appropriate level of vegetative replanting as determined by the Planning and Zoning Administrator.
(F) If the new development incorporates a solid wall, opaque wood fence or other approved materials is proposed then a 50% reduction is to be allowed in the depth of the buffer and plant material.
(G) A buffer as defined in this chapter shall be planted, leaving space for an ingress and egress location. The buffer shall be maintained in serviceable conditions at all times and damage to the buffer shall be corrected within 14 days.
(H) For planned unit developments (PUDs) or mixed uses, the buffer requirements shall be incorporated into the application process (special use permit) as part of a project master plan for review by the Planning and Zoning Administrator, Board of Adjustment and Planning Board as applicable. Each project shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, dependent on the scale and intensity of the development where the developer shall be encouraged to provide for a compatible mix of uses to meet the provisions and intent of this chapter.
(Ord. passed 5-7-2018; Ord. passed 6-7-2021)