§ 154.459 LANDSCAPING AND BUFFERING.

   (A)   Purposes. The landscaping and buffering requirements of this section are intended to provide the various land uses permitted with the best possible compatibility and integration with one another. Landscaped and/or mechanical screening helps mitigate problems associated with noise, pollution, light and privacy and also allows for an easier transition between different types of uses.

   (B)   Requirements. Buffering shall be required as follows.

      (1)   Where an industrial district is adjacent to a residential district, a Type A buffer shall be provided by the industrial uses.

      (2)   Where an industrial district is adjacent to a business district, a Type B buffer shall be provided by the industrial uses.

      (3)   Where a business district is adjacent to a residential district, a Type B buffer shall be provided by the business uses.

      (4)   Where a buffer is a requirement for a conditional use pursuant to the provisions of §§ 154.450 through 154.487, the buffer shall comply with such provisions.

   (C)   Buffer types.

      (1)   Type A opaque buffer.

         (a)   A Type A buffer is the most dense buffer required.

         (b)   This buffer is to be completely opaque from the ground to six feet above the ground. Buffering shall be provided by plant material, some type of mechanical barrier and/or an earth berm.

         (c)   Plant material shall reach desired maturity within two years of planting and shall provide the same level of buffering year-round.

      (2)   Type B semi-opaque buffer.

         (a)   A Type B buffer is the intermediate buffer required.

         (b)   This buffer is to be completely opaque from the ground to three feet to six feet above the ground.

         (c)   Buffering shall be provided by plant material, some type of mechanical barrier and/or earth berm.

         (d)   Plant material shall provide the same level of buffering year-round.

      (3)   Type C Light buffer.

         (a)   A Type C buffer is the least intense buffer required.

         (b)   This buffer is to be at least 30% opaque from the ground to six feet from the ground.

         (c)   Buffering shall be provided by plant material, some type of mechanical barrier and/or an earth berm.

         (d)   Plant material shall reach desired maturity within two years of planting and shall provide the same level of buffering year-round.

   (D)   Maintenance. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to maintain the required buffer yard in good condition and to replace plant material as necessary to ensure the required buffer density.

(Prior Code, § 1282.10) (Ord. 652, passed 11-8-1999)