Land use buffers are intended to mitigate the possible adverse effects (e.g., noise, visual, lighting, and other site-related and operational impacts) that can occur when high-intensity development occurs abutting residential areas.
(A) Applicability.
(1) Land use buffers are required when new development occurs or new uses are established on lots that abut a residential zoning district or lot used for residential purposes; or
(2) When the gross floor area, number dwelling units or area of impervious surface on an existing development site is expanded by more than 50% and such site abuts a residential zoning district or lot used for residential purposes.
(B) Standards.
(1) Land use buffers must be provided along the entire property line of the subject lot that abuts a lot that is zoned or used for residential purposes.
(2) Any of the following three options may be used to satisfy the land use buffer requirements of this section:
(a) Provide a landscaped area at least ten feet in width with at least one shrub per five linear feet of land use buffer area, plus at least one evergreen tree and one deciduous (shade or understory) tree per 30 linear feet of land use buffer area. Shrubs must be at least three feet in height at time of planting.
(b) Provide a landscaped area at least ten feet in width with a solid wall or fence with a minimum height of six feet along the interior of the land use buffer area. At least one evergreen tree and one deciduous (shade or understory) tree is required per 30 linear feet of fence or wall.
(c) Provide a landscape berm at with at least one evergreen or deciduous (shade or understory) tree per 30 linear feet of berm. Berms must comply with § 155-12.90(M).
(3) Land use buffers may be located in required building setback areas.
(C) Materials, design and maintenance. Land use buffer landscaping is subject to the regulations of § 155-12.90.
(Ord. effective 10-1-2012; Ord. 18-1, passed 1-18-2018)