§ 35.13.8. Buffer Requirements.

Landscaped buffers are required between certain abutting land use categories to mitigate or minimize potential nuisances such as noise, light, glare, dirt, litter, signs, parking or storage areas and to provide a transition between uses that may not be compatible with each other.

A.

Buffer Requirement.

1.

The buffer matrix, Table 35.13.1 outlines the requirements for buffers, and is based on the intensity/density between land use categories. The letters A, B, C, and D in Table 35.13.1 refer to specific types of buffers which are illustrated in Section 35.13.8.B. The letter "N" means no buffer is required between the land use categories. When an abutting property is vacant, the land use category designation of the vacant abutting property will determine the type of buffer required on that side of the property at the time of development.

2.

Buffers shall be located on the outer perimeter of a lot(s) or parcel(s) extending to the limits of the developed area of the site. They may not occupy any portion of an existing, dedicated, or reserved right-of-way or be located on public property.

a.

In instances where a required drainage or public utility easement is located within a buffer area, the easement area will count toward the buffer area requirement. No trees or shrubs are allowed within the easement. However, if the remaining buffer area outside the easement is greater than ten (10) feet, trees and shrubs are required as outlined in Table 35.13.1.

b.

In those instances where a perimeter fence or wall is used in conjunction with a buffer, the perimeter fence or wall shall have a minimum height of six (6) feet, shall be constructed of material permitted by Section 35.13.9.A.1, and shall be located on the inside boundary of the required buffer.

3.

Vegetation planted within a required buffer shall be comprised of a combination of evergreen and deciduous plants and trees.

4.

The owner of any property upon which a required buffer is located shall care for and maintain the buffer, so as to present a neat, healthy, and orderly appearance that is free of refuse and debris. Maintenance shall include the replacement of all dead plants or trees.

5.

Designated tree preservation areas occupying a portion of a required buffer satisfy the planting requirement for the portion they occupy.

6.

Up to forty (40) percent of canopy tree coverage, consisting of quality trees located within a required buffer area, may be counted towards the minimum canopy coverage required under the tree code.

Table 35.13.1

Land Use Categories/Classes	Abutting Uses/Buffer Requirement
	Single-Family Residential — Class 1	All other Residential — Class 2	Agricultural / Live stock — Class 3	Commercial/Institutional — Class 4	Industrial — Class 5
Single-Family Residential — Class 1	N	B	A	C	D
All other Residential — Class 2	B	N	A	C	D
Agricultural/Livestock — Class 3	A	A	N	N	N
Commercial/Institutional — Class 4	C	C	N	N	B
Industrial — Class 5	D	D	N	B	N

 

B.

Types of Buffers.

1.

Type A: A six (6)-foot high opaque fence constructed of material authorized in this code.

2.

Type B: Ten (10) foot planted strip that includes a combination of five (5) evergreen and deciduous trees and thirty (30) shrubs per one hundred (100) linear feet.

3.

Type C: Fifteen (15) foot planted strip that includes a combination of six (6) evergreen and deciduous trees and twenty-five (25) shrubs per one hundred (100) linear feet.

4.

Type D: Thirty (30) foot planted strip that includes a combination of eight (8) evergreen and deciduous trees and twenty (20) shrubs per one hundred (100) linear feet.

Note:

1.

An alternative buffer may be provided with the authorization by the Director of Planning and Development or his or her designee if the proposed landscaping meets the intent of mitigating or minimizing potential nuisances, as described in the purpose statement in Section 35.13.8.

C.

Exceptions to Buffering Requirements.

Buffer requirements that are internal to a development may be waived by the Director of Planning and Development or his or her designee when the affected site is:

1.

Part of a master planned development;

2.

Within a mixed-use development; or

3.

Within the boundaries of the Infill Special Purpose District as described in 35.7.14.