§ 19. Landscaping and buffer landscaping regulations.

Where a nonresidential zone which is hereafter developed for a business purpose abuts a residentially zoned property, special buffer landscaping is required to minimize noise, lighting and sight impact of the nonresidential activities in the residential area.

A.

Landscaping and buffer landscaping will be required in all zones for office, commercial, industrial, and multifamily residential uses; R-1, A-1, A-2 and M-H residential uses are exempt.

1.

Sites of one acre or less:

a.

There shall be a landscaped setback along all streets of no less than ten feet.

b.

There shall be a landscaped buffer of six feet between single-family residential uses and office, commercial, industrial, and multifamily residential uses.

c.

Fifteen percent of all paved areas shall be landscaped. The landscaped setback shall contribute toward this requirement.

2.

Sites one acre and up to five acres. There shall be a landscaped setback along all streets of no less than 15 feet. All other requirements same as 1.b. and 1.c. above.

3.

Sites of five acres or more:

a.

There shall be a landscaped setback along all streets of no less than 20 feet.

b.

The landscaped setback shall not be counted toward the landscaping required as a result of paving.

c.

All other requirements [shall be the] same as 1.b. and 1.c. above.

B.

In a nonresidential zone, a solid wall or a solid fence at least six feet high shall be erected on sides abutting a single family residential zone, except for those sides abutting public right-of-way.

C.

The Zoning Administrator may approve an alternate landscaping plan which locates the buffer landscaping away from the residential/nonresidential boundary if he finds that:

1.

Noise, lighting and sight buffering of the residential zone can be accomplished at least as well with the alternate plan.

2.

The alternate landscaping plan does not result in less landscaped area than would have been required with the normal six-foot landscaping strip; and

3.

There is a solid wall or fence at least six feet high along all segments of the residential/nonresidential boundary which does not have the standard buffer landscaping strip.

D.

The landscaped buffer between residential and office, commercial, industrial, and multifamily residential uses shall consist primarily of trees one and one-half-inch minimum caliper, measured at two feet above ground level, and/or shrubs, five-gallon minimum size. The trees or shrubs shall form a largely opaque screen. However within a clear sight triangle, the trees or shrubs shall be maintained to a height of no higher than three feet. Planting of low-water-use varieties of vegetation and using rainwater collection and distribution systems to meet the intent of the buffering requirements are strongly encouraged.

E.

Landscaping which dies shall be replaced by the property owner who is obligated to provide it as expeditiously as possible, but in no case longer than 30 days after notification. If the 30-day period falls at a time of the year when planting of landscaping is inadvisable, a waiver may be granted by the Zoning Administrator to allow planting at the earliest possible time. The waiver and date of the planting deadline shall be recorded by the County Zoning Office.

F.

The landscaping strip shall not eliminate the requirements for a six-foot fence or wall if parking is adjacent to the landscaping strip.

G.

Parking spaces within a parking lot shall be no more than 50 feet from a tree.

H.

Nonconforming Landscaping. Premises which, when they were developed, were not required to be developed in accordance with the Landscaping and Buffer Landscaping Regulations Section of this ordinance, shall be made to conform with this regulation within two years due to the amendment of the map or text of this ordinance.

(Ord. No. 79-60, 10-16-79; Ord. No. 86-19, 6-24-86; Ord. No. 92-18, 12-15-92; Ord. No. 04-1, § 1, 1-13-04; Ord. No. 2006-22, § 1, 9-26-06)