§ 60.221. Bufferyard Design Requirements.

(a)

Existing Native Plant Communities. The use of existing native plant communities is strongly encouraged in bufferyards. Existing natural ground cover should be retained where possible by avoiding scraping, grading and sodding within the bufferyard. Where Figure 9 requires additional trees or shrubs to be installed in an existing natural area, it should be done in a manner which minimizes disturbances to native species.

(b)

Ground Cover. Where it is not possible to retain existing natural ground cover, bufferyards shall be sodded or provided with other ground cover.

(c)

Shrubs. Shrubs used to satisfy bufferyard landscape screen requirements shall be evergreen medium or large shrubs (see Fig. 12, Approved Plant List), a minimum of 3' in height at time of planting. At least 80% of the length of the landscape screen shall be of plant varieties with natural mature heights of at least 5'.

(d)

Walls. Walls used to satisfy bufferyard requirements shall be constructed of masonry, concrete, or stone. Walls shall be a minimum of 6' in height (8' in bufferyard 'D' Option 1) and shall meet all the requirements of Chapter 58. Pilasters shall be required for masonry and concrete walls and shall not be spaced more than 60 linear feet on center.

(e)

Adjacent Bufferyards, Walls, or Trees. Where adjacent properties have existing bufferyards, walls or trees, the Zoning Official shall be authorized to modify the requirement for bufferyard width, walls, or trees in the required bufferyard. The Zoning Official shall be authorized to specify the layout within the bufferyard of required walls.

(f)

Parking Lot Landscaping. Plantings and structures required for parking lot landscaping may be counted toward satisfying bufferyard requirements.

(g)

Mixed-Use Development. Where a building site is developed as a single mixed-use development, bufferyards may be reduced between the various constituent uses through the Master Plan process. Bufferyards required at the perimeter of the development shall be based upon the individual uses on each portion of the property.

(Ord. No. 2013-74, § 1, 12-9-2013, Doc. #1312091207)