§ 33-3.58.6.5. Landscaping, buffering, and screening.

(a)

Generally. Where landscaping is required, section 33-6.25, Landscaping, buffering, and screening, shall apply. The planning director may approve alternative approaches to the design, installation, and maintenance of landscaping so long as the approach meets the purpose of this section to:

(1)

Protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the public;

(2)

Improve the appearance of the district;

(3)

Protect public and private investment;

(4)

Encourage preservation of existing trees and other significant vegetation;

(5)

Reduce negative environmental effects of development while protecting and enhancing the value of developed areas and the surrounding area;

(6)

Reduce soil erosion and increase infiltration in permeable land areas essential to stormwater management;

(7)

Mitigate air, dust, noise, heat, chemical pollution and glare, and other adverse environmental effects of development;

(8)

Reduce the heat-island effect of impervious surfaces, such as parking lots, by cooling and shading the surface area and breaking up large expanses of pavement;

(9)

Screen unsightly equipment or materials from the view of persons on public streets or abutting properties; and

(10)

Promote innovative approaches.

(b)

Buffers. The following additional standards shall apply in relation to the property buffer requirement:

(1)

Where adjacent to a residential district, dwelling, or institutional development, a required fence shall be an opaque wall of wood, brick, or masonry.

(2)

Where two (2) industrial properties abut or where two (2) commercial properties abut, one (1) of the following shall be required along the common side or rear lot lines:

a.

A fence or wall with a minimum height of seven (7) feet and a maximum height of eight (8) feet; or

b.

A landscaped buffer area with a minimum screening height of at least six (6) feet.

(3)

The board of zoning adjustments shall not grant a variance to these buffer requirements for commercial or industrial development where adjacent to a residential district, dwelling, or institutional development, including the application of these requirements in other sections of this district.

(Ord. No. 25020 , § VII, 10-7-15; Ord. No. 25405 , § 22, 8-9-17)

Editor's note

Ord. No. 25405 , § 22, adopted Aug. 9, 2017, amended the § 33-3.58.6.5 title to read as set out herein. The former § 33-3.58.6.5 title pertained to landscaping.