[Zoning Order §14.010, 4-2-2008]
A.
The
purpose of this Article is to improve the aesthetic qualities of the
County and to protect and preserve the appearance, character and value
of its neighborhoods and business areas by:
B.
Deviations from Sections 400.4530 through 400.4760 may be allowed by the Director subject to his/her approval of an alternate landscape, buffer or tree conservation plan. The Director shall notify the Planning and Zoning Commission of approvals granted pursuant to this Section.
[Ord. No. 20-0406, 9-29-2020]
[Zoning Order §14.015, 4-2-2008; Resolution 1-14-2010A
Exh. A, 1-14-2010; Ord. No. 10-0145 §§1 — 2, 2-18-2010]
Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in
this Article shall be interpreted to give them the same meaning as
they have in common usage and to give this Article its most reasonable
application.
A mound or embankment of earth, usually two (2) to six (6)
feet in height, used to shield or buffer properties from adjoining
uses, highways or noise.
An open and unpaved ground area around the perimeter of a
tract of land that may include required screening so as to provide
green space that is used to physically separate or screen one use
or property from another so as to visually shield or block noise,
lights or other nuisances.
The diameter of a tree (usually nursery stock) measured at
a point six (6) inches above the ground or top of the root ball for
up to and including four (4) inch caliper trees and at a point twelve
(12) inches above the ground or top of root ball for larger sizes.
The land area circular in shape and centered on the trunk
of a tree, the radius of which circle is determined by the farthest
extent of the drip line from the trunk.
That portion of a tract of land that will be dedicated to
a proposed development.
A perimeter formed by the points farthest away from the trunk
of a tree where precipitation falling from the branches of that tree
lands on the ground.
A low-growing plant, other than turf grass, that forms a
continuous cover over the ground surface.
Any combination of living plant materials and non-living
materials, such as rock, pebbles, sand, mulch, pavers, berms, fencing,
walls, fountains and other decorative materials.
The planting of shrubs, vines, turf, ground cover and the
use of other landscape materials, such as mulch, bark, decorative
rock and other similar materials, that are utilized to enhance the
aesthetic and functional qualities of a site.
Impenetrable to view or so obscuring to view that features,
buildings, structures and uses become visually indistinguishable.
Living plants that include trees, shrubs, ground cover, grasses,
perennial flowering plants, turf and vines that are suitable for ornamental
or functional use.
Natural vegetation or a decorative structure that creates
an opaque visual block or obscures an unattractive view. Screening
may consist of any combination of the following as approved by the
Director:
A broadleaf tree having an average height at maturity of
a least twenty (20) feet and having a broad spread relative to its
height (excluding trees with pyramidal, conical or columnar crowns)
and a dense canopy, so as to provide shade in the summer months.
A self-supporting woody plant that normally reaches a height
of less than fifteen (15) feet.
A tree in fair or better condition that has been determined
by a design professional to be of a high value because of its species,
size, age or other professional criteria.
Hardwood trees, such as oaks and hickories, that are of a twelve
(12) inch caliper or more and softwood trees, such as pines and cedars,
that are sixteen (16) feet in height or more and small hardwoods,
such as dogwoods, redbuds or sourwoods, with calipers of six (6) inches
or more shall be considered significant trees due to size.
A self-supporting woody plant that normally reaches a height
of at least fifteen (15) feet.
Ground cover composed of one (1) or more species of perennial
grass that is grown as a permanent lawn.
A plant that is typically woody and climbs by supporting
itself on some other plant or structure.
