The purpose of these standards is to provide screening and buffering guidelines when an applicant wishes to construct berms adjacent to public thoroughfares and between subdivisions, thereby creating an aesthetically pleasing corridor which encourages harmony and discourages monotony, while ensuring safety and security and reducing noise and glare in neighborhoods. It is also the intent to encourage screening and buffering at a reasonable (moderate) cost with low to moderate maintenance requirements and to encourage sound planting principles, including the use of indigenous plant material with reduced watering requirements. A variety of plant materials shall be provided in order to discourage monotony, subject to review and approval by the town.
(1998 Code, sec. 150.75)
The screening and buffering guidelines as described herein shall be followed when constructing berms along lots that are contiguous to a public street or when constructed between subdivisions. For all subdivisions, a minimum 20-foot-wide common area shall be provided between all proposed or existing residential or commercial uses adjacent to any proposed or existing street.
(1998 Code, sec. 150.76)
The applicant shall provide three complete sets of plans to the planning department which shall include the following information: location of berming, fencing, walls or landscaping; sidewalks; location of the street and property line; location of the screening and buffering area within the open space common area; location of utilities (water, sanitary sewer, electric, cable, gas, etc.); construction details of the fencing or walls; specific plant materials being used (including common name, scientific name, quantity, size, and spacing); planting details; berm details; and an irrigation plan. Sheet size shall be 24 inches by 36 inches with the scale not to exceed one inch equals 40 feet, or as determined by the director of planning. Upon approval of the final construction plans, a Mylar reproducible shall be submitted to the planning department for permanent filing. The Mylar shall be submitted prior to issuance of building permits.
(1998 Code, sec. 150.77)
(a) 
Mandatory requirements.
The following mandatory requirements shall be enforced:
(1) 
Minimum 20-foot-wide common area.
(2) 
Minimum one 3-inch DBH shade tree per 50 lineal feet of frontage.
(3) 
Minimum one 2-inch DBH ornamental tree per 50 lineal feet of frontage.
(4) 
Minimum 25% of length of screening to have bed of shrubs and ground cover.
(5) 
Minimum three-foot height plants.
(6) 
Irrigation system.
(7) 
All berms shall meet the drainage requirements of article 3.12, division 3 (stormwater) of the Code of Ordinances.
(8) 
All berms must undulate both horizontally and vertically so as to as closely as possible replicate a natural landform.
(b) 
Screening alternatives.
The following screening alternatives may be incorporated when constructing berms:
(1) 
Wrought iron or tubular steel fence.
Must be continuous six-foot height with masonry columns at 20 feet on center. If a 1,000-foot or greater distance exists between openings, provide a minimum of a one-foot to three-foot offset every 100 to 300 feet to ensure undulating, natural in appearance lines.
(2) 
Split rail fence.
If a 1,000-foot or greater distance exists between openings, provide a minimum of a one-foot to three-foot offset every 100 to 300 feet.
(3) 
Earthen berm (less than six feet).
Must be a minimum of two and one-half feet in height with shrubs a minimum of three additional feet in height. Berms must not exceed a maximum 4:1 slope. Additional easement/common area space dedication may be required. Shrubs must reach required height within two growing seasons or 18 months.
(4) 
Masonry wall.
May not exceed six feet in height. The color and style of masonry shall be consistent with the surrounding vicinity. Requires specific approval by the planning and zoning commission and town council at time of final plat approval.
(5) 
Earthen berm (six feet).
May have a maximum 4:1 slope. Additional easement/common area space dedication may be required. Requires specific approval by the planning and zoning commission and town council at time of final plat approval.
(1998 Code, sec. 150.78)