§ 7.11.04. Design principals in all districts.

A.

Landscape and planting plan objectives. All landscaped areas required by this article should conform to the following general design principals:

1.

Promote water conservation through xeriscaping.

2.

Preservation of the natural environment to the greatest extent possible and continuity with on-site and off-site open space and green way systems.

3.

Landscaping should be used to minimize potential erosion through the use of ground covers or any other type of landscape material that aids in soil stabilization.

4.

Existing native vegetation in a healthy condition should be preserved and used to meet landscape requirements to the maximum extent feasible in conjunction with appropriate soils and moisture regimes.

5.

Landscaping should enhance the visual environment through the use of materials that achieve variety with respect to seasonal changes, species of living material selected, textures, and colors. Landscaping design should also consider the aesthetic and functional aspects of vegetation, both when initially installed and when the vegetation has reached maturity. Newly installed plants should be placed at intervals appropriate to the size of the plant at maturity.

6.

Landscape improvements should be coordinated with the site lighting design to ensure clear visibility of building entrances, avoidance of unsafe areas during nighttime hours and should enhance public safety and minimize nuisances.

7.

Landscape requirements contained in this article are intended to achieve the objectives set forth in the land use element of the comprehensive plan and implementation should be accomplished accordingly.

8.

Whenever possible integrate the functional systems, particularly the drainage systems and internal circulation systems, with the landscape or planting plan.

9.

Minimize the impact on utility services from mature plants and trees. See also Section 7.11.06, Utility Corridors.

10.

Address visual privacy, acoustical privacy, noise attenuation and the maintenance of important views relative to adjacent developed properties.

11.

Credit is permitted for existing plant material provided such material meets the minimum standards of this article. Credit shall be allocated on a one-for-one basis.

B.

Use of required buffer strips.

1.

Project boundary buffers shall be located along the outer perimeter of the parcel to be developed extending inward from the parcel boundaries. The site plan technical review committee has the authority to approve the placement of a buffer at an adequate distance from the parcel boundary when it can be shown that a conflict exists with an existing utility easement.

2.

Buffers on residential developments shall be designated as common areas and shall not be included within lots.

3.

Buffers on nonresidential sites may be included within parcels and counted toward setback requirements.

4.

No structures are permitted in buffers except fire hydrants, concrete valve markers, underground utility markers, switches, bus shelters or benches, incidental signs not exceeding two square feet in area, and screening. No accessory structures, garbage or trash collection points or receptacles, parking or other functional use contrary to the intent and purpose of this Code shall be permitted in a required buffer strip. This requirement does not prohibit the combining of compatible functions such as landscaping and drainage facilities.

5.

No parking is permitted within a buffer area.

6.

Buffer areas may include portions of the storm water management system if the applicant demonstrates that the character and intent of the buffer is not diminished and that the integrity and function of the storm water management system is maintained.

7.

Pedestrian access through a buffer to adjacent uses may be permitted.

8.

Utility lines may cross the buffer provided that the amount of buffer compromised is minimized.

9.

Trails within a buffer may be permitted provided the character and intent of the buffer is not diminished.

10.

The site plan technical review committee may reduce the required buffer width by up to 50 percent where it can be shown by the applicant that the reduction is warranted by unique site features or characteristics. This would include, but is not limited to, situations where the buffer area would be located adjacent to a water body or open space area or if a permanent buffer exists on the adjacent property.

11.

Walls and fences shall be landscaped along the entire exterior side so that one-third or more of the vertical face of the fence or wall is screened by plants. The applicant shall be required to demonstrate provision for access and maintenance of landscaping at the time of landscape or planting plan approval.

12.

When a berm is used to form a visual screen in lieu of or in conjunction with a hedge or wall, such berm shall have a stabilized slope of one to three rise/run and shall be completely covered with sod or other landscape quality living ground cover.

13.

Existing noninvasive vegetation may be used to fulfill buffering and screening requirements where such existing natural vegetation is of sufficient height or can be augmented to reach a sufficient height and opacity to provide an effective visual and acoustical buffer giving consideration to the existing and proposed uses.

C.

Prohibited plants.

1.

Certain plants are considered a nuisance and are prohibited from being planted within the county. Such plants are identified in Exhibit A of this article.

2.

The list of prohibited plants as identified in Exhibit A of this article may be periodically amended by resolution of the board of county commissioners.

D.

Removal of certain oak trees prohibited.

1.

No oak tree with a circumference greater than 48 inches measured at a point four and one-half feet above the base of the tree shall be removed.

a.

Single-family residential uses and principal agricultural uses on agriculturally zoned tracts larger than ten acres are exempt from this provision.

2.

Where warranted, a variance may be requested in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.11.05 E.

(Ord. No. 2008-09, § 1(Attch. 1), 11-6-08)