§ 23.10. Buffer requirement.

Where property to be developed as a conservation design community abuts property not a part of the conservation design community, the conservation design community shall have a buffer along the exterior property boundary. The buffer shall be undisturbed except as specifically allowed herein, and of sufficient volume to provide a year round opaque screening. Where no vegetation exists within the required buffer area, or where existing vegetation does not provide a sufficient screen, and where planting of native vegetation will provide a screening meeting the requirements of this section, the buffer will be planted with such vegetation to meet the intent of this section.

A.

Mandatory stormwater structures. Not withstanding other provisions to the contrary ,and where the only practical place upon the tract of land being developed as a conservation design community to locate a stormwater facility serving to contain and control the stormwater generated from the conservation design community is within the required buffer, the county engineer shall permit such a structure to be built within the required buffer. The area devoted to the installation of the stormwater structure may not be used to satisfy the greenspace requirement for the development.

Where stormwater structures are allowed within the buffer, the developer shall plant sufficient vegetative material to effectively screen the location of such structure and obscure such structure from view. All walls or other hard surfaces of such structure shall be painted a muted earth-tone color or shall be faced with other materials to further conceal such structure from view.

B.

Trails. Where trails are planned to be provided, such trails may be constructed within the buffer area. The path through the buffer area containing such trail may be no wider than eight feet. All clearing associated with the construction of such path shall be contained within the eight feet. If such trails are planned as a part of the development, the trails must be located within the first 25 percent of the buffer furthest from the exterior boundary line for the subdivision but in no event shall be within 30 feet of said exterior boundary line.

23.10-1 Size of buffer. The size of the exterior buffer is determined by the size of the lot proposed adjacent to the exterior boundary for the conservation design community. (see Table 23-3 Minimum Exterior Boundary Buffer)

23.10-2 Buffer counts toward greenspace requirement. The area of land designated to the exterior boundary buffer may be used to satisfy the minimum required greenspace for the development. The buffer area shall not be included as a part of any platted residential lot within the subdivision. This buffer shall be considered a secondary conservation area unless a feature of the buffer qualifies as primary conservation area as defined herein. Such buffer shall be designated as part of the greenspace for the subdivision and be permanently protected in accordance with the requirements contained herein.

Table 23-3 Minimum Exterior Boundary Buffer

Adjacent Zoning District	District Avg. Lot size (sq. ft.) for Conservation Design Community
	7,500	10,0001	2,000	16,000	24,000	32,000	35,000+
	Minimum Buffer Required
AG	100	85	80	60	60	40	25
R-80	100	85	80	60	60	40	25
R-60	75	65	60	50	50	20	25
R-40	75	65	60	50	50	0	20
R-30	50	50	50	25	0	0	20
R-20	50	25	50	0	0	0	20
R-15	25	25	0	0	0	0	40
RD-3	25	25	0	0	0	0	40
PUD	25	25	30	40	40	40	40
RZL	25	25	30	40	40	40	40
RTH	25	25	30	40	40	40	40
RA	25	25	30	50	50	50	50
RM-10	25	25	30	50	50	50	50
RM-16	25	25	30	50	50	50	50
Commercial	30	30	30	30	30	30	30
Industrial	50	50	50	50	50	50	50

 

Note: District Avg. Lot Size is found in Table 23-1 Conservation Design Community Density and Lot Size Requirements.

(Ord. No. 2014-O-001, Exh. A, 8-19-14)