Sugar Hill › Buffer, Landscape and Tree Ordinance
Article 3 — Buffer Regulations
§ 3.1
APPLICABILITY.
3.1.1 Buffers shall be required between dissimilar districts or
uses in accordance with the provisions of the Zoning Ordinance or as a condition of zoning, special use or variance approval.
§ 3.2
STANDARDS FOR PERMANENT BUFFERS
3.2.1 Width of Buffers
Buffers shall meet the minimum width requirements contained in the Zoning Ordinance, except as authorized to be reduced by the applicable buffer reduction process, as follows:
a.As specified in the "Minimum Buffer Strip Requirement Table"; or
b.As specified in a residential zoning district for a permitted non-residential use (e.g. a church, temple, synagogue, etc.); or
c.As required by a condition of zoning, special use, or variance approval.
3.2.2 Screening Requirements
a.Buffers shall be natural, undisturbed, and free of
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encroachments except as authorized by a condition of zoning, special use or variance approval, or as authorized herein, and shall contain the existing tree cover and vegetation as well as any supplemental plantings or replantings as may be required.
b.Buffers shall be of such nature and density so as to
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screen activities, structures and uses on the property from view from the normal level of a first story window on an abutting lot and shall further provide a year-round effective visual screen.
City of Sugar Hill 3.1
3.2.2 (Cont.)
c.Buffers required along side property lines shall extend to a street right-of-way line unless otherwise required by the Director in order to observe the sight distance requirements contained in the Development Regulations, or as authorized by a condition of zoning, special use, or variance approval.
d.In situations where the required buffer width is
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partially or completely contained within an existing easement (e.g. power or natural gas transmission, etc.), the screening requirements of this Ordinance shall be met outside of the easement area.
3.2.3 Supplemental Plantings
a.Buffers in which vegetation is non-existent or is inadequate to meet the screening requirements of this Ordinance shall be planted with supplemental plantings so as to provide a year-round effective visual screen.
b.Supplemental plantings and replantings shall consist of evergreen trees, shrubs, or combination thereof, native or adaptable to the region. All trees planted shall be a minimum of 6 feet in height at time of planting and shall be a species which will achieve a height of at least 20 feet at maturity. All shrubs planted shall be a large growing species, shall be a minimum of 3 feet in height at time of planting and shall be a species which will achieve a height of at least 10 feet at maturity.
c.All supplemental plantings shall be installed to allow for proper plant growth and maintenance.
3.2.4 Non-Vegetative Screening
a.Non-vegetative materials utilized to satisfy the
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screening requirements of this Ordinance, in addition to the use of existing vegetation and/or supplemental plantings, may consist of walls, fences, earthen berms or any combination thereof.
b.If walls or fences are to be utilized, their placement and installation shall be such so as to City of Sugar Hill 3.2 cause minimal disturbance of existing vegetation and located so as to provide an effective visual screen.
3.2.5 Disturbance or Encroachments
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a. Ditches, swales, stormwater conveyance facilities,
stormwater detention ponds, sanitary sewer conveyance
facilities, similar facilities, and any associated
easements, shall not encroach into a buffer except
that necessary access and utility crossings (e.g.
stormwater or sanitary sewer pipes) may encroach into
the buffer as near to perpendicular as practical.
b. Supplemental plantings or replantings of vegetation,
or authorized non-vegetative screening devices shall
be authorized to encroach into a buffer provided
there is minimal disturbance of any significantexisting vegetation.
c.Land disturbance is authorized in areas of a buffer
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that are devoid of significant vegetation provided that the final grade and replantings of vegetation meet the screening requirements contained herein.
d.Dying, diseased or dead vegetation may be removed
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from a buffer provided minimal disturbance occurs. Vegetation thus removed shall be replaced where necessary to meet the screening requirements
contained herein.
3.2.6 Protection During Land Disturbing Activities
a.During authorized land disturbing activities, buffers shall be clearly demarcated and protected prior to commencement of, and during, construction.
b.The method of demarcation and protection utilized shall be in accordance with Best Management Practices(BMP) or as required by the Department.
§ 3.3
STANDARDS FOR CONSTRUCTION BUFFERS.
3.3.1 Where Required
Construction buffers shall be required where specifically provided in the Zoning Ordinance between single family residential subdivisions, or as a condition of zoning, special use or variance approval.
City of Sugar Hill 3.3
3.3.2 Time Constraints
Construction buffers shall only be in effect during the construction period of a project and shall terminate upon project completion. In the case of a residential subdivision, a construction buffer shall terminate upon each individual lot with the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the principal dwelling.
3.3.3 Disturbance or Encroachments
a.Construction buffers shall be natural, undisturbed
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and free of encroachments except as authorized by a condition of zoning, special use or variance approval, or as authorized herein.
b.The encroachment of ditches, swales, stormwater
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conveyance facilities, stormwater detention ponds, sediment basins, sanitary sewer conveyance facilities, similar facilities, and any associated
easements, into a construction buffer shall not be
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authorized except that necessary access and utility crossings (e.g. stormwater or sanitary sewer pipes), and natural bottom detention ponds (sediment basins must be located outside of the construction buffer)
and their appurtenant structures which require no grading and removal of trees, may encroach upon the construction buffer.
c.If the construction buffer on a residential lot is
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devoid of existing trees and vegetation, and a tree survey is submitted to document this situation prior to conducting land disturbing activities (including clearing) on the lot, then the Department may authorize the encroachment of a building or structure
into the construction buffer for a distance not to exceed 10 feet.
3.3.4 Protection During Land Disturbing Activities
a.During authorized land disturbing activities, construction buffers shall be clearly demarcated and protected prior to commencement of, and during, construction.
City of Sugar Hill 3.4
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b. The method of demarcation and protection utilized
shall be in accordance with Best Management Practices
(BMP) or as required by the Department.City of Sugar Hill 3.5 ARTICLE 4 LANDSCAPE REGULATIONS