§ 1417-13. Institutional Buffer Yard Standards.

Buffer yards must meet the following standards:

(a)

Plant Material. Buffer yards must contain plant materials such as trees, grass, flowers, shrubs and ground cover over at least 55 percent of the buffer yard area. The area beneath any building or parking lot that was constructed prior to the designation of the IR District in which the institution is located may be excluded in the calculation of the percentage under this paragraph.

(b)

Trees. Buffer yards must contain at least one shade or ornamental tree of at least three-inch caliper for every 20 linear feet of buffer yard, measured along the property line, with no more than 50 feet between trees.

(c)

New Structures Prohibited. New buildings, fences other than protective railings required by the Cincinnati Building Code, walls other than retaining walls, parking lots or loading areas may not be located in any buffer yard.

(d)

Walls. Retaining walls must be faced with stone or maintained with plant material appropriate to a park-like setting.

(e)

Waste Collection. Garbage, trash or recycling containers or facilities may not be located in any buffer yard. At the time of the establishment of a buffer yard, any existing garbage, trash or recycling containers or facilities must be removed. This prohibition on trash containers does not extend to trash receptacles located along walkways or in plazas intended for use by pedestrians.

(f)

Underground Parking. Buffer yards may contain underground parking garages when approved by the Zoning Administrator as a conditional use, utility services and other accessory structures, if located entirely below grade and the surface is restored to park-like appearance with plantings.

(g)

Landscape Maintenance. All required trees and plants must be maintained in a healthy condition and replaced if damaged or destroyed. Further, all buffer yards must be maintained in good condition and kept free of debris.

(Ordained by Ord. No. 15-2004, eff. Feb. 13, 2004; Emer. Ord. No. 141-2015, § 22, eff. July 1, 2015)