1. The buffer standards in the table below address the opacity of the buffer that is required on the property boundary between zoning districts, and in some instances within a zoning district.

2. An opacity of 0.1 screens 10%, and an opacity of 1.0 would fully screen the use from adjacent properties during summer months no more than five years after planting.

1. The first number indicates the required opacity when adjacent to undeveloped land.

2. The second number is the opacity required when adjacent to a development without a buffer.

3. If a buffer exists on adjacent property, the required opacity on the property to be developed shall be the difference between the opacity on the adjacent property from the total, or second, opacity number.

4. A zero means no project boundary buffer is required.

Example: A new development in the CG District abutting a developed RS District without a buffer would be required to provide a buffer with a total opacity of .8 (80% opaque). If the adjacent RS property were undeveloped, the requirement would be reduced to .6 (60% opaque), and the developer of the RS property would provide the remaining .2 (20%) at the time of development of the residential property.

1. Multiplex and apartment development proposed in any district to be adjacent to single-family or two-family developments on other properties shall provide buffers in accordance with the provisions for RS-M if in the Suburban tier or RU-M in the Urban tier.

2. Nonresidential development proposed in a residential district to be adjacent to residential districts or residential developments (except for upper story residential or with any intervening street or railroad right-of-way) on other properties, that would not otherwise require a buffer, shall provide buffers in accordance with the provisions of the CN District in determining buffer requirements. Principal uses listed in paragraph 5.2.4F, Parks and Open Areas, except playgrounds and zoos, are exempt from this requirement.

3. Nonresidential uses proposed next to property used for residential purposes, although nonresidentially zoned, shall provide a buffer along the side of the property adjoining the property used residentially equivalent to one-half of the buffer width that would have been required for property with a residential zoning designation within that Tier. Except for industrial uses, as an alternative to a buffer, a wall pursuant to paragraph 9.4.8, Walls, Berms and Fences in Buffers, may be provided.

4. The buffer requirement for a subject property zoned Industrial Light (IL) adjacent to property zoned Industrial (I), per the table in paragraph 9.4.3B, shall be 0.2/0.4 when the subject property is four acres or less in size.

5. Some uses may require additional buffering, as set forth in the specific use standards of Sec. 5.3, Limited Use Standards.

6. For residential development utilizing mass grading, a minimum opacity of 0.6 shall be required, unless a greater opacity is otherwise required.

7. Single-family and two-family subdivision in the RU-M District shall not require buffers adjacent to, or across right-of-way from, RU-5 or RU-5(2) Districts and single-family or two-family development in the RU-M District.