9.5.1 Mass Grading Buffers

1. Mass grading buffers shall only apply to activity within the City jurisdiction.

2. Mass grading, as defined in Sec. 17.3, in the Rural, Suburban, Urban, and Compact Neighborhood Tiers where no other site improvements are proposed shall require perimeter mass grading buffers at all exterior lot lines pursuant to this section.

3. Buffers required by this section shall no longer be required upon approval of a site plan for other site improvements, although buffers may be required by other provisions of this article. If such a site plan or a final plat is approved, the required mass grading buffer shall be retained until a project boundary buffer pursuant to Sec. 9.4, Project Boundary Buffers, is installed. A preliminary plat does not relieve the applicant of the requirements of this paragraph.

4. A site plan for buildings, not just utilities, must be approved to be relieved of the requirements of this section.

No grading shall be allowed within mass grading buffers except to provide reasonable access and for utility installation. All crossings and intrusions into the mass grading buffer shall be at an angle between 75 and 105 degrees, with minimal disturbance to the buffer.

a. Perimeter mass grading buffers adjoining other properties (along exterior property lines), shall be a minimum of 65 feet in width if the adjoining property is developed, or 32 feet if the adjoining property is undeveloped, measured perpendicular to the boundary of the site, and shall be in place prior to such grading activity.

b. Such buffers shall preserve existing vegetation.

a. Mass grading buffers along public rights-of-way shall be at least 65 feet in width measured perpendicular to the boundary of the site and shall be in place prior to such grading activity.

b. Such buffers shall preserve existing vegetation.