ARTICLE II. GENERAL REGULATIONS

(a) All proposed new developments shall include landscape yards around the perimeter of the site and the buildings erected on the site in order to facilitate adequate control and management of stormwater runoff and of non-point source pollution as well as to enhance the aesthetics of the project. In the case of expansions or redevelopment of existing development, perimeter landscape yards of the specified size, or as near to that size as determined practical by the zoning administrator, shall be provided on all sides of the site adjacent to such expansion or redevelopment.

     (1) The minimum dimensions of landscape yards around the site perimeter shall be twenty feet (20') for front yards and ten feet (10') for side and rear yards, to be measured from the lot line or, where drainage ditches or structures are located or are proposed to be located along lot lines, from the top or inside edge of the open ditch or structure. Landscape yards, as required herein, may include driveways providing access to other parcels in an effort to promote unified project design.

     (2) The zoning administrator may approve the transfer of up to fifty percent (50%) of the required landscape yard located behind the rear of the principal building on the site to the area in front of the principal building on the site provided that all of the following conditions are met:

          a. No remaining landscape yard shall be less than five feet (5') in width;

          b. The total amount of landscaped open space on the site is not less than it would be without the transfer; and

          c. No required transitional buffer is reduced.

     (3) Landscape yards shall be landscaped with trees, shrubs, bushes, plant material and ground cover in accordance with the provisions of section 24.1-242 of this chapter. If transfers have occurred, the transferred area shall be landscaped in accordance with the requirements for the area from where it was transferred.

(b) A landscaped open space strip a minimum of ten feet (10') in width shall be pro-vided adjacent to and surrounding all buildings and shall be landscaped in accordance with the provisions of section 24.1-242 of this chapter. This open space strip may be bisected by necessary entrances to the building and may include bicycle accommodations and pedestrian sidewalks serving the entrances provided that no more than fifty percent (50%) of the open space strip may be comprised of impervious surfaces. In no case shall off-street parking be located within ten feet (10') of any building on the site.

     (1) That portion of this landscaped open space required at the rear of the principal building may be transferred to the perimeter landscape yard in order to provide additional screening and buffers for adjacent streets or developed properties.

     (2) Where the proposed structure, by reason of its intended use and market orientation, requires vehicular access into the front, sides or rear of the building, the zoning administrator may approve the transfer of the required landscaped open area adjacent to the structure to the perimeter landscape yard in order to provide additional screening and buffers for adjacent streets or developed properties. At least fifty percent (50%) of the area transferred shall be transferred to that portion of the perimeter area located in front of the principal building on the site.

     (3) If transfers have occurred, the transferred area shall be landscaped in accordance with the requirements for the area from where it was transferred.

(Ord. No. 03-42(R), 12/2/03)