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 Johns Creek
 Code of Ordinances
 Appendix A. ZONING
 Article IV. GENERAL PROVISIONS

  § 4.23. Zoning Buffers and Landscape Strips.  

Latest version.

  • 4.23.1.

    Minimum Zoning Buffers .

    A.

    Minimum Zoning Buffers. Unless otherwise specified, lots developed with single-family detached dwelling units are not required to provide landscape areas or zoning buffers.

    B.

    Properties adjacent to properties zoned MIX with residential components, AG-1, R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-3A, R-4, R-4A, R-5, R5-A, R-6, TR, A, A-L, NUP, and CUP and adjacent to all single-family residential uses in all zoning districts shall have zoning buffers as specified in Table 4.23.1

    C.

    Zoning buffers shall be undisturbed except for approved access and utility crossings and replanting's as required by the City of Johns Creek Arborist.

    D.

    An additional setback of ten feet for all improvements shall be interior to all zoning buffers as specified in Table 4.23.1. No reduction of the ten foot improvement setback is allowed nor shall any grading or land disturbance or tree clearing be allowed within this improvement setback unless permission is obtained from the Director of the Department of Community Development through an Administrative Variance pursuant to Section 22.4. Said approval shall include a site visit report and recommendation by the City of Johns Creek Arborist.

    E.

    Fences and/or walls shall be located interior to any required buffers and/or improvement setbacks except that when zoning buffers are required between properties zoned for single-family residences or developed with single-family residences, fences may be constructed alongside and rear lot lines.

    F.

    When minimum landscape areas or zoning buffers for uses in existing structures do not meet the requirements herein, conditions of zoning shall apply. Whenever deemed necessary to protect adjoining or nearby properties or to otherwise promote the public health, safety or welfare, the Mayor and City Council may specify conditions which require increased landscape strips and/or buffers, setbacks, berms, or other treatments to protect surrounding and nearby properties.

    Table 4.23.1

    New Project Buffers Improvement Setback
    Side Rear All Road Frontages
    AG-1 (*) 25 50 10
    R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, R-3A, R-4, R-4A, R-5, R-5, A, R-6, NUP, CUP (*) 25 50 10
    TR 25 40 10
    A 25 50 10
    A-L 25 50 10
    MHP 50 50 100 10
    MIX 25 50 10
    O-I 25 50 10
    C-1 25 50 10
    C-2 35 35 10
    M-1A 50 100 10
    M-1 50 100 10

     

    (*) Nonresidential (single-family detached) uses only. Applies to all districts listed.

    4.23.2.

    Minimum Landscape strips.

    A.

    Landscape Strips along Rights-of-Way.

    1.

    A minimum 40-foot wide landscape strip shall be provided along the rights-of-way of Georgia Highway 141 (a.k.a. Medlock Bridge Road), Highway 120 (including the portion of Kimball Bridge Road and Abbotts Bridge Road), McGinnis Ferry Road and Old Alabama Road.

    2.

    A minimum 30-foot wide landscape strip shall be provided along the rights-of-way of State Bridge Road, Jones Bridge Road, Haynes Bridge Road, Nesbit Ferry Road, and Kimball Bridge Road (the portion not designated as part of Highway 120).

    3.

    A minimum 25-foot wide landscape strip shall be provided along the rights-of-way of all other public streets when Article 4 of the Zoning Ordinance otherwise specifies a smaller landscape strip.

    4.

    Standards 1, 2, and 3 of this section also apply to the exterior road frontage of all single-family developments.

    B.

    Landscape Strips along all other lot lines.

    1.

    Unless otherwise specified, lots developed with single-family detached dwelling units are not required to provide landscape areas or zoning buffers.

    2.

    A minimum 10-foot wide landscape strip on both sides of the property line shall be provided along any interior property line adjacent to a nonresidential zoning and/or uses (this standard shall not preclude inter-parcel access). The Director may adjust the width and location of the landscape strips, provided an equal number of required trees are provided.

    (Ord. No. 2015-12-42, Exh. A, 1-25-2016)

    4.23.3.

    Parking lot landscaping. At-grade, non-single-family parking lots shall provide minimum 10-foot wide landscape islands at the end of each parking bay, and a 10-foot wide landscape island every 6th parking space. Such landscape islands shall include minimum 2" caliper shade trees from the City of Johns Creek's list of recommended shade trees for parking lots. Refer to the City of Johns Creek Tree Preservation Ordinance, Appendix K . Landscaping in these islands should preserve and maintain adequate sight lines from the minor lane to the major lane. Alternate methods of landscaping parking lots may be approved whenever the Director of Community Development or his/her designee determines that the alternate method equals or exceeds this standard.

    (Ord. No. 2015-12-42, Exh. A, 1-25-2016)

    4.23.4.

    Maintenance of required landscaping. Trees and landscaping installed in required landscape strips and parking lot islands shall be maintained and appropriate pruning and healthy tree management shall be allowed in accordance with ANSI A300. Tree-topping shall be prohibited; and trees removed or their tops cut shall be replaced with the equivalent inches of removed trees.

    With appropriate written findings by a certified arborist, diseased or insect-infested trees may be removed subject to approval of the Community Development Director. Any trees removed due to disease or insect infestation shall be replaced in accordance with the minimum standards of the Tree Preservation Ordinance.

(Ord. No. 2015-12-42, Exh. A, 1-25-2016)