Page 223 - Des Moines - Zoning, Planning and Design Ch 134, 135

DRAFT 135-5. lANDScAPe AND StreetScAPe

Frontage Buffer

Property Line Sidewalk Curb Property Line Sidewalk Curb

Street Tree

Vehicular Area Fence Vehicular Area Street Tree
Retaining
Wall
Shrubs
Shurbs
Shade Berm
Tree

Shade
Tree

Building Building
7’ Buffer 12’ Buffer
Frontage Buffer Plan Frontage Buffer Plan
Shade Shade
Tree Tree
Street Vehicular Street Tree
Tree Area
Shrubs
Fence
Hedge Berm with
Retaining
Frontage Buffer Section Frontage Buffer Section Wall
Figure 5.9-A. Fence Frontage Buffer Plan & Section Figure 5.9-B. Berm Frontage Buffer Plan & Section

credited toward buffer requirements per the vehicular area side by the retaining wall.
community development director. 3. Ground Vegetation. The berm shall be grassed
5.9.3 BerM FrONtAGe BUFFer or landscaped per 135-5.3.
Refer to Figure 5.9-B for illustration of the berm c. Buffer landscape. The following landscape is
frontage buffer requirements. required within the buffer.
A. Buffer Depth. The required buffer area shall be 1. Shade Trees. Medium or large shade trees are
a minimum 12 feet in depth, measured from the required at a minimum of 40 feet on center,
street-facing lot line. with at least one shade tree required for each

B. Berm. The following apply within the buffer. segment of buffer. Where feasible, spacing of the
buffer trees shall alternate with street trees.
1. Retaining Wall. A minimum 2.5 foot tall,
continuous retaining wall, faced in or constructed 2. Shrubs. Shrubs are required on the street-side of
of brick or stone is required, located 2 feet the berm. Shrubs shall have a minimum mature
from the back of curb or edge of the vehicular width of 24 inches each, spaced no more than
area into the buffer. One pedestrian opening, 36 inches on center, and height maintained no
maximum 4 feet in width, is permitted for every more than 48 inches, within 1 year of installation.
30 feet of fence. 3. Existing Vegetation. Existing vegetation may be
2. Berm. A berm shall be located on the street- credited toward buffer requirements per the
side of the retaining wall. The berm shall community development director.
have maximum 3 to 1 slopes, retained on the

CITY OF DES MOINES CHAPTER 135: PLANNING AND DESIGN DRAFT 135-5-11