Buffer and Screening Development Code Amendment

Lehi City wants to update Chapter 12 of the Development Code about buffering and screening rules. One change is removing the rule about "compatibility" because it's hard to really determine if two uses work well together because people have different opinions.

The new rules for fences say that Neighborhood Commercial and Commercial areas right next to residential areas only need a six-foot masonry fence. More intense businesses, like heavy commercial or light industrial, need an eight-foot masonry fence. These taller fences won’t need special permission (a conditional use permit).

The new buffering rules show how wide the space should be between different types of buildings. Neighborhood Commercial needs the smallest buffer at 12 feet, and Light Industrial or Historic Industrial need the largest at 30 feet. Taller buildings need even more space.

The landscaping rules say trees should be planted 30 feet apart and grow to at least 35 feet tall. It also lists what types of trees and shrubs can be used.

The update also says that in Mixed-Use or Transit-Oriented Zones, if a nonresidential use is next to a home, the Commercial buffering rules might apply.