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' •Chapter Nine Landscaping and Buffering Chapter Nine Landscaping and Buffer Requirements ' Section 9-1. Purpose. ' Cabarrus County is a developing and changing area. As a result, much of its natural landscape could be rearranged if not destroyed in the development process. Landscaping requirements can help balance against this loss. In ' addition to consciously replacing landscape altered during the development process, there are other reasons for the use of landscaping and buffers: ' •Screening between incompatible adjacent land uses. Zoning was once built on a strict separation of land uses. Today, that is no longer the case. ' Greater freedom in the use of property and privacy for the landowner can be had through buffering between land uses with vegetation, land forms or distance. Much of the flexibility introduced into this Ordinance with the "PBS" (see Chapter Seven) is tied to the concept of using buffers between land uses that might otherwise be incompatible. ' •Erosion control and water pollution. Trees and plants reduce erosion by binding soil particles with their roots and holding the soil together against the effects of wind and water. When development occurs and impervious surfaces ' are created, for example asphalt or concrete, the flow of water across exposed soils can greatly increase causing serious water pollution problems. Vegetation can slow the runoff by acting as a sponge, gradually releasing snow or rain. This ' results in an improvement of water quality and reduces the need for engineered drainage solutions. ' •Modification of the climate in the immediate vicinity. Landscaping as well as other forms of landform such as berms can improve air quality and moderate daily temperature by absorbing pollution, by providing shade and by ' offering protection from the wind. In addition, trees, grass, leaves, shrubs, even twigs and branches, can absorb and disperse sound energy, reducing overall noise levels. •Aesthetics. Often without the softening effect of trees and shrubs, the modern day built environment appears harsh and uninviting. Cumulatively, the purpose of these requirements is to provide standards that will protect the health, safety and general welfare of the public and to enhance property values, improve the appearance of the community, and preserve natural resources, trees, and native plants. 9-1 L G-1 Attachment number 5 Page 236 of 320