Orange County NC Website
39 <br /> The required stream buffer zone shall start at the <br /> stream bank and be measured away from the stream for a <br /> distance depending upon the slope and the vegetative <br /> cover near the stream. The slope shall be calculated by <br /> measuring a distance of 250 feet from the stream bank, <br /> determining the rise in elevation in that distance, and <br /> dividing the rise in elevation by the distance of 250 <br /> feet. Based on the resulting slope calculation and the <br /> type of vegetative cover near the stream, the applicable <br /> buffer zone width may be determined from Table 6 .25.5. <br /> Slope shall be determined .from the USGS quadrangle maps <br /> for Orange County, by on-site measurements or by special <br /> survey by a registered engineer or surveyor. <br /> The required stream buffer zone shall not be limited to <br /> one calculation but shall be based on calculations made <br /> at points where topographical and ground cover <br /> . conditions change based on an analysis of the site. <br /> In addition to the buffer zone resulting from the above <br /> calculations, a stream buffer shall include any portion <br /> of a floodplain as defined in the Orange County Flood <br /> Damage Prevention Ordinance, by special survey by a <br /> registered engineer or surveyor or by alluvial soils as <br /> designated in the Orange County Soils Survey. <br /> 6 .25.5.2 Buffer Zones Included As Part Of Minimum Lot Size <br /> Stream buffer zones can be used as part of the required <br /> lot area or lot size established as part of these <br /> development standards . <br /> 6.25.5. 3 Existing Vegetation in Buffer Zones <br /> Existing forested areas and other vegetation in a <br /> healthy condition cannot be removed from or disturbed <br /> in a stream buffer zone. Diseased and/or dead vegetation <br /> may be removed and replaced with vegetation resulting a <br /> comparable stormwater runoff velocity and quantity. <br /> 6.25.5.4 Permitted Uses Within Buffer Zones <br /> Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Article, no <br /> impervious surface shall be located in or closer than <br /> twenty (20) feet to the nearest edge of a designated <br /> buffer zone, except that the Zoning Officer may <br /> authorize the crossing of a designated buffer zone and <br /> the presence of impervious surface therein by or for: <br /> a. A public or private street where the crossing is <br /> .perpendicular to the stream and is .justified in <br /> that: <br />