These are areas of undeveloped land bounding with areas that need to be preserved such as the case with our national parks. These buffers help to reduce negative impacts caused by unsuitable and conflicting land use practices. They provide for example the necessary preservation in and around riparian or water catchments, coastal areas, national parks and forest reserves. They can also be effective between close settlements as a way to ensure each settlement retains its identity and sense of place.
- Consider placing buildings at reasonable distances from boundary lines and adjoining properties that would help to minimize unsolicited impacts, since the developer cannot control what happens outside of the owned property
- During construction, limit site disturbance to the following areas if possible:
- Within 40 feet (18 288 mm) of the perimeter of the building;
- Within 15 feet (4572 mm) of proposed surface walkways, roads, paved areas and utilities;
- Within 25 feet (7620 mm) of constructed areas with permeable surfaces that require additional staging areas to limit compaction in the constructed areas
- Consider the sensitive environments of coastal zones and examine carefully. A buffer should reduce pollution of the inshore waters, destruction of protecting reefs, and erosion of and accretion to beaches.
- Ideally, setbacks from the high-water mark should consider the following:
- Slopes less than 1:20 ( 5%) – should be setback 100ft
- Slopes 1:4 – 1:20 (25% - 5%) – should be setback 50ft
- Cliffs steeper than 1:4 (25% - ) – should be setback 25ft
- Maintain any existing vegetation as a buffer between a beach or river and the development. This vegetation helps to protect the land from storm surge, flooding and high winds. A path can be cut through the vegetation to access the beach/river
- Consider the sensitivity of all watercourses: rivers, streams, dry ravines, springs etc. and examine. Setbacks should consider:
- topography
- size of the water course
- flood zone
- development type
- waste/sewage disposal
- Please refer to the Physical Planning Division for specifics
- Consider the Pont Casse Land Use Plan, which was developed considering the recommended buffer of 1000 feet between Morne Trois Pitons National Park and any development. What occurs within that buffer may vary according to the type of land use; again one must refer to the Planning Division for specifics.
- Consider impacts on water catchment areas, specifically water used for drinking. Land use practices must be in accordance with the local water authority (DOWASCO) and
- Consider buffers between attraction sites and sulfur springs, minimizing impact to those attractions. Follow the same recommendations as those governing setbacks from Watercourse and Coastal areas above in point 7
- For setbacks from roads and boundaries see Building Setbacks.