Cumberland County supervisors are set to consider another change to county code regulating how businesses erect buffers between commercial and residential properties.

“Where a zoning permit is for expansion (over 50 percent of building area) or redevelopment (tear down and rebuilding) of a commercial use, the scale drawing shall show a transition between the commercial use and any adjacent residential properties,” states the proposed code amendment.

“This transition may be achieved through the retention of established vegetation in the setback of at least 20 feet, the planting of a double staggered row of evergreen trees (10 feet on center and a minimum planting height of five feet), or a six-foot board privacy fence with one row of evergreens (10) feet on center and a minimum planting height of three feet) on the side of the fence adjacent to the residential use.”

In October, supervisors narrowly rejected a recommendation from the planning commission recently that would have required a reasonable buffer around expanding business adjacent to residential properties.

“Where a zoning permit is for expansion (over 50 percent of building area) or redevelopment (tear down and rebuilding) of a commercial use, the scale drawing shall show how vegetation, landscaping, fencing or other means shall provide for a reasonable buffer to any adjacent residential properties,” the rejected code amendment stated.

“I communicated to the board and the county administration that I would be very uncomfortable with a government ordinance requiring a business to comply with whatever an employee deems as ‘reasonable,’” said District Two Supervisor and Board Chairman Lloyd Banks, who opposed the measure.

A public hearing on the buffer change will be held at 7 p.m. during the board’s Tuesday meeting.