[Amended 2-4-1985]
A.
Within a buffer area, a solid and continuous landscape
screen shall be planted and maintained. Said landscaping shall consist
of lawn, massed evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs of such species
and density as will provide, within two growing seasons, a solid and
continuous screen throughout the full course of the year. The intense
density of the buffer screen may be reduced by the Planning Board
if it is found that the proposed use is visually attractive and not
detrimental to the appearance of the neighboring uses.
B.
The entire buffer area and all required yard areas
not occupied by parking areas shall be graded and planted with grass
seed or sod and such shrubbery or trees as may be desired by the Planning
Board. The entire area shall be attractively maintained and kept free
of all debris and rubbish. In the event that any of the plantings
in accordance with this section do not live within the first year,
they shall be immediately replaced.
C.
The required height for a landscape screen shall be
measured in relationship to the elevation of the land at the edge
of the adjacent area or structure to be buffered. In such cases as
when the ground elevation of the location at which the screen is to
be planted is less than the elevation of the edge of adjacent area
to be buffered, the required height of the screen shall be increased
in an amount equal to the difference in elevation. In the event that
the ground elevation of the location at which the screen is to be
planted is greater than that at the edge of the adjacent area to be
buffered, the required height may be reduced in an amount equal to
said difference in elevation, provided that in no case shall the required
height be reduced to less than three feet.
D.
All nonpaved areas in commercial, industrial, public
and semi-public buildings and use areas shall be suitably landscaped
with grass, trees, shrubs and other landscaped materials.
E.
When a parking area of four or more vehicles or a
loading and unloading area adjoins an adjacent residential property
area, a landscaped buffer screen shall be provided between the parking
area and the adjoining property. The buffer screen shall be no less
than six feet in height.
F.
The buffer screen around parking lots and loading
and unloading areas may be constructed of wood or other fence material,
provided that not more than 25% of the fence is open on its vertical
surface. In such cases, evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs shall
be planted along the fence to break up the monotony of the fence.
Such landscaping may be omitted if it is the finding of the Planning
Board that the type of fence to be erected is visually attractive
and not detrimental to the appearance of surrounding areas.
G.
If the Construction Official or Zoning Officer, upon
inspection, determines that the landscape materials, buffer areas
and screens are not being maintained in good condition, he shall notify
the owner, in writing, of his findings and order that any negligent
maintenance on the part of the owner be corrected within 30 days of
the notice. In the event that any planting required by this chapter
fails to live, it shall be replaced. If the owner fails to correct
these conditions, after proper notification by the Construction Official
or the Zoning Officer, the Mayor and Council may authorize correction
of the condition by authorizing the appropriate legal action.
H.
The certificate of occupancy for the use on the premises
shall not be issued until such time as the landscaping requirements
set forth in this section are installed in accordance with the plan
approved by the Planning Board or until a performance bond is posted
with the Township in an amount equal to the estimated cost of said
landscaping installation. In any event, a performance bond shall be
posted with the Township in an amount equal to 50% of the total estimated
cost to ensure that the installed landscaping complies with the requirements
set forth at the completion of the second growing season.
I.
Prior to commencing construction of any buildings,
structures, railroad tracks, driveways or parking areas, a permanent
fence shall be constructed along the entire length of any side or
rear lot line that abuts a residential zone or lot utilized for residential
purposes in a commercial or industrial zone. Such fence shall be a
solid fence six feet in height or an open fence eight feet in height
and shall be of a type and material approved by the Planning Board.
J.
Unless the delineated buffer area shall contain such
existing trees either maintained at present grade or suitably welled
so as to qualify to meet the standards above, such buffer area shall
be landscaped with two rows of spruce trees or approved equal, with
10 feet between each row. The trees in each row shall be 20 feet on
centers. Each tree in one row shall be 14 feet from any other tree
in the other row so as to be staggered in appearance. Each tree shall
be a minimum of five feet in height.