Those portions of developed areas and properties
not covered by buildings, structures, parking and loading areas, sidewalks
or similar improvements shall be permanently maintained in such manner
as to minimize erosion and stormwater runoff and harmoniously blend
the uses with the neighborhood and residential character of the Village
as a whole. Such maintenance shall be conducted in accordance with
landscape guidelines which may be adopted by the Planning Board.
In connection with the review of any site plan or any application for a special use permit, a buffer strip shall be required along all property lines abutting or directly across a local street from any property in a residence district. This requirement is in addition to any other landscaping requirements of this chapter, in particular § 295-28. Such buffer strip shall comply with at least the following minimum standards:
A.
It shall be of evergreen planting of such type, height,
spacing and arrangement as, in the judgment of the approving authority,
will effectively and continuously screen the activity of the lot from
the neighboring residential area. Nonevergreen plantings may be included
to supplement evergreen planting, but not to take its place.
B.
The buffer strip shall be at least 15 feet in width.
C.
A wall or fence of location, height, design and materials determined by the approving authority to provide screening equivalent to that required by Subsection A of this section may be substituted for part or all of the planting required by that paragraph, provided that the fifteen-foot buffer required by Subsection B of this section is maintained.
D.
Where the approving authority determines that the
existing topography or landscaping provides adequate screening for
the neighboring residential areas, the approving authority may modify
the screening and buffer requirements of this section.
E.
In cases of conflict between the requirements of this
section and other landscape requirements established in this chapter,
the approving authority may, in its discretion, decide which of the
conflicting requirements shall be applicable.
All plantings shown on an approved site plan
or special use permit plan shall be maintained in a vigorous growing
condition throughout the duration of the principal use, and plants
not so maintained shall be replaced with new plants at the beginning
of the next growing season.
In connection with the review of any site plan or any application for a special use permit, for a multifamily or nonresidential use, those portions of such multifamily or nonresidential properties which are not proposed as locations for buildings, structures, off-street parking and loading areas, sidewalks or similar improvements shall be required to be landscaped and permanently maintained in accordance with § 295-47 above.
