[Ord. 498, 9/13/2016, § 501]
1.
Landscaping specifications. Landscaping shall be provided in accordance with the following specifications: A landscaping plan, with detailed drawings, must be submitted with a required subdivision or land development or in the case where subdivision and/or land development approval are not required prior to building permit application. The landscaping plan must contain and show the following information:
A.
All required buffer areas with proposed plantings (identifying each proposed tree, bush or shrub) drawn to scale and identifying size of plantings.
B.
All required planting (identifying each tree, bush, shrub, the use of sod or seeding, etc.) drawn to scale and identifying size of plantings.
C.
Any existing trees or vegetation which are to be preserved, accurately identifying their relative location.
D.
Any existing trees or vegetation which will be removed, accurately identifying their relative location.
E.
All areas of a lot not covered by building or impervious material shall be maintained as landscaped or natural areas.
(1)
Buffer Yards.
(a)
Applicants shall demonstrate through the submission of a landscape plan that sufficient landscaping and buffering is provided to minimize impact to adjacent uses. When required a minimum of 2 deciduous trees and three evergreen trees shall be required for every 100 feet of property line where buffering is required. In addition, five shrubs shall be provided for every 100 feet of property line where buffing is required. Buffer yards are required to be a minimum of 10 feet in width. The Borough encourages flexibility in design and will entertain alternative buffering plans where the applicant demonstrates the buffering plan is equal to or better than the requirements of this Chapter and meets the intent of this Section. The use of decorative walls, decorative fences and landscape mounds are allowable in an effort to meet the requirements of this Section.
(b)
Buffer areas required. Buffer areas are required under the following circumstances:
1)
Along Public Roads. A landscape buffer will be required for all new nonresidential development and which abut a public street. The buffer yard will be provided for the entire length of the public street frontage.
2)
Parking Lots and Loading Areas. A landscape buffer will be required around the perimeter of parking lots and loading areas in all zoning districts.
3)
Adjacent Uses. Buffer yards are intended to minimize impacts of different uses on adjacent sites or properties. When new development is proposed, buffer yards will be required along the perimeter of the site. Buffer yards in the CBD and MU Districts may be relaxed or eliminated at the discretion of the Borough where the development proposes reuse of existing structures on the site and where such site does not provide adequate area for the addition of a buffer.
(2)
General Provisions.
(a)
Openings for driveways shall be permitted to cross a required buffer area. Plantings in required buffer areas shall be located so as to not obstruct visibility for traffic entering or leaving the site.
(b)
Maintenance Required. It shall be the responsibility of the owner/applicant to assure the continued growth of all required landscaping and/or to replace the same in the event of frost, vandalism, disease or other reasons for the discontinued growth of the required trees, shrubs and bushes. Replacement shall be no later than the subsequent planting season.
(c)
Conflict between buffer areas and building setback requirements. When the width of a required buffer area is in conflict with the minimum building setback requirements of this Chapter, the greater distance shall apply. The buffer area planting requirement shall be adhered to regardless of the setback requirement.
(d)
Stormwater management facilities in buffer areas. Stormwater management facilities and structures may be maintained within a buffer area, but the existence of such facilities or structures shall not be a basis for a failure to meet the planting requirements.
(3)
Plant Sizes.
(a)
Deciduous Trees. All trees required to be planted shall be a minimum of two inches in diameter at a point one foot above the ground. All required trees shall be a minimum of six feet in height at time of planting measured from the ground adjacent to the planted tree to the top of the tree.
(b)
Evergreen Trees. All evergreen trees required to be planted shall be a minimum of six feet in height at the time of planting measured from the ground adjacent to the planted tree to the top of the tree.
(c)
Shrubs. All shrubs required to be planted shall be a minimum of 24 inches in height at planting.