A. 
In instances where the Planning Committee determines that buffer planting in necessary to protect the general welfare of the public, planted buffer areas shall be installed to provide year-round screening from offensive views and noise. In particular, the Planning Committee shall decide those instances where a greater separation between incompatible land uses on adjacent sites is necessary. Also, buffers are necessary to assure aesthetics, functional, operational and visual aspects of site development and its effect on neighboring properties is minimum.
B. 
Land uses should be encouraged to minimize conflicts by site selection. Land developments should be discouraged from being located adjacent to a conflicting use. Natural and physical features such as steep sloped areas, wetlands, vegetation, railroads, and roads should be used to separate conflicting uses.
A. 
Widths shall be a minimum of 10 feet or a maximum of 80 feet as deemed necessary by the Planning Committee to be effective.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B. 
Widths will be based on compatibility of land uses.
C. 
Land Uses in the municipal zoning ordinance are classified as follows:
Rank
Land Uses
1.
Single family residential, recreational, agricultural, governmental
2.
Multifamily residential, mobile home parks, apartments, townhouses
3.
Business, professional offices
4.
Hotel, motel, conference centers, commercial recreational (private) office parks
5.
Retail, wholesale, warehousing, light industrial, construction activities, shopping centers
6.
Heavy industrial, manufacturing, large scale commercial/shopping centers, expressways, arterial highways
The following table lists the type of buffer required based on the ranking of land uses.
Type
Description of Buffer
Width
(feet)
A.
Minor Separation, limited screening required; fence, shrubs, or trees
10
B.
Moderate screening required, total visual screening; various landscaping materials, fences, shrubs, hedges
20
C.
Substantial separation, total visual screening; mixed landscaping (deciduous 40% and evergreen 60% mix) solid fence or berm allowed
40
D.
Major separation required, total visual and noise, odor and lighting screening; mixed landscaping (deciduous 20% and evergreen 80% mix) solid fence or berm allowed
60
E.
Maximum separation, total visual as well as traffic, noise, odor, and lighting screening
80
Table VI-A
Buffers Required
Proposed Use Class
Existing Class of Adjacent Use or Zoning District
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
*
A
B
C
D
E
2
A
*
A
B
C
D
3
B
A
*
A
B
C
4
C
B
A
*
A
B
5
D
C
B
A
*
A
6
E
D
C
B
A
*
Where multifamily or townhouses structures adjoin a single-family area, a minimum twenty-foot wide buffer shall be provided within the multifamily or townhouse area.
A. 
Where a commercial district is contiguous to a residential district, the commercial user shall provide a minimum twenty-foot wide buffer within the commercial district.
B. 
Where an industrial district is contiguous to the Light Industrial Zone (L-I), the industrial user shall provide a minimum seventy-foot wide planted buffer within the industrial district.
C. 
Where a Light Industrial (L-I) district is contiguous to any residential, the user shall provide a minimum forty-foot wide planted buffer within the Light Industrial (L-1) district.
D. 
If a road should separate two districts, planted buffers shall be provided within the district of higher intensity.
Planted buffers shall be properly installed and maintained in good condition under the supervision of the appropriate authority. If the Zoning Officer, upon inspection, determines that the streetscape or screening material is not being maintained in satisfactory condition, he shall notify the owner in writing of his findings in order that any negligent or improper maintenance on the part of the owner be corrected within 30 days of the date of said notice. In the event that any plantings required by this chapter fail to live, they shall be replaced within one growing season. Any failure on the part of the owner to comply with said notice shall be deemed a violation of this chapter and is subject to the penalties of this chapter. The Zoning Officer may, in addition, recommend revocation of the Certificate of Occupancy.
A. 
Planting plans shall be based on the compatibility of land uses. Compatibility shall be based on the use and zone in which it is located.
B. 
The design of planted buffers shall consider the use of the portion of property being screened, the distance between the use and the adjoining property line and the distance in elevation. It may also incorporate existing woods, a wall, or fence; earth berms or other man-made and natural features as deemed acceptable to the Planning Committee. Plant materials utilized should consist of an appropriate mix of deciduous and evergreen tress, shrubs, and ground covers and shall be of sufficient size to render instant effect.
C. 
Notwithstanding the above, a minimum less than 10 feet of the horizontal width of any buffer required along a periphery shall have an area designed, planted, graded and otherwise developed to obscure the activities of this site from view.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
D. 
The following standards are required to be included in all landscaping plans:
(1) 
The names of the proposed plantings (both botanical and common) shall be noted on the Landscaping Plan.
(2) 
Each planting shall be free from disease, insect infestation, and mechanical injuries and in all respects, be ready for field planting.
(3) 
All plantings shall be guaranteed from the period of installation for a period of no less than one year from the date of installation.
(4) 
All plants shall conform to the American Standard for Nurserymen Stock (ANSI-1986) in regards to sizing, growing and B & B specifications.
(5) 
Additional shrubbery should be provided around the perimeter of the building and site, as well as the entrance area.
(6) 
The limit of clearing line should be identified on the plans.
(7) 
Each tree having a caliper of eight inches or more measured three feet or more above the ground should be delineated on the plans and in the field by lath or ribbon.
The Reserve Township Planning Committee will allow developers to propose alternate landscaping plans. These alternative plans will be considered if the proposed planting plans meets all the requirements listed in the required landscaping standards of this section of the chapter. A narrower planting scheme may be devised if it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Planning Committee that it will provide effective relief from noise, odor, lighting and visual screening from the use or site being developed. The proposed planting scheme must demonstrate that all species will be able to spread and survive if spaced more closely together.
A. 
Buffer yards will be planted with a mix of native deciduous and evergreen species of plants (shrubs, grasses, wildflowers and perennials). Minimum size of trees shall be as follows:
B. 
Large trees, those trees whose ultimate height will be more than 40 feet from ground level with a minimum caliper of three inches DBH.
C. 
Medium trees, those trees whose ultimate height will be more than 20 to 40 feet from ground level with a minimum caliper of two inches DBH.
D. 
Small trees those trees whose ultimate height will be less than 20 feet from ground level with a minimum caliper of 1.5 inches DBH.
E. 
The density of screening required shall determine quantities and spacing of plant materials. Existing natural features, woodlands, and significant vegetation shall be preserved within the buffer yard wherever possible and may be used as part of the required planting scheme.
A. 
Buffer yards shall be provided by the applicant around the entire perimeter of the site or lot and shall extend to the adjoining property or right-of-way line. If uses or zones differ along a sites boundary, the buffer yard shall change correspondingly.
B. 
Buffer yards shall be maintained by the owner of the property. Buffer yards shall be kept free of debris and trash at all times. Plant materials shall be inspected annually and all dead, diseased, damaged, and insect infested plants shall be replaced within 60 days of the inspection report date.
C. 
No structure or vehicular use areas, buildings, accessory use buildings, light standards, etc. shall be permitted in a buffer yard. Access drives are permitted in buffer yards so long as they are used to separate a proposed development from a street.
D. 
Buffer yards may be used for passive recreation uses such as pedestrian and bicycle trails, provided that the required separation and screening are maintained.
E. 
All landscaping plans shall be prepared, signed, and sealed by a registered Landscape Architect and an active member of the American Society of Landscape Architects.
When few natural constraints exist which limit street layout and location, such as but not limited to steep slopes and unsuitable soils, streets should have an east-west orientation to the greatest extent possible with acceptable variations of 10° to the northwest and 25° to the southwest of due east in order to provide for orientation of buildings to the south and thereby encourage the use of solar energy systems. All development should be designed to encourage energy conservation.
A. 
By taking advantage of southerly exposures, proposed lots should have good solar access to the maximum extent possible.
B. 
By providing each building with sufficient solar access to make effective use of a passive solar system.
C. 
Windbreaker of evergreen plants is recommended for planting on northeast and northwest exposures where there are no conflicts with visibility and or safety. Deciduous trees are recommended on south and western exposures.
D. 
Window openings on northern exposures should be limited in size and number.
E. 
Solar access of adjacent buildings shall be protected to the extent of the yard requirements provided unless the Planning Committee so determines that solar easements are necessary to incur an energy efficient plan, in which case solar easements shall be provided.
A. 
Height and location. Fences, walls, and other screens may be erected in any yard subject to the following height requirements, with height measured from the existing ground elevation:
(1) 
Front yard and side yard between the front yard and rear building line: maximum of four feet.
(2) 
Corner lot. Front yard and side yard between the front yard and rear building line: maximum of four feet. Side or rear yard: six feet maximum provided the ratio of solid to open portion does not exceed 1:2.
(3) 
Side or rear yard: six feet maximum provided the ratio of solid to open portion does not exceed 1:2.
(4) 
Fences, screens, or living fences up to 10 feet in height may be approved by the Zoning Hearing Board for any yard of a public school, recreational facility, or public building provided that the ratio of solid to open portion does not exceed 1:2.
(5) 
A fence, wall, or living fence cannot be erected in a public or dedicated right-of-way.
(6) 
Fences along an abutting property shall be set back at least six inches from the property line.
(7) 
Fences or living fences either publicly or privately owned shall not block the clear sight distance at street intersections or driveways.
(8) 
Fences shall not include barbs or other harmful projections unless approved by the Zoning Hearing Board for security reasons.
(9) 
The finished side of fences or walls shall always face the abutting street or property.
(10) 
A swimming pool shall be enclosed by a fence or ladder that locks to prevent accidental or unauthorized entry. The height requirement for fences enclosing an above ground pool may be met via railings attached to the pool wall, in which the lowest ground elevation at any point for the pool and railing combined is six feet.
(11) 
A fence or wall shall require a building permit, be in keeping with the surrounding area, and not hinder the appropriate development or use of adjacent buildings or impair their value.
A. 
No fences shall be erected within the municipality without the permission of the owner of the premises or his representative, authorized in writing to make such application.
B. 
Application for such fences shall be made in writing to the Zoning Officer of Reserve Township and shall set forth the following information.
(1) 
The owner and address of premises where the fence is to be erected.
(2) 
A description and specifications of the fence, including size, height, dimensions, material and size and percentage of openings.
(3) 
A sketch or plan of the fence.
(4) 
If deemed necessary by the Zoning Officer, a certified plot plan and survey of the premises in question shall be submitted, which shall show streets abutting and at the nearest intersection, and shall approximately indicate the location of structures within 10 feet of the fence. The Zoning Officer shall have the right to refer review to the Planning Committee.
C. 
The fee for such permit shall be as specified by the Building Inspector.
D. 
Any existing deed restrictions shall not to be superseded by this section.
E. 
Fences accessory to farm operation are exempt from the requirements of this section with respect to permit, fee, construction or materials. This exception shall not extend to that percentage of farm property set aside for residential purposes as determined by the Planning Committee.
F. 
These fence regulations shall not apply to the erection of an open wire fence within a publicly owned park, playground or school premises if the need for such a fence for such use as athletic fields is demonstrated to and approved by the Reserve Township Zoning Officer.
Fences on residential lots may be erected as hereinafter set forth:
A. 
Fences shall be no closer than one foot to a right-of-way.
B. 
Fences not exceeding 48 inches in height above ground level may be erected between a Township road, street and/or right-of-way and the building line.
C. 
A private residential in-ground swimming pool area must be surrounded by a fence at least four feet, but no more than six feet in height.
D. 
A tennis court may be surrounded by a fence a maximum of at least four feet, but no more than six feet in height.
E. 
A tennis court area may be surrounded by a fence a maximum of 15 feet in height; said fence to be set back from any lot line the distance required for accessory buildings in the zoning district.
F. 
Front fences on corner properties shall not be constructed of materials that would block the view of vehicular traffic at the intersection and shall comply with requirements of sight triangle easement of § 430-86A, Sight triangles.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
G. 
Fences must be maintained by the owner and kept in alignment and shall be maintained in a safe, sound and upright condition and in accordance with the approved plan on file with the Reserve Township.
H. 
All fences must be erected within the property limits, and no fence shall be erected so as to encroach upon the upon the right-of-way.
I. 
All permitted fences shall be situated on a lot in such a manner that the finished side of the fence shall face adjacent properties. No fence shall be erected of any material or in any manner which may be dangerous to persons or animals, except that these provisions shall not apply to farms provided the fence(s) is or are set back from any street line at least 10 feet and, except further, that requirements of state or federal regulations shall prevail.
J. 
A dog run area may have fencing a maximum of six feet in height, provided such area is located in rear yard areas only and is set back from any lot line at least 10 feet.
A. 
Sight triangles. Clear sight triangle easements shall be required at intersections, in addition to the specified right-of-way widths, in which no plantings or structures may be located.
Table VII-B
Suggested Plantings for Parking Areas and Gateways to Communities
Local indigenous plants should be used when developing landscaping plans for site plans and subdivisions. Plantings listed are recommended in large and small-scale retail, commercial, and office developments. Also, the gateways to a community may be beautified through the use of the plantings listed below. Plantings listed above are noted for their ability to survive in "urban air quality," drought, and road salt brine from plowing and melting of snow.
Deciduous Trees
Common Name
Scientific Name
Characteristics
Pin oak
Quercus palustris
Wet, poorly drained soils, 50 feet + height
White oak
Quercus Alba
Uplands w/moist soils, 80 feet + height
Silver maple
Acer saccharinum
Floodplains and moist soils, 50 feet + height
Norway maple
Acer platanoids
Street tree, urban tolerant, 60 feet + height
Red maple
Acer rubrum
Street tree, urban tolerant, 60 feet + height
Sugar maple
Acer saccharinum
Handsome tree, beautiful foliage 60 feet + height
Mountain maple
Acer spicatum
Hardy, shade tolerating, colorful in fall 60 feet + height
Flowering dogwood
Cornus florida
Uplands and Valleys, slopes, 30 feet + height
American chestnut
Castanea dentata
Large, dense crown, 100 feet + height
Crab apple
Malus coronaria
Short trunk, small spreading branches 30 feet + height
Callery pear
Pryrus communis
Broad crown, shiny green leaves, white flowers
American beech
Fagus grandifolia
Shade Tree, produces food for small animals/birds
Hawthorn
Crataegus phaenopyrum
Rounded, brilliant color 30 feet + in height
Honey locust
Gleditsia triacanthos
Wet soils, good in floodplains, 80 feet + in height
Weeping willow
Salix babylonica
Wet soils, good in floodplains, 40 feet + in height
Deciduous Shrubs
Common Name
Scientific Name
Characteristics
Blue violet
Viola papilionacea
Wet soils, 8 inches high, bright colors
Burning bush
Daylily
Hemerocallis
Tough 1 feet tall deciduous
Flowers all summer long
Tolerates most soil conditions
Prefers slopes/well drained soils
Gaura "Whirling Butterflies"
Guara lindheimeri
2-3 feet tall wildflower
1 inches pink flowers that turn white
Good in sun/slopes
Flame azalea
Rhododendron calendulaceum
Clusters of orange, yellow and scarlet
Dry, open areas (parking lots), 3 feet - 15 feet in height
Indian paintbrush
Castilleja coccinea
Scarlet colored leaves, 1 feet - 3 feet in height
Red dogwood
Cornus stolonifera
Native to area, provides food for wildlife, 3 feet - 10 feet in height
Russian sage
Perovski atiplicifolia
3 feet - 5 feet tall, 3 feet - 4 feet wide
Airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers
Good in sun/slopes
Saint John's wart
Hypericum perforatum
Bright yellow, 3 feet - 5 feet tall, native to PA
Evergreen Shrubs
Common Name
Scientific Name
Characteristics
Beaberry
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
Tough 1 feet tall evergreen
Tolerates most soil conditions
Good in shade/sun/slopes
Pink Flowers
Dwarf hinoki cypress
Chameacyparis
Tough 3 feet tall evergreen
Tolerates most soil conditions
Good in sun/slopes
Mountain laurel
Kalmia latifolia
Compact rounded crow, 2 feet - 20 feet in height