(a) A planted visual screen, as defined in § 1250.07, shall be provided and continually maintained under the following circumstances:
(1) Where a proposed commercial or industrial use abuts an existing residential use or residential district and where a proposed institutional use abuts a residential use;
(2) Where any proposed multi-family, townhouse or mobile home use abuts an existing single-family dwelling; and
(3) In any other instance where screening is required by this Zoning Code or by the township.
(b) Screening shall comply with the following requirements.
(1) The planted visual screen shall include a variety of evergreen species (but no more than three) which are indigenous to the area so as to provide a year round visual barrier.
(2) Planted visual screens shall incorporate earthen mounds or berms, wherever possible, to improve sound as well as visual buffering and shall be broken at points of vehicular or pedestrian access.
(3) Plant materials used in screening shall be at least six feet in height when planted, and no plantings shall be placed with their center closer than five feet from the property line of the tract.
(4) All existing trees within the required planted visual screen greater than three inches in caliper and/or eight feet in height shall be preserved wherever possible.
(5) Screening shall be designed so as not to obstruct sight distances at intersections.
(6) Screening design, including the type of plant materials to be used, spacing of plant materials, and the location of earthen berms, shall be subject to review and approval by the Board of Commissioners upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission and Township Engineer.
(7) Screens shall be perpetually maintained during the period the principal use causing the need for screening is in operation. Any plant material which does not survive shall be replaced within six months.
(8) Water towers, storage tanks, processing equipment, fans, skylights, cooling towers, vents and any other structures or equipment which rise above the roof line shall be architecturally compatible or effectively shielded from view from any public or private dedicated street by an architecturally sound method which shall be approved, in writing, by the township before construction or erection of said structures or equipment.
(9) All mechanical equipment not enclosed in a structure shall be fully and completely screened in a manner compatible with the architectural and landscaping style of the remainder of the lot. Such screening shall be subject to site plan and architectural review by the township.
(c) In case of a conflict between any regulation in this section and that in any individual district, the regulation in the individual district shall prevail.
(Ord. 896, passed 12-21-2011)