§ 4.18. SCREENING AND BUFFERING

A.

A minimum of thirty-five (35) foot vegetative buffer is required for development activities along all perennial waters indicated on the most recent versions of U.S.G.S. 1:24,000 (7.5 minute) scale topographic maps or as determined by local government studies. Desirable artificial stream bank or shoreline stabilization is permitted.

B.

No new development is allowed in the buffer except for water dependent structures and public projects such as road crossings and greenways where no practical alternative exists. These activities should minimize built-upon surface area, direct runoff away from the surface waters and maximize the utilization of storm water Best Management Practices.

C.

New or expanding uses and other uses that are subject to this provision must provide a vegetative buffer along the property boundary that separates the proposed or expanding nonresidential use and the existing residential use as a means to lessen the impact of nonresidential use on the residential use.

The buffer shall be compact evergreen hedge or other type of evergreen foliage screening at least 15 feet wide, which shall reach the height of at least eight (8) feet within three years, or shall be a combined fence and shrubbery screen, with the shrubbery facing the residential use. It shall be maintained at a minimum of eight (8) feet in height thereafter.

The fence shall be at least 6', but no greater than 8', must be opaque, and made of materials that are normally accepted in the fencing industry.

Earth-berms, other topographical features and existing wooded areas may be accepted in lieu of the above requirements, if they conceal the use from public view.