Briar Creek Township, Columbia County

"Ground mounted SEF shall be screened and buffered from adjacent property that is residentially zoned or used for residential purposes. The screen shall consist of plant materials which provide a visual screen. A fence that provides visual screening and meets requirements of the ordinance may be used for driveways and access ways. (a) Vegetative buffering, to the extent possible, shall be installed at the perimeter of the SEF installation, except where the Supervisors determine that the existing vegetation and trees constitutes the required vegetative buffer or where the Supervisors determine that the solar panels cannot be viewed from an occupied residential building. (b) The vegetative buffering shall be installed along the exterior side of the fencing. All required vegetative buffering shall be located within fifty (50) feet of the required fencing. (c) Vegetative buffering should be designed to emulate the mix of native species and appearance of existing tree lines, hedge rows, and wooded areas already in existence within the landscape where the SEF is proposed. The applicant shall assess the species mix and characteristics found in existing tree lines, hedge rows, and wooded areas surrounding the SEF and document that the vegetative buffering is designed to emulate these characteristics. Arborvitae may be used as vegetative buffering. (d) No less than 20% of vegetative buffering plantings shall be pollinator friendly species. (e) Vegetative buffering shall be selected to provide year-round buffering and shall be of sufficient height, density, and maturity to screen the facility from visibility, as set forth herein within thirty-six months of the installation of the SEF. (f) A combination of Natural topography and vegetation can serve as a buffer. Earthen berms may not be created to serve as a buffer. (g) A screening plan shall be required with the Conditional Use Application that limits the visibility of the SEF from public roads, public parks or existing residences on surrounding properties. (h) The buffering requirements of this section shall supersede the provisions of the Briar Creek Township Zoning Ordinance and Columbia County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance as they may pertain to SEFs. (i) The owner of the SEF shall be required to maintain vegetative buffering throughout the life of the project. Dead and or diseased planting shall be removed and replace in accordance with this section."