Mahoning Township, Montour County

"Ground-mounted SEP shall be screened and buffered in accordance with the following standards: [1] Vegetative buffering, to the extent practical, shall be installed around the entire perimeter of the SEP installation, except where the Supervisors determine that the retention of existing trees within the vegetative buffering area may constitute the required vegetative buffer or where the Supervisors determine that the solar panels cannot be viewed from a public roadway or residential building. [2] The vegetative buffering shall be installed along the exterior side of the fencing. All required vegetative buffering shall be located within 50 feet of the required fencing. [3] Vegetative buffering should be designed to emulate the mix of native species and appearance of existing tree lines, hedgerows, and wooded areas already in existence within the landscape where the SEP is proposed. The applicant shall assess the species mix and characteristics found in existing tree lines, hedgerows, and wooded areas surrounding the SEP and document that the vegetative buffering is designed to emulate these characteristics. Arborvitae may be used as vegetative buffering. [4] No less than 20% of vegetative buffering plantings shall be pollinator-friendly species. [5] 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 36 months of the installation of the SEP. [6] A combination of natural topography and vegetation can serve as a buffer, provided that the SEP will not be visible from public roads, public parks or existing residences on surrounding properties. Earthen berms may not be created to serve as a buffer. [7] Visibility of the SEP shall be determined as visible in a photograph taken at a point with a digital camera with an APS-C sensor and a 35 mm focal length lens. An SEP shall be considered to not be visible, provided that no more than 5% of the SEP shall be visible in accordance with the measure of visibility set forth above. [8] The buffering requirements of this section shall supersede the provisions of Mahoning/Cooper Townships' Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances, and the Montour County Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, as they may pertain to SEFs."