Screening may be accomplished through the use of screen fences, walls, earth berms (not to exceed slopes of 4:1), and/or landscape plantings consisting primarily of evergreens. Must achieve 80% opacity year round. Fences and walls are regulated elsewhere in this chapter.
(A) Residential uses must be screened from all non-residential mechanical or accessory uses, including, but not limited to, exterior storage areas, accessory buildings, waste service areas, exterior loading, service areas, mechanical areas, and rooftop equipment. Screening must be a minimum of six feet in height at installation.
(B) All multiple family dwellings and non-residential mechanical or accessory uses, including, but not limited to, exterior storage areas, exterior loading, waste service areas, mechanical areas, and rooftop equipment, must be screened as follows:
(1) The above may be screened using a parapet, wing-wall or other architectural feature that is an integral part(s) of the building.
(2) Screening may incorporate similar architectural features as the building, the same exterior materials as the principal structure, and designed so that the equipment is not visible from any public right-of-way or other residential development.
(3) Incidental equipment deemed unnecessary to be screened by the City Manager must be of a color to match the building, roof, or the sky, whichever is more effective as screening.
(4) Metal cabinets used to enclose and protect mechanical equipment may not substitute as screening.
(5) Landscaping may be used as additional screening for equipment that cannot be effectively screened with materials matching the design of the building, at the discretion of the City Manager.
(C) All townhouses, multiple dwelling, and non-residential uses must screen their exterior storage areas, waste service areas, exterior loading docks, service areas, mechanical areas, rooftop equipment and other similar areas.
(D) Rear or side yard screening areas for all multiple frontage lots or lots adjacent to the North Hennepin Regional Trail. The rear or side yards of all residential multiple frontage lots of all lots subdivided or developed after the effective date of this chapter, must be screened from the abutting public right-of-way. The plant materials used to screen the rear or side lots must also satisfy the requirements of § 152.274. The berming and landscaping must be located in the required areas as defined below and comply with the associated minimum height and depth requirements when installed:
Figure 152.275.04 Additional Screening for Residential Properties
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Along ... | Height of Berming (in feet) | Depth of Berms or Landscaped Area (measured in feet from the property line on private property) See Alternate Requirements Below | Amount of plant materials |
Principal and "A" Minor Arterials | 6 | 50-foot bermed and landscaped area | 4 coniferous trees and 3 deciduous trees |
"B" Minor Arterials and Class I Collectors | 3 | 25-foot landscaped area | 4 trees and 5 shrubs |
North Hennepin Regional Trail | NA | 20-foot landscaped area | 4 coniferous trees and 3 deciduous trees |
(E) Alternative screening. The City Council may approve decorative fencing and landscaping meeting minimum opacity requirements of § 152.275 in lieu of the berming requirements of § 152.275.04.
(Ord. 2000-936; Am. Ord. 2001-961, passed 11-26-01; Am. Ord. 2003-989, passed 2-10-03; Am. Ord. 2003-997, passed 5-12-03)