(a) Utility structures on private property shall be screened with landscaping or fencing, as outlined below. Utility structures in the public right-of-way shall be screened with landscaping, as outlined below, when required by the Chief Building Official or designee.
(b) Landscaping.
(1) Unless fences or walls are used to screen the utility structure, existing or new landscaping may be used to screen utility structures, provided that the landscaping shall consist of plants in a quantity, size and location that provide at least fifty percent (50%) opacity after one (1) growing season.
(2) Unless fences or walls are approved by the Chief Building Official or designee, the minimum number of plants used from screening shall be as follows:
A. For single, Large Utility Structures, a combination of at least five (5) bushes or tress shall be installed.
B. For two (2) or more Large Utility Structures, a combination of at least eight (8) bushes or trees shall be installed for the first two (2) Large Utility Structures and three (3) additional bushes or trees for each additional Large Utility Structure.
C. For single, Small Utility Structures located within a front yard or street side yard, a combination of at least three (3) bushes or flowering plants shall be installed.
D. For multiple Small Utility Structures located within a front yard or street side yard, a combination of at least five (5) bushes or flowering plants shall be installed for the first two (2) Small Utility Structures, and thereafter the number of additional plants for each Small Utility Structure within a front yard or street side yard shall be as determined by the Chief Building Official or designee.
(3) The location, size and types of required screening plants shall be as approved by the Chief Building Official or designee.
(4) At least one-third (1/3) of the required plants shall be evergreen, unless otherwise approved by the Chief Building Official or designee.
(c) Fences and Walls.
(1) Fences and walls may be included as elements to meet screening requirements only upon:
A. The Chief Building Official or designee’s determination that such elements are appropriate for the particular utility structure location; and
B. After comment or opportunity to comment by the owners of the properties upon which the utility structure is to be located.
(2) All fences and walls must meet applicable requirements contained in the Codified Ordinances.
(d) Other Screening. If approved by the Chief Building Official or designee, the screening of any utility structure may be achieved through placement of the utility structure adjacent to existing accessory structures.
(e) Maintenance. The owner of the utility structure shall maintain all landscaping and/or fencing or other screening in a neat and orderly manner. Upon notice from the City that the screening of any utility structure is in need of maintenance, the owner or user thereof shall have fourteen (14) days from receipt of said notice to correct the problem. If correction is not undertaken within fourteen (14) days, the City may cause the correction or repairs to be done. Fees for such correction or repair shall be immediately due and payable to the City. Notice of such assessment shall be given to the owner or user by mailing such notice to the address utilized by the County Treasurer for tax billing purposes. All assessments not paid with in ten (10) days after such mailing shall be certified by the Finance Director to the County Auditor to be placed on the tax duplicate and collected as other taxes are collected. The City may also collect such costs thereof, together with interest, through initiation of a civil action in the appropriate court of law having jurisdiction thereof and seek such additional orders as may be necessary to enforce the provisions of this Section.
(Ord. 57-11. Passed 9-26-11; Ord. 5-16. Passed 2-8-16.)