(A) Stormwater Devices
Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) shall be designed, constructed, and maintained to contribute to the aesthetic values of development. Visible hardscape transitions or edges (walls) for stormwater devices should not be used outside of Mixed Use Overlay Districts. BMPs should be graded and landscaped to blend with the surrounding landscape to provide better transitions as demonstrated in the Site Design Standards Document. Culverts, outlet structures, level spreaders, and other devices associated with stormwater BMPs shall be landscaped to reduce their visual impacts. All proposed landscaping shall be shown on an approved development plan. The Planning Director may allow the use of hardscape transitions for developments outside of a Mixed Use Overlay District pursuant to Section 3.19.1.
Where used, visible hardscape transitions shall be subject to the following criteria:
(1) The exterior surface of the wall should consist of decorative material such as stone or brick. Where public visibility is limited, split-face block or other modular design may be used. Poured-in-place concrete walls shall not be used for stormwater device edges.
(2) The stormwater device shall be located and designed such that it is accessible to the public and intended to serve as an aesthetic amenity to the site. The device shall be incorporated into or located in immediate proximity to pedestrian plazas or other active areas of the site.
(3) The design of the wall shall be tiered in order to accommodate the plantings installed to soften the mass of the upper half of the wall height. Wall tiers shall not exceed approximately six (6) feet in height and three (3) feet in depth. Draping plant material planted at the top of the wall may be acceptable in circumstances in which the wall height is limited and a tiered structure is not appropriate.
(B) Mechanical and Utility Equipment
(1) Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and other mechanical and utility equipment, including but not limited to hoses, pipes, vents, fans, compressors, pumps, and heating and cooling units, ground based electrical transformers, telephone, or cable junction boxes, which are located on, beside, or adjacent to any building or development, shall be fully screened from the view of streets and adjacent property.
(2) The screen shall exceed the height of the equipment, shall not interfere with the operation of the equipment, and shall use building materials and design which are compatible with those used for the exterior of the principal building.
(3) Where mechanical and utility equipment is located on the roof of a structure, all devices shall be fully screened from the view of streets or adjacent property after grading or other improvements are made outside or adjacent to the site.
(4) The Planning Director may require mufflers or other noise reducing technique on mechanical and utility equipment in developments adjacent to existing or future residential projects to mitigate noise impact (refer to Town Code for noise requirements).
(5) Utility equipment and facilities associated with on-site electric, cable, telephone, gas or other similar utility, including ground-based electrical transformers and power meters, shall be placed in service areas on the sides or rear of buildings, and shall be screened, to the extent possible, with evergreen plantings or other acceptable alternative approved by the Planning Director. (This requirement applies to both residential and non-residential developments). Areas around this equipment and facilities shall remain clear based on each utility company's guidelines.
(C) Trash Containment Areas
Developments must account for disposal of trash, including trash and recycling containment devices. Restaurants, large retail establishments and other similar businesses must indicate how they plan to address cardboard recycling prior to development plan approval. All trash containment devices, including compactors, dumpsters, and recycling drop-off bins, shall be located and/or screened so as not to be visible from the view of internal travelways, adjacent streets and properties. The type of screening used shall be determined based on the proposed location of the trash containment area, existing site conditions, and the type and amount of existing and proposed vegetation on the site. All such areas shall meet the following standards:
(1) All trash containment areas shall be enclosed with solid gates to allow for access and security and contain windblown litter. In addition, the Planning Director may require self-closing gates for such enclosures. Gates must be maintained in good working order.
(2) The enclosure shall be at least eight (8) feet tall or two (2) feet taller than the highest point of the compactor or dumpster, whichever is greater.
(3) The enclosure shall be made of a material that is opaque at the time of installation and compatible with the design and materials of the principal building. The material shall be masonry or other material that matches the building material; however, wood and other similar material may be used for gates.
(4) All compactors and dumpsters shall be placed on a concrete pad that is large enough to provide adequate support, allows for positive drainage, and, where applicable, conforms to the Wake County Health Department regulations governing compactor pads.
(5) The Planning Director may require some uses to install a pad and screening enclosure large enough to accommodate both a trash container as well as a recycling container for cardboard.
(6) The enclosure shall be kept free of litter, debris, and residue.
(7) The dumpster or compactor shall be accessible to the handicapped.
(8) All recycling drop-off containers and storage bins, with the exception of roll-out carts located in townhouse and multi-family developments and recycling containers located on school sites, shall be screened from view to at least fifty (50) percent of the height of the containers and bins in the station. The screen may be fencing or plantings. If plantings are used, the plants must reach the required height within three (3) years of planting. Roll out carts associated with non-residential uses shall be a neutral or earth tone color, not be visible from a public street, and be located within the interior of the development. Drop-off containers and storage bins shall be located no closer than fifty (50) feet to a lot occupied by a dwelling.