Screening areas shall be provided for the purpose of minimizing the friction between incompatible land uses and improving the aesthetic and functional quality of new development.
A. Screening area requirements: all screening areas shall be approved by the City Inspector/Zoning Administrator (or Planning Commission, where required by this appendix) according to a submitted site plan as regulated by the applicable requirements of this appendix. Screening areas shall be designed, provided, and maintained according to the following:
1. Where vegetative and/or topographic conditions that provide a natural screening and buffer exist prior to development of properties in question, every effort shall be made to retain such conditions. In such cases additional screening may not be required, provided that provision is made for maintenance of such condition to the satisfaction of the City Council.
2. Wherever screening is required in this appendix, all trees shall be evergreen.
3. All trees shall be a minimum of 10 in height when planted unless otherwise required according to the submitted site plan.
4. All hedges shall be a minimum of 3 feet in height when planted unless otherwise required according to the submitted site plan.
5. All trees, shrubs, and, other planting materials shall be living plants (not artificial) and shall be suitable to the Northern Kentucky area and the specific conditions of the site in question, such as but not limited to soil conditions, slopes, reduction of noise pollution, maintenance necessary, and the type of screening needed. The City Council may require review of the proposed screening plan from the U.S. Soil Conservation Service, or the applicable County Agricultural Extension Service.
6. Screening areas are to be provided within the required minimum yard setback as required in each district’s regulation. In the case where property is located adjacent to another governmental jurisdiction, screening requirement shall be the same as if the zone in the adjacent legislative body (or a zone containing the most similar types of permitted uses as provided herein) were located within this city.
7. In the case where a zoning map change occurs resulting in adjacency to a different zoning district that was previously the case, and where development has already occurred on property in the unchanged district, required additional setbacks and screening requirements (as required in each district’s regulations) shall be provided for the property in the district where the zone change occurred.
B. Provision and maintenance: required screening areas shall be provided as a condition of development by the owner or developer. All required screening (including the planting of trees and other vegetation) shall be maintained by the property owner.
C. Inclusion of site plan or subdivision improvement drawings: areas to be set aside as screening areas shall be identified on the required site plans, as regulated in § 9.19, and where applicable, on the improvement drawings as regulated by the subdivision regulations. Sufficient bond, adequate to cover the required improvements as determined by the City Council may be required to be posted. It shall be unlawful to occupy any premises unless the required screening has been installed in accordance with the requirements as provided herein.
D. Dumpster screening: dumpsters, including grease traps and compactors, shall be designed, constructed and maintained according to the following:
1. Dumpsters shall be located behind the principal structure a minimum of two feet from the lot line.
2. Dumpsters shall have an enclosing lid or cover.
3. Dumpster location and details of construction shall be shown on site plans (see § 9.19).
4. Dumpsters shall be located within an enclosure that meets the following design standards:
a. The enclosure shall be a minimum of 12 feet by 12 feet in size.
b. The pad of the enclosure shall be constructed of six inches of reinforced concrete pavement that shall extend six feet beyond the gate to support the front axle of a refuse vehicle.
c. The enclosure shall be a minimum of three sides with a gate on the fourth side.
d. The enclosure shall be provided with a self-latching gate.
e. The minimum height of the enclosure walls shall be six inches taller than the dumpster.
f. The enclosure walls shall be solid and suitable for outdoor use. The enclosure design must be compatible with the principal structure.
g. Bollards shall be installed at the opening to prevent damage to the enclosure.
h. This does not apply to existing dumpsters, unless they are relocated.
(Ord. 2017-6, passed 4-4-17) Penalty, see § 18.10