Service structures shall be screened in all zoning districts. For the purposes of this section, service structures shall include but not be limited to loading docks, storage tanks, dumpsters, electrical transformers, utility vaults which extend above the surface, cooling towers, roof top units and other equipment or elements providing service to a building or a site. Structures may be grouped together; however, screening height shall be based upon the tallest of the structures. Roof top mechanical units must be screened to the full height of the unit.
(A) Screening requirements. A continuous (having 100 percent opacity) planting, hedge, fence, wall of earth, which would enclose any service structure on all sides is required, unless such structure must be frequently moved, in which case screening on all but one side is required. The height of the screening material shall be one foot more than the height of the enclosed structure, but shall not be required to exceed 12 feet in height. Whenever a service structure is located next to a building wall, perimeter landscaping material or vehicular use area landscaping material, such walls or screening material, may fulfill the screening requirement for that side of the service structure if that wall or screening material is of sufficient height to meet the height requirement set out in this section. Plant material used to screen a service structure shall be an evergreen species which retains its needles throughout the year. Deciduous plant material cannot be used to fulfill this screening requirement. The height of the evergreen plant material at installation must be equal to, or greater than, two-thirds of the height of the service structure(s), and meet the height and opacity requirements within four years. No interior landscaping shall be required within an area screened for service structures.
(B) Curbs to protect screening material. Whenever screening material is placed around any trash disposal unit or waste collection unit which is emptied or removed mechanically on a regularly occurring basis, a curb to contain the placement of the container shall be provided within the screening material on these sides where there is such material. The curbing shall be at least one foot from the material and shall be designed to prevent possible damage to the screening when the container is moved or emptied.
(Ord. 46-97, passed 5-5-97)