(A) Screening required. All service structures shall be fully screened except for those associated with one or two-family dwellings, or when located more than 35 feet above the established grade. For the purpose of the zoning regulations, service structures shall include propane tanks, dumpsters, air conditioner units and condensers, electrical transformers and other equipment or elements providing service to a building or site.
(B) Location of screening. A continuous fence or wall shall enclose any service structure on all sides unless such structure must be frequently moved, in which case, screening on all but one side is required. Exception: if the opening of the service structure enclosure is visible from a public right-of-way or public areas of the site, the service structure shall be screened on all sides with a gate enclosing the opening. The average height of screening material shall be one foot more than the height of the enclosed structure, but shall not be required to exceed eight feet in height. Whenever a service structure is located next to a building wall, such wall may fulfill the screening requirements for that side of the service structure if that wall is of an average height sufficient to meet the height requirements set out in the zoning regulations. Whenever service structures are screened by additional plant material, such material may count toward the fulfillment of required interior or perimeter landscaping. No interior landscaping shall be required within an area screened for service structures.
(C) Protection of 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 fixed barrier to contain the placement or the container shall be provided within the screening material on those sides where there are such materials. The barrier shall be at least 18 inches from the material and shall be of sufficient strength to prevent possible damage to the screening when the container is moved or emptied. The minimum front opening of the screening material shall be 12 feet to allow service vehicle access to the containers.
(D) Screening of retention/detention basins. Retention/detention basins shall be screened as follows.
(1) Basins with an overall average water depth of two feet or less shall not require screening.
(2) Basins with an overall average water depth of more than two feet shall be screened by a fence or railing a minimum of four feet in height where they are within five feet of a public street or adjacent to a public sidewalk. If the enclosure is chain link or similar fencing, landscaping shall be installed. If the enclosure is of a decorative material, additional landscaping will not be required.
(E) Screening for satellite dishes. All satellite dishes, larger than two feet in diameter and not mounted on a building or other structure, shall be screened so as to reduce the visual impact of the structure. This may include shrubbery, fencing, trellis or other suitable material. The screening shall be located on three sides while allowing enough area for the dish to rotate within the reception range of satellites that are available at the time of installation of the dish(es).
(F) Screening materials. The screening materials shall consist of the following and are described in more detail in the planting manual and plant materials list available at the Department.
(1) Walls and fences. Walls shall be constructed of natural stone, brick or artificial material arranged in a linear, serpentine or other alignment; fencing may include wrought iron, wood, vinyl, extruded polymer, aluminum or similar materials. Materials other than those noted above require Commission approval before installation. Chain link fencing may not be used to meet the requirements of this chapter. Chain link fencing may be installed in the required landscaped area only if it is in addition to the required continuous planting, hedge fence wall or earth mound. All walls or fences shall have a minimum opacity of 50%. Walls and fences allowed to meet the requirements of this zoning chapter shall not be used for the erection or display of any sign or other advertising device. Columns/posts may include wrought iron, wood, vinyl, extruded polymer, aluminum, brick, natural or cultured stone, split face masonry units or other similar materials.
(2) Earth mounds. Earth mounds shall be physical barriers which block or screen the view similar to hedges, fences or walls. Mounds shall be constructed with proper and adequate plant material to prevent erosion. A difference in elevation between areas requiring screening does not constitute an earth mound.
(Ord. 06-2008, passed 6-16-2008, § 5.14; Ord. 05-2011, passed 2-7-2011)