(A) Screening, commercial and industrial. All commercial and industrial uses abutting and/or adjacent to a residential district shall be required to provide screening according to this section. All fencing and screening specifically required shall consist of either a fence or a green belt planting strip as provided for below:
(1) A green belt planting strip shall consist of evergreen trees and/or deciduous trees and plants and shall be of sufficient width and density to provide an effective visual screen. This planting strip shall be designed to provide complete visual screening to a minimum height of four feet. Earth mounding or berms may be used but shall not be used to achieve more than three feet of the required screening. The planting plan and type of plantings shall require the approval of the City Council.
(2) Planting in excess of six feet in height shall require approval of the Zoning Administrator.
(3) A required screening fence shall be constructed of masonry, brick, or wood. Such fence shall provide a solid screening effect eight feet in height. The design and materials used in constructing a required screening fence shall be subject to the approval of the City Council. Fences exceeding eight feet in height, or a variation from the requirements of this section, shall require a conditional use permit.
(B) Location and screening of refuse.
(1) All refuse and refuse handling equipment, including but not limited to garbage containers and dumpsters, shall be stored within the principal structure, within an accessory building, or totally screened from eye-level view for all uses, except for residential structures with four dwelling units or less.
(2) Screening shall be at least six feet in height, constructed of brick, block, or wood, and compatible with the principal structure. Accessory structures shall comply with minimum setback requirements. All dumpsters and trash handling containers shall be kept in a good state of repair with tight-fitting lids to prevent spilling of debris.
(C) Landscaping; general residential. The lot area remaining after providing for off-street parking, off-street loading, sidewalks, driveways, building site and/or other requirements shall be landscaped using ornamental grasses, shrubs, trees or other acceptable vegetation or treatment generally used in landscaping within one year following the date of building occupancy. Fences or trees placed upon utility easements are subject to removal, if required for the maintenance or improvement of the utility. Trees on utility easements containing overhead wires shall not exceed 20 feet in height.
(D) Design.
(1) The landscape plan must show some form of designed site amenities (i.e., composition of plant materials, and/or creative grading, decorative lighting, exterior sculpture, etc., which are largely intended for aesthetic purposes).
(2) All areas within the property lines (or beyond, if site grading extends beyond) shall be treated. All exterior areas not paved or designated as roads, parking or storage, must be planted into ornamental vegetation (lawns, ground covers or shrubs) unless otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator.
(3) All ground areas under the building roof overhang must be treated with a decorative mulch and/or foundation planting.
(Ord. 366, passed 8-7-2024)