(a) Refuse Disposal Dumpsters and Refuse Storage Areas. All refuse disposal dumpsters, containers and refuse storage areas must be fully enclosed on four (4) sides by a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence, an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick) or principal structure wall at least one (1) foot higher that the tallest refuse container in the collection area, but in no case shall the wall or fence be less than six (6) feet in height. The base of the exterior portion of the screening infrastructure shall be landscaped to soften the appearance of the screening wall. The enclosure must be gated. The gate must be opaque, fully operational at all times, and closed while not in use. The materials used for screening, including the enclosure and gate, must complement the architecture of the principal building. An extension of an exterior principal building wall may be used as one or more of the screening walls for a refuse container, provided that the wall is six (6) feet in height and is of the same building materials as the principal building. The wall may not serve as the required gated enclosure. The location of refuse containers is subject to approval by the Planning Commission, but is prohibited within the front yard.
(b) Loading Docks / Areas. Where feasible, loading docks / areas must be located and oriented so as not to be visible from the street and adjacent properties, while still allowing access to the use served. In addition, loading areas must be screened as much as possible, unless such screening is determined unnecessary by the Planning Commission. Such screening must consist of an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence six (6) feet in height, or natural landscaped materials, or any combination thereof that achieves desired level of screening.
(c) Outdoor Storage and Display Areas.
(1) Outdoor Storage.
A. All outdoor storage areas must be completely screened by an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence. Where feasible, plant materials must be installed along the fence or wall facing the public right-of-way to provide a softening effect. No materials stored outdoors may exceed the height of the required fence or wall with the exception of construction material with a maximum height of fifteen (15) feet if within any Business district and twenty (20) feet if within any Industrial district.
B. Outdoor storage areas shall be graded and/or paved with semi-pervious materials to allow for appropriate drainage of all accumulated surface water.
C. Lighting shall be placed and appropriately shielded as to not adversely impact adjacent properties.
D. No outdoor storage units shall be in the front yard of the lot, or side lot if abutting a public street.
E. Storage areas shall be made inaccessible to the public via physical barriers.
F. No outdoor storage unit shall be within twenty-five (25) feet of the public right-of-way and/or within a front yard.
G. Outdoor storage areas may be used to store tires. Storage of tires must be done in a manner that complies with all local health regulations, shall not occupy a space larger than 300 square feet, and shall be neatly stacked with no stack exceeding eight (8) feet in height.
H. Exceptions. The following uses are exempt from these rules:
(i) Outdoor display/storage for the seasonal sale of live plant material. This does not include rock, mulch, pavers, building materials, other landscape materials, or lumber yards.
(ii) Sale and display areas for automobile, boat, similar passenger recreational vehicles, farm equipment, and truck and trailer rentals.
I. Flexibility. The Planning Commission may waive these requirements if they deem the inclusion does not serve a public purpose.
(2) Outdoor Sales and Display Areas. The use of outdoor display and sales areas is permitted within any commercial district. The following standards apply, unless otherwise noted within specific section of the code defining the respective district.
A. When the rear or interior side yard of an outdoor display area abuts a residential district, the outdoor display area must be effectively screened from view by an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence or dense evergreen hedge six (6) feet in height.
B. Outdoor display areas located within ten (10) feet of the public right-of-way shall have a landscaped yard along the full length of the perimeter facing the public right-of-way. Landscaping shall be placed along any portion that generally faces the right-of-way to screen the parking area from view of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
C. Outdoor display areas located within fifty (50) feet of the public Right-of-Way shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height and shall be total screened in accordance with this section. Outdoor display areas located within twenty-five (25) feet of the public right-of-way shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.
D. Outdoor displays are permitted on public walks along the frontage of the principal building subject to approval and receipt of permit from the city. There must be an unobstructed path maintained on all public walks at a minimum width of four (4) feet.
E. Lighting shall be placed and appropriately shielded as to not adversely impact adjacent residential properties.
F. Outdoor display areas must be located on a hard and durable surface.
G. Growing areas for nursery stock located in the front or corner side yard are considered to meet these screening requirements.
(d) Drive-Thru drive aisles abutting residential districts. Any portion of a drive-thru facility or aisle shall be screened from view when adjacent to residential properties in order to minimize the impact of exterior site lighting and sound amplification, headlight glare and any menu intercom displays, from the vantage point of the residential property. Such screening shall be approved during the site plan review process and shall consist of an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence, or dense evergreen hedge six (6) feet in height. Plant materials shall be installed along any fence or wall to provide a softening effect.
(e) Automotive sales areas. Where automotive sales areas are permitted, the following standards apply, unless otherwise noted within specific section of the code defining the respective district.
(1) When the rear or side of an automotive sales area abuts a residential district, the automotive sales area must be effectively screened from view by an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), a solid wood or simulated wood screen fence.
(2) Automotive sales areas located within ten (10) feet of the public right-of-way shall have a landscaped yard along the full length of the perimeter facing the public right-of-way. Landscaping shall be placed along any portion that generally faces the right-of-way to screen the parking area from view of pedestrian and vehicular traffic. These landscape areas shall be landscaped in the same manner as prescribed in Section 1131.05(a).
(3) Display areas shall not be located within five (5) feet of the public right-of-way. Landscaping is permitted up to the public right-of-way.
(4) Lighting shall be placed and appropriately shielded as to not adversely impact adjacent residential properties.
(5) Items displayed within the sales area shall not be placed in a manner that will negatively impact the safe movement of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
(f) Ground Mounted Mechanical Equipment. Ground Mounted Mechanical Equipment shall be screened from view from the adjoining properties and from the public right-of-way with evergreen plant materials so that the equipment is completely obscured from view at time of installation. (Ord. 2015-9. Passed 8-25-15.)