(a) Screening of Service Areas. For commercial, industrial, office, institutional and multiple-family uses, all areas used for service, loading and unloading activities shall be screened on those portions of the lot which abut districts where residences are a permitted use. Screening shall consist of walls, landscaped earthen mounds, fences, natural vegetation or an acceptable combination of these elements, provided that screening must be at least seven (7) feet in height. Natural vegetation screening shall have a minimum opaqueness of seventy-five percent (75%) during full foliage. The use of year-round vegetation, such as pines or evergreens, is encouraged. Vegetation shall be planted no closer than three (3) feet to any property line.
(b) Screening of Trash Receptacles. For commercial, industrial, office, institutional, and multiple-family uses, all trash and garbage container systems shall be screened or enclosed by walls, fences, or natural vegetation to screen them from view. Container systems shall not be located in front yards, and shall conform to the side and rear yard pavement setbacks in the applicable zoning district. The height of such screening shall be at least six (6) feet in height. Natural vegetation shall have a maximum opaqueness of seventy-five percent (75%) at full foliage. The use of year-round vegetation, such as pines and evergreens, is encouraged.
(c) Buffering and Screening Requirements. For commercial, industrial, office and institutional uses which abut districts where residences are a permitted use, a buffer zone with a minimum width of twenty-five (25) feet should be created. Such screening within the buffer zone shall consist of natural vegetation planted no closer than three (3) feet to any property line. Natural vegetation shall have an opaqueness of seventy-five percent (75%) during full foliage and shall be a variety which will attain at a minimum ten (10) feet in height within five (5) years of planting.
(d) Maintenance of Shrubbery and Hedges. No shrubbery or hedge shall be planted, in any district, in such a manner that any portion of growth extends beyond the property line. The owner or occupant of property on which there is shrubbery, hedges, or trees so located as to affect the vision of drivers on adjacent streets shall keep shrubbery and hedges trimmed to a maximum of thirty (30) inches in height, and keep trees trimmed so as to avoid creating traffic hazards.
(e) Minimum Trees. The following minimums are required, based upon total ground coverage of structures and vehicular use areas:
(1) Up to 20,000 square feet: A minimum of one tree per 5,000 square feet of ground coverage and a total tree planting equal to one inch in tree trunk size for every 2,000 square feet of ground coverage.
(2) Between 20,000 and 50,000 square feet: A minimum of one tree for every 5,000 square feet of ground coverage and a total tree planting equal to ten (10) inches plus one-half inch in tree trunk size for every 2,000 square feet over 20,000 feet in ground coverage.
(3) Over 50,000 square feet: A minimum of one tree for every 5,000 square feet of ground coverage and a total tree planting equal to twenty-five (25) inches plus one- half inch in tree trunk size for every 4,000 square feet over 50,000 square feet in ground coverage.
(Ord. 08-2022. Passed 5-4-22.)