§ 151.04.36 SCREENING.
   (A)   Screening shall be used to provide a visual and noise separation of more intensive uses from less intensive uses.
   (B)   Screening meeting the width shown in Table 151.04.03 shall be provided along side and rear property boundaries of business and industrial districts abutting residential districts.
Table 151.04.03 Screening Buffer Widths
 
Zoning District of Subject Property
Buffer Width
Business
15 feet
Industrial
15 feet
 
   (C)   Industrial, personal storage facility, and open and outdoor storage uses along collector roadways shall be fully screened from the roadway. The screening shall consist of vegetation fronting the roadway and may also include additional screening materials as specified in subsection (D) of this section.
   (D)   All screening required by the provisions of this section shall consist of the following elements or a combination of those elements:
      (1)   A green belt planting strip consisting of at least two staggered rows of evergreen trees with trees in each row spaced at a maximum of 12 feet;
      (2)   A solid wall or fence constructed of masonry, brick, wood, or steel which is compatible with surrounding structures and buildings. Vinyl or composite materials may also be used where the Zoning Administrator finds that the proposed material is compatible with surrounding structures and buildings and at least the equivalent of other approved materials in quality, strength, effectiveness, durability and safety;
      (3)   Hedge with year-round foliage; or
      (4)   Landscaped berm with year-round foliage.
   (E)   If a wall, fence, or hedge is used for screening, these elements shall be between six and eight feet in height, following the district height standards listed in § 151.04.33 Fence Height. Screening within the street or corner side yards is limited to four in height. Height of screening shall be measured from the natural or approved grade.
   (F)   The buffer area may be interrupted for necessary pedestrian or vehicular access.
   (G)   Screen plantings shall be permanently maintained by the property owner, and any plant materials which do not live shall be replaced within six months.
   (H)   The following site elements shall be screened in compatibility with the design elements, materials, and colors used elsewhere on the site:
      (1)   Refuse disposal areas.
         (a)   All refuse and recycling containers in all commercial, industrial, or multi-family zoning districts shall be screened on four sides (including a gate for access) by a solid, commercial-grade fence, wall, or equivalent material that is architecturally compatible with the principal structure and has a height of between six and eight feet.
         (b)   Refuse enclosures shall be subject to the following:
            1.   A three foot setback is required from any lot line.
            2.   Shall include a durable gate system that remains closed when not in use; and
            3.   Shall allow for easy access by refuse and recycling contractors.
      (2)   Outdoor storage areas. Outdoor storage areas shall be screened from abutting residential districts with a building wall or solid commercial-grade fence, wall, year-round hedge, landscaped berm, or equivalent material, with a height of between six and eight feet. Screening along district boundaries, where present, may provide all or part of the required screening.
      (3)   Loading areas. Loading areas shall be screened from abutting residential districts and from street view to the extent feasible by a building wall or solid commercial-grade wood, vinyl, or equivalent material fence, with a height of between six and eight feet. Screening along district boundaries, where present, may provide all or part of the required screening.
      (4)   Mechanical equipment. All rooftop and ground-level mechanical equipment and utilities shall be fully screened from view from any street or residential district, as viewed from six feet above ground level. Screening may consist of a building wall or fence and/or landscaping as approved by the Zoning Administrator.
      (5)   Off-street parking areas containing five or more spaces. Off-street parking areas with five or more spaces shall be screened from abutting residential districts by a solid wall, fence, evergreen planting of equivalent visual density, or other effective means, built and maintained at a minimum height of five feet.
(Ord. 20220120-01, passed 1-20-22)