Screening in compliance with the provisions of this section shall be provided for any permitted or conditionally permitted nonresidential use that abuts an S-1 or any R district in addition to the required setbacks and yard requirements as specified in the Official and Supplementary Schedules of Permitted Uses and Dimensional Requirements. Applicants for a zoning permit or conditional use permit may request a variance from yard or setback requirements in conjunction with a plan for screening and the Board of Zoning Appeals may consider the variance by weighing the relationship of the proposed screening plan and the requested dimensional variance in relation to the impact on neighboring properties. A request for such a variance for a permitted use shall follow the standard variance procedures of this chapter. A requested variance for a conditionally permitted use shall be incorporated into the conditional use procedure specified in this chapter, it being the intent of this section that a separate variance procedure for a conditionally permitted use is not necessary. The following provisions shall apply to screening:
(A) Screening shall be provided for one or more of the following purposes:
(1) A visual barrier to partially or completely obstruct the view of structures or activities.
(2) As an acoustic screen to aid in absorbing or deflecting noise.
(3) For the containment of debris and litter.
(B) Screening may be one of the following or a combination of two or more, as determined by the Zoning Inspector or Board of Zoning Appeals, in the event of an appeal, variance, or conditional use.
(1) A solid masonry wall;
(2) A solidly constructed decorative fence;
(3) Louvered fence;
(4) Dense vegetable plantings; and/or
(5) Landscaped mounding.
(C) Height of screening shall be in accordance with the following:
(1) Visual screening walls, fences, plantings, or mounds shall be a minimum of five 1/2 feet high in order to accomplish the desired screening effect, except in required front yards when maximum height shall be not greater than two 1/2 feet. Plantings shall be a minimum of four feet in height at the time of planting.
(2) A dense vegetative planting with a minimum height of four feet at planting and a mature height of at least five 1/2 feet or greater or a solidly constructed decorative fence shall be permanently maintained along the mutual boundary of an accessory parking area and adjacent land zoned for residential uses except for the portion of such boundary located within a required front yard.
(D) Screening for purposes of absorbing or deflecting noise shall have a depth of at least 15 feet of dense planting or a solid masonry wall in combination with decorative plantings. The height shall be adequate to absorb noise as determined by the Zoning Inspector in relation to the nature of the use.
(E) Whenever required screening is adjacent to parking areas or driveways, such screening shall be protected by bumper blocks, posts, or curbing to avoid damage by vehicles.
(F) All screening shall be trimmed, maintained in good condition, and free of advertising or other signs, provided this shall not prohibit directional signs and other signs for the efficient flow of vehicles.