The following requirements shall apply to screening:
(a) When required, screening shall consist of a planting strip, existing vegetation, a slightly opaque wall or fence, or combination thereof, to the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Where only vegetative screening is provided, such screening strip shall not be less than twenty (20) feet in depth. Vegetative screening shall consist of a double staggered row of evergreen shrubs planted fifteen (15) feet on center, or a double staggered row of evergreen shrubs planted ten (10) feet on center. Alternate methods of vegetative screening may be approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Where a fence or wall is provided, it shall be a minimum of six (6) feet in height and plantings may be required at intervals along such fence or wall.
(b) Screening of parking lots shall not be counted toward the interior landscaping requirement. When screening is required along the frontage of public streets, the Planning and Zoning Commission shall determine if the street tree requirement has been met.
(c) Screening shall be required in the following instances:
(1) Commercial and industrial uses shall be screened from adjacent residential and rural areas districts.
(2) Parking lots consisting of five (5) spaces or more shall be screened from adjacent residential and rural areas districts.
(3) Objectionable features including, but not limited to, the following uses shall be screened from adjacent residential and rural areas districts and public streets:
• Loading areas
• Refuse areas
• Storage yards
• Detention ponds
• Recreational facilities determined to be of objectionable character by the Building and Zoning Inspector other than children's play areas where visibility is necessary or passive recreation areas where visibility is desirable.
(4) The Planning and Zoning Commission may require screening of any use, or portion thereof, upon determination that the use would otherwise have a negative visual impact on a property listed on the Historic Landmarks Register. (Ord. 22-089. Passed 12-5-22.)