It is intended that the application of the buffer yards, screening,
and landscaping standards set forth in this chapter will reduce the
visual and environmental impacts of any future use or parking lot
on neighboring uses.
All service structures shall be fully screened, except when
located in an industrial zone. Service structures in an industrial
zone shall be fully screened when located within 100 feet of any zone
other than industrial. For the purposes of this article, service structures
shall include propane tanks, dumpsters, air-conditioning units and
condensers, electrical transformers and other equipment or elements
providing service to a building or a site.
A. Location of screening. A continuous planting, hedge, fence, wall
or earth mound shall enclose any service structure on all sides unless
such structure must be frequently moved, in which case screening on
all but one side is required. The average height of the screening
material shall be one foot more than the height of the enclosed structure,
but shall not be required to exceed eight feet in height. Whenever
a service structure is located next to a building wall, perimeter
landscaping material or vehicular use area, landscaping material of
such walls or screening material may fulfill the screening requirement
for that side of the service structure if that wall or screening material
is of an average height sufficient to meet the height requirement
set out in this section. Whenever service structures are screened
by plant material, such material may count towards the fulfillment
of required interior or perimeter landscaping. No interior landscaping
shall be required within an area screened for service structures.
B. Protection of screening material. Whenever screening material is
placed around any trash disposal unit or waste collection unit that
is emptied or removed mechanically on a regular basis, a fixed barrier
to contain the placement of the container shall be provided within
the screening material on those sides where there is such material.
The barrier shall be at least 18 inches from the material and shall
be of sufficient strength to prevent possible damage to the screening
when the container is moved or emptied. The minimum front opening
of the screening material shall be 12 feet to allow service vehicles
access to the container.