(A) 
Nonresidential, Multifamily, and Senior Living Developments.
Nonresidential, Multifamily, and Senior Living developments that are located adjacent to single-family (whether attached or detached) and two-family residential district boundary lines must provide screening in the form of one of the options listed below:
(1) 
Option 1 - Brick or Stone Masonry Wall.
A minimum eight-foot tall, and maximum ten-foot tall, masonry wall is required along all common property lines. The wall must be constructed of brick or stone, in accordance with the City’s Technical Standards, or a simulated product with the appearance of hand-laid brick or stone with the same structural integrity of the City’s standard screening wall details. In addition to the screening wall, one large canopy tree for every twenty-five linear feet, or portion thereof, is required and must be equally spaced for the entire length of the wall on the development's side of the wall. A masonry wall composed of color-intrinsic stucco or highly articulated (such as split-faced) masonry may be used in lieu of the brick or stone masonry wall, provided that the wall is offset at least one foot for at least twenty-five feet for every one hundred foot section of wall.
(2) 
Option 2 - Ornamental Metal Fence.
A minimum five-foot tall ornamental metal fence with masonry columns, spaced with a maximum of fifty feet between the centers of each column, is required along all common property lines. A continuous row of evergreen high-level screening shrubs (see Table 4-3 in Division 7 of this Article 3) are required along all portions of the fence that are not opaque masonry. All landscaping must be located on the development’s side of the fence.
(3) 
Option 3 - Earthen Berms.
An earthen berm (see Section 4.33(L)), or an undulating series of berms, with a living screen may be used provided that each berm is a minimum of six feet in height upon installation for at least eighty percent of the screening length, and provided that each berm and landscaping provides continuous, mostly opaque, screening within three hundred and sixty-five calendar days following installation. Large canopy trees are required for every fifty lineal feet, or portion thereof, of the berm screening (on top of, beside, or meandering in and out of berms). Up to twenty-five percent of the required large canopy trees may be substituted in accordance with Section 4.34(B)(3)(d) in this Article 3.
(B) 
Replacement of Existing Screening.
Replacements of existing screening devices between nonresidential and multifamily developments that are located adjacent to single-family (whether attached or detached) and two-family residential district boundary lines must provide a similar, or more opaque, level of screening to what was previously provided and must be constructed of the same or substantially similar building materials.
(C) 
Alternative Screening Options. Alternative designs to meet screening requirements may be submitted for consideration, and possible approval, for expansion, rehabilitation, or redevelopment projects using the alternative compliance process outlined in Article 1, Division 2 of this Chapter 4. However, the replacement of existing screening devices must follow the requirements in Section 4.39(B).
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15; Ordinance 7107, sec. 65, adopted 12/3/19; Ordinance 7404 adopted 2/21/2023; Ordinance 7655 adopted 3/3/2026)
(A) 
General.
Single-Family (Attached and Detached) and Two-Family Residential development adjacent to Type D or larger thoroughfares, as designated on the City’s adopted Major Thoroughfare Plan, must be screened from the thoroughfares as listed below:
(1) 
Brick or Stone Masonry Wall.
A masonry wall is required in accordance with Section 4.39(A)(1) (except large canopy trees may be at maximum fifty-foot centers) and is subject to the following requirements:
(a) 
The trees and screening wall are located within a minimum eight-foot wide landscape buffer, dedicated to a required Homeowners’ Association for maintenance, on the street side of the screening wall; and
(b) 
Trees may be placed within City right-of-way provided that:
i. 
The drip line of all trees (at maturity) is located no closer than the ultimate planned street curb alignment;
ii. 
There are no conflicts with utility lines; and
iii. 
The applicant enters into a License Agreement with the City (through the Engineering Department).
(B) 
Ornamental Metal Fencing.
A minimum five-foot tall ornamental metal fence with masonry columns, spaced with a maximum of fifty feet between the centers of each column, may be used in combination with the masonry wall to provide a view to a landscape feature such as a landscaped median, common area or cul-de-sac.
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15; Ordinance 7107, sec. 66, adopted 12/3/19; Ordinance 7404 adopted 2/21/2023)
(A) 
General.
Heavy vehicle loading areas in nonresidential areas must be screened from view from public streets designated as Type D or larger on the City’s adopted Major Thoroughfare Plan, and from adjacent residential districts (if applicable), with a minimum eight-foot tall masonry wall in accordance with Section 4.39(A)(1) except the trees must be placed on the side of the wall facing the street. The screening must fully screen the longest heavy load vehicle operating on the site at any time, and must be constructed of masonry that is architecturally compatible with the main building(s). For heavy load vehicle loading areas located adjacent to a public streets designated as Type E, F or G on the City’s adopted Major Thoroughfare Plan (or a smaller street), acceptable screening from the street may be accomplished by a coated chain-link fence with a continuous row of evergreen, high-level screening shrubs (see Table 4-3 in Division 7 of this Article 3) in lieu of the masonry wall with trees. The screening shrubs must be a minimum height of eight feet tall at the time of installation.
(B) 
Perimeter Screening.
Perimeter screening between nonresidential and residential development, as required in Section 4.39, may provide sufficient screening of heavy load vehicle loading areas, depending upon the location of the loading area. The Planning Director shall determine whether proposed perimeter screening is sufficient to meet these requirements at the time of the appropriate development application.
(C) 
Alternative Screening Options.
Alternative designs to satisfy the screening requirements of expansion, rehabilitation, or redevelopment projects containing heavy loading areas may be submitted for consideration using the alternative compliance process outlined in Article 1, Division 2 of this Chapter 4.
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15)
(A) 
General.
Light vehicle and forklift loading areas must be screened from view from public streets and adjacent residential districts as required below:
(B) 
Location Not Requiring Screening.
Light vehicle and forklift loading areas must, where feasible, be located in the back of nonresidential buildings or in areas that effectively cause the loading areas to not be visible from public streets and adjacent residential districts. The Planning Director, during review of the appropriate development application, may determine that screening is not necessary for these loading areas.
(C) 
Location Related to Streets.
Light vehicle and forklift loading areas may be located in the front or side yard of nonresidential buildings that face a street provided that additional landscaping is provided adjacent to or within the required landscape buffer so that a living screen is created. The additional landscaping must include extra evergreen high-level screening shrubs (see Table 4-3 in Division 7 of this Article 3) and small ornamental trees at minimum ten-foot centers so that the living screen substantially limits the view of the loading area from the street. The Planning Director shall determine whether the proposed living screen is sufficient to meet these requirements.
(D) 
Location Related to Residential Districts.
(1) 
Light vehicle and forklift loading areas located in yards adjacent to residential districts must be screened with a minimum six-foot tall masonry wall or a continuous, opaque, evergreen living screen, along with one large canopy tree for every twenty-five lineal feet on-center.
(2) 
Perimeter screening between nonresidential and residential developments, as required in Section 4.39, may provide sufficient screening of light vehicle and forklift loading areas, depending upon the location of the loading area. The Planning Director shall determine whether proposed perimeter screening is sufficient to meet these requirements at the time of submission of the appropriate development application.
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15; Ordinance 7107, sec. 67, adopted 12/3/19)
(A) 
General.
Outside storage areas must be screened from the view of public streets and adjacent residential districts, and must comply with the provisions of this Section 4.43:
(B) 
Screening Required.
(1) 
Outside storage areas in nonresidential zoning districts must be screened from public streets designated as Type D or larger on the City’s adopted Major Thoroughfare Plan with a minimum five-foot tall coated chain-link fence combined with a minimum six-foot tall continuous, opaque living screen using evergreen high-level screening shrubs (see Table 4-3 in Division 7 of this Article 3). Coated chain-link fencing with slats may be used to screen outside storage areas from streets that are designated as smaller than Type D on the Major Thoroughfare Plan, in accordance with Section 4.41. However, where a storage area contains items greater than six feet in height, additional large evergreen canopy trees must be planted every thirty feet on center, either adjacent to the screening device or within the landscape buffer (if adjacent to a public street).
(2) 
Outside storage areas in all other districts (where allowed) must be screened with a minimum six-foot tall masonry wall of brick or stone that is architecturally compatible with the main building(s).
(C) 
Perimeter Screening Adjacent to Residential.
Perimeter screening between nonresidential and residential developments, as required in Section 4.39, may provide sufficient screening of an outside storage area, depending upon the location of the storage area. At the time of the initial development application process, the Planning Director shall determine whether proposed perimeter screening is sufficient.
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15)
(A) 
General.
Where screening for parking is required adjacent to a public street, the City encourages the integration of parking area screening elements into the landscape buffer design. The visual impact of parking areas from public streets and residential districts must be minimized through the planting of shrubs or ornamental grasses so that adequate visual screening is provided. An applicant must be in compliance with one of the below options provided within this Subsection (A) (the options below may qualify for the buffer requirement in Section 4.34(B)(3)):
(1) 
Option 1.
Screening is required with a continuous or undulating row of shrubs or ornamental grasses that are a minimum of twenty-four inches in height at installation, and which provide a continuous, solid visual screen at least three feet in height within two years following installation, in accordance with Section 4.33(D); or
(2) 
Option 2.
An earthen berm may be used for screening provided that the berm is completely covered with evergreen vegetation (including shrubs and groundcovers) that will achieve a continuous, solid visual screen at least three feet in height within two years following installation, in accordance with Section 4.33(D).
(B) 
Perimeter Screening.
Perimeter screening between nonresidential and residential developments, as required in Section 4.39, may provide sufficient screening of parking areas only where a masonry wall with trees (Option 1) is used. At the time of the initial development application review, the Planning Director shall determine whether a proposed perimeter screening is sufficient to meet these requirements.
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15)
The design and screening for refuse containers must comply with the following provisions:
(A) 
General.
Refuse containers provided in conjunction with nonresidential and multifamily developments must be located behind the main building(s) or within an interior service court (which is highly recommended and encouraged). Refuse containers placed in a parking lot are prohibited in a required parking space, loading space, fire lane, easement, or access drive aisle. The door opening shall not face a public right-of-way. Additionally, the refuse container and its enclosure shall be placed outside of required setbacks from street or residential boundaries and outside of easements, and must be screened on three sides with a minimum eight-foot tall masonry wall. Alternatives to placement and screening of refuse containers may be approved using the alternative compliance process as outlined in Article 1, Division 2 in this Chapter 4.
(B) 
Compatibility.
The exterior composition of screening walls must be architecturally compatible with the main building(s) and be composed of masonry materials (which must match the masonry materials used in the construction of the main building, if applicable).
(C) 
Enclosure & Access.
All refuse containers must be placed on a reinforced concrete pad and all maneuvering areas and clearances must meet or exceed the criteria and dimensions shown in Illustration 4-2. A solid metal gate must be placed on the open side of the refuse screening wall to completely enclose the refuse container(s). The gate must remain closed when the placement or collection of refuse is not actively occurring. To allow for adequate access to the refuse container, there must be a minimum of twelve feet of horizontal clearance between each of the sides of the refuse screening wall or gate posts. A minimum three foot wide by seven feet high door pedestrian access door must be included in the enclosure.
(D) 
Shared Refuse Containers.
Two or more nonresidential uses may share a refuse container provided that the container and its enclosure is located on one of the properties within a perpetual mutual access and use easement, filed of record at the applicable County and a filed copy submitted to the City, to allow full access to the container by all persons authorized under the easement instrument, and provided that the shared container is emptied regularly enough to accommodate refuse disposal capacity for all users.
(E) 
Maintenance.
Each refuse facility must be maintained by the property owner or the user of the facility, as applicable, and comply with all public health and sanitary regulations.
(F) 
In the event that an applicant declines to construct a refuse container enclosure or makes use of a commercial green cart (90 gallon commercial container), then the site shall reserve space as either excess parking or excess landscape area that may be converted for a future refuse container and enclosure construction; and this shall be shown on the site plan with the Site Permit or Building Permit whichever is applicable. The site plan shall show the location of the commercial green cart storage when not set out for refuse pick-up.
Illustration 4-2 Design & Screening of Refuse Containers
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15; Ordinance 7079, sec. 38, adopted 8/20/19; Ordinance 7107, secs. 68–69, adopted 12/3/19)
(A) 
General.
All roof- and ground-mounted mechanical equipment (such as, HVAC units, satellite dishes, or telecommunications equipment) must be completely screened from view from adjacent public streets and residential districts.
(B) 
Roof- and Ground-Mounted Mechanical Equipment.
Roof- and ground-mounted mechanical equipment must comply with the following provisions:
(1) 
Equipment must be fully screened and not visible from any property line of the premises on which the equipment is located when viewed at ground level and up to an elevation of six feet.
(2) 
Ground-mounted equipment must be fully screened with an evergreen living screen, berms in combination with evergreen landscaping, or a screening wall constructed with building materials that are consistent and compatible with the main building. Wherever possible, ground-mounted equipment must be installed behind the main building.
(3) 
Roof-mounted equipment must be set back from the building’s exterior wall (interior within the building’s roof footprint is highly recommended and encouraged) to accomplish the level of screening described in Subsection 4.46(B)(1) above. If the equipment setback does not achieve adequate screening, then a parapet wall or some other roof-mounted screening device equal to the height of the equipment is required. The parapet wall or other screening device must be constructed with building materials that are consistent and compatible with the building.
(4) 
Mechanical penthouses must complement overall building design.
(5) 
Screening devices must be designed and constructed in a manner that does not conflict with the equipment’s operation or maintenance activities.
(6) 
Screening must be of sufficient height to provide complete visual screening. At the time of review of the appropriate development application, the Planning Director shall determine whether the screening is adequate. The determination shall be based on the height of the equipment as well as its distance from all property lines. The Planning Director may require submission of one or more line-of-sight studies that demonstrate the proposed screening plan complies with this Section 4.46.
(7) 
Equipment owned, operated, or maintained by a utility company on private development sites (including GP&L substations constructed on land owned or leased by GP&L) must be screened in conformance with this Section 4.46. However, screening elements must be set back from equipment a minimum of five feet on the side and rear. If the front of the equipment requires screening, screening elements must be set back from equipment a minimum of twelve feet for adequate clearance and air circulation.
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15)
Screening of exposed wall-mounted mechanical equipment (such as, conduits, ladders, utility boxes, or drain and down spouts) on structures within nonresidential and multifamily developments must be either:
(A) 
Painted to match the color of the building; or
(B) 
Have a natural metal finish.
(Ordinance 6773 adopted 5/19/15)