§ 8.2. Screening of Mechanical Equipment, Trash Areas, and Loading and Service Areas

8.2.1

Mechanical Equipment and Trash Storage Areas

All mechanical equipment, trash storage areas, layaway containers, semi-trailers and bale and pallet storage areas built within Multi-family, Commercial, Industrial and Planned Unit Development zoning shall be fully screened from public view. This shall include equipment mounted on the roof, ground or otherwise attached to the building or location on the site. The following standards shall be met:

A.

Mechanical Equipment Screening

1.

Ground Mounted Mechanical Equipment - Mechanical equipment and similar items shall be fully screened from public view to a height equal to or greater than that of the mechanical equipment with a masonry screening wall constructed of like and similar materials to those of the primary structure.

2.

Roof-Mounted Equipment

a.

Mechanical equipment and similar items mounted to the roof of a structure shall be fully screened on four sides to a height equal to or greater than that of the mechanical equipment.

b.

Said screen shall be of a design consistent with that of the primary structure and shall be of like and similar materials to those of the primary structure.

c.

Portions of elements that extend more than five feet (5') above the roof elevation shall be set back one foot (1') of height for every one foot (1') of height they exceed the roof elevation.

B.

Trash Receptacle (Dumpster and Trash Compaction) Screening

1.

Trash receptacles shall not be placed in a yard which abuts a public ROW.

2.

Trash receptacles shall be fully screened by an eight-foot (8') screen constructed of masonry materials of like and similar materials to those of the primary building elevations majority material on three (3) sides and an opaque gate on one (1) side.

3.

Trash receptacles must be placed be a minimum of five (5) foot from property line.

C.

Categories of Outdoor storage and display per Article 9, such as an outdoor garden center or seasonal lay away areas, are permitted provided that outdoor storage area is completely enclosed within a decorative fence mounted on a knee wall and is screened. The use of a mesh cloth or shade cloth for screening is acceptable provided that the color of the cloth is complementary to the colors of the building. The use of chain link fencing to enclose such areas shall be prohibited, except at the rear of buildings where the back of the said building is fully screened or buffered.

8.2.2

Loading and Service Areas

A.

Loading and service areas shall be located at the side or rear of the primary structure.

B.

A minimum eight-foot (8') solid screening wall shall be required to screen views of loading docks and loading spaces intended for tractor/semi-trailer delivery from any public right-of-way. The screening wall shall also be provided adjacent to any property zoned or planned for residential use as specified by the City's Future Land Use Plan, as amended. The screening wall shall screen each entire loading dock or space. Screening materials shall be of masonry materials that are of like and similar materials to those of the primary structure. Screening walls constructed to meet other provisions of this UDC (i.e. buffering and landscaping requirements) may be counted toward this requirement provided that the spirit and intent of this section is satisfied.

C.

The accommodation of adequate access for service delivery trucks shall be evaluated to determine the extent of the screening required.