§ 106.30.090. Screening

A.

Purpose. This Section establishes standards for the screening and separation of adjoining residential and nonresidential land uses, equipment and outdoor storage areas, and surface parking areas.

B.

Where required. Screening shall be provided in the following circumstances:

1.

Screening between different land uses. A commercial or industrial land use proposed on a site adjacent to a residential zoning district shall provide screening at the parcel boundary as follows. Other nonresidential uses adjacent to a residential use may also be required by the review authority to comply with these requirements.

a.

The screen shall consist of plant materials and a solid, decorative wall of masonry, as approved by the review authority. The screen shall be six or eight feet in height, as required by the review authority. Openings or pedestrian connections may be required at the discretion of the review authority.

b.

The decorative wall shall be architecturally treated on both sides, subject to the approval of the review authority.

c.

A landscaping strip with a minimum width of five feet shall be installed adjacent to a screening wall, except that 10 feet of landscaping shall be provided between a parking lot and a screening wall, in compliance with Section 106.34.040.D (Landscape Location Requirements - Parking areas).

d.

The review authority may waive or approve a substitute for the requirements of this Subsection if the review authority first determines that:

(1)

The relationship of the proposed uses make the required screening unnecessary;

(2)

The intent of this Section can be successfully met by means of alternative screening methods;

(3)

Physical constraints on the site make the required screening infeasible; or

(4)

Physical features of the site or adjoining parcels (e.g. topography, vegetation, etc.) make the required screening unnecessary.

2.

Mechanical equipment, loading docks, and refuse areas.

a.

Roof or ground mounted mechanical equipment shall be screened from public view from adjoining public streets and rights-of-way and adjoining areas zoned for residential uses. This equipment includes air conditioning, heating, ventilation ducts, and exhaust vents, loading docks, refuse storage areas, and utility services, electrical transformers, gas meters, etc.

b.

The method of screening shall be architecturally compatible with the colors, materials, and architectural style of other on-site development.

3.

Outdoor storage and work areas. See Section 106.42.170 (Outdoor Storage).

4.

Outdoor building materials and garden supply areas. See Section 106.42.160 (Outdoor Displays and Sales).

C.

Fence and wall standards. Where screening is provided in compliance with this Section in the form of a fence or wall, the fence or wall shall comply with all applicable requirements of Section 106.30.050 (Fences and Walls).