Sec. 9.7. Screening

9.7.1. Applicability

A. Features and uses listed below shall be screenedClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. when visible from adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. properties, and from adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. streets, pedestrian mallsClosed A public or private, improved area intended for public pedestrian and non-motor use that is permanently preserved for such use through limited easements or rights of enforcement granted to the City, or other similar legal techniques., and public trails.

1. Air handlers, and other similar electrical or mechanical equipment in multifamilyClosed A residential use consisting of at least three dwelling units. As described in Sec. 7.1, Housing Types, includes: townhouse; detached rowhouse; multiplex; or apartment. or nonresidential developmentClosed Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land.;

2. Class B outdoor storage;

3. Loading areasClosed A space used to transfer goods and material between vehicles and a building or lot.;

4. Freestanding automated teller machines (ATMs) and ice kiosks not placed adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. to buildings;

5. Solid waste facilitiesClosed Stationary solid waste collection containers, yard waste containers, recycling containers and roll-out containers for the above. in residential or non-residential developmentClosed Pursuant to NCGS 160D-102, any of the following: a. The construction, erection, alteration, enlargement, renovation, substantial repair, movement to another site, or demolition of any structure. b. The excavation, grading, filling, clearing, or alteration of land. c. The subdivision of land as defined in G.S. 160D-802. d. The initiation or substantial change in the use of land or the intensity of use of land., including dumpsters and recycling, but excluding pet wasteClosed As used in Sec. 12.10, Sedimentation and Erosion Control, surplus materials resulting from onsite construction and disposed of at other locations. receptacles and roll-out carts for residential uses; and

6. Uses requiring screeningClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. pursuant to Sec. 5.3, Limited UseClosed The purpose for which a building, structure, or area of land may be arranged or occupied or the activity conducted or proposed in a building, structure, or on an area of land. Standards.

B. The features and uses listed above need not be screenedClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. from similar features and uses on adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. lots and within the I District, except where project boundary buffers would be required pursuant to Sec. 9.4, Project Boundary Buffers.

C. All rooftop equipment, except solar panels and wind turbines, shall be screenedClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. or set back so that it is not visible from ground level at any adjacentClosed Property abutting directly on the boundary of, touching, or sharing a common point. right-of-wayClosed A strip of land acquired by reservation, dedication, prescription or condemnation and intended to be occupied by a street, trail, rail corridor, or public utility.. For buildings over 75 feet tall, rooftop equipment shall be screenedClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. or set back so that it is not visible from any ground level vantage point.

9.7.2. Standards

A. Except for ATMs and ice kiosks, the following is required screeningClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. material that can be used individually or in combination to provide year-round screeningClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views.. Solid waste facilitiesClosed Stationary solid waste collection containers, yard waste containers, recycling containers and roll-out containers for the above. shall only utilize options 1, 2, or 3. Options 1, 2, and 3 may require additional screeningClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. per paragraph 9.7.2D, ScreenClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. Walls or Fence Visible Off-Site.

1. Solid walls constructed of material per paragraph 9.9.3, Walls;

2. Wood fences with a minimum opacityClosed The surface area of a fence, wall or buffer that is impenetrable to light when viewed perpendicularly to the plane of the fence, wall or buffer. of 85%;

3. Metal panels with a minimum opacityClosed The surface area of a fence, wall or buffer that is impenetrable to light when viewed perpendicularly to the plane of the fence, wall or buffer. of 85%;

4. Solid evergreen hedge per paragraph 9.7.2C, Evergreen Hedges;

5. Earth berm constructed pursuant to paragraph 9.4.8B, Berms; or

6. Wood fences or metal panels with an opacityClosed The surface area of a fence, wall or buffer that is impenetrable to light when viewed perpendicularly to the plane of the fence, wall or buffer. of less than 85% augmented with upright evergreen shrubs planted four feet on center along the length of the screeningClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views..

B. Height

1. For screeningClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. of mechanical equipment and solid waste facilitiesClosed Stationary solid waste collection containers, yard waste containers, recycling containers and roll-out containers for the above., the screenClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. height shall be the height of the equipment or facility plus six inches.

2. For all other screeningClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. purposes except ATMs and ice kiosks, the screenClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. height shall be a minimum of eight feet.

C. Evergreen Hedges

1. For ground-level air-handlers and other mechanical equipment, plant material shall:

a. Consist of upright shrubs at least 2/3 the height of the facility at the time of installation;

b. Be planted two and one-half feet on center; and

c. Reach the required height within three years of planting.

2. For all other features to be screenedClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views., plant material shall:

a. Consist of 40 evergreen understory trees per 100 linear feet;

b. Be at least six feet tall at the time of installation; and

c. Reach a minimum height of eight feet within three years of planting.

D. Screen Walls or Fence Visible Off-Site

One upright shrub of an evergreen species shall be installed per four linear feet of any screenClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. wall or fence that is visible off-site. This shall not apply to screeningClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. around roof-top equipment, if option 6 is used per paragraph 9.7.2A, for sites within the CI District, or sites within the Core and Support-1 Design District sub-districts.

9.7.3. Credit for Other Landscaping

Plant material in project boundary buffers can be counted towards the requirements of this section when located to serve both functions.

9.7.4. Alternative for Air Handlers and Other Electrical or Mechanical Equipment

Alternative treatments to minimize the visual impact of ground level or roof-top air handlers and other electrical or mechanical equipment, instead of screeningClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views., can be approved through the issuance of a minor special use permit pursuant to Sec. 3.9, Special Use Permit, or a certificate of appropriateness pursuant to Sec. 3.17, Certificate of Appropriateness, as applicable.

9.7.5. ATMs and Ice Kiosks

ATM and ice kiosk facilities shall incorporate the following screeningClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. material:

A. A landscaped area of at least 50 square feet shall be provided at the base of the facility, and shall be allocated to all sides not requiring pedestrian access.

B. The required landscaped area shall contain materials such as, but not limited to, vegetative ground coversClosed Any natural vegetative growth or other material which renders the soil surface stable against accelerated erosion., shrubs, and ornamental trees covering at least 50% of the defined landscaped area at maturity. Species consistent with those allowed for vehicular use areas shall be used.

C. If facilities are placed within required vehicular use area landscaping or other required landscaped areas, those areas shall satisfy the screeningClosed The use of plant materials and other landscape or architectural elements used separately or in combination to obscure views. requirement.