§ 15.17. Screening walls or visual barriers.

1.

Screening walls or visual barriers shall be required wherever a nonresidential zoning district abuts a residential zoning district. The screening walls or visual barriers shall be constructed of masonry or of a permanent and substantial type wall or fence material, supported by a frame or base constructed of concrete, metal or other substantial material, and not readily subject to damage by operations within the enclosure or by the effects of winds or other weather elements. Such wall or barrier shall be maintained in good repair and shall not contain openings constituting more than 40 square inches in each one square foot of wall or fence surface, and the surface of such wall or fence shall constitute a visual barrier. All walls or fences shall not be less than six feet in height and all openings in such walls or fences shall be equipped with gates equal in height and screening characteristics to the wall or fence and shall be closed and securely latched at all times except during business hours. In lieu of a screening wall or fence, a landscaped strip containing a solid plant or hedge not less than six feet in height [may be used], which planting shall be maintained in a healthy growing condition and constituting a visual barrier.

2.

Screening and landscaping strips with adjacent vehicle parking shall be protected from vehicle wheels by a bumper rail or wheel barrier located at least three feet from such planting or screen or by a fence.

3.

Stored materials or commodities shall not be stacked so as to exceed the heights of the screening fence, wall or visual barrier and such materials or commodities shall not be placed outside the fence, wall or visual barrier.

a.

Equipment storage. Any unhoused equipment shall be enclosed by a chainlink fence of not less than six feet in height without openings except for entrances and exits, which shall be equipped with comparable gates or other screening as approved by the board of adjustments; however, when the equipment is totally enclosed within a building, no fence or other screening device shall be required.

b.

Residential districts. In residential districts, such facilities shall not include the storage of vehicles or equipment used in the maintenance of any utility or create hazardous effects, however, such other equipment may be stored in residential districts provided it is enclosed within a building or properly screened outside as in accordance with section 15.17.