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Chesterfield |
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Code of Ordinances |
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Code of Ordinances |
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Chapter 76. Zoning |
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Article V. Environmental Provisions |
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76-172. Screening requirements. |
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(a)
Impact ranking. Screening shall be required between different zoning
districts and uses according to the requirements of this section.
The type of screening required in different situations is based on
the following impact rankings:
(1)
None;
(2)
Minor;
(3)
Moderate; and
(4)
Major.
(b)
Uses. Where screening is required, only one adjoining use shall be
responsible for its installation, except as noted in this section.
This use shall be referred to as the use providing screening. The
other use shall be the protected use. To determine the appropriate
level of impact, refer to the adjoining zoning districts in the schedule
of screening requirements in this section. The level of impact is
indicated where both uses interface.
(c)
Improvements. Specific requirements for screening improvements are
described in subsection (c)(1) of this section and are subject to
planning commission approval. The planning commission has the authority
to modify these requirements when justified by the nature or intensity
of the proposed development or the characteristics of the site. These
requirements are in addition to specific screening requirements set
forth elsewhere in this chapter.
(1)
Screening alternatives for each intensity/impact classification.
a.
None. No screening or buffering shall be required between adjoining
uses.
b.
Minor. The purpose of screening in this situation is to soften
the impact of one land use on another land use. An interrupted or
open screen is required, which creates an impression of space separation
without necessarily eliminating visual contact. Screening intended
to satisfy these objectives shall conform to the following minimum
standards:
1.
Ten-foot-wide landscaped greenbelt with five-foot-high evergreens
and/or 1 1/2-inch-caliper deciduous trees planted at intervals,
not exceeding 20 feet on center.
2.
Shrubs and ground cover or mulches shall cover the ground at the time of planting. All such plantings shall meet the height and spacing requirements specified in subsection (c)(2) of section 76-174.
c.
Moderate. Screening required for areas where a moderate impact
is identified is necessary to provide a better separation and buffering
of land uses and activities and to minimize the impact of one use
or activity on another. Screening provided in these instances shall
conform to the following minimum standards:
1.
Fifteen-foot-wide greenbelt with a four-foot-high color-coated
chain-link fence.
2.
Five-foot-high evergreens, or 1 1/2-inch-caliper deciduous
trees, planted at staggered intervals an average of not less than
10 feet on center. Not more than 50% of planting shall consist of
deciduous trees.
3.
Shrubs, a minimum of 18 inches in height, and other ground cover
or mulches to cover the ground upon planting.
4.
Whenever the layout of the site places passenger vehicular parking
areas adjacent to a residential district, a minimum five-foot-high
decorative concrete wall shall be required in place of the greenbelt
requirement. The wall shall be placed on the property line with a
five-foot-wide landscaped greenbelt provided between the wall and
parking area. This greenbelt shall be planted with grass, ground cover
or other acceptable landscape materials as determined to be appropriate
by the planning commission. The wall shall not be permitted to extend
into any required front yard setback or the parking lot setback, whichever
is less.
5.
A minimum four-foot-high landscaped earthen berm may be constructed
in place of either the wall or greenbelt, with planning commission
approval. Such berm shall meet the requirements of this section.
Editor’s Note: The Schedule of Screening Requirements
is included as an attachment to this chapter.
d.
Major. The intent of the screening requirements where major
impacts are anticipated is to block the view of obtrusive or undesirable
visual elements, exclude all contact between such uses and create
a strong impression of spatial separation. Screening in these situations
shall conform to the following minimum standards:
1.
Six-foot-high decorative masonry wall. The wall shall be placed
on the property line with a ten-foot-wide landscaped greenbelt provided
between the wall and the building, parking lot or loading area. Such
greenbelt shall be planted with two-inch deciduous trees for each
30 feet of wall length. The remainder of the greenbelt shall be planted
with grass, ground cover, or other acceptable landscape materials
as determined to be appropriate by the planning commission.
2.
In lieu of the wall, the planning commission may allow the development
of a minimum six-foot-high landscaped earthen berm, with a forty-eight-foot-wide
greenbelt, meeting the requirements of this section, or a twenty-four-foot-wide
greenbelt with a three-foot-high landscaped earthen berm planted with
two staggered rows of six-foot-high evergreens planted at intervals
not exceeding 10 feet on center. Shrubs, a minimum of 30 inches in
height, or other ground cover and mulches shall cover the ground upon
planting.
(2)
Other screening specifications.
a.
Walls. Whenever a wall is used in conjunction with, or in lieu
of, the screening requirements in this section, it shall be constructed
according to the following minimum specifications:
1.
Walls shall be constructed of reinforced protective face brick,
decorative poured reinforced concrete or similar decorative building
material determined acceptable by the planning commission. The color
of brick or facing shall be compatible with brick used on the site
and shall be durable, weather resistant and easy to maintain. Masonry
units may be integrally colored at the factory or stained on the site.
2.
Walls shall be placed on the lot line and shall have no openings
for vehicular traffic or other purposes, except as otherwise provided
in this section and/or as may be approved by the planning commission
for the purposes of public safety. Where walls are pierced, the openings
shall be so spaced as to maintain the required overall obscuring character
and shall not reduce the minimum height requirement.
3.
The foundation of any wall shall be constructed to meet the requirements of the applicable township building code in article II of chapter 14 and the township engineering design standards in chapter 30. Masonry walls shall have a durable cap meeting the requirements of the township building department.
4.
No such wall shall be painted, nor shall it be constructed of
exposed concrete block, cinder block or wood products, except as provided
in subsection (c)(2)c. of this section.
5.
Unless otherwise expressly directed by the provisions of this
article, all protective walls or greenbelts shall be provided when
required along and immediately adjoining the zoning district boundary
line and/or property line, and shall be installed so as to lie wholly
on the land of the applicant seeking site plan approval. In instances
where drains, trees or other obstacles preclude such location, the
planning commission shall determine the most appropriate alternative
location.
6.
All walls or greenbelts required by this article shall be completely
installed prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit for the use
of the premises, except as provided in this article.
7.
In any case where the development of the land and/or buildings has been fully completed and an occupancy permit would otherwise be issued, and the completed installation of the wall, greenbelt and/or landscaping required is prevented by inclement weather or acts of nature beyond the control of the owner, the owner may receive an extension of no more than six months subject to the requirements of section 76-654. A performance guarantee, as specified by subsection (d) of section 76-254, may be required.
8.
Maintenance of the wall or any other substituted screening device
shall be the responsibility of the property owner on whose property
such wall or screen is located.
b.
Berms.
1.
Berms shall be designed to be consistent with the architectural
character of the building to be located on the site and shall consist
of landscaped earth mounds possessing a maximum slope ratio of four
feet horizontal to one-foot vertical, except where retaining walls
are used. Side slopes shall be designed and planted with sod or hydro
seeded to prevent erosion.
2.
In those instances where a berm is included as part of a greenbelt,
a detailed drawing and cross-section of the proposed berm shall be
provided as part of the landscape plan.
c.
Pressure-treated fencing. Whenever pressure-treated fencing
is permitted in conjunction with the screening requirements permitted
by this section, it shall conform to the following standards:
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| Ord. No. 110, § 5.01, eff. 11-1-1996; Ord. No. 110-22, § 1(5.01), eff. 4-21-1999 |