393 / 601
Article 5: Development Standards
Section 5.13. Screening
5.13.1. Screening of Exterior Mechanical Equipment
Morrisville, NC
June 23, 2017
Unified Development Ordinance
Page 5-131
Change in Use
a.
Any change in use of an existing development shall be subject to these screening of exterior
mechanical equipment standards to the maximum extent practicable.
(Ord. No. 2016-001, 05/10/2016)
B.
Screening Standards
Roof-Mounted Mechanical
Equipment
Mechanical equipment mounted on the
roof of a building shall be screened
from line of sight of adjacent streets,
sidewalks, and greenways by a
parapet wall, freestanding screen wall,
or similar device.
a.
The screening shall incorporate
materials, colors, and design that
are visually consistent with the
building’s architectural design.
b.
The height of the screening shall
equal or exceed that of the
mechanical equipment being
screened.
Ground- or Wall-Mounted
Mechanical Equipment
Mechanical equipment mounted on or
near ground-level or on a building wall
shall be screened from line of sight of
adjacent streets, sidewalks, and
greenways by any combination of
adjacent buildings and durable and
sight-obscuring walls, or in residential
developments only, dense continuous
hedges. (See Figure
5.13.1.B.2:Screening
of
Ground-Mounted
Mechanical Equipment.)
a.
Screening walls shall incorporate at
least one of the primary materials
of the nearest wall of the primary
structure on the lot.
b.
The height of the screening walls, fences, or hedges shall equal or exceed that of the mechanical
equipment being screened.
Deviation of Standards
The Planning Director may approve deviations from the screening standards in this subsection on
making one or more of the following findings:
a.
The deviation is necessary to comply with overriding life safety requirements or other
regulations.
Figur
e 5.13.1.B.1:Screening of Roof-Mounted Mechanical
Equipment
Figur
e 5.13.1.B.2:Screening of Ground-Mounted Mechanical
Equipment.