Secondary and Cumulative Impacts Master Management Plan - 2014

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Article 5: Development Standards
Section 5.13. Screening
5.13.1. Screening of Exterior Mechanical Equipment
June 2013 Morrisville, NC
Page 5-130 Unified Development Ordinance - Public Hearing Draft
Site Plan Approval, or Construction Plan Approval, as appropriate. The Planning Director may
approve an alternative landscape plan if it meets the purpose and intent of the perimeter and
streetyard buffer standards in Section 5.6 or the landscaping standards in this as
appropriate. Additional review fees are assessed to cover the Town‘s additional costs in reviewing
alternative landscape plans
C. Allowable Deviations
Allowable deviations from the perimeter standards in Section 5.6 and the landscaping standards in
this include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Reduced Planting Rates due to Existing Public Facilities
An adjustment to planting locations or reduction of up to 20 percent in the total number of
required trees or shrubs may be allowed when underground connections to public facilities or
public utilities, or public easements or rights-of-way, are located upon or in close proximity to the
parcel.
2. Reduction in Standards due to Nature of Parcel
A reduction in the count or spacing standards by up to 20 percent may be allowed when
desirable in terms of enhanced protection of existing natural resources, greater consistency with
the goals of the comprehensive plan, or a site design that exceeds the quality of what would
otherwise result under a strict application of the standards in this Ordinance.
3. Reduction in Standards due to Site Size
A reduction in the count, configuration, or location of required landscaping materials may be
allowed in cases where a lot is nonconforming in terms of dimensional requirements or setbacks,
or in cases of redevelopment on existing small lots, is not capable of supporting the minimum
amount of landscaping material required.
4. Upgrading of Nonconforming Landscaping
An adjustment to planting locations or spacing may be allowed in conjunction with an upgrading
of nonconforming buffer or landscaping in accordance with Section 9.7, Nonconforming Site
Features.
SECTION 5.13. SCREENING
5.13.1. Screening of Exterior Mechanical
Equipment460
A. Applicability461
1. Except for single-family detached, duplex, and
manufactured dwellings, all new development shall
460 This carries forward the screening standards for roof-top mechanical equipment in Part C, Art. XIV, Sec. 3.1, 3.3.A(i), and 4.1
of the current Zoning Ordinance, with the modifications noted in subsequent footnotes.
461 The current standards require all nonresidential development except industrial uses to screen rooftop equipment and require all
nonresidential development (including industrial uses) to screen ―utility equipment.‖ In the Assessment Report (pp. 26, 40, and 53),
we note the Land Use Plan‘s emphasis on encouraging higher quality development and recommend that these screening standards
be generally applicable. This subsection expands the current standards to apply them to all new development except single-
family, duplex, and manufactured home dwellings. But in recognition that industrial uses (and agricultural uses) involve relatively
few visitors, it limits the requirement to screen equipment from on-site walkways to single-family, multifamily, institutional,
commercial, and mixed-use developments (i.e., all nonresidential uses except industrial uses). The current Zoning Ordinance does
not define mechanical equipment or utility equipment. To clarify what must be screened, this subsection lists out examples of what is
typically considered exterior mechanical equipment subject to screening.
COMMENTARY
This section carries forward and consolidates
current requirements and standards for
screening of exterior mechanical equipment,
loading and service areas, and dumpsters and
similar containers. It modifies those standards
to allow alternative means of screening.