Morrisville Unified Development Ordinance – September 2018

Article 5: Development Standards Section 5.13. Screening 5.13.1. Screening of Exterior Mechanical Equipment

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. 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. 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. Reduction in Standards due to Existing Infrastructure A reduction in the count, configuration, or location of required landscaping materials is permitted in cases where landscaping is strictly prohibited since it creates a public safety hazard (e.g. headwalls of dams). (Ord. No. 2016-001, 05/10/2016) SECTION 5.13. SCREENING a. Except for bungalow court, pocket neighborhood, single-family detached, single-family attached, duplex, and manufactured dwellings, which is screened with evergreen landscaping, all new development, and expansions to principal structures shall screen the following exterior mechanical equipment and similar features from line of sight of adjacent streets, sidewalks, and greenways in accordance with the standards of this subsection: (1) Electrical and gas-powered mechanical equipment and power systems equipment (e.g., permanent electrical generators, refrigeration equipment and ductwork, swimming pool pumps, back-flow prevention devices); (2) Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning equipment, tanks, and ductwork (e.g., air conditioning condensers and compressors, heat pump condensers and evaporators, air filtration systems, bottled gas tanks, propane tanks), and vent openings greater than eight inches wide; b. All new development and expansions to principal structures shall also screen the above mechanical equipment and similar features from line of sight of on-site walkways. c. Roof- or wall-mounted antennas, vent openings no more than eight inches wide, the tower and blades of a small wind energy system, or the solar panels or modules of a solar energy collection system shall not be considered exterior mechanical equipment for purposes of these screening standards. 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. 5.13.1. Screening of Exterior Mechanical Equipment A. Applicability General

Morrisville, NC

September 25, 2018

Unified Development Ordinance

Page 5-131