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Performance Standards <br /> Regulations specific to outdoor storage exist for the BP district,but do not apply to other zoning <br /> districts. The standards were added in 2012 in response to a request from the community, and read as <br /> follows: <br /> (11) Outdoor storage, provided the storage area: <br /> a. Is accessory to a principal permitted or conditional use; and <br /> b. Complies with the accessory structure setback requirement applicable to the property; <br /> and <br /> c. Is no larger than 30 percent of the building area; and <br /> d. Includes screening so as to provide a visual barrier. Any such barrier shall reduce <br /> visibility in a manner that restricts vision of the object being screened, but is not <br /> required to totally block the vision of any such object. <br /> 1. Screening shall consist of two or more of the following: <br /> i. A compact evergreen or deciduous hedge or evergreen, overstory and <br /> ornamental trees of sufficient width and density; or <br /> a. Hedge material must be at least three feet in height. <br /> b. Deciduous trees must be at least two inches in diameter as measured six <br /> inches above the ground. <br /> c. Coniferous trees must be at least six feet in height. <br /> ii. An earth berm of sufficient height to provide an effective screen throughout <br /> the year; or <br /> a. Earth berms shall not have a slope of more than three feet horizontal to <br /> one foot vertical or be located within any street right-of-way unless <br /> otherwise approved by the city engineer. <br /> ill. A screening fence constructed of one or more of the following materials: <br /> a. Factory finished metal or vinyl panels. <br /> b. Wood. <br /> In reviewing the above requirement, and the outdoor storage standards from other communities, there is <br /> a consistent requirement to screen stored items from view by areas within the public right-of-way and <br /> adjacent parcels. Recent applications approved by the city have included recommendations for screening, <br /> but the screening method has varied. Recent requests have received approval for chain link fencing with <br /> vinyl slats,while the BP standard requires metal,vinyl, or wood fencing. Staff views the screening material <br /> and quality as an important component to achieve and maintain long-term aesthetic and community <br /> image. <br /> Staff has the following recommendations,which include Council direction from August 1, 2016, for <br /> developing performance measures associated with outdoor storage: <br /> 1. Outdoor storage areas must be screened from view within the public right-of-way and adjacent <br /> residential and commercial zoning districts. Screening does not need to be provided along <br /> adjacent industrial districts. <br /> 2. Screening can be achieved with berms, fencing, and vegetation, as described in the BP standards <br /> (detailed above),but the two product requirement was not finalized. Staff is comfortable with <br /> fencing only for screening purposes,but berms and vegetation will require additional measures as <br /> they do not create the desired opaque screen. <br />