Unified Development Ordinance, 25th Supplement, December 2022

Article 7.2. ​L​ andscaping and Screening | CHAPTER 7. ​GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS

Sec. 7.2.6. Stormwater Retention Ponds & Detention Basins A. Applicability All stormwater retention ponds and detention basins permitted, constructed or modified to a cumulative extent greater than 50% of their original size shall be screened for their entire length as set forth in Sec. 7.2.6.C. When amenity features are provided as set forth in Sec. 7.2.6.B. , no screening of the stormwater control facility is required. B. Amenity Provisions Permanent stormwater retention ponds and detention basins may be supplemented with certain features which enable the facility to function as an amenity in addition to its primary function as a stormwater device. In situations where amenity features are provided consistent with these provisions, no screening of the stormwater control facility from on-site or off-site views shall be required. In the event a permanent stormwater retention pond or detention basin loses a feature by which the facility qualifies as an amenity, the feature shall be restored within 30 days or the facility shall be subject to the screening provisions listed in Sec. 7.2.6.C. 1. Basic Amenity Features To qualify as an amenity, the following basic amenity features must be provided within any stormwater control facility. a. Integration of the permanent stormwater retention pond or detention basin into the design of public areas within the site or development through the use of appropriate placement, common building materials, textures, features or other treatments intended to lend architectural significance to the stormwater control facility. For the purposes of this section, "integration" shall mean at least two of the following 3 elements: i. Proximate placement of the stormwater facility to the principal structure; ii. Provision of pedestrian access to the facility through installation of a delineated walk or trail from the principal structure; or iii. Utilization of similar planting materials and building materials as used in the principal structure. b. No fence may be installed around the permanent stormwater retention pond or detention basin that acts to prevent pedestrian access to the facility from the site or development where it is located; in cases where

c. Non-residential buildings, walls, or fences, located on-site, and within 30 feet of the parking structure façade, shall qualify as allowable screening elements. d. Alternative screening elements such as a green walls or louvers may be considered as part of a design alternate (see Section 7.2.3.) 3. Design Standards a. Screening elements shall have a gap of no more than 18 inches from the frame of the screening element to the wall opening. b. For parking structures located on properties not zoned DX-, or with a Shopfront or Urban General Frontage, or -TOD, screening elements may have a maximum lateral spacing of no more than 18 inches. c. On all levels where parking is provided adjacent to an exterior wall of the parking structure, all façades shall have exterior opaque walls a minimum height of 42 inches above any finished grade and any finished floor. 4. Exemptions The following openings are not required to be screened: a. Vehicular ingress and egress openings at a maximum width of 30 feet for two driveways. b. Vehicular ingress and egress openings at a maximum width of 40 feet for three or more driveways.

c. Pedestrian access openings at a maximum width of 8 feet. d. Openings required by Section 903.2.11. of the Fire Code.

7.2.5.F.2

7.2.5.F.3.b 7.2.5.F.3.a

>18”

>18”

7.2.5.F.4

7.2.5.F.3.c

42”

7 – 19 Pub l i s hed De c embe r 2022

Pa r t 10 : Un i f i ed Deve l opmen t Or d i nanc e C i t y o f Ra l e i gh , No r t h Ca r o l i na

Supp. No. 25