§ 10-231. Screening.

(a)

Mining operations shall be screened in such a manner that they are not readily visible from a public street. An opaque screen shall be installed and maintained as necessary in order to minimize visibility. At his option, the operator may install such screening either along the street or along the perimeter of the visible portion of the area being operated.

(b)

The required screen shall have a total height of not less than six feet. Where there is a difference in elevation on the opposite side of the screen, the height shall be measured from the highest elevation. A screen shall consist of one or a combination of the following types:

(1)

Walls. A wall shall consist of concrete, stone, brick, tile, or similar type of solid masonry material with a minimum thickness of four inches.

(2)

Berms. A berm shall be constructed of earthen materials and it shall be landscaped.

(3)

Solid fences. A solid fence shall be constructed of wood and shall form an opaque screen.

(4)

Open fences. An open weave or mesh-type fence, when not used in combination with a berm, shall be combined with plant materials to form an opaque screen.

(5)

Planting. Plant materials, when used as a screen, shall consist of dense evergreen plants. They shall be of a kind or used in such a manner so as to provide a continuous opaque screen within 24 months from commencement of operations in the area to be screened. Plant materials shall not be limited to a maximum height. Such design shall be prepared by a licensed landscape contractor or a registered professional landscape architect.

(6)

Intersections. Required screening shall be set back at least 20 feet from the point of intersection of:

a.

A vehicular accessway or driveway and a street;

b.

A vehicular accessway or driveway and a sidewalk; and

c.

Two or more vehicular accessways, driveways or streets.

(7)

Installation. Required screening shall be installed prior to commencement of operations.

(Comp. Ords. 1985, § 25.456(F))