Article X: Landscaping - MANDATORY LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS (10.125) - Part 4 - "Off-Street Loading Spaces"

Some loading docks are harder to screen than others. (Shrubs need air.)

As we continue through the Mandatory Provisions of the Landscape portion of Article X, we get to a minor, and yet important, provision that deserves some attention. In this process, we will also look at one of the related ordinances that governs screening uses. Section 51A-4.602 is referenced in many Planned Developments and has ties to other ordinances, including Article X.

Section 51A-10.125

(2) Screening of off-street loading spaces.

(A) All off-street loading spaces on a lot with residential adjacency must be screened from that residential adjacency.

(B) In all districts except CS and industrial districts, all off-street loading spaces on a lot must be screened from all public streets adjacent to that lot.

(C) The screening required under Subparagraphs (A) and (B) must be at least six feet in height measured from the horizontal plane passing through the nearest point of the off-street loading space and may be provided by using any of the methods for providing screening described in Section 51A-4.602(b)(3).

Section 51A-4.602(b)(3) gives us the materials that can be used for screening.

(b) Required screening. Unless otherwise specifically provided for in this chapter, screening must be constructed and maintained in accordance with the following regulations.

(1) Screening required in this article must be not less than six feet in height.

(2) The board may grant a special exception to the height requirement for screening when, in the opinion of the board, the special exception will not adversely affect neighboring property, except that the board may not grant a special exception to the height requirements for screening around off-street parking.

(3) Required screening must be constructed of:

(A) brick, stone, or concrete masonry, stucco, concrete, or wood;

(B) earthen berm planted with turf grass or ground cover recommended for local area use by the director of parks and recreation. The berm may not have a slope that exceeds one foot of height for each two feet of width;

(C) evergreen plant materials recommended for local area use by the director of parks and recreation. The plant materials must be located in a bed that is at least three feet wide with a minimum soil depth of 24 inches. Initial plantings must be capable of obtaining a solid appearance within three years. Plant materials must be placed a maximum of 24 inches on center over the entire length of the bed unless the building official approves an alternative planting density that a landscape authority certifies as being capable of providing a solid appearance within three years; or

(D) any combination of the above.

You should note that when you read this or any other ordinance, you should pay attention to the details. When the code specifies "evergreen plant materials," it does not necessarily mean shrubs, though that would be the common selection. If someone can come across another plant material that would be evergreen and obtain the heights and 'solid appearance' as called for, they can be applied. However, the city officials may reject a plant that is not recommended for our area, especially if it is considered an invasive plant by an office of the State of Texas.

NEXT: Site Trees.