Longview City Zoning Code

Parking Areas. A minimum of 10 percent of the total surface area of all parking areas, as measured around the perimeter of all parking spaces and maneuvering areas, shall be landscaped. Such landscaping shall consist of "evenly distributed" shade trees with shrubs and/or ground cover plants that conform to the criteria in this section. "Evenly distributed" means that the trees and other plants are distributed around the parking lot perimeter and between parking bays to provide a partial canopy. At a minimum, one tree per six parking spaces on average shall be planted to create a partial tree canopy over and around the parking area. All parking areas with more than 20 spaces shall include landscape islands with trees to break up the parking area into rows of not more than 12 contiguous parking spaces. All parking area landscapes shall have dimensions of not less than 24 square feet of area, or not less than four feet in width by six feet in length, to ensure adequate soil, water, and space for healthy plant growth. Stormwater bioretention facilities may be incorporated into the parking lot landscaping design and used to satisfy these requirements.

Parking/Maneuvering Area Adjacent to Streets, Drives and Residential Areas. Where a parking/maneuvering area is adjacent to a street or driveway or a residential zoning district, an evergreen hedge, decorative wall (masonry or similar quality material) with openings, arcade, trellis, or similar partially opaque structure a minimum of three feet in height shall be established between the street or driveway and the parking/maneuvering area. Evergreen hedges used to comply with this standard shall be a minimum of three feet in height at maturity, and shall be of such species, number, and spacing to provide the required screening within one year after planting. Any areas outside of public rights-of-way between the wall/hedge and the street/driveway line shall be landscaped with plants or other vegetative ground cover.

Screening of Mechanical Equipment, Outdoor Storage, and Service and Delivery Areas, and Other Screening. All mechanical equipment, outdoor storage and manufacturing, and service and delivery areas shall be screened from view from all public streets and adjacent residential districts. Such screening shall be provided by a decorative wall (i.e., masonry or similar quality material), evergreen hedge, dense landscaping, opaque fence complying with the standards of this section, or a similar feature that provides an opaque barrier. Mechanical equipment that is not situated at or near ground level (e.g., atop structures, etc.) shall be screened using reasonable methods. A chain link fence containing slats does not qualify as a sight-obscuring fence for the purposes of this section.

Abutting and Adjacent Residential Zoning Districts. Industrial uses which abut residential zones on side and/or rear property lines shall provide a sight-obscuring fence or wall a minimum of six feet in height. The approval authority may require a fence in excess of six feet high if deemed necessary to adequately buffer the proposed use and protect the public interest. A chain link fence containing slats does not qualify as a sight-obscuring fence for the purposes of this section. In addition to fencing, landscaping shall be provided by the applicant utilizing the standards of this section. Industrial uses adjacent to residential zones but divided by a street or other public right-of-way, railroad right-of-way, natural or manmade drainageway or other similar feature shall provide and maintain a landscaped planting strip a minimum of 10 feet in width along side and rear property lines. The plantings shall be comprised of a largely view-obscuring arrangement of evergreen trees, shrubs, and similar vegetation not less than six feet in height. A site may be exempted from the standards of this section if an existing dense natural buffer that provides for equivalent screening will be preserved or enhanced.

Front Yards and Frontage Landscaping Improvements. To increase the compatibility and appearance of industrial uses with that of other adjacent and nearby uses, front yards per the definition of Chapter 19.09 LMC, excluding ingress and egress points, shall be landscaped to include landscaping that enhances the property and provides visual buffering. In recognition of the multitude of potential uses within industrial zones, no specific numerical standard is specified herein. Street trees shall be planted along the entire public road frontage area unless existing street trees are adequate in the opinion of the approval authority and shall be done in accordance with applicable standards. Additional landscaping shall be located within the front yard setback area in accordance with the criteria of this section, while providing reasonable opportunity for signage, entrance features, parking and ingress and egress areas. Vegetated stormwater management facilities such as bioretention areas and planters, conveyance swales and dispersion areas can be used to satisfy this requirement.

Corner Lots. Landscaping, screening, fencing, equipment and materials shall not be located on corner lots so as to create sight obstructions at intersections. Appropriate sight distance shall be maintained in accordance with the LMC and city engineering standards to the satisfaction of the public works director and/or city engineer.

Deviations. Whenever there are practical difficulties in meeting these standards that result from variations of specific property characteristics, a deviation from strict code compliance may be approved by the reviewing authority during the review process. This deviation shall not require a variance under Chapter 19.12 LMC. Such deviation may alter the literal enforcement of any standard, requirement, or regulation of the industrial zone, provided such deviation is consistent with the purpose of the industrial/manufacturing zone and does not adversely impact the public health, safety and welfare, or the environment. Any such deviation so granted shall be specifically identified in the approval authority decision of a development application. Approved deviations shall not be used to grant a special privilege that is inconsistent with the limitations placed on other properties with similar circumstances.