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Article 5: Uses 26 <br /> Section 5.9: Standards for Utilities <br /> (i) Buildings, structures, equipment or material shall be screened by <br /> either a durable masonry wall, or a fence, or by natural planting, <br /> designed to be compatible with the character of adjoining <br /> properties, in order to materially screen the uses within the <br /> subject property from the view of adjacent properties. <br /> (ii) Screening shall be required along any portion of the perimeter of <br /> the parcel, easement, or leasehold located adjacent to property <br /> zoned for residential use, except where such property is owned <br /> or leased by a utility, and used by the utility for public utility <br /> purposes. <br /> (iii) Where screening is required, walls and fences shall be at least <br /> five feet in height, but need not be greater than seven feet in <br /> height, measured from the ground along the common lot line of <br /> adjoining properties. Walls and fences shall be constructed and <br /> maintained in a safe and sound condition. <br /> (iv) Where natural planting is used as screening, a strip of land at <br /> least ten feet in width shall be reserved for this purpose. The <br /> planting strip shall be composed of an arrangement of shrubs <br /> and trees. The shrubs shall be evergreen and shall be arranged <br /> in two rows as minimum and planted at an initial height of at <br /> least three feet, with distance between shrubs being not more <br /> than five feet. The shrubs shall be of such variety that an <br /> average height of at least six feet could be expected as normal <br /> growth within no more than two years from the time of planting. <br /> Trees, which may be eight evergreen or deciduous, shall <br /> augment the arrangement of shrubs so that there will be a <br /> screening effect of opacity to materially screen the use within the <br /> subject property from the view of adjacent properties. <br /> (4) The minimum required lot area for such uses shall be 5,000 square feet. The <br /> facility shall be located on a parcel or easement across the parcel, (whether <br /> owned or leased by the utility)which has been recorded with the Orange County <br /> Register of Deeds. <br /> (5) Access easements extending from an approved public or private road to the <br /> facility shall be a minimum width of 30 feet. <br /> 5.9.2 Electrical Substations, Switching and Metering Stations, and Associated Transmission <br /> Lines,Where Incoming Voltage Does Not Exceed 100 Kilovolts (kv) <br /> (A) General Standards <br /> (1) Perimeter fencing and setbacks for the utility structure shall be provided in <br /> accordance with the National Electrical Safety Code. <br /> (2) The components of the facility, including but not limited to towers, transformers, <br /> circuit breakers, metering devices, and supporting latticework, shall be contained <br /> within a geometric area not to exceed 12,000 square feet. <br /> (3) The facility shall be located on a parcel or easement across the parcel, (whether <br /> owned or leased by the utility) which has been recorded with the Orange County <br /> Register of Deeds. <br /> (4) Access easements extending from an approved public or private road to the <br /> facility shall be a minimum width of 30 feet. <br /> Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-73 <br />