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Article 5: Uses 241 <br /> Section 5.21: Standards for Miscellaneous Uses <br /> Landscape elements included in these criteria consist of all forms of planting and <br /> vegetation, ground forms, rock groupings, water patterns, and all visible <br /> construction except buildings and utility structures. New and existing vegetation <br /> shall be maintained in a flourishing manner. <br /> (a) Natural or existing topographic patterns contributing to the beauty and <br /> utility of a development shall be preserved and developed. Modification <br /> to topography will be permitted where it contributes to good appearance <br /> and does not adversely affect significant natural features and <br /> drainageways. <br /> (b) Grades of walks, parking spaces, terraces, and other paved areas shall <br /> provide an inviting and stable appearance. <br /> (c) Landscape treatment shall be provided to enhance architectural features, <br /> strengthen vistas and important visual corridors, and provide shade. <br /> (d) Unity of design shall be achieved by repetition of certain plan varieties <br /> and other materials and by correlation with adjacent developments. <br /> (e) Plant material shall be selected for its structure, texture, and color for <br /> interest and for its ultimate growth. Use of native plants is encouraged; <br /> others that will be hardy, harmonious to the design, and of good <br /> appearance can be allowed. <br /> (f) Appropriate curbs, tree guards or other devices shall be employed to <br /> protect plants susceptible to injury by pedestrian or motor traffic. <br /> (g) Parking areas and trafficways shall be enhanced with landscaped <br /> spaces containing trees or tree groupings. <br /> (h) Service yards and other unsightly places shall be screened by use of <br /> walls, fencing and/or planting. <br /> (7) Signs <br /> (a) Every sign shall have appropriate scale and proportion in its design and <br /> in its visual relationship to buildings and surroundings. A unified signage <br /> plan shall be submitted and approved with the SPe:;al Use <br /> Permo District. <br /> (b) Every sign shall be designed as an integral architectural element of the <br /> building and the site to which it principally relates. <br /> (c) The colors, materials and lighting of every sign shall be harmonious with <br /> the building and site to which it principally relates. <br /> (d) The number of graphic elements on a sign shall be held to the minimum <br /> needed to convey the sign's major message and shall be composed in <br /> proportion to the total area of the sign face. <br /> (e) Freestanding signs shall not be pole-mounted. <br /> (8) Maintenance, planning and design factors <br /> (a) Materials and finishes shall be selected for their durability and wear as <br /> well as for their beauty. Proper measures and devices shall be <br /> incorporated for protection against the elements, neglect, damage, and <br /> abuse. <br /> (b) Provisions for cleaning buildings and structures and control of dirt and <br /> refuse shall be included in the design. Configurations that tend to <br /> accumulate debris and dirt shall be avoided. <br /> Orange County, North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-139 <br />