[Zoning Order §7.135, 4-2-2008]
A. 
The geotechnical study is to recommend courses of action that will allow for the safe development of a site that may contain geological or soil constraints. When required to provide a geotechnical study, the minimum information shall be provided in the study:
1. 
A description of the site and the existing topographic, geologic and soils information to include slope categories, geologic formations, soil types and vegetative cover.
2. 
A statement and description of field test data. This information must be adequate to accurately map all shale formations, colluvial soils or loess deposits on natural slopes in excess of twenty percent (20%), describe any shale beds, soil layer thickness, the dip of any shale beds, the slope of any residual clay layers having relatively thick soil layers above and the presence of any subsurface water where grading is proposed to occur.
3. 
Description of laboratory test data. This should relate to the information found in the above described data gathering requirements. The internal strength properties of all shale or other potentially weak materials or contacts should be measured.
4. 
An analysis of the above gathered information relative to any potential site development problems. Landslide analysis should be broken into properties such as affects of slope, material properties, dip of bedding planes, slope on inclined loess or colluvium/residual clay layers, effects of hydrostatic pressure, other effects of subsurface water, etc.
5. 
Recommendations to address any problems such as landsliding or expansive soils.
6. 
Recommendations for the proper placement or compaction of fill to avoid potential problems or for suitable foundations.
7. 
Recommendations for testing during construction such as density testing including the location and frequency of such testing.
8. 
Recommendations for walls, plant cover or other slope treatment that may be necessary to ensure slope stability.
B. 
All projects requiring a geotechnical study shall also submit a post construction report that includes as a minimum the following information:
1. 
Unusual or undesirable conditions found on site during construction and precautions taken to prevent potential problems.
2. 
All test results including soil density.
3. 
Results or analyses of all tests or other findings.
[Zoning Order §7.140, 4-2-2008]
Where required, all exterior non-residential trash storage containers shall be screened so that they are not visible from off the property. Where individual trash enclosures are provided, screening shall be constructed of masonry walls, decorative walls or fence, with a gate (not plastic or vinyl) painted to be compatible with the color of the walls or fence and the building it is to serve.
[Zoning Order §7.145, 4-2-2008]
A. 
Any development where a retaining wall or vertical cut is proposed in an upward-sloping yard shall provide a minimum fifteen (15) foot wide fall zone easement from the bottom of the wall. Any structure requiring the issuance of a Jefferson County building permit, except a deck without walls or a roof, shall not be located within the fall zone easement.
B. 
A portion of every rear yard in residential developments shall provide adequate usable space for outdoor recreation by the occupants of the lot. At least thirty percent (30%) of the required rear yard area must be usable, unless a variance is granted by the Jefferson County Board of Zoning Adjustment. A usable space is a contiguous area with grade less than thirty percent (30%).
[Zoning Order §7.150, 4-2-2008; Ord. No. 11-12-2008A §§1 — 2(7.150), 11-12-2008; Resolution 1-14-2010A Exh. A, 1-14-2010; Ord. No. 10-0145 §§1 — 2, 2-18-2010]
A. 
Commercial developments and other developments proposing parking lot and security lighting shall:
1. 
Provide a photometric diagram indicating the levels of foot-candles throughout the site and at the property lines and as a part of the preliminary development plan.
2. 
Utilize lighting so as to direct the light downward to avoid "light seepage". The light filament shall be shielded so the filament will not be seen from neighboring properties. All lighting serving parking lots shall be cut-off fixtures as defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.
3. 
Provide lighting at the intersection of each drive aisle or driveway with the private, County-maintained and State-maintained streets.
4. 
Provide lighting in accordance with the following table:
Table 7-1. Lighting Requirements
Basic1
Enhanced Security2
Minimum foot-candles on pavement3
0.2 fc
0.5 fc
Maximum foot-candles on pavement
4.0 fc
7.5 fc
Uniformity ratio, maximum:minimum4
20:1
15:1
Minimum foot-candles at 5 feet above pavement5
0.1 fc
0.25 fc
fc = foot-candles
1
For typical conditions. During periods of non-use, the illuminance of certain parking facilities should be turned off or reduced to conserve energy. If reduced lighting is to be used only for the purpose of property security, it is desirable that the minimum (low point) value not be less than one-tenth (0.1) foot-candle. Reductions should not be applied to facilities subject to intermittent night use, such as at apartments, hospitals and transportation terminals.
2
The enhanced security lighting level should be used when personal security is an issue, such as where the parking facility is used during all hours of the day and night, where special security needs exist or where vandalism or crime are possible.
3
Measured on the parking surface, without any shadowing effect from parked vehicles or trees at points of measurement.
4
The highest horizontal illuminance point at grade, divided by the lowest horizontal illuminance point or area should not be greater than the values shown.
5
Measured at five (5.0) feet above the parking surface at the point of the lowest horizontal illuminance, excluding facing outward along boundaries.
5. 
Where security lighting is proposed, the following table shall govern the range of permissible light levels for the listed applications. Where a proposed security lighting application is not shown, the table shall be used as a guide for establishing the range of permissible light levels.
Table 7-2. Security Lighting Application
Location
Average Horizontal Illumination Level on Ground
Large open areas
0.5 — 2.0 fc 1
Buildings
0.5 — 2.0 fc 1
Perimeter fence
0.5 fc
Entrances
3 fc
Pedestrian pathways and access routes
4 — 6 fc
fc = foot-candle
1
The greater the brightness of the surrounding area, the higher the illuminance required to balance the brightness.
B. 
Maximum overall pole height, including bases, shall be:
1. 
Twenty (20) feet for properties adjoining residential districts;
2. 
Twenty-four (24) feet for properties separated by a street to residential properties; and
3. 
Twenty-eight (28) feet for all other properties.
C. 
Floodlight fixtures are prohibited on parking lot light poles, but may be used as accent lighting only.
D. 
Wall pack light fixtures are allowed, provided that full cutoffs are utilized to direct the light downward; and provided that no light source is visible. Wall pack fixtures located internally to a common area for multiple buildings may use light spreading fixtures approved by the Director, provided they cannot be seen from residential property or from adjacent streets.
[Zoning Order §7.155, 4-2-2008]
A. 
Residential Developments.
1. 
In developments with common open space, the design shall provide at least one (1) access point from a street within the development to such common ground and multiple points of access are encouraged.
2. 
Common open space is encouraged to incorporate natural features and recreational designs. Common open space may include a park, playground, greenway or natural preserve meeting the following standards:
a. 
Each such park should be at least one (1) acre and contain at least one (1) acre for every fifty (50) dwelling units it is designed to serve.
b. 
Playgrounds should include at least one-quarter (¼) acre unless located in a park. Each playground shall contain at least ten thousand (10,000) square feet for every fifty (50) dwelling units it is designed to serve.
c. 
Greenways should provide connections to destinations of the neighborhood and may follow along streams or floodplains. Greenways shall be at least twenty (20) feet wide at all locations. Greenways should include trails or paved pedestrian/bike paths.
Greenways should be designed to address issues of safety, visibility and access for its users. A well-designed greenway will be designed so that both the users and the trail are visible; so that ingress and egress is controlled by some means such as a fence or hedge signaling to users where they are and are not to walk; so that the private and public spaces are distinguishable; and so that the greenway/trail can be maintained by the homeowners' association.
B. 
Non-Residential Developments.
1. 
For non-residential sites in excess of two (2) acres, at least ten percent (10%) of each lot should be open space.
2. 
Open space should consist of landscaped areas, landscape islands, natural preserves or plazas or courtyards meeting the following requirements:
a. 
Landscaped areas include buffers, yards or any pervious surface meeting the landscaping requirements of Article XIV. Retention or detention basins may be used to meet open space requirements, if it is designed as a visual amenity for the development and the area surrounding the basin is accessible by walking paths or other recreation facility.
b. 
Landscape islands internal to parking lots may count towards the open space requirement, but only to the extent that the island is larger than what is otherwise required by Articles XII and XIV.
c. 
Plazas or courtyards shall be at least four hundred (400) square feet and be designed with landscaping materials and public seating. However, only fifty percent (50%) of a lots required open space shall consist of plazas or courtyards.
C. 
Mixed Use Developments — Residential Uses.
1. 
In developments with common open space, the design shall provide at least one (1) access point from a street within the development to such common ground and multiple points of access are encouraged.
2. 
Common open space is encouraged to incorporate natural features and recreational designs. Common open space may include a park, playground, greenway or natural preserve meeting the following standards:
a. 
Each such park should be at least one (1) acre and contain at least one (1) acre for every fifty (50) dwelling units it is designed to serve.
b. 
Playgrounds should include at least one-quarter (¼) acre unless located in a park. Each playground shall contain at least ten thousand (10,000) square feet for every fifty (50) dwelling units it is designed to serve.
c. 
Greenways should provide connections to destinations of the neighborhood and may follow along streams or floodplains. Greenways shall be at least twenty (20) feet wide at all locations. Greenways should include trails or paved pedestrian/bike paths.
d. 
Greenways should be designed to address issues of safety, visibility and access for its users. A well designed greenway will be designed so that both the users and the trail are visible; so that ingress and egress is controlled by some means such as a fence or hedge signaling to users where they are and are not to walk; so that the private and public spaces are distinguishable; and so that the greenway/trail can be maintained by the homeowners' association.
D. 
Mixed Use Developments — Residential And Non-Residential Uses. Each block should contain or be within one thousand (1,000) feet from one (1) of the following types of common open space:
1. 
A courtyard or plaza with landscaping materials and public seating;
2. 
A greenspace or small park bordering a street right-of-way on at least two (2) sides designed with landscaping materials and public seating; or
3. 
A greenway connecting the non-residential center of the mixed use development to surrounding neighborhoods.