§ 686C.07 Fencing and Landscaping
   Used motor vehicle storage places shall be bordered along all public streets, except at permitted driveway openings, by fencing and/or landscape strips which meet the standards established in this section.
   (a)   Landscape Strip. Except as provided in division (d) of this section, a landscape strip shall be provided along the entire length of each street right-of- way bordering the used motor vehicle storage place, except at permitted driveway openings.
      (1)   Width. Each such landscape strip shall be a minimum of four (4) feet in width, as measured inward from the public right-of-way line, but shall be no narrower than any yard of setback required by Zoning Code regulations or as established by action taken by the Board of Zoning Appeals prior to the initial effective date of this chapter.
      (2)   Shrubs and Trees. The landscape strip shall be planted with evergreen shrubs, at least two (2) feet in height above the grade of the adjoining surface on which motor vehicles are stored or parked, with such shrubs spaced at maximum intervals of five (5) feet along the length of each strip. Trees, at least two (2) inches in caliper, shall be provided in each landscape strip at maximum intervals of forty (40) feet. If the shrubs are spaced at maximum intervals of two and an half (2-1/2) feet, no trees shall be required.
      (3)   Ground Cover and Curbing. The landscape strip, if over four (4) feet in width, shall be planted with grass or other vegetative ground cover. If four (4) feet or less in width, the landscape strip may be covered with decorative bark, mulch or stones, and such materials shall be bordered along the sidewalk edge by concrete curbing and along other edges by concrete curbing, asphalt curbing, or treated timbers.
   (b)   Ornamental Fencing. Fencing meeting the requirements of this division shall be provided along the entire length of each street right-of-way bordering the used motor vehicle storage place, except at permitted driveway openings and except as provided in divisions (c) and (d) of this section. Such fencing shall be composed of wrought iron-style ornamental metal pickets and rails, black in color, constructed of iron, steel or aluminum, a minimum of four (4) feet in height and a maximum of six (6) feet in height. Pickets shall be spaced no more than six (6) inches apart, and shall be at least five-eights (5/8) inches in diameter if hollow and at least three-eighths (3/8) inches in diameter if solid. Brick or stone elements may also be incorporated into such fence. The City Planning Commission may approve use of ornamental barriers as an alternative to the otherwise-required wrought-iron style fencing, in accordance with design guidelines adopted by the Commission. Any fencing provided along street frontages, whether required or provided voluntarily, shall meet the requirements of this division.
   (c)   Barriers. Non-ornamental barriers may be substituted for ornamental fencing along street frontages where landscaping meeting the requirements of division (a) of this section is provided. Such barriers may be composed of either capped metal posts or wooden bollards, linked by metal chains or cables, pipe rail, no more than four (4) feet in height. All metal posts and rails shall be black in color. Wooden bollards shall be eight (8) inches square, with a beveled or chamfer top edge, and a one (1) inch deep routed groove approximately one (1) foot below the top edge.
   (d)   Landscaping and Fencing Exemptions. For used motor vehicle storage places legally established prior to the initial effective date of this chapter, no landscape strip shall be required along a street frontage where no yard or setback area is required by Zoning Code regulations. For used motor vehicle storage places located in General Industry and Unrestricted Industry zoning districts, neither the requirements for landscape strips nor ornamental fencing shall apply. No fencing, landscaping or other vehicular barriers shall be required along alleys, as defined in Section 303.09 of the Codified Ordinances.
   (e)   Driveway Openings. The width of each driveway opening providing ingress or egress to a used motor vehicle storage place shall not exceed a twenty- four (24) feet, as measured at the property line. Any curb not in compliance with Zoning Code regulations regarding number or spacing shall be eliminated unless such curb cut was established pursuant to a permit issued by the City.
   (f)   Compliance Schedule. Used motor vehicle storage places legally established prior to the initial effective date of this chapter shall be made to comply with the fencing and landscaping requirements of this section no later than July 31, 2001. Used motor vehicle storage places established on or after the initial effective date of this chapter shall be made to comply with requirements of this section prior to issuance of a license.
(Ord. No. 672-97. Passed 6-19-00, eff. 6-29-00 without the signature of the Mayor)
   Note: Renumbered by Ord. No. 1488-2000. Passed 10-9-00, eff. 10-17-00.