1525.03 ABANDONED SERVICE STATIONS.

   (a)   If any gasoline service station shall become abandoned, such station shall be presumed to be a nuisance affecting or endangering surrounding properties and property values, and to be detrimental to the public health, safety, convenience, comfort, prosperity or general welfare of the community, and shall be abated. "Abandoned" is defined as a failure to operate such service station for at least three (3) consecutive months.

   (b)   Whenever the Building Superintendent finds any service station to be abandoned within the meaning of this section, he shall give notice by certified mail addressed to the owner of record of the premises at his last known address, to abate such abandoned condition within thirty (30) days either by placing the station in operation as a gasoline service station, by adapting and using the building for another permitted business use, or by boarding up the service station structure, removing the pumps and signs, abandoning or removing underground storage tanks in accordance with accepted safe practices as prescribed by the National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A. No. 30, Appendix C) under the supervision of the Bureau of Fire Prevention and Arson of the Mansfield Fire Division, and filling depressions to the grade level of the lot.

   (c)   Abandoned service stations shall be maintained in accordance with the provisions of this section and other City ordinances and the owner shall cut all grass and weeds a minimum of four (4) times each year, at least once between May 1 and June 15, once between June 15 and July 15, once between July 15 and August 30, and once between August 30 and October 15. The parking of motor vehicles, trailers or campers is prohibited and the owner shall place on the building a sign of at least ten (10) square feet notifying the public of this fact. In addition, the owner of such premises shall install barricades or curbing across access driveways sufficient to block motor vehicle access to such property.

   (d)   Upon the failure, neglect or refusal of any owner to comply with the notice of the Building Superintendent pursuant to subsection (b) hereof and to comply with requirements of subsection (c) hereof, he shall be in violation of this section and upon conviction, shall be punished as provided in Section 1525.99 ; provided, however, if the service station is in operation at the time notice is given and remains in operation for ninety consecutive days thereafter, the provisions of this section shall not apply.

(Ord. 21-249. Passed 12-21-21.)