(a) Definitions. The following words and phrases are defined as follows:
"Adjacent" means lying within seventy-five (75) feet of a specified object or location.
"Barrier" means an object, natural or mad-made, other than a bollard, which is used to obstruct the passage of motor vehicles and separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
"Bollard" means a vertical post designed and used to obstruct the passage of motor vehicles and separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
"Outdoor pedestrian seating area" means any area where outdoor seating for dining, resting, or other purpose of congregation, is provided for shopping center or other employees or patrons.
"Vehicle impact protection device" means a device that is designed , engineered, and sited so as to effectively separate areas of pedestrian and vehicular travel and prevent automobiles from encroaching into areas which are solely intended for pedestrian use and travel; vehicle impact protection devices shall be comprised of bollards or barriers.
(b) Vehicle Impact Protection Devices Required. Vehicle impact detection devices shall be required for parking spaces that are angled between thirty (30) to ninety (90) degrees relative to any outdoor pedestrian seating area that is adjacent to the head of the parking space; the requirement to install vehicle impact protection devices shall apply to all commercial uses.
(c) Exemptions. The installation of vehicle impact protection devices shall not be required in the locations specified in subsection (b) above if:
(1) The parking spaces that require vehicle impact protection devices are reconfigured or restriped to eliminate front-end parking angled between thirty (30) and ninety (90) degrees relative to an adjacent outdoor pedestrian seating area.
(2) The outdoor pedestrian seating area is permanently removed or relocated so that it is no longer adjacent to parking spaces that are angled between thirty (30) to ninety (90) degrees.
(3) In the opinion of the City Engineer or Chief Building Official, adequate grade separation exists between the parking lot and the outdoor pedestrian seating area requiring protection; however, in no event shall the grade separation be less than thirty-six (36) inches, nor shall the area of grade separation be comprised of a non-vertical wall, a ramp or stairs.
(d) Performance Standards. All vehicle impact protection devices shall be engineered and determined to be in compliance with low-speed vehicle impact testing standards prescribed by the American Society of Testing and Materials ASTM F3016. Compliance with ASTM F3016 shall be confirmed and certified by a bollard manufacturer or structural engineer and reviewed for conformance by the City Engineer or Chief Building Official.
(e) Specifications for Vehicle Impact Protection Devices. Vehicle impact protection devices may take the form of bollards, barriers, or a combination of both provided below:
(1) Location. Vehicle impact protection devices shall be located between the parking space and the beginning of the adjacent outdoor pedestrian seating area to be protected. In no instance shall a bollard be located further than five (5) feet from the head of the parking space. Barriers may be offset and staggered in terms of relative distance from the head of the parking space and each other in order to create a more unique aesthetic appearance and to avoid a monolithic appearance; however, in no instance shall a barrier be located further than twelve (12) feet from the head of the parking space. Except for curbs, no structures or other obstructions shall be located between the head of the parking space and vehicle impact protection device.
(2) Spacing. Bollards shall be placed so that two (2) bollards are provided for each parking space and shall be centered within the width of a standard parking space and spaced between fifty-four (54) and sixty-four (64) inches apart from one another as measured from the outer perimeter of each bollard. In the case of parking spaces that are either compact or legal non-conforming in width, a distance of less than fifty-four (54) inches may be permitted between the bollards; however, in no instance shall the distance from the bollard to the outside parking space limit line exceed thirty (30) inches. Barriers shall be designed and located so as to provide protection that is equivalent or superior to that provided by bollards. Gaps between barriers shall not exceed fifty-four (54 inches. Barriers may be placed in staggered or offset rows along and between parking spaces requiring the vehicle impact protection device and adjacent outdoor pedestrian seating area, so long as any gap between barriers does not exceed fifty-four (54) inches.
(3) Design. Bollards shall be set with the top of the device not less than three (3) feet and not greater than four (4) feet in height as measured from the finished grade immediately adjacent to the perimeter of the bollard. Barriers shall be set with the top of the device not less than three (3) feet in height as measured from the finished grade adjacent to the perimeter of the barrier. The scale of the bollard or barrier shall be proportional to the size of the building so as not to detract from the appearance of the building. Concrete or plastic traffic barriers shall be prohibited. All vehicle protection devices shall be vertical relative to the finished grade and stainless steel, earth toned colored, black, grey, bronze, a concrete finish or another color determined to be appropriate by the Planning Commission or Planning Administrator, as applicable. Yellow, orange, or red vehicle impact protection devices shall not be allowed unless strictly required for safety purposes by the Fire Code or other state of federal law.
(4) Installation and Maintenance. All vehicle protection devices shall be installed in a manner consistent with the building code. Bollards or barriers shall be set with the bottom of the device at least forty-two inches (42") below the finished grade immediately adjacent to the perimeter of the bollard, or otherwise below the frost line. The devices shall be maintained, repaired and replaced as needed to prevent rust, corrosion or damage and to maintain structural integrity. Use and replacement of protective or decorative sleeves as bollard covers shall be permitted consistent with all provisions in this section.
(f) Conflicts with other Laws. In the event the terms of this section or its application to a particular parking lot would cause a parking lot not to comply with a provision of federal or state law or another provision of the Mentor Code of Ordinances, the provisions of this section shall be applied in a manner intended to carry out the provisions of both federal and state law, other provisions of this code and the requirements of this section to the maximum extent feasible. When there is an irreconcilable conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of federal or state law or the provisions of this code, the provisions of federal or state law or the other provisions of this code shall prevail over the provisions contained in this section only to the extent necessary to avoid a violation of those other laws or code provisions.
(g) Minor Adjustment. The Planning Commission may approve minor modifications to any of the vehicle impact protection standards contained in this section to accommodate for the location of above-ground or underground utilities, other existing or planned features of the development, or any other constraints or limitations towards compliance with the provisions established by this section; provided, that the modifications achieve protections which are functionally equivalent to those intended by this section; the Planning Administrator shall have the same discretion and authority to modify the vehicle impact protection standards herein for administrative permit applications.
(Ord. 17-O-101. Passed 10-17-17.)