1177.09 DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF PARKING AREAS .

   Every lot hereafter used as a public or private parking area including a public parking lot and also a motor vehicle or trailer sales lot, shall be developed and maintained in accordance with the following requirements:

      A.   Screening and/or Landscaping

         1.   Whenever a parking area is located in or adjacent to a residential district, it shall be effectively screened on all sides which adjoin or face any property used for residential purposes by an acceptably designed wall, fence, or planting screen. Such fence, wall, or planting screen shall not be less than four feet (4') nor more than six feet (6') in height and shall be maintained in good condition.

         2.   The space between such fence, wall, or planting screen and the lot line of the adjoining premises in any residential district shall be landscaped with grass, hardy shrubs, or evergreen ground cover and maintained in good condition.

         3.   In the event that terrain or other natural features are such that the erection of such fence, wall, or planting screen will not serve the intended purpose, then no such fence, wall, or planting screen and landscaping shall be required.

      B.   Minimum Distance and Setbacks

         No part of any parking area for more than ten (10) vehicles shall be closer than twenty feet (20') to any dwelling unit, school, hospital, or other institution for human care located on an adjoining lot, unless separated by an acceptably designed screen. If on the same lot with a one-family residence, the parking area shall not be located within the front yard required for such building. In no case shall any part of a parking area be closer than four feet (4') to any established street or alley right-of-way.

      C.   Surfacing

         The required number of parking and loading spaces as set forth in Section 1177.08, and together with driveways, aisles, and other circulation areas, shall be surfaced with an asphaltic or Portland cement binder pavement so as to provide a durable and dust-free surface.

      D.   Drainage

         All parking and loading areas shall provide for proper drainage of surface water to prevent the drainage of such water onto adjacent properties or walkways. These areas shall be so graded and drained as to dispose of all surface water accumulated within the area. These areas shall be so arranged and marked as to provide for orderly and safe loading or unloading and parking and storage of self-propelled vehicles.

      E.   Lighting

         Any parking area which is intended to be used during non-daylight hours shall be properly illuminated to avoid accidents. A cutoff type luminaire shall be used to illuminate a parking lot and shall be so arranged as to reflect the light away from the adjoining property in the district. When located adjacent to business uses, the light source shall not be visible at a height greater than five feet (5') above ground level. When located adjacent to residential uses, the light source shall not be visible at ground level or above.

      F.   Maintenance

         The owner of property used for parking and/or loading shall maintain such area in good condition without holes and free of all dust, trash, and other debris.

      G.   Wheel Blocks

         Whenever a parking lot extends to a property line, wheel blocks or other suitable devices shall be installed to prevent any part of a parked vehicle from extending beyond the property line.

      H.   Exemption

         This Section shall not apply to City recreational areas that are of a rustic nature (e.g., Veterans Memorial Lake Park, Pleasant Street Park, etc.).