(a) The exterior of the premises and the condition of accessory structures shall be maintained so that the appearance of the premises and the structures thereon shall reflect a reasonable level of maintenance. The exterior of every structure or accessory structure including fences, signs and storefronts shall be maintained in good repair and all surfaces thereof shall be kept painted or whitewashed where necessary for the purpose of preservation and appearance. All surfaces shall be maintained free of broken glass, loose shingles, crumbling masonry, excessive peeling paint, or other conditions reflective of deterioration or inadequate maintenance to the end that the property itself may be preserved and safe and fire hazards eliminated.
(b) All windows exposed to public view shall be kept clean and free of marks of foreign substance except when necessary in the course of changing displays. No storage materials, stock, or inventory other than items for display shall be permitted in window display areas ordinarily exposed to public view unless said areas are first screened from public view by drapes, blinds, or other permanent rendering of the windows opaque to public view. All screening of interiors shall be composed of clean materials and kept in good state of repair. This applies to both occupied and unoccupied structures.
(c) All permanent signs and billboards exposed to public view permitted by reason of other regulations or as lawful nonconforming use shall be maintained in good repair. Any signs which have excessively weathered or faded or those upon which the paint has excessively peeled or cracked shall with their supporting members, be removed forthwith, or put into good state of repair. All non-operative or broken electrical signs shall be repaired or shall, with their supporting members, be removed forthwith. All signs advertising establishments no longer in business shall be removed.
(d) Any awning or marquee and its accompanying structural members which extend over any street, sidewalk, or any other portion of the premises, shall be maintained in good repair and shall not constitute a nuisance or a safety hazard. In the event such awnings or marquees are not properly maintained in accordance with the foregoing, they shall, together with their supporting members, be removed forthwith. In the event said awnings or marquees are made of cloth, plastic or of similar material, said cloth or plastic where exposed to public view shall not show evidence of excessive weathering, discoloration, ripping, tearing, or other holes. Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize any encroachment on sidewalks, or other parts of the public domain, except as permitted under other statutes, ordinances or regulations.
(e) Solid or permanently enclosed or covered exteriors shall not be permitted, unless treated as an integral part of the building facade using wall materials and window detailing compatible with the upper floors. All exteriors shall be designed to be compatible, harmonious, and consistent with the scale, type and character of the structure, and to the extent possible, adjacent structures. All damaged, sagging, or otherwise deteriorated storefronts, show windows, or entrances shall be repaired or replaced. As much as practicable, facades should be returned to their original appearance. False facades/coverings should be removed to expose original brick, block or stone, unless such false facades/coverings are consistent and compatible with the upper floors of the structure, as well as the adjacent structures.
(f) Rear and side walls shall be repaired and painted to present a neat and fresh appearance. Rear walls should be painted to cover evenly all miscellaneous patched and filled areas or be stuccoed to present an even and uniform surface. Side walls in public view shall be finished so as to be harmonious with the front of the building.
(g) Chimneys, elevator penthouses, or any other auxiliary structures on the roofs shall be repaired and cleaned as required for rear and side walls. Any construction visible from the street or from other buildings shall be finished so as to be harmonious with other visible building walls.
(h) All work shall be designed to be compatible, harmonious and consistent with scale, style, and character of the structure, and to the extent feasible, with the adjacent structures.
(i) Buildings which are on the National Register of Historic Places shall be renovated according to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
(j) All new buildings and/or new building additions shall be compatible, harmonious and consistent with scale, style, and character of adjacent structures, to the extent feasible.
(k) All electrical substations, water, sanitary sewer or storm water pump stations, and any other above-ground utility structure, except for poles, pole mounted transformers and overhead utility lines, shall be screened from public view. Screening shall be compatible, harmonious and consistent with the style and character of adjacent structures, to the extent feasible.
(l) All new electric service laterals shall be placed underground from its point of entry at the property line. This provision may be waived, at the discretion of the Downtown District Design and Facade Committee, if the applicant demonstrates that such underground placement will cause undue financial hardship. Applicants are encouraged to place electric service underground when upgrading service, however, it is not required.
(Ord. 0-905. Passed 11-24-98.)
(m) Landscaping shall be provided in accordance with Section1363.02(i) for the area used for off-street parking. All such landscaping shall be maintained so as to prevent overgrowth of weeds and grass and shall be otherwise well maintained.
(Ord. 0-1624. Passed 6-11-19.)
(n) Trees, shrubs or other plants may be planted along sidewalks or other public rights-of-way, provided that any such planting which falls, in whole or in part, within a public right-of-way must be done in accordance with Article 165, "City Tree Commission," which requires that no person shall plant, trim or remove any tree or shrub upon any public right of way, street, alley, or other public grounds unless he or she shall have first obtained a permit from the Public Works Director of the City of Parkersburg. Generally, trees shall be of such a type as to not interfere with sight distances, pedestrian traffic or overhead utility lines, nor overhang streets. Tree roots shall be contained in sidewalk cutouts or similar structures so as to prevent future damage to pavements. Consultation with a professional landscape architect, horticulturist or urban forester is suggested, though not required. The Public Works Director, Planning Director or their designees shall maintain a list of suggested trees. However, other trees or plants not on such list may be acceptable, at the option of the Public Works Director.
(Ord. 0-905. Passed 11-24-98.)