CHAPTER 9
GATEWAY STREET BEAUTIFICATION
SECTION:
5-9-1: Intent And Purpose
5-9-2: Applicability And Gateway Streets
5-9-3: Street And Street Side Improvements
5-9-4: Maintenance Of Contiguous Property
5-9-5: Off Street Parking Areas
5-9-6: Fencing Along Gateway Streets
5-9-1: INTENT AND PURPOSE:
The city of Parma recognizes that beautification can be a significant expense to business people, property owners and residents. At the same time, beautification improves the livability of a community, enhances the appearance and customer attraction of commercial areas, increases property values, screens undesirable views, and can reduce air and noise pollution through landscape requirements. The intent of these regulations is to achieve a balance between the right of individuals to develop and maintain their property in a manner they prefer and the right of city residents to live, work, shop, and recreate in pleasant, healthy, and attractive surroundings. Among the benefits derived from beautification are the following:
   A.   Aesthetic benefits:
      1.   Reduced glare and reflected light;
      2.   Shade for buildings, streets and parking lots;
      3.   Defines outdoor spaces;
      4.   Seasonal color, including flowers and fall color;
      5.   Frames and reveals desired views;
      6.   Adds natural elements to otherwise harsh urban development;
      7.   Attracts birds and other urban wildlife;
      8.   Helps maintain the rural feel of the city; and
      9.   Visually ties the city to the surrounding countryside.
   B.   Economic benefits:
      1.   More profitable business districts;
      2.   Consumers report greater willingness to pay for products in aesthetically attractive, landscaped commercial areas;
      3.   Attracts new businesses;
      4.   Encourages redevelopment and economic investment in the local community;
      5.   Office and retail space leases more quickly;
      6.   Reduces energy consumption for air conditioning, etc.; and
      7.   Increases residential property values.
   C.   Environmental benefits:
      1.   Prevents soil erosion;
      2.   Removes particulate pollutants from the air;
      3.   Provides extra oxygen in the atmosphere;
      4.   Removes carbon dioxide from the air;
      5.   Improves soil condition;
      6.   Purifies water supplies, especially storm runoff;
      7.   Reduces unwanted noise; and
      8.   Controls and directs excessive wind. (Ord. 551, 2-9-2009)
5-9-2: APPLICABILITY AND GATEWAY STREETS:
This chapter applies to Parma's gateway streets, Grove Avenue and Roswell Boulevard. Grove is considered a gateway street at all places within the corporate city limits as now existing or as may be hereafter adjusted. Roswell is considered a gateway street from the point where it enters city limits as now existing or as may be hereafter adjusted, northerly to the intersection with Grove, though, as set forth more fully in section 5-9-3 of this chapter, that portion of Roswell lying south of the train tracks shall be treated distinctly from the portion lying north of the train tracks. This chapter also applies to any real property contiguous to a gateway street which shall be hereinafter referred to as a "contiguous property". Gateway streets are some of the most heavily traveled thoroughfares in the city and transport most of the commerce in and out of the city. They also provide visitors with their primary physical impression of Parma and access to the majority of Parma's businesses. It is essential to the public health, safety and welfare that any use or new construction along gateway streets complies with the provisions of this title generally and this chapter in particular. (Ord. 551, 2-9-2009)
5-9-3: STREET AND STREET SIDE IMPROVEMENTS:
Any application for: a) rezoning, b) subdividing, c) special use permit or d) any building permit for new construction or alteration affecting fifty percent (50%) or more of the value of improvements where such application involves a gateway street or contiguous property shall comply with the following requirements:
   A.   Street Cuts: No utility cuts into the pavement of gateway streets will be permitted without a permit from the government entity having jurisdiction.
   B.   Curb, Gutter And Sidewalks:
      1.   Property contiguous to Roswell Boulevard north of the railroad tracks: Six inch (6") vertical curb and gutter, and eight foot (8') sidewalks, meeting city standards shall be constructed adjacent to Roswell Boulevard. See figure 1 of this section.
 
      2.   Property contiguous to Roswell Boulevard south of the railroad tracks: A swale system and a five foot (5') cement meandering sidewalk meeting city standards shall be constructed adjacent to Roswell Boulevard. See figure 2 of this section. Once constructed, the swale system shall be maintained in a working and weed free condition by the property owner or the city may mail the property owner notice of the owner's failure to maintain the system and, after fourteen (14) calendar days from date of the city's notice, perform necessary maintenance to the swale system and assess the property for the city's maintenance costs and expenses.
 
   C.   Plans: Plans for curb, gutter, sidewalk and pavement match design must be submitted to and approved by the government entity having jurisdiction.
   D.   Streetlights And Trees: Applicants shall be required to install streetlights and trees approved by the city. City approval shall include installation, location and spacing of streetlights and trees determined by the city. Trees must be installed in tree wells. Power to the streetlights and irrigation water for the trees must be provided by the applicant. Tree types must be from an approved list provided by the city. However, for any application triggering this section involving property on or contiguous to any portion of Roswell lying south of the train tracks, no streetlights or trees shall be required.
   E.   Guarantee Of Improvements:
      1.   In lieu of the actual installation of curbs, gutters and sidewalks, the council may permit the applicant to provide a financial guarantee in a form acceptable to the city engineer in an amount equal to one hundred ten percent (110%) of the total estimated cost for completing construction of the specified improvements as estimated by the city engineer, to be held in trust by the department or city to guarantee completion of said improvements.
      2.   In lieu of the actual installation of streetlights, street trees, tree wells and irrigation, the council may permit the applicant to provide a financial guarantee or surety in the form of a letter of credit, certificate of deposit, or cash which shall be in an amount equal to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the total estimated cost for completing construction of the specified improvements as estimated by the city engineer, to be held in trust by the city to guarantee completion of said improvements.
   F.   Inspections: The applicant shall be required to pay the department and/or city inspection fees for the inspection of improvements.
   G.   Completion Required Prior To Issuance Of Certificate Of Occupancy Or Approval Of Final Plat: No certificate of occupancy shall be issued to the applicant, nor final plat approved, until the improvements required have been installed, or an acceptable guarantee of improvements, as set forth in subsection E of this section, has been received by the city. (Ord. 551, 2-9-2009)
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