2014/11/12 Council Agenda Packet

I ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE Related to Public Nuisances,Amending Ordinance Nos. 1554-89 as amended and 2840-05 (Chapters 8.20 and 8.60 EMC respectively). Whereas,outdoor public nuisances, including, but not limited to,junk, debris, discarded appliances, vehicle parts, and dead or overgrown vegetation diminish neighborhood aesthetics, property values, attract crime, and generally cause blight in the community; and Whereas,chapter 8.20 EMC prohibits such outdoor public nuisance conditions in the yard of any property if the conditions are visible to the public, the neighbors, or both; and Whereas, some property owners have argued that these nuisance conditions are not prohibited in an unenclosed carport or a driveway because they are not in a front, rear, or side"yard,"which undermines the City's purpose of preventing blight in communities; and Whereas,the definition of"utility trailer"which is prohibited in the front yard of a property by Chapter 8.20 EMC may also be clarified so that property owners know that any unpowered trailer that is pulled or towed by a powered vehicle is a utility trailer; and Whereas, City Council finds that amending Chapter 8.20 EMC to expressly prohibit outdoor public nuisance conditions visible to the public or neighbors, such as those described above, on the exterior of property(not only on"yards"), and to clarify the definition of utility trailer, is consistent the City's purpose of preventing blight in neighborhoods and clarifies any confusion that may have existed around the regulation of visible outdoor nuisance conditions on property; and Whereas, Chapter 8.60 EMC generally prohibits more than four motor vehicles on the exterior of a residential lot to preserve neighborhood aesthetics and prevent a commercial or non-residential look in residential areas; and Whereas, mopeds and motorcycles were exempted from this regulation, but have the same effect, and, therefore should be subject to the same regulation; and 19