HomeMy WebLinkAboutA002 - cover letter for proposed ordinance, December 9, 1981 C ITT 11 fills
50010
V 515/232-6210
December 9, 1981
Hon. F. Paul Goodland, Mayor
and Members of the City Council
Ames, Iowa 50010
In Re: Junk Yard and Junk Car Ordinance
Dear Mayor Goodland and Council Members:
Some time ago the council directed the preparation of an ordinance that would
pertain to a variety of complaints received about old automobiles, sometimes
wrecked or partially dismantled, that constitute a blighting influence on the
community.
After consultations with the city staff, the Planning & Zoning Commission,
and the Zoning Board of Adjustment, I now submit an ordinance for your con-
sideration.
The ordinance provides a special use permit process for the establishment of
any new auto salvage yard. Existing salvage yards are exempted.
Basically the ordinance prohibits letting a car set on residential property
for more than 30 days, unless the owner is out of town for that period or
longer. It prohibits letting vehicles sit on commercial land without use for
more than a year, and prohibits keeping a wrecked or demolished vehicle on
the same site for more than 180 days.
With regard to the wrecked vehicles there was comment from garage owners that
sometimes it is necessary to keep a wreck for a year because of legal dis-
putes pertaining to it. However, it is my impression that such occurrences
are rare and that in such an event the garage operator could take advantage
of the "tarpaulin exception".
There are a number of exceptions under the ordinance, you will notice, and
the "tarpaulin exception" is one that is available to anyone who wishes to
keep an old car out of doors for a long time. The ordinance may have some
good effects, hopefully, with regard to the vehicles that are neglected and
allowed to become eyesores.
Respectfully submitted,
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John R. Klaus -r 0
City Attorney 19B
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JRK/mlp