HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8457 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8457
Ir To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
January 7, 2003
Page 1 of'2
r SUBJECT: Update on Auto Repair Screening Ordinance (No. 16166)
On July 23, 2002, the City Council approved Ordinance No. 15166 establishing.additional requirements for
businesses that store vehicles and accept vehicles for repairs. The intent of this ordinance was to make
these types of businesses more compatible with surrounding one or two family residential uses. The
ordinance requires businesses that accept vehicles for repair and that are within 200 feet of either one or
two fancily use to install a minimum six-foot screening fence or six-foot solid evergreen screening hedge
along the property line adjacent to, or across an alley from, the residential use. Additionally, the ordinance
requires all vehicles that are stored overnight that are in excess of two per bay to be completely enclosed
behind a six-foot screening fence, a six-foot solid evergreen screening hedge, or inside a building. The
ordinance allowed until January 1, 2003 for all existing businesses to comply.
The formulation of this ordinance addressed the concerns of Council on existing auto repair shops
providing services in public view of residential uses. The text amendment to the Zoning Ordinance was
drafted and reviewed by representatives from the auto repair industry and the City Council's Safety and
Community Development Committee. Numerous meetings were held over the summer of 2002 to address
the concerns of the industry and neighborhood interest.
Over the past four months, the Development Department has identified properties where the installation of
the screen fence would be required. Notices have been issued to 43 different businesses. An additional 21
businesses have been identified and are being investigated on the possible implications of the ordinance on
their properties. In accordance with the ordinance, property owners must comply with the required
screening requirements or obtain a variance from the Board of Adjustment. The Board reviewed and
approved one variance request on December 4, 2002. The Board has two more variance requests on their
January 2, 2003 agenda. As of January 2, 2003 there have been two additional applications for the
February 5d' Board of Adjustment. The filing deadline for the February 5`"hearing is January 6, 2003.
In order to comply with the ordinance, businesses will be required to place a screening fence or hedge on
the property line. In many cases the residential use is across the street from the front of the business, thus
the screen must be placed in the front yard on the property line. The property line is typically ten feet
behind the curb of a street.
Additionally, facilities which retain vehicles for repair under the ownership of the business, privately
owned vehicles accepted for repair by a service provider, used car dealers, wholesalers, industrial repair
shops, maintenance facilities, and shops that perform repairs in order that the vehicles will pass inspection
shall be required to install a fence or screening hedge if they are adjacent to, or within 200 feet, of a
residential use. Likewise, fleet operators or any other person who takes in a vehicle for repair, even though
it is within the same ownership or corporation, shall be subject to the ordinance. A facility, such as a car
wash and/or detail shop, or a vehicle inspection station that does no maintenance including replacement of
windshield wiper or light bulbs would be exempt as long as no repair is associated with this activity.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH,TEXAS
INFORMAL. REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL. MEMBERS No. 8457
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
January 7, 2003
Iry
Page 2 of 2
SUBJECT: Update on Auto Repair Screening Ordinance (No. 15166)
City staff will allow individual businesses to complete the installation of the requirement screening or make
application to the Board of Adjustment through January 7, 2003. Beginning January 8m, citations will be
issued to businesses that have received a prior notice and taken no action. Unless directed by Council,staff
will continue to enforce the ordinance as adopted by Council.
Please contact Development Director Bob Riley at (817) $71-8901 if you need additional information on
this matter.
G . Jac on
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS