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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWEST VINE STORAGE - PDP - PDP170016 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - MODIFICATION REQUEST� C REQIJ EST �OR I�/IODI FIC�TIOIV � . �:�� The current standard reads that in this Zoning District, C— L, fencing along streets for storage facilities that is not in line with the buildings and using the building as part of the screening are required to be no higher than four feet high from adjacent grade. The Modification that we are requesting is to allow the design of the fence to be six. foot high with post extending approximately six inches above the fence. Post will be placed at corners and at approximately eight feet on center. A detail of the fence has been provided with the application demonstrating the design of inetal rails top and bottom, vertical pickets, and a decorative top paneL The design presents a transparent image with the pickets being one inch square at approximately six inches on center. The fence has varied setbacks along the Shields Street frontage. � The reason for the modification is for safety re�,son to the public and to reduce the occurrence of vandalism and graffiti on the property and that the visual effect of a four foot high metal fence and a six foot high metal fence of similar design will havethe equivalent visual impact to the public. The use of a four foot high fence at this location is not going to act as a deterrent for those trespassing on the property whose primary purpose may be to steal items for the sforage units or destroy property. A four foof high fence is easily crossed and is purely decoration. In a location where seaurity is needed for the developme_nt and the public who will be renting units on this property a higherfence is needed to detour the occurrence of trespassing. A six foot high fence is more of a deterrent to trespassers for they need to climb the fence both getting in and exiting. In the case of trespassers exiting with stolen goods it is more difficult to climb a six foot fence whi)e carrying stolen goods than a four foot fence. The location of the property being on the edge of urban development at this time naturally will be provided less surveillance by authorities. By constructing a fence that provides an element of security to the project the Public is served by reducing calls to authoritiesto investigate any trespassing. A trespasser who crosses a four foot fence and hurts themselves on the property in the current legal climate for liability we have, may litigate against the property owners for injuries because the four foot fence was more of a nuisance than a deterrent. A six foot fence that takes more _ physical action to cross denotes'keep out' while a four foot fence does not. The level of liability is reduced for the owner's since the trespasser would be hard pressed to say he did not notice C • the fence he climbed. Court actions and insurance claim are a cost to everyone in the Community and the cost of liability ctaims increases everyone's rates as well as increasing civil cost providing the courts to hear such claims. Besides deterring trespassers who may have criminal intent, there is also the need to protect the property from vandalism and graffiti. A four foot fence will not stop anyone from crossing the fence to get to the buildings. Graffiti is one of the largest nuisance crimes in any city and causes an expense to the Community as well as the property owner. The Owner will report such crimes to the authorities. Officers will need to investigate, file reports, and take time away from providing real seryice to the Community. The owner is responsible for removing the graffifi and repairing vandalism that is a cost that will be reflected in the cost of the service offered to the public. Vandalism affects everyone in the Community both economically and mentally. One does not like to see another's property vandalized. The term ghetto comes to mind and the image of the City takes a step backwards. A six foot fence will deter some of the occasions of vandalism and graffiti that a four foot fence will not. Visuallyfrom the street the impact of a four foot high fence and a six foot high fence, both of metal that appears transparent is equivalent. The fence being segmented and setback to varying distances relieves the image of a continuous barrier or the image of something blocking the peripheral vision of someone driving past the site. This is further accomplished by the fence being nearly transparent due to its materials and spacing of these materials. In the visual peripheral a six foot high fence verses a four foot high fence will not be distinguishable. The specific location of this property keeps it in the peripheral vision of those using the public ways. The site is not part of a view corridor and no significant features are present on the site to draw ones attention to look at the property, For the last fwenty years or so there has been a continuous solid wood fence adjacent to the street limiting views to the east of the street. The Communify visual pattern has been established do to the former construciion that there is nothing significate to look at on the east side of Shields Street. For these reasons this replacement fencing whether four foot high or six foot high will have the same visual impact and an improvement of what was pre�iously there. We believe it is in the Community's interest that this standard be mo:dified for this property allowing a six foot high metal fence along the Shields Street frontage of the property. We believe that the highe� fence will protect the property and help the Community reduce the oecurrence of vandalism, therefore reducing the public expense5.