Article Contributed on: 11/5/2009 4:25:32 PM
City Council revisions to off street parking surface requirements go into effect
Existing residential driveways exempt
Citizen Concerns Prompts Change
This fall, Wheat Ridge City Council adopted revisions to Section 26-501 that makes it a violation to park vehicles at existing residences on unimproved soft surfaces like yards or other landscaping materials such as grass, compacted dirt, or uncontrolled weeds, unless such surfaces meet the definition of a residential driveway.
Revisions to Section 26-501 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws identify certain hard surface materials to be used for off-street parking surfaces throughout the city. Hard surface materials that are in compliance with the new ordinance are durable, dustless, and designed to bear the weight of a motor vehicle for the purpose of parking the vehicle off-street.
Citizens expressed concerns regarding the unsightly practice of vehicles being parked on lawns and compacted dirt surfaces; their concerns centered around properties that have vehicles parked on the front yard, or on weeded or dirt areas, and how that practice diminishes the aesthetics and property values of their neighborhood, and negatively affects community image.
In addition to improving neighborhood aesthetics, requiring durable, dustless hard surface materials for the purpose of off-street parking, will positively impact the storm water quality by limiting the amount of dirt and debris being carried from yards into the streets.
The new rules in section 26-501 exempt existing residential driveways from being required to comply with the new surfacing requirements. City Council considered the surfacing requirement would be cost prohibitive for the affected residents.
However, the new rules will apply to existing properties should there be any new development, major change of use, or substantial extension or expansion of use of that property.
Examples of approved hard surface materials are asphalt, concrete, compacted/crushed stone, compacted gravel, open and closed pavers, recycled asphalt, turf block pavers, other similar pavers.
Beginning this month, the Wheat Ridge Police Department, through the Community Services Team, will begin an educational campaign to help residents understand the changes in the ordinance and provide direction on how to gain compliance with the new hard surface requirements.
For more information, visit the City's web site at www.ci.wheatridge.co.us or watch local Wheat Ridge Channel 8 programming.
Lisa Stigall, city of Wheat Ridge