HomeMy WebLinkAboutWS Item 01 - Charitable Donation BinsMEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER t
SCOTT WILLIAMS, DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR
MEETING DATE: APRIL 15, 2014
SUBJECT: WORKSHOP —CITY ATTORNEY BRIEFING TO DISCUSS
REGULATIONS RELATIVE TO CHARITABLE DONATION BINS
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The Planning and Zoning Commission discussed charitable donation bins at their
April 8, 2014 workshop. They asked Matthew Boyle, City Attorney, to address
enforcement issues regarding these boxes. Following lengthy deliberation, the
commission asked staff to critically examine these donation bins relative to taking up
required parking, landscaping, and traffic visibility issues. They asked that staff provide
property owners and business owners with a list of requirements (attached) and that
code enforcement officers personally engage owners, tenants, managers, etc. regarding
placement. However, they did not feel that they wanted to initiate new regulatory
ordinances at this time. They did however, suggest that Matthew Boyle brief City
Council as he had briefed the Planning and Zoning Commission.
For many years, charitable organizations have placed collection boxes in Grapevine.
These have typically been small boxes, approximately four feet long by four feet wide
and seven feet in height. The boxes are most often placed in the parking lots of
businesses, charitable and religious organizations.
Rarely has staff been contacted by the organizations placing the boxes or by the
property owners where the boxes are placed. The one time the Development Services
Director can recall being asked, his response was, "the City does not currently regulate
these small receptacles, however, that is subject to change at any time."
Staff has not addressed these receptacles as buildings. Most of these donation boxes
would not meet building codes or zoning ordinance regulations. None of the boxes
would meet masonry or foundation requirements, and most would not meet setback
requirements. With that said, staff cannot recall ever receiving a single complaint
regarding these receptacles.
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Recently, however, a very large structure was placed in front of a business on South
Main Street. This was an approximately 10 foot by 12 foot converted storage building,
that was placed directly in front of the primary structure, in a parking space, and was
very unsightly. Although the Development Services Director met with the property owner
and had the structure removed, Council Members Spencer and Lease asked that
Council have a workshop to discuss regulation of these structures.
Staff discussed the subject with the City Council during an April 1, work session.
Council suggested issues such as setbacks, size, location, number of bins and exterior
composition be considered when discussing possible amendments to the zoning
ordinance to regulate these structures.
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April 10, 2014
Regarding: Recycle /Charitable Donation Collection Boxes
Dear property owner /business owner /manager,
The recent proliferation of recycling /charitable donation boxes placed at businesses
around Grapevine has caused some concern regarding aesthetics and visual clutter.
While everyone agrees that there is great value in helping those in need, at some point
the number and location of these bins could create a problem.
Please help keep our city beautiful by observing the following requirements regarding
placement of objects on property in Grapevine:
- All required parking spaces must remain open and available for the parking of
vehicles
- Objects may not be placed within landscaped areas, including but not limited to
landscaping islands, grass areas, and perimeter landscaped areas
- Traffic visibility must remain unobstructed at all times, both on -site and off -site.
Collection boxes shall not be placed so that they restrict traffic visibility including
but not limited to streets, alleys, parking lots and drive lanes
Our Code Enforcement Officers are surveying these bins around the city. They have
been asked to contact businesses with violations. We ask that you understand the need
for keeping our business properties attractive and safe, and give them your full
cooperation. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Code Enforcement at
817.410.3165.
Again, thank you for your understanding and cooperation
J. Scott Williams
Director