(1) Fencing refers to fences or other man-made
barriers placed to conceal a junkyard from view. Screening refers to growing
plants, shrubs and trees placed to conceal a junkyard from view. Shielding
refers to either, or a combination of the two as they serve to shield a
junkyard from view.
(2) Where required by these regulations, fencing, screening, or a combination
thereof must be provided which will prevent the junk, wrecked or inoperative
vehicles, and other items stored or being processed on the premises from being
viewed from the highway.
(a) Density. The junkyard need not be totally shielded from sight. If a fence is
used, the boards may be placed to reduce wind load. The space which can be seen
from the road shall not be more than 1-1/2 inches wide when viewed at any
angle from 45� to 90� to the fence; the interval between spaces shall not be
less than 7-1/2 inches. Chain link metal fences with standard fiberglass
or other inserts are acceptable provided the gap between adjacent slats does
not exceed 1-1/2 inches. The breaks in the fence may be vertical or at an
angle; they cannot be horizontal. Screening, while not
subject
to precise measurements, must provide a similar degree of shielding at all
times of the year.
(b) Height. The shielding
must be of sufficient height that none of the junk, wrecked or inoperative
vehicles, and other items stored or being processed on the premises are visible
from any point six feet above the surface of the traffic lanes adjacent to the
junkyard or for a distance of five hundred (500) feet along the highway beyond
the end of the junkyard operation. This is not intended to require that permanent
buildings, other structures, utility poles, cranes or derricks or similar
structures be shielded.
(c) Materials -
(i) Fences must be
constructed of sound materials. Wood fences faced with good material (not
slabs) , graded No. 2 or better, painted or preserved against weather, are acceptable.
Chain-link type metal fences with slats inserted are acceptable. Other
types of fencing of equivalent permanence, attractiveness and shielding quality
are also acceptable. To preclude misunderstanding, prior approval should be
obtained for fences other than the two types specifically approved above.
(ii) Screening by use of
annual plants or deciduous trees is not prohibited; however, the degree of
shielding provided in Subsection (2) (a) of this rule must be provided at all
times of the year. Cottonwood trees may not be planted on the highway rights-of-way
as screening.
(d) Maintenance. The
fencing and/or screening shall be maintained by the junkyard operator in a neat
and workmanlike manner. It shall be replaced, where necessary by him. Damage by
vandals, vehicles, leaving or driven from the highway, or other causes shall be
the risk of the operator, and shall not be reason for not maintaining the
fence. The fence may not be used as a billboard. A maximum of two signs not to
exceed thirty two (32) square feet each advertising the business conducted on
the premises may be painted on or attached flush to the fence.
(e) Location. Fences must
be placed on or behind the right-of-way line. Screening should be
placed on private land behind the right-of-way line in order to
assure its maintenance and ownership. Where there is sufficient room on the
right-of-way, a use permit may be issued for planting and
maintenance of screening, provided, however, no such permit will be issued for
planting and maintenance of screening within the access control limits of any
controlled access highway.