City Ordinance Recap: New, Revised Regulations to Make Irving Better

Many new and revised ordinance regulations have been approved by City Council to further strengthen the city’s efforts to provide a safer, more visually appealing community. The following information provides an overview of some of the most significant changes being enforced.

	Chapter 8: Multifamily Housing With more than half of Irving’s population residing in multifamily properties, initiatives such as revised Chapter 8 regulations have been implemented to hold non-compliant apartment owners responsible for providing residents with a safe and secure place to call home. Through routine, enhanced and comprehensive inspections, all Irving apartments are rated on a scale that ranges from Level 1-4—with 1 being excellent and 4 consisting of unsafe and poor living conditions. Revised Chapter 8 regulations were adopted to provide the following results. Eliminate Level 4 conditions: All apartments that receive a Level 4 risk rating, starting July 1, will be required to install heat detection systems and upgrade to Level 3 status within one year of the inspection. By summer 2010, all remaining Level 4 properties will be vacated and the certificate of occupancy will be revoked. The installation of sprinkler systems and upgrading of electrical systems will be required prior to reoccupying properties. Level 3 and 4 properties will participate in an abbreviated version of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program that requires: Criminal background checks on all tenant and employee applicants 17 years of age and older. Managers to attend one-day training. Use of crime free addendum and agreement.
	Sign Standards New sign standards adopted by City Council are critical to the visual improvement of Irving’s key corridors and gateways. New design standards will help reduce visual clutter and limit the use of temporary signs on private property. All signs are required to come into compliance at change of certificate of occupancy. Window signs, banners, pennants, streamers and interior luminous gaseous signs must comply by Aug. 1. Pole signs associated with convenience stores less than 10,000 square feet must be removed by Dec. 31. An appeal is allowable based upon economic value of the investment.
	Convenience Store Standards Guidelines have been approved for convenience stores to increase safety measures for residents, customers and store employees. All of Irving’s 250-plus convenience stores are required to comply with the new requirements. Equipment requirements must be in place by January 2010. Crime prevention requirements are as follows: An alarm system, silent panic or hold-up alarm must be installed. Surveillance cameras that capture the images of the store’s interior and exterior are to be added, with signage and permit required. Enhanced installation requirements for ATMs. An unobstructed view of the cash register. A trespass affidavit, which authorizes police to enforce trespass laws on the store owner’s behalf. Safety training for employees. A drop safe.
	Commercial Containers Ordinance changes now comprehensively regulate the location and visual impact of commercial containers. The new standards require: Containers must be moved back from streets. A 7-foot masonry screening with gate. Location and screening: Containers are prohibited between the building and street. Screening is required if in view from a street, public property or single-family home. Recycling containers are limited to two per lot; located away from streets and screened on rear if adjacent to a single-family home (not required if previous screening requirements are met). Timeline: Effective: Jan. 1 Relocate containers by March 1 Screen within two years: Jan. 1, 2011
	Alcohol Sales City regulations were put into place prior to the alcohol election to limit the community impact of beer and wine sales. New ordinances are as follows: Convenience Store Crime Prevention – Convenience store owners are required to comply with the new crime prevention requirements. Beer Barns – Drive-through retailers, including alcoholic beverages, are not allowed. Distance Requirements – The distance is measured from “door-to-door” for churches and hospitals. An ordinance amendment changed the measurement method to “property-line-to-property-line” for schools and added private schools to the list of protected properties. Following the November election, packaged beer and wine sales are allowed for off-site consumption. This election did not affect the sale of alcohol for on-premise consumption. Retail establishments such as convenience and grocery stores may apply for a state license to sell alcohol if they are located more than 300 feet from a church, public hospital, and private or public school. Permissible hours of sale, defined by state law, are: Monday–Friday: 7 a.m. to midnight Saturday: 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. (Sunday) Sunday: noon to midnight