§ 18-232. Regulation of window treatments.

(a)

The city commission finds and determines that the presence of commercial and retail buildings that are either vacant, under construction or otherwise not conducting business for a period of seven consecutive business days where the interiors are either visible to the public from windows facing the public streets and sidewalks or boarded and shuttered constitute a blight upon the city's appearance, according to the criteria set forth in F.S. § 163.340, and adversely affect and impair the economic welfare of the adjacent owners' property, deter pedestrian traffic, lead to economic distress, endanger life or property, cause unsanitary and unsafe conditions and lead to deterioration of site or other improvements. Such buildings constitute a noxious use and a public nuisance in the community that threatens or endangers the public health, safety, aesthetics, and adversely impacts the economic welfare of the adjacent property. Additionally, the recitals that accompany the ordinance from which this division derives are hereby adopted and incorporated by reference into these findings.

(b)

Any and all windows of commercial and retail buildings located within the downtown area and the Northwood mixed use district whereby the interiors of such buildings can be observed from the public streets or sidewalks of the city, and which buildings are vacant, under construction or not conducting business for a period of seven consecutive business days shall be treated or screened in the manner set forth in this division. This includes any business that is in operation, but does not conduct business for a period of seven consecutive business days due to reasons including, but not limited to, vacation, renovation, or reasons not associated with natural disasters.

(1)

All windows of vacant commercial and retail buildings, commercial and retail buildings not conducting business for a period of seven consecutive business days or commercial and retail buildings under construction located within the downtown and the Northwood mixed use district, which windows can be viewed from the public streets and sidewalks of the city and which expose the interiors of such buildings, shall screen the vacant interior of the building in which they are located by constructing within the window a pocket, equivalent in dimension to the dimension of the window itself, and 40 inches or more in depth. This pocket shall be used for purposes of screening the interior of the building, and to provide an attractive display for those who can observe the window from the streets or public sidewalks of the city. This pocket shall be decorated by featuring fresh displays of the incoming tenant, artwork, merchandise, or services of an existing business duly licensed within the city. The window glass shall be clean both inside and outside, and the window shall be lighted at night.

(2)

The windows or storefronts of commercial and retail buildings in the downtown area and the Northwood mixed use district which are either vacant, under construction or otherwise not conducting business for a period of seven consecutive business days shall not be boarded or shuttered. The prohibition against boarding and shuttering shall not apply to actions of the nuisance abatement board for a period not to exceed 30 days, during which time a building may be ordered boarded and secured.

(Code 1979, § 15-142.2)