62-651

Guardrails, gates and other protective barriers

(a)        Guardrails

For the purposes of this paragraph, (a), the term "guardrail" shall refer only to fencing or similar structures provided along a bulkhead, stabilized shore or the water edges of a pier or platform.

When a guardrail is provided, it shall have a maximum height of 42 inches measured from the adjoining grade level, and shall be at least 70 percent open. Guardrails may be mounted on a solid curb not higher than six inches.

A guardrail may be substituted for a wall, pursuant to paragraph (c)(3) of this Section.

(b)        Bollards

(1)        Bollards shall be limited to the following locations:

(i)        along the bulkhead, stabilized shore or the water edges of a pier or platform;

(ii)        along a zoning lot line adjacent to, and limiting access from an upland street; and

(iii)        along the boundaries of a roadway within an upland connection.

(2)        Bollards shall not exceed 30 inches in height and shall be between six and 15 inches in width. The top of bollards shall not consist of any sharp edges. The minimum clearance between two bollards shall be five feet.

(c)        Fences and walls

(1)        Fences and walls, when provided, shall be limited to the following locations:

(i)        along the boundary of a waterfront public access area and an adjoining private area on the zoning lot;

(ii)        around the perimeter of a playground, tot-lot or dog-run;

(iii)        adjoining WD uses;

(iv)        within a visual corridor; and

(v)        along any grade level change of 30 inches or greater.

(2)        Fences shall have a maximum height of 36 inches measured from the adjoining grade level, and be at least 70 percent open. Fences may be mounted on a solid curb not higher than six inches.

(3)        Walls shall not exceed a height of 21 inches, and may be fully opaque.

(4)        Chain link fencing or barbed or razor wire shall not be permitted.

(d)        Gates

Gates attached to fences and walls that limit physical access to waterfront public access areas from streets, public parks or other public ways, or from adjacent waterfront public access areas on adjoining zoning lots, shall comply with the provisions of this paragraph (d). Such gates shall be permitted only at the boundaries of waterfront public access areas and such adjacent publicly accessible areas, except that in Type 1 upland connections gates may be located at the seaward boundary of the entry area. Gates shall not intrude into any planting area. Gates may be closed only pursuant to Section 62-71 (Operational Requirements).

The maximum height of a gate shall be four feet above the adjoining grade level. Gates shall be no more than 30 percent opaque.

When opened for access, 70 percent of the total width, in aggregate, of the waterfront public access area shall be free of obstructions associated with the gate, and there shall be a minimum clear distance of at least 16 feet between any two obstructions of the gate.

In addition, in its open position, the gate and its support structures shall not obstruct:

(1)        any circulation path;

(2)        25 percent of the width of the entry area of an upland connection along each side of the centerline of such entry area; and

(3)        at least 50 percent of the width of the shore public walkway closest to the shoreline.

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