By the adoption of this chapter, the Town Board of the Town
of Mount Hope declares its intent in so doing to be to regulate, control
and license the activities or businesses known as "auto graveyards,"
junkyards, secondhand parts collection areas, the processing of used
metals for resale and the dumping, storage and disposal of waste,
secondhand or used materials of whatever composition. Said Town Board
hereby declares that such activities or businesses can constitute
a hazard to property and persons and a public nuisance. Such materials
may be highly inflammable and sometimes explosive. Gasoline tanks
on old autos often contain in some quantity combustible gasoline;
the engine and other parts of such autos are frequently covered with
grease and oil which is also inflammable. The tires, plastic seats,
tops and other elements of such autos are also inflammable. Batteries
and other elements of such autos can contain acids and other matter
potentially harmful to humans. These autos frequently contain sharp
metal or glass edges or points upon which a human could receive serious
cuts and abrasions. These autos can constitute attractive nuisances
to children and certain adults. The presence of such junkyards even
in areas zoned for business or industry is unsightly and tends to
detract from value of surrounding land and property unless such areas
are properly maintained and operated.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AUTO
Passenger auto, truck, tractor-truck, trailer, bus, motorcycle
or other vehicle, however propelled, as well as tractors, bulldozers,
machinery and equipment.
AUTO GRAVEYARD AND/OR JUNKYARD
Two or more motor vehicles stored outside without current
license plates for a period of 60 days; "two or more motor vehicles"
shall also mean parts or waste materials from motor vehicles which,
taken together, equal in bulk two or more such vehicles.
JUNKYARD
Any area of land, including buildings thereon, which is used
primarily for the collecting, storage and/or sale of wastepaper, rags,
scrap metal or discarded material; for the collecting, dismantling,
storage or salvaging of machinery or autos not in running condition
and/or for the sale of parts thereof.
PERSON
An individual, an association, a partnership, a corporation.
No person shall engage in or conduct on real property within
the Town of Mount Hope either for himself or for and on behalf of
any other person directly or indirectly as agent, employee or otherwise
any activity or business either for profit or otherwise, at wholesale
or retail, which involves the collection, storage, burning, dumping,
disassembling, dismantling, salvaging, sorting or otherwise handling
or arranging for sale, resale, storage or disposal or otherwise of
bodies, engines, or parts of autos, or of any other secondhand or
used property of whatever materials it is composed or any waste material
whether composed of wood, paper, cloth, cardboard, plastics, metals,
stone, cement or otherwise without first obtaining a license therefor
as hereinafter provided.