City ordinance stops outdoor tire storage

With the temperature creeping up on the thermometer, the city of McMinnville has already started the battle to keep those pesky little mosquitos from interrupting backyard festivities.

Spraying has already begun by the McMinnville Public Works Department, but the breeding ground for mosquitos is still out there ? tires. To help with this, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed a new ordinance Tuesday restricting the storage of tires.

Among the restrictions, exterior storing of a tire is prohibited. All tires must be fully enclosed in a fire-resistant, code-approved structure, regardless of the condition of the tires.

This restriction will stop the tire from collecting water. Stagnant water can lead to the increase in mosquitos, as this is a perfect breeding ground. Stagnant water is also a breeding ground for disease.

Other restrictions for storing a large number of tires include:

? Interior tire storage shall be restricted to individual piles not exceeding 5,000 square feet of continuous area. Piles shall not exceed 50,000 cubic feet in volume or 10 feet in height.

? Individual tire storage piles shall be separated from other piles of salvage by a clear space of at least 40 feet.

? Tire storage piles shall be separated by a clear space of at least 40 feet from piles of other stored products.

? Interior piles shall be located at least 50 feet from lot lines and other buildings.

? Storage structures shall be maintained free from combustible ground vegetation for a distance of 40 feet from the storage structure to grass and weeds, and 100 feet from the storage structure to brush and forested areas.

? Interior waste tire storage structures shall not be located under bridges, elevated trestles, elevated roadways or elevated railroads.

All storage of outdoor tires prior to the existence of the ordinance shall be brought in to compliance within 180 days as of April 25. For a complete list of restrictions, or if you have any question, please feel free to contact the Planning & Zoning Department at 473-1204.