The provisions of this article are intended to establish standards and procedures for the siting and operation of various types and sizes of commercial recycling facilities.
(§ 3, Ord. 771, eff. February 13, 2004)
Recycling facilities are subject to entitlement review and are allowable only in the C-1, B-P, VMU, M-1, and MPD Zoning Districts in compliance with Table 3-12.
Table 3-12
ALLOWABLE RECYCLING FACILITIES
Type of Facility
Districts Allowed
Entitlement Required
Reverse Vending Machines
C-1, B-P, VMU, M-1, and MPD
Minor Conditional Use Permit
Small Collection
C-1, B-P, VMU, M-1, and MPD
Conditional Use Permit
Large Collection
M-1 and MPD
Conditional Use Permit
(§ 3, Ord. 771, eff. February 13, 2004)
All recycling facilities shall comply with the following standards:
(a) 
Reverse vending machine(s) shall not require additional parking spaces for recycling customers, and shall:
(1) 
Be installed as an accessory use to a commercial or industrial use which is in full compliance with all applicable provisions of these Zoning Regulations and the Municipal Code;
(2) 
Be located within close proximity to the entrance of the commercial or industrial structure and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation;
(3) 
Not occupy parking spaces required by the main use;
(4) 
Occupy no more than 50 square feet of space for each installation, including any protective enclosure, and shall be no more than eight feet in height;
(5) 
Be constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof material;
(6) 
Be clearly marked to identify the type of material to be deposited, operating instructions, and the identity and telephone number of the operator or responsible person to call if the machine is inoperative;
(7) 
Have a maximum sign area of four square feet for each machine, exclusive of operating instructions in compliance with Title 10, Chapter 2, Article 16 (Sign Standards);
(8) 
Be maintained in a clean, sanitary, and litter-free condition on a daily basis;
(9) 
Be illuminated to ensure comfortable and safe operation if there are operating hours between dusk and dawn; and
(10) 
Maintain adequate refuse containers on-site for the disposal of non-hazardous waste.
(b) 
Small collection facilities shall:
(1) 
Be installed as an accessory use to an existing commercial or industrial use which is in full compliance with all applicable provisions of Title 10, Chapter 2 (Zoning Regulations) and the Municipal Code;
(2) 
Be no larger than 350 square feet and occupy no more than three parking spaces not including space that would be periodically needed for removal of materials or exchange of containers;
(3) 
Be set back at least 10 feet from any public right-of-way, and not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation;
(4) 
Accept only glass, metal, plastic containers, papers and reusable items;
(5) 
Use no power-driven processing equipment except for reverse vending machines;
(6) 
Use containers that are constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof material, covered when site is not attended, secured from unauthorized entry or removal of material, and shall be of a capacity sufficient to accommodate materials collected and the collection schedule;
(7) 
Store all recyclable material in the mobile unit vehicle and shall ensure that materials are not left outside of the unit when attendant is not present;
(8) 
Ensure that the site is maintained clean, sanitary and free of litter and any other undesirable materials, and shall be cleaned of loose debris on a daily basis;
(9) 
Not be located within 50 feet of any residential zoning district/use;
(10) 
Have collection containers, site fencing, and signs of a color and design so as to be both compatible and harmonious with the surrounding uses and neighborhood;
(11) 
Have containers clearly marked to identify the type of material which may be deposited; the facility shall be clearly marked to identify the name and telephone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation and display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling enclosure;
(12) 
Have signs provided as follows:
(A) 
Recycling facilities may have identification signs with a maximum area of 10% for each side of a structure or 16 square feet, whichever is greater, in compliance with Article 16 of this chapter. In the case of a wheeled facility, the side would be measured from the ground to the top of the container,
(B) 
Signs shall be consistent with the character of their location, and
(C) 
Directional signs, consistent with Title 10, Chapter 2, Article 16 (Sign Standards), bearing no advertising message may be installed with the approval of the Director if found necessary to facilitate traffic circulation or if the facility is not visible from the public right-of-way;
(13) 
Not impair the landscaping required by Title 10, Chapter 2, Article 12 (Landscaping Standards) for any concurrent use allowed by these Zoning Regulations;
(14) 
Not require additional parking spaces for customers of a small collection facility located in the established parking lot of the main use; one space shall be provided for the attendant, if needed;
(15) 
Have the mobile recycling units in an area clearly marked to prohibit other vehicular parking during hours when the mobile unit is scheduled to be present;
(16) 
Ensure that the occupation of parking spaces by the facility and by the attendant would not reduce available parking spaces below the minimum number required for the main use unless a parking study shows that existing parking capacity is not already fully utilized during the time the recycling facility would be on the site;
(17) 
Ensure that small collection facilities located within 500 feet of a Residential Zoning District would not operate, or be maintained or serviced, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.;
(18) 
Be subject to landscaping and/or screening requirements as determined by the Director;
(19) 
Maintain adequate refuse containers on-site for the disposal of non-hazardous waste; and
(20) 
Have the entitlement reviewed at the end of one year and again thereafter, as determined by the Director.
(c) 
A large collection facility, which is larger than 350 square feet or on a separate parcel not accessory to a "main" use, and which shall have a permanent structure, shall comply with the following standards:
(1) 
The facility shall not be located adjacent to any residential zoning district/use.
(2) 
The facility shall be screened from all public rights-of-way, within an enclosed structure.
(3) 
Structure setbacks and landscape requirements shall comply with those provided for the M-1 and MPD Zoning Districts.
(4) 
All exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers or enclosures which are covered, secured, and maintained in good condition at all times. Storage containers for flammable materials shall be constructed of nonflammable materials. Outdoor storage shall be screened by a minimum six foot high, solid decorative masonry wall. Storage, excluding truck trailers, shall not be visible above the height of the required wall.
(5) 
The site shall be maintained clean, sanitary and free of litter and any other undesirable materials. Loose debris shall be collected on a daily basis and the site shall be secured from unauthorized entry and removal of materials when attendants are not present.
(6) 
Space shall be provided on site for six vehicles to circulate and to deposit recyclable materials.
(7) 
Four parking spaces for employees plus one parking space for each commercial vehicle operated by the recycling facility shall be provided on site.
(8) 
If the facility is located within 500 feet of any residential zoning district/use it shall not operate, or be maintained or serviced, between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(9) 
Any containers provided for "after hours" donation of recyclable materials shall be permanently located at least 50 feet from any residential zoning district/use, constructed of sturdy, rustproof materials, with sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected.
(10) 
Donation areas shall be kept free of litter and any other undesirable material and the containers shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material that may be deposited. The facility shall display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling containers.
(11) 
Signs shall be installed in compliance with Title 10, Chapter 2, Article 16 (Sign Standards). Additionally, the facility shall be clearly marked with the name and telephone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation.
(12) 
Dust, fumes, odor, smoke, or vibration above ambient levels shall not be detectable from adjoining parcels.
(13) 
Shall maintain adequate refuse containers on-site for the disposal of non-hazardous waste.
(d) 
Any entitlement issued in compliance with this article (except for small collection facilities in compliance with subsection (b) above) shall have a maximum term of three years. Before entitlement renewal, the City shall take into consideration the permittee's history of compliance with the established conditions of approval, as well as the provisions of this article and the Municipal Code.
(§ 3, Ord. 771, eff. February 13, 2004, as amended by § 55, Ord. 941, eff. November 10, 2023)
All uses shall be subject to the applicable provisions of these Zoning Regulations, including the procedures identified in the following: Article 12, Landscaping Standards; Article 14, Parking and Loading Standards; Article 16, Sign Standards; Article 20, Design Review Permits; Article 22, Temporary Use Permits; Article 24, Conditional Use Permits; Article 25, Minor Variances; Article 26, Variances.
(§ 3, Ord. 771, eff. February 13, 2004)