All uses except single-family dwellings, two-family dwellings and townhouses must store their trash in compliance with one of the following two options:
(A) Indoors. Within a designated area of the interior of the building in conformance with the following:
(1) The adopted Fire and Building Codes.
(2) The area must be readily accessible by collection vehicles.
(3) The area must be readily accessible to the users by use of a pedestrian access, such as an easily operable door. The door must remain closed, except when servicing.
(4) The interior walls and floor of the area must be finished with smooth, non-absorbent material sealed or finished to withstand frequent cleaning.
(5) All waste storage areas must be kept clean and sanitary, and maintained in good condition.
(B) Outdoors. Outdoors within a four-sided accessory structure designed and sized for this purpose.
(1) Requirements. The enclosure must be in conformance with the following:
(a) The adopted Fire and Building Codes.
(b) For non-residential zoning districts the structure must be located to the rear of the principal building, may not be located within five feet of any interior lot line, must have the same setback as the principal building from any public right-of-way, and must be readily accessible by collection vehicles.
(2) Design standards. All waste enclosures must meet the following design standards:
(a) Design. Walls must be constructed of architectural masonry or similar materials. Enclosures must have an opaque gate made of metal or decorative wood. Design and materials of the trash enclosure must conform to the architecture of the buildings in the development and be compatible with the finish of the principal building. Additional landscape screening may be required for any enclosure requiring design review.
(b) Pedestrian access. Trash enclosures may have a pedestrian entrance when shared by multiple units. No more than two openings may be present per enclosure and the openings may not be placed in the same wall section. The opening may be no less than 32 inches and no more than 36 inches. For nonresidential properties, a gate is required for the opening. Where a gate is required or provided for the opening, it must be an opaque metal or decorative wood gate, meeting the design standards of this chapter.
(c) Minimum size. Trash enclosures must have minimum inside dimensions, excluding pedestrian access areas, of 8 feet by 12 feet, and must be sized to accommodate all waste, recycling, and trash storage. Walls and gates must be of a height to fully screen the view of the bins and storage. A maximum 6-inch space may exist at the bottom of the gate to the ground surface. A maximum of two openings on not more than two sides area allowed for drainage. Each opening may not exceed 8 inches by 16 inches per wall section.
(d) Location.
1. Trash enclosures must meet all setback requirements.
2. Trash enclosure doors must not restrict driveways, extend into adjacent parking spaces, or obstruct fire hydrants or building exits.
3. Trash enclosures must be located so they are accessible to collection vehicles.
4. Trash enclosures must remain at least five feet from any combustible construction or building openings.
(3) Construction and maintenance standards.
(a) All waste enclosure structures, including gates, must be designed to be durable and sound, and be maintained in good condition. All gates and doors must be kept closed, except during servicing.
(b) The enclosure area must be set on a concrete pad at ground level, with a minimum slope to prevent accumulation of water from cleaning and rain runoff.
(C) Trash compactors. Trash compactors that are open to or loaded outside must be located in a waste enclosure meeting the requirements of this chapter. Self-contained trash compactors that are completely enclosed and loaded only from the interior of a building must be located in a waste enclosure or meet the following criteria:
(1) Design. Design and materials of the trash enclosure must conform to the architecture of the buildings in the development and be compatible with the finish of the principal building, such as matching paint.
(2) Screening. Landscape screening or other screening may be required to eliminate or minimize the view from adjacent properties.
(3) Nuisances. Appropriate measures must be taken to prevent or eliminate nuisances from noise, trash, or other nuisances created by the location or use of the trash compactor.
(4) Alternatives. The City Manager's designee may consider alternatives to standard trash enclosures. Such alternatives shall be evaluated with respect to the following seven criteria:
(a) The proposal provides adequate capacity for the use.
(b) The proposal blends with the architecture of the site.
(c) The proposal provides convenient access for residents and businesses located within the development.
(d) The proposal meets code requirements for all setback requirements including, but not limited to, the front and street side yards and corner cut-offs.
(e) The proposal is accessible to trash collection vehicles.
(f) The proposal does not generate the potential for undesirable odors, noise, flies or nuisances.
(g) The proposal represents an improvement upon code requirements and more adequately meets the needs of the occupants.
(5) Requests for consideration of alternatives.
(a) Requests for consideration of alternatives must be submitted to the City Manager's designee with the following items: a written letter explaining the request, the reason for it, an explanation of how it meets the above seven criteria, a site plan, and a detail of the proposed alternative including specifications, colors and materials, and measures that will be taken to correct any problems associated with the proposed use if approved.
(b) After consideration, the City Manager's designee may, upon written findings reflecting compliance with the above seven criteria, allow installation of the requested alternative.
(c) Alternatively, the City Manager's designee may deny the request.
(d) Such denial shall set forth which criteria are not met.
(Ord. 2003-997, passed 5-12-03)