This section establishes standards and procedures for the siting and operation of various types and sizes of commercial recycling facilities.
A. Permit Requirements. Recycling facilities are subject to permit review/approval in compliance with Article II (Zoning Districts and Allowable Land Uses) provided the following standards are met.
B. Development and Operating Standards. Recycling facilities shall comply with the following standards:
1. Reverse vending Machines. Reverse vending machine(s) shall be allowed in all commercial and manufacturing zoning districts, subject to compliance with the following standards:
a. Machines shall be installed as an accessory use in compliance with the applicable provisions of this development code, and shall not require additional parking;
b. If located inside of a structure, shall be within thirty (30) feet of the entrance and shall not obstruct pedestrian circulation;
c. If located outside of a structure, shall not occupy required parking spaces, and shall be constructed of durable waterproof and rustproof material(s);
d. Shall not exceed fifty (50) square feet for each installation, including ally protective enclosure, nor eight feet in height;
e. Shall have a maximum sign area of four square feet for each machine, exclusive of operating instructions;
f. Shall have operating hours which are consistent with the operating hours of the main use; and
g. Shall be illuminated to ensure comfortable and safe operation if operating hours are between dusk and dawn, in compliance with Section 16.18.100 (Lighting).
2. Small Collection Facilities. Small collection facilities are allowed only in compliance with Article II (Zoning Districts and Allowable Land Uses) provided the following standards are met.
a. Shall not exceed an area of five hundred (500) square feet nor five parking spaces, not including space that will be periodically needed for the removal of materials or exchange of containers;
b. Shall be set back at least fifteen feet from any public right-of-way, and not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation;
c. Shall accept only glass, metal or plastic containers, paper, and reusable items;
d. Shall not use power-driven processing equipment except for reverse vending machines;
e. Shall use containers that are constructed with durable waterproof and rustproof material(s), secured from unauthorized removal of material, and shall be of a capacity sufficient to accommodate materials collected and the collection schedule;
f. Shall not be located within fifty (50) feet of any parcel zoned or occupied for residential use;
g. Collection containers and site fencing shall be of a color and design to be compatible and harmonious with the surrounding uses and neighborhood;
h. Signs may be provided as follows:
1) Recycling facilities may have identification signs with a maximum area of fifteen (15) percent for each side of the structure or twelve (12) square feet, whichever is greater. In the case of a wheeled facility, the side shall be measured from the ground to the top of the container;
2) Signs shall be both compatible and harmonious with the character of their location; and
3) Directional signs, consistent with Chapter 16.38 (Signs) and without 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.
i. The facility shall not impair the landscaping required by Chapter 16.28 (Landscaping) for any concurrent use allowed by this development code;
j. Additional parking spaces shall not be required 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;
k. Mobile recycling units shall have an area clearly marked to prohibit other vehicular parking during hours when the mobile unit is scheduled to be present;
1. Use of parking spaces by the facility and by the attendant shall not reduce available parking spaces below the minimum number required for the main use unless a parking study shows that existing capacity is not fully utilized during the time the recycling facility will be on the site; and
m. Shall be subject to landscaping and/or screening as determined through development review.
3. Large Collection Facilities. A collection facility that is larger than five hundred (500) square feet, or on a separate parcel not accessory to a main use, is allowed in the industrial zoning districts in compliance with Article II (Zoning Districts and Allowable Land Uses) provided the following standards are met.
a. The facility shall not abut a parcel zoned or occupied for residential use;
b. The facility shall be screened from public rights-of-way, by solid masonry walls or located within an enclosed structure;
c. Structure setbacks and landscaping shall be provided as required for the zoning district;
d. Exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers that are secured and maintained in good condition. Storage, excluding truck trailers, shall not be visible above the height of the required screen walls;
e. The site shall be maintained clean, sanitary and free of litter and any other undesirable materials, and will be cleaned of loose debris on a daily basis;
f. Containers provided for "after hours" donation of recyclable materials shall be permanently located at least one hundred (100) feet from any residential zoning district, constructed of sturdy, rustproof material(s), have sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected, and be secured from unauthorized entry or removal of materials; and
g. Dust, fumes, odor, smoke or vibration, above ambient levels, shall not be detectable on adjoining parcels.
4. Processing Facilities. Processing facilities are allowed in the industrial zoning district subject to a conditional use permit and compliance with the following standards:
a. The facility shall not abut a parcel zoned or occupied for residential use;
b. Light processing facilities are limited to baling, briquetting, compacting, crushing, grinding, shred-ding, and sorting of source-separated recyclable materials and repairing of reusable materials;
c. A light processing facility shall not exceed forty-five thousand (45,000) square feet, may have up to an average of two outbound truck shipments of material each day, and shall not bale, compact, or shred ferrous metals other than beverage and food containers.
A heavy processor may exceed forty-five thousand (45,000) square feet and two outbound truck shipments each day, and may perform those functions not allowed at light processing facilities;
d. Exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers or enclosures that are maintained and se-cured in good condition. Outdoor storage shall be from public rights-of-way by solid masonry walls. Storage, excluding truck trailers, shall not be visible above the height of the required screen or walls;
e. Containers provided for "after hours" donation of recyclable materials shall be permanently located at least one hundred (100) feet from any residential zoning district, constructed of sturdy, rustproof material(s), have sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected, and be secured from unauthorized entry or removal of the materials; and
f. Dust, fumes, odor, smoke or vibration, above ambient levels, shall not be detectable on adjoining parcels.
5. Time Limits. Uses approved in compliance with this section shall have a maximum term established by the permit approval process. Before permit renewal, the director shall consider the permittee' s history of compliance with the established conditions of approval, as well as all applicable provisions of this development code.
C. General Standards. Recycling facilities shall comply with the following standards:
1. Signs. Facilities shall be provided with identification and informational signs that meet the standards of the applicable zoning district:
a. Collection containers and reverse vending machines shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material which may be deposited, and display a notice stating that discarded material shall not be left outside of the recycling enclosure or machine; and
b. The facility shall be clearly marked to identify the name and telephone number of the operator and the hours of operation.
c. Additional identification and directional signs without an advertising message may be installed with the approval of the director, if necessary to facilitate traffic circulation.
2. Refuse Disposal. The facility shall maintain adequate on-site refuse containers for the disposal of nonrecyclable and nonhazardous waste materials.
(Ord. 538, Exhibit A (part), 2018; Ord. 392 § 3, 2007; Ord. 182 § 2 (part), 1997)