(A) Purpose. It is the intent of this section to establish loading requirements so that adequate space for standing, loading and unloading services adjacent to the opening used for loading and unloading is provided in order to avoid undue interference with public use of the streets or alleys.
(B) General provisions.
(1) Permanent loading facilities shall be provided on the same premises with every building, structure, or part thereof, erected and occupied for uses involving the receipt or distribution of materials or merchandise via vehicular transportation, in accordance with the provisions of this section and in the amount set forth in the Table of Loading Requirements.
(2) Loading and unloading berths shall not be required for uses which demonstrably do not receive or transmit goods or wares by truck delivery.
(C) Design standards.
(1) Location. Loading berths may occupy any portion of a lot; provided that, loading berths shall not be permitted in any required front or side yard.
(2) Access.
(a) All loading facilities shall be arranged so that all maneuvers shall be accomplished without blocking a public right-of-way or walkway;
(b) All required off-street loading spaces shall have access to a public street or alley in such a manner that any vehicle leaving or entering the premises shall be traveling in a forward motion;
(c) Shall only be from the district in which the facility is located; and
(d) Shall be directly accessible to the building or structure served.
(3) Dimensions. Loading berths shall be a minimum of ten feet in width and 50 feet in length, exclusive of aisle and maneuvering space, and shall have a minimum vertical clearance of 14 feet.
(4) Pavement.
(a) All loading berths and maneuvering areas shall be paved in conformance with the standards of the town.
(b) As a minimum, all loading spaces shall be graded and provided with a durable and dustless surface of asphalt, concrete, crushed stone or other suitable materials capable of withstanding 1,000 pounds per square inch (psi).
(5) Drainage. Loading areas shall be designed to prevent the rate of increase of surface water onto adjacent properties, sidewalks or public streets. Where adequate storm systems exist, the water shall be directed to those systems. Loading areas shall obtain the approval of the Storm Water Board to ensure that runoff and drainage are adequately provided for.
(6) Lighting. Any loading area used during non-daylight hours shall be illuminated. All lights used to illuminate a loading area shall be of a full cut-off fixture and be arranged to reflect the light away from adjoining property.
(7) Screening.
(a) Loading facilities shall be effectively screened from an adjacent residential district of principal residential use, in accordance with § 156.472 of this chapter.
(b) Screening shall be continuous, broken only for access drives and walkways.
(8) Minimum number of off-street loading spaces. Loading requirements shall be computed on the basis of the gross floor area as determined in division (C)(11) below.
(9) Exclusions. These provisions shall not apply to uses in the CBD Central Business District, with the Board of Zoning Appeals to define and delineate said area from time to time.
(10) Maintenance. The owner of property used for off-street loading and unloading shall maintain such area in good condition without holes and free of all trash, abandoned or junk vehicles and other rubbish.
(11) Table of minimum loading requirements. Minimum loading requirements shall be established for permitted uses and special exceptions irrespective of the zoning district in which they are located.
Use | Gross Floor Area (square feet) | Minimum Loading Spaces Required |
Use | Gross Floor Area (square feet) | Minimum Loading Spaces Required |
Industrial uses | Less than 15,000 | 1 |
15,001-40,000 | 2 | |
40,001-100,000 | 3 | |
Each additional 40,000 | 1 | |
Office uses | 100,000 or less | 1 |
100,001-336,000 | 2 | |
Each additional 200,000 | 1 | |
Retail, wholesale, storage and other business uses | Less than 3,000 | None Required |
3,001-15,000 | 1 | |
15,001-40,000 | 2 | |
Each additional 25,000 | 1 | |
(Ord. passed 9-26-2006)