(A) Reverse vending machine (much like a pop machine but bigger). A reverse vending machine would be a permitted use in any industrial or commercial district and would not require additional parking spaces. They may be allowed provided they comply with the following standards:
(1) Shall be established in conjunction with a commercial use which is in compliance with this chapter and the building and fire codes;
(2) Shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation and be located in an easily accessible area;
(3) Shall not occupy parking spaces required by the primary use;
(4) Shall occupy no more than 50 square feet of floor space per installation, including any protective enclosure, and shall be no more than 8 feet in height. Any business or industry may have 1 vending machine for each material recycled;
(5) Operating hours shall be at least the operating hours of the host use;
(6) Shall be sufficiently anchored or restrained to prevent tipping or other vandalism;
(7) Shall give the identity and phone number of the operator or responsible person to call if the machine is inoperative.
(B) Small collection facilities. Small collection facilities are facilities of 500 square feet or less. Such facilities should be treated as a conditional use in a commercial district and other areas deemed appropriate by the Council, and a permitted use in an industrial district subject to the following conditions: (If treated as a permissible use, the following standards would serve as performance standards prior to issuing any permits.)
(1) Shall be established in conjunction with an existing commercial use which is in compliance with the zoning, building and fire code;
(2) Shall be no larger than 500 square feet and occupy no more than 5 parking spaces not including space that will be periodically needed for removal of materials or exchange of containers;
(3) Shall have a minimum setback of 15 feet from any street right-of-way and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation;
(4) Shall not use power-driven processing equipment except for reverse vending machines;
(5) Attended facilities located within 100 feet of residentially zoned property shall operate only during the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.;
(6) Containers for the 24-hour donation of materials shall be at least 125 feet from any residential use unless there is acoustical shielding between the containers and the residential use in which case the setback may be reduced to 75 feet;
(7) No additional parking spaces will be required for customers of a small collection facility located at the established parking lot of a host use;
(8) 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.
(C) Large collection facilities. A large collection facility is one that is 501 square feet in size or larger. It may include a permanent building and be located on property separate from a host use. It would be considered a conditional use in industrial districts provided it complies with certain performance standards set by the Council. Standards for consideration include:
(1) The facility does not abut a property used or zoned for residential or public use; or
(2) The facility will be screened from the public right-of-way by operating in an enclosed building or:
(a) Within an area enclosed by an opaque fence at least 6 feet in height with landscaping;
(b) At least 150 feet from property used or zoned for residential or public use;
(3) Other setback and landscape requirements shall be the same as those for the zoning district in which the facility will be located except that all nonimpervious surfaces other than planting beds shall be sodded;
(4) Space will be provided on site for 6 vehicles or the anticipated peak customer load, whichever is higher, to circulate and to deposit recyclable materials except where the Zoning Administrator determines that allowing overflow traffic above 6 vehicles is compatible with surrounding businesses and public safety;
(5) One off-street parking space will be provided for each commercial vehicle operated by the recycling facility;
(6) If the facility is located within 500 feet of property zoned or used for residential use, it shall only be in operation between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.;
(7) Any containers provided for after-hours donation of recyclable materials will be at least 150 feet from any property zoned or used for residential or public use, shall be of sturdy, rustproof construction, shall have sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected, and shall be secure from unauthorized entry or removal of materials;
(8) Power-driven processing, including aluminum foil and can compacting, baling, plastic shredding, or other light processing activities necessary for efficient temporary storage and shipment of material, may be approved if the facility meets noise and other conditions mentioned within this chapter;
(9) The proximity to other large recycling collection facilities will be taken into consideration by the Council before approval of any facilities.
(D) Standards for all recycling collection facilities.
(1) The facility must meet PCA requirements for recycling facilities (currently specified in Minn. Rules, part 7035.2845);
(2) Shall accept only glass, metals, plastic containers, papers, motor oil, batteries and other specifically allowed items;
(3) Shall be illuminated to ensure comfortable and safe operation if operating hours are between dusk and dawn;
(4) Shall store all recyclable material in containers or in a mobile unit vehicle;
(5) Shall use containers that are constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rust-resistant 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 collection schedule. Storage containers for containment of flammable material shall be constructed of non-flammable material. No storage containers, except truck trailers, will be allowed above a height of 8 feet;
(6) Containers shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material which may be deposited and any operating instructions;
(7) Shall have sign area of a maximum of 4 square feet per container, exclusive of operating instructions. The sign shall be part of the container as a whole and shall not extend beyond the edges of the container;
(8) Shall, when accepting used motor oil, have an attendant on duty at all times and meet PCA requirements for registration and permitting as specified in Minn. Rules part 7100;
(9) All used motor oil recycling facilities or components of recycling facilities accepting such products must meet standards for used oil as specified in the Uniform Fire Code under Minn. Rules part 7510 and approval of the appropriate local fire official;
(10) The facility will be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation shall display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling enclosure or containers. Identification and information signs shall meet requirements of the zoning district; directional signs may be erected upon payment of a fee to the Department of Transportation or the local road authority and with the approval of the Zoning Administrator;
(11) Noise levels shall not exceed 60 decibels as measured at the property line of property zoned for residential or public use, and otherwise shall not exceed 70 decibels in other zoning districts. It shall be the responsibility of the owner/applicant to provide noise testing information as reasonably required by the Zoning Administration;
(12) Site shall be maintained in such a manner as to not create noxious matter. Mobile facilities from which trucks or containers are removed at the end of each collection day shall be swept at the end of each collection day;
(13) A pest control plan shall be submitted that is acceptable to the local sanitarian or other appropriate official including, but not limited to, a contract with a licensed pest control operator for regular service;
(14) The operator of the facility shall comply with a regular inspection schedule as approved by the sanitarian or other appropriate local official.
(Ord. 120, passed 1-22-1991; Am. Ord. 8, 4th Series, passed 1-16-2007)