The purpose of this section is to regulate off-street loading facilities accessory to uses in all zoning districts.
(A) Application of regulations concerning off-street loading.
(1) Exception; permits previously issued.
(a) For all buildings and structures erected and all uses of land established after the effective date of this chapter, accessory loading facilities shall be provided in accordance with the regulations of this section.
(b) Where improvement location and building permits have been issued prior to the effective date of this section, and provided that construction is begun within six months of such effective date and diligently prosecuted to completion, but not to exceed two years after the issuance of said permits, loading facilities in the amounts required for issuance of said permits may be provided in lieu of any different amounts required by the off-street parking regulations of this chapter.
(2) Use of loading area. Space allotted to off-street loading spaces and maneuvering area shall not be used to satisfy the off-street parking space requirements.
(B) Location and setback; accessory off-street loading areas.
(1) All required loading spaces shall be located on the same lot as the use served and shall be so designed and located that trucks shall not back from or into a public street.
(2) No open loading space shall be located in a minimum required front yard.
(3) No loading space shall be located in a minimum required side or rear yard.
(C) Development standards.
(1) Minimum area. A required off-street loading space shall be at least 12 feet in width by at least 55 feet in length, exclusive of aisle and maneuvering space, and shall have a vertical clearance of at least 15 feet.
(2) Access to and from off-street loading area.
(a) Each required off-street loading space shall open directly upon an aisle or driveway of such height and design as to provide safe and efficient means of vehicular access to such loading space.
(b) All off-street loading facilities shall be designed with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street or alley in such a manner as to minimize interference with traffic movement.
(3) Screening and landscaping. All motor vehicle loading spaces on any lot abutting a residential district or separated by an alley from a residential district shall be enclosed within a building or screened and landscaped in accordance with the zoning district regulations for screening and landscaping transitional yards.
(4) Surface of loading area.
(a) All open off-street loading areas shall be paved with concrete or improved with a compacted macadam base, and surfaced with an asphaltic pavement to adequately provide a durable and dust-free surface, per Trafalgar Standard Specifications Document.
(b) This surface shall be maintained in good condition and free of weeds, dirt, trash and debris.
(c) A gravel surface may be used for a period not exceeding one year after the loading area is opened for use where ground conditions are not immediately suitable for permanent surfacing as specified above.
(d) The surface shall be graded and drained in such a manner that there will be no detrimental flow of water onto adjacent properties or public sidewalks.
(5) Open/enclosed loading areas.
(a) Off-street loading spaces may be open to the sky, covered or enclosed in a building.
(b) In any instance where a building is constructed or used for loading, it shall be treated as any other major structure and subject to all requirements thereof.
(6) Lighting of loading areas.
(a) When lighting facilities are used to illuminate a loading area, the lighting equipment shall be so located, shielded and directed that the lighting distribution is confined to the area to be lighted.
(b) Objectionable spill light onto adjacent properties and streets shall be avoided to prevent direct glare or disability glare.
(7) Amount of loading area required.
(a) For each retail store, planned shopping center or commercial establishment, having an aggregate gross floor area of:
1. Over 3,000 square feet but not over 15,000 square feet: one space;
2. Over 15,001 square feet, but not over 40,000 square feet: two spaces; and
3. For each additional 25,000 square feet or fraction thereof: one additional space.
(b) For each auditorium, hotel, apartment-hotel, office building or similar use, having an aggregate gross floor area of:
1. Over 10,000 square feet, but not over 100,000 square feet: two spaces; and
2. For each additional 200,000 square feet: one additional space.
(c) For any wholesale, warehouse, distributor, storage or transfer establishment: heavy commercial or industrial use such as contractor, custom fabrication, crating and packaging, tire recapping, testing laboratories, lumber or coal yard; or similar use, having aggregate gross floor area of:
1. From zero to 40,000 square feet: one space;
2. Over 40,000 square feet, but not over 100,000 square feet: two spaces;
3. Over 100,000 square feet, but not over 200,000 square feet: three spaces; and
4. For each additional 200,000 square feet except thousand (200,000) square thereof: one additional space (200,000) square feet exceeding 200,000 square feet or fraction.
(d) For any zoning district use not specified above, the requirements for off-street loading for a specified use, to which said use is most similar, shall apply.
(Ord., § 1-33, passed - -1991)