§ 20.11.190. Recycling facilities.
1.
Intent. This Section is intended to provide the community with regulations controlling the siting of recycling, redemption and processing facilities, and to ensure that recycling facilities do not create adverse impacts on the surrounding community.
2.
Applicability.
a.
The provisions of this Section shall apply to the following use types, as defined in this Section of this Title.
b.
Such use types shall comply with the provisions of this Section in addition to applicable standards and permit procedures of the zone district in which the use type is located.
3.
Definitions.
a.
Certified Recycling Facility or Certified Processor means a recycling facility certified by the California Department of Conservation as meeting the requirements of the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act.
b.
Small Recycling Collection Facility is a center for the acceptance by donation, redemption, or purchase of recyclable materials from the public. Such facility is a secondary use to the subject property and does not include the use of power driven processing equipment except as indicated in Section 20.11.190. Collection facilities may include the following:
Small collection facilities shall occupy an area of not more than five hundred square feet and may include:
(1)
Bulk reverse vending machines or a group of reverse vending machines.
(2)
Kiosk type units that may include permanent structures.
(3)
Approved unattended containers placed for the donation of recyclable materials.
c.
Large Recycling Collection means facility shall occupy an area of not less than five hundred square feet, but not more than twelve thousand five hundred square feet and are located on a separate property and/or appurtenant to the host use, and may have permanent structures.
d.
Processing Facility means a building or enclosed space used for the collection and processing of recyclable materials. "Processing," means the preparation of material for efficient shipment, or to an end-user's specifications, by such means as baling, briquetting, compacting, flattening, grinding, crushing, mechanical sorting, shredding, cleaning, and remanufacturing. Processing facilities include the following:
(1)
A light processing facility occupies an area of under forty-five thousand square feet of gross collection, processing, and storage area and has up to an average of two outbound truck shipments per day. Light processing facilities are limited to baling, briquetting, crushing, compacting, grinding, shredding and sorting of source-separated recyclable materials and repairing of reusable materials sufficient to qualify as a certified processing facility. A light processing facility shall not shred, compact, or bale ferrous metals other than food and beverage containers.
(2)
A heavy processing facility is any processing facility other than a light processing facility.
e.
Convenience Zone means any geographic area within one-half mile radius of a supermarket designated by the California Department of Conservation requiring the presence of one or more recycling facilities, mobile recycling units, or reverse vending machines pursuant to the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act.
f.
Mobile Recycling Unit means an automobile, truck, trailer, or van, licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles which is used for the collection of recyclable materials. A mobile recycling unit also means the bins, boxes or containers transported by trucks, vans, or trailers, and used for the collection of recyclable materials.
g.
Supermarket is a full-service, self-service retail store with gross annual sales of two million dollars or more, and which sells a line of dry grocery, canned goods, or non-food items and some perishable items.
h.
Recyclable material means reusable material including but not limited to metals, glass, plastic containers, and paper, which are intended for reconstitution. Recyclable material does not include refuse or hazardous materials.
i.
Reverse vending machine means an automated mechanical device which accepts at least one or more types of empty beverage containers including, but not limited to, aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles, and issues a cash refund or a redeemable credit slip with a value not less than the container's redemption value as determined by the State. A reverse vending machine may sort and process containers mechanically provided that the entire process is enclosed within the machine.
4.
Reverse Vending Machines Regulations. Reverse vending machines are permitted as an accessory use in any commercial zoning district subject the development standards.
Development Standards.
a.
Shall be established in conjunction with an existing commercial use which complies with this Title along with building and fire codes of the City.
b.
Shall be located within thirty feet of the entrance to the commercial structure and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation.
c.
Shall not occupy no more than three parking spaces in the facility as required by Title 20, Chapter 20.13 for the primary business.
d.
Shall occupy no more than fifty square feet of floor area per installation, including any protective enclosure, and shall be no more than eight feet in height.
e.
Shall be constructed and maintained with durable, waterproof, and rustproof material.
f.
Shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material to be deposited, operating instructions, and the identity and phone number of the operator or responsible person to call for repair and ownership.
g.
Shall have a maximum sign area of four square feet per machine, exclusive of operating instructions.
h.
Shall be maintained in a clean, litter-free condition on a daily basis.
i.
The reverse vending machine shall be illuminated to ensure comfortable and safe operation, if the use and operating hours are between dusk and dawn.
j.
All machines shall be clean and not dented, bent or otherwise disfigured.
k.
A maximum of three reverse vending machines may be established in conjunction with an established primary commercial use.
5.
Permit Requirement by Type of Facility.
Table 5 a.
Type of Facility Zones Permitted Type of Permit Required Reverse Vending Machines All Commercial Zoning Districts (except DC) Site Plan Review (Administrative) Small Recycling Collection Facility Commercial Zoning Districts (except DC) Conditional Use Permit (Discretionary) Small Recycling Collection Facility Employment Zone (except CRC) Site Plan Review (Administrative) Large Recycling Collection Facility Employment Zone (except CRC) Site Plan Review (Administrative) Processing Facility Employment Zone (except CRC) Site Plan Review (Administrative) b.
The approval of any Recycling Facility will be subject to an eighteen-month Planning Commission review to ensure that the conditions of the project are being met and the use is not creating unforeseen impacts from the operation of the facility to adjacent properties. In addition, the Planning Commission at its discretion may add, modify, or remove conditions of approval of the permit. If no Planning Commission is seated, the 18 month review would be conducted by the City Council.
6.
Small Recycling Collection Facilities.
Development Standards.
a.
Small Recycling Collection Facilities. A small collection facility may be established with conditional use permit in General Commercial (GC) Zoning District except in the Downtown Commercial (DC) Zoning District. A small collection facility is a permitted use in the Industrial Zoning District subject to a Site Plan Review application.
b.
Shall be no larger or occupy no more than five hundred square feet of the site.
c.
Occupation of parking spaces by the facility and by the attendant may not reduce available parking spaces below the minimum number required for the primary land use.
d.
The Small Recycling Collection Facility is located in a convenience zone as designated by the California Department of Conservation.
e.
Small Recycling Collection Facilities in an Industrial Zoning (I) District shall be set back at least ten feet from any property line and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation and minimum fifty feet setback from land that is zoned, planned, or occupied for residential use.
f.
Small Recycling Collection Facilities in a commercial Zoning District (GC, NC or equivalent zoning district) shall be setback a minimum of fifty feet from a public right-of-way and minimum two hundred feet setback from land any residential use, child day care center, large and family day care homes, park and recreation facility, public or private school, or religious facility that existed before or currently exists near the establishment of the recycling facility.
g.
There shall be no more than one small recycling facility for each site.
h.
A small recycling collection facility shall not be the primary or singular use of the site.
i.
The minimum lot size for a small recycling center shall be one acre.
j.
Shall accept only glass, metals, plastic containers, papers, and reusable items.
k.
Shall use no power-driven processing equipment, except for reverse vending machines.
l.
Shall use containers that are:
(1)
Constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof material;
(2)
Covered when site is not attended and secured from unauthorized entry or removal of material; and
(3)
Of a capacity sufficient to accommodate materials collected in accord with a collection schedule.
m.
Shall store all recyclable material in containers or in a mobile unit vehicle, and shall not leave materials outside of containers when attendant is not present.
n.
Shall be maintained free of litter and any other undesirable materials. Mobile facilities, at which a truck or containers are removed at the end of each collection day, shall be swept at the end of each collection day.
o.
Shall not exceed noise levels of fifty-five dBA as measured at the property line of residentially zoned or occupied property, otherwise shall not exceed seventy dBA.
p.
Shall operate only during the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. when located within one hundred feet of a property zoned or occupied for residential use.
q.
Drive-through recycling facilities shall have driveways which shall provide for both ingress and egress. Consistent with city standards for commercial driveways, in all instances, driveways shall provide stacking space adequate for a minimum of six vehicles waiting for service. Each drive-through lane shall be separated from the area of vehicle circulation necessary for ingress and egress to any parking space. Each drive-through lane shall be striped, marked, or otherwise distinctly delineated.
r.
Shall locate containers for the twenty-four-hour donation of materials at least one hundred feet from any property zoned or occupied by residential use, unless there is a recognized service corridor and acoustical shielding between the containers and the residential use. All containers shall be painted and shall not be dented, bent or otherwise disfigured.
s.
Shall utilize clearly marked containers which identify the type of material which may be deposited; the facility shall be clearly marked to identify the name and telephone 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.
t.
When located within five hundred feet of property planned, zoned, or occupied for residential use, hours of operation shall not be between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The facility shall be administered by on-site personnel during the hours the facility is open.
u.
Shall be screened from public view by an existing building or in accordance with Section 20.10.90.2 — Fences and Walls.
v.
Site Cleanup Required. The operator of any recycling collection or processing facility shall, on a daily basis, remove all recyclable materials or solid wastes, which may have accumulated and/or are deposited outside the containers, bins, or enclosures intended as receptacles for such materials. Upon failure to remove said materials, the City may deem them to be abandoned and may enter the site to remove the materials. The property owner(s) of the premises and the operator of the facility shall be liable for the full cost of any such cleanup work done by the City.
w.
Signs may be provided as follows:
(1)
Small collection facilities may have a maximum of four identification signs each a maximum of twenty percent per side of the facility or a maximum of sixteen square feet, whichever is larger.
(2)
Directional signs, bearing no advertising message, may be installed to facilitate traffic circulation and/or if the facility is not visible from a public right-of-way.
(3)
Authorization by the Community Development Director to increase the number and size of signs upon finding that such an increase is compatible with adjacent businesses.
x.
The facility shall not reduce the landscaping areas which may be required by this Title for any concurrent use or under any permit or approval.
7.
Large Recycling Collection Facility.
Development Standards.
a.
A large recycling collection facility is a permitted use in the Industrial Zoning (I) District and subject to a Site Plan Review and applicable development standards.
b.
Large collection facilities shall comply with the provisions of the zone district in which it is located and with the following conditions.
c.
Facility shall be located an appropriate distance, as determined by the Planning Commission, from the property line of any lot zoned or planned for residential use.
d.
Drive-through recycling facilities shall have driveways which shall provide for both ingress and egress. Consistent with city standards for commercial driveways, in all instances, driveways shall provide stacking space adequate for a minimum of six vehicles waiting for service. Each drive-through lane shall be separated from the area of vehicle circulation necessary for ingress and egress to any parking space. Each drive-through lane shall be striped, marked, or otherwise distinctly delineated.
e.
Facility shall be screened from the public right-of-way by operating in an enclosed building or within an area enclosed by an opaque fence at least six feet in height with landscaping and shall meet all applicable noise standards in this Title.
f.
Setbacks and landscape requirements shall be those provided for the zone district in which the facility is located.
g.
Facility Storage.
(1)
All exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers that are covered, secured, and maintained in good condition.
(2)
Storage containers for flammable material shall be constructed of nonflammable material.
(3)
No storage excluding truck trailers and overseas containers shall be visible above the height of the fencing.
h.
The site shall be maintained free of litter and any other undesirable materials and shall be cleaned of loose debris on a daily basis.
i.
Space shall be provided on-site for six vehicles or the anticipated peak customer load, whichever is higher, to circulate and to deposit recyclable materials, except where the Community Development Director determines that allowing overflow traffic above six vehicles is compatible with the surrounding land uses.
j.
One parking space shall be provided for each commercial vehicle operated by the recycling facility. Parking requirements shall be as provided for in the zone district in which the facility is located, except that parking requirements for employees may be reduced when it can be shown that parking spaces are not necessary such as when employees are transported in a company vehicle to a work facility.
k.
Noise levels shall not exceed sixty-five dBA as measured at the property line of residentially zone property, and shall not exceed seventy dBA at any point on the property.
l.
If the facility is located within five hundred feet of property zoned, planned, or occupied for residential use, it shall not be in operation between the hours of seven o'clock p.m. and seven o'clock a.m.
m.
Any containers or enclosures provided for after-hours donation of recyclable materials shall be at least fifty feet from any property zoned, planned or occupied for residential use, shall be of sturdy, rustproof construction, shall have sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected, and shall be secured from unauthorized entry or removal of materials.
n.
Donation areas shall be kept free of litter and any other undesirable material and the containers shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material that may be deposited; the facility shall display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling containers.
o.
The facility shall be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation; identification and informational signs shall meet the standards of the zone district. Directional signs may be installed with the approval of the Community Development Director, if necessary to facilitate traffic circulation or if the facility is not visible from a public right-of-way.
p.
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 at the discretion of the Community Development Director if noise and other requirements are met.
q.
Site Cleanup Required. The operator of any recycling collection or processing facility shall, on a daily basis, remove all recyclable materials or solid wastes which may have accumulated and/or are deposited outside the containers, bins, or enclosures intended as receptacles for such materials. Upon failure to remove said materials, the City may deem them to be abandoned and may enter the site to remove the materials. The property owner(s) of the premises and the operator of the facility shall be liable for the full cost of any such cleanup work done by the City.
r.
Signs may be provided as follows:
(1)
Large Recycling Collection Facilities may have a maximum of four identification signs each a maximum of twenty percent per side of the facility or a maximum of sixteen square feet, whichever is larger.
(2)
Directional signs, bearing no advertising message, may be installed to facilitate traffic circulation and/or if the facility is not visible from a public right-of-way.
(3)
Authorization by the Community Development Director to increase the number and size of signs upon finding that such an increase is compatible with adjacent businesses.
8.
Processing Facilities.
Development Standards.
a.
A processing facility is a permitted use in the Industrial Zoning (I) District and subject to a Site Plan Review and applicable development standards.
b.
Processing facilities, both "Light" and "Heavy" as defined in the Definitions of this Title, when permitted, shall comply with the provisions of this Section in addition to the applicable provisions of the zone district in which the facility is located.
c.
The processing facility shall be located a minimum distance, to be determined by the Planning Commission, from property planned, zoned or occupied for residential use. All operations shall take place within a fully enclosed building or within an area enclosed by a solid wood or masonry fence at least six feet in height.
d.
Shall be screened from public view by an existing building or in accordance with Section 20.10.90.2 Fences and Walls.
e.
Drive-through recycling facilities shall have driveways which shall provide for both ingress and egress. Consistent with city standards for commercial driveways, in all instances, driveways shall provide stacking space adequate for a minimum of six vehicles waiting for service. Each drive-through lane shall be separated from the area of vehicle circulation necessary for ingress and egress to any parking space. Each drive-through lane shall be striped, marked, or otherwise distinctly delineated.
f.
Setbacks from property lines shall be those provided for the zoning district in which the facility is located, but, if the set back is less than twenty-five feet, the facility shall be buffered by a landscape strip at least ten feet wide along each property line.
g.
When located within five hundred feet of property planned, zoned, or occupied for residential use, hours of operation shall not be between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The facility shall be administered by on-site personnel during the hours the facility is open.
h.
Noise levels shall not exceed sixty-five dBA as measured at the property line of residentially zoned or occupied property, and shall not exceed seventy dBA at any point.
i.
Sign criteria shall be those specified in Chapter 20.14 (Sign Regulations) of this Title. In addition, the facility shall be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the facility operator and hours of operation.
j.
Shall be screened from public view by an existing building or in accordance with Section 20.10.90.2 Fences and Walls.
k.
Any containers or enclosures provided for after-hours donation of recyclable materials shall be at least fifty feet from any property zoned or occupied for residential use; shall be of sturdy, rustproof construction, shall have sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected, and shall be secured from unauthorized entry or removal of materials.
l.
The facility shall be administered by on-site personnel during hours of operation.
m.
Donation areas shall be kept free of litter and any other undesirable material. The containers shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material that may be deposited. Facility shall display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling containers.
n.
No dust, fumes, smoke, vibration, or odor above ambient level may be detectable on neighboring properties.
o.
Power-driven processing shall be permitted, provided all noise level requirements are met. Light processing facilities are limited to baling, briquetting, crushing, compacting, grinding, shredding and sorting or source-separating recyclable materials, and repairing of reusable materials.
p.
A light processing facility shall be no larger than forty-five thousand square feet and shall have no more than an average of two outbound truck shipments of material per day and may not shred, compact or bale ferrous metals other than food and beverage containers.
q.
A processing facility may accept used motor oil for recycling from the generator in accordance with Section 25250.11 of the California Health and Safety Code.
r.
All exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers or enclosures which are covered, secured, and maintained in good condition or may be baled or placed on pallets. Storage containers for flammable material shall be constructed of nonflammable material. Oil storage shall be in containers approved by the County Director of Environmental Health Services; no storage, excluding truck trailers and overseas containers, shall be visible above the height of the fencing.
s.
Site shall be maintained free of litter and any other undesirable materials, shall be cleaned of loose debris on a daily basis, and shall be secured from unauthorized entry and removal of materials when attendants are not present.
t.
Space shall be provided on-site for the anticipated peak load of customers to circulate, park and deposit recyclable materials. If the facility is open to the public, space shall be provided for a minimum of ten customers except where the Community Development Director determines that allowing overflow traffic above six vehicles is compatible with surrounding businesses and public safety.
u.
One parking space shall be provided for each commercial vehicle operated by the processing center. Parking requirements shall otherwise be as mandated by the zone district in which the facility is located.
v.
Site Cleanup Required. The operator of any recycling collection or processing facility shall, on a daily basis, remove all recyclable materials or solid wastes which may have accumulated and/or are deposited outside the containers, bins, or enclosures intended as receptacles for such materials. Upon failure to remove said materials, the City may deem them to be abandoned and may enter the site to remove the materials. The property owner(s) of the premises and the operator of the facility shall be liable for the full cost of any such cleanup work done by the City.
(Ord. No. 2008-1174, § 1(Exh. A), 5-5-2008; Ord. No. 2017-1294, § 1(Exh. 2), 11-20-2017)