Ordinance - 1902ORDINANCE NO. 1902
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CERTAIN
SECTIONS OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE,
• CHAPTER 26 (ZONING), AS IT RELATES TO
MATERIALS RECOVERY FACILITIES AND SOLID WASTE
TRANSFER AND PROCESSING FACILITIES (AMENDMENT
NO. 248)
WHEREAS, the California Integrated Waste Management Act of
1989 (AB939) requires every city and county in the state to prepare
a Source Reduction and Recycling Element ("SRRE") that identifies
how each jurisdiction will meet the mandatory waste diversion goals
of 25% by 1995, and 50% by 2000, set by the state; and,
WHEREAS, in compliance with AB939, the City of West Covina has
developed and is in the process of considering its Source Reduction
and Recycling Element; and,
WHEREAS, one of the proposed objectives of the SRRE is to
site and implement a materials recovery facility (if environmen-
tally, economically, and institutionally feasible) within the city
limits by no later than the middle of 1996; and,
WHEREAS, on September 18, 1991, the Planning Commission
adopted Resolution No. 9-91-3990, initiating an amendment to the
zoning code as it relates to establishing provisions and develop-
ment standards for materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and solid
waste transfer and processing stations ("transfer station"); and,
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission, upon giving the required
notice, did on the 13th day of January, the 17th day of March, and
the 13th day of April 1992, conduct a duly advertised public
hearing as prescribed by law; and
WHEREAS, based upon an initial study conducted for Amendment
No. 248, it. was determined that the project, in and of itself,
would not result in any potential adverse significant environmental
impacts, and a Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact was
prepared; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of West Covina consider-
ed evidence presented by the Planning Department, Planning
Commission, and other interested parties at a duly advertised
public hearing on the 19th of May, 1992; and
WHEREAS, the oral and documentary evidence considered in
connection with the code amendment reveal the following facts:
1. California is faced with diminishing landfill capacities
making it imperative to consider alternative waste
handling methods short of major changes in industry
practices and consumer habits.
2. The recycling of materials and diversion of solid wastes
from local landfills are viable ways of addressing such
diminishing capacities.
3. In order to appropriately and successfully plan for these
activities, adequate provisions and development standards
thereof must be developed.
4. As a major step in this direction, the city wishes to
establish provisions and development standards for
materials recovery facilities and solid waste transfer
and processing stations.
5. Said provisions and development standards shall be
incorporated with existing recycling provisions in the
zoning code in a manner which encourages an integrated
waste management approach and guarantees the protection
of surrounding developments.
6. Said provisions and development standards are consistent
with the goals and objectives of the city's General Plan.
• NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of West
Covina does ordain as follows:
SECTION NO. 1: Based on the evidence presented and findings set
forth, Amendment no. 248 is hereby approved as consistent an serves
to further implement the City's General Plan.
SECTION NO. 2: Based on the evidence presented and findings set
forth, Chapter 26 (Zoning) of the West Covina Municipal Code is
hereby amended to read as follows:
DIVISION 14. RECYCLING CENTERS/MATERIALS RECOVERY
FACILITIES/SOLID WASTE TRANSFER AND PROCESSING STATIONS
Sec. 26-685.90. Purpose.
The purpose of this division is to address the critical statewide
issue of diminishing landfill capacity. Consistent with the waste
diversion goals and objectives adopted as part of the city's Source
Reduction and Recycling Element, this division is intended to
conserve - to the extent possible - remaining landfill capacities,
by promoting an integrated waste management approach whereby each
waste stream is handled in the most efficient and environmentally
sound manner and providing the public with convenient recycling
and/or disposal alternatives. This division further seeks to
guarantee the adequacy of the site for the,proposed use and ensure
the protection of the surrounding properties through review and
consideration of physical design and compatibility with surrounding
properties.
Sec. 26-685.91. Definitions.
(a) "Composting" shall mean a method of waste treatment in which
organic solid wastes are biologically decomposed under controlled,
aerobic or anaerobic conditions.
(b) "Materials Recovery Facility" or "MRF" shall mean a permitted
solid waste facility where solid wastes or recyclable materials are
sorted or separated, by hand or by use of machinery, for the
purpose of recycling or composting.
(c) "Recyclable material" shall mean .reusable material, including,
but not limited to, metals, glass, plastic and paper, which may be
intended for reuse, remanufacture, or reconstitution. Recyclable
material does not include solid waste or. hazardous materials.
Recyclable material may include used motor oil collected and
transported in accordance with Sections 52250.11 and 25143.2(b)(4)
of the California Health and Safety Code.
(c) "Recycle" shall mean the process of collecting, sorting,
cleansing, treating, -and reconstituting materials that would
otherwise become solid waste, and returning them to the economic
mainstream in the form of raw material for new, reused, or
reconstituted products and not intended for disposal.
to .
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Ordinance No . 1902
Materials Recovery Facilities
Solid Waste Transfer & Processing Facilities
June 2, 1992 - Page 3
(d) "Recycling Center" as distinguished from a MRF shall mean a
facility for the collection and acceptance by donation, redemption
or purchase of recyclable materials. As used herein, such a
• facility does not occupy an area of more than five hundred (500)
square feet unless operated on the same site and in conjunction
with a materials, recovery facility or solid waste transfer station.
A recycling center does not include storage containers or
collection activity located on the premises of a residential,
commercial., or manufacturing use and is used solely for the
recycling of material generated by that residential property,
business or manufacturer and not held out for public use.
Recycling centers are further defined to include but are not
limited to these following specific types:
(1) "Buy Back Recycling Center" shall mean a recycling
facility which pays a fee for the delivery and transfer of
ownership to the .facility of source separated materials for
the purpose of recycling or composting.
(2) "Drop Off Center" shall mean a facility which accepts
delivery or transfer or ownership of source separated
materials for the purpose of recycling or composting without
paying a fee.
(3) "Mobile Recycling Unit" shall mean 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.
(4) "Reverse Vending Machine(s)" shall mean an automated
mechanical device which accepts at least one (1) 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.
(5) "Bulk Reverse Vending Machines" shall mean a reverse
vending machine that is larger than fifty (50) square feet, is
designed to accept more than one (1) container at a time, and
will pay by weight instead of by container.
(e) "Solid Waste Transfer or Processing Station" or "Transfer
Station" shall mean a facility as defined and permitted under state
law used by persons and route collection vehicles to deposit
collected solid waste from off -site into a larger transfer vehicle
including railroad cars for transport to a solid waste handling
facility. Transfer station may also include material recovery
facilities and recycling centers, except that permits shall be
required only as required by state law.
(f) "Solid Waste" shall mean all putrescible and nonputrescible
solid, semi -solid, and liquid wastes, including garbage, trash,
refuse, paper, rubbish, ashes, industrial wastes, demolition and
construction wastes, abandoned vehicles and parts thereof,
discarded home and industrial appliances, dewatered, treated, or
to chemically fixed sewage sludge which is not hazardous waste,
manure, vegetable or animal solid and semi -solid wastes, and other
discarded solid and semi -solid wastes.
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Ordinance No. 1902
Materials Recovery Facilities
Solid Waste Transfer & Processing Facilities
June 2, 1992 - Page 4
(g) "Source separated material" shall mean the segregation, by the
generator, of materials -designated for separate collection for some
form of materials recovery or special handling.
• Sec. 26-685.92. Permitted zones and required permit.
No person or entity shall be permitted to place, construct, or
operate a recycling center, materials recovery facility, and/or
solid waste transfer station without first obtaining a permit
pursuant to the provisions set forth in the following table. This
permit is in addition to and is intended to supplement that
required by state law in order to protect local health, safety and
welfare. Any business which wishes a land use permit must obtain
a business license.
City land use/
Type of Facility
Recycling Centers
Reverse Vending
Machine(s)/Bulk
Reverse Vending
Machine
Reverse Vending
Machine(s) located
within or under the
roof line of a
commercial structure
Zones Permitted
All industrial/
manufacturing and
commercial zones,
industrial/
manufacturing and
commercial specific
plan zones, all PCD-1
commercial areas
Same as above
and in multiple family
residential zones in
conjunction with a
multiple family deve-
lopment with an ap-
proved precise plan
Same as above and in
multiple family
residential zones in
conjunction with a
multiple family deve-
lopment with an ap-
proved precise plan
Permit Required
Unclassified Use Permit
Planning Director's
Modification (or
minor revision to site
plan approved by the
Planning Director)
No permit required in
commercial and indus-
trial zones. Planning
Director's Modification
in multiple family
residential zones
Materials Recovery All industrial/ Unclassified Use Permit
Facility manufacturing zones
including industrial/
manufacturing
specific plan zones
Solid Waste Transfer All industrial/ Unclassified Use Permit
and Processing Stations manufacturing zones
including industrial/
manufacturing
specific plan zones
Sec. 26-685.96. Development Standards.
The following development standards, in addition to the
requirements of the underlying zone, shall apply. Where the
following code provisions are in conflict with others, the stricter
requirements shall apply.
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Ordinance No. 1902
Materials Recovery Facilities
Solid Waste Transfer & Processing Facilities
June 2, 1992 - Page 5
(a) Recycling Centers.
• Unless otherwise noted, the following requirements apply to all
recycling centers:
(1) The center shall be established in conjunction with an
existing or planned commercial use, industrial use, multiple family
residential use or service facility (herein referred to as the
"host use") which is in compliance with the zoning, building, and
fire codes of the City of West Covina.
(2) The center shall be no larger than five hundred (500) square
feet, and occupy no more than five (5) parking spaces.
(3) The center shall be set back at least fifty (50) feet from a
right-of-way line, unless deemed adequately screened by the
planning commission, and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular
circulation.
(4) No power -driven processing equipment except for reverse
vending machines shall be employed.
(5) Containers shall be constructed and maintained with durable
waterproof, leakproof and rustproof material, covered and locked
when the center is not attended, secured from unauthorized entry or
removal of material, and shall be of a capacity sufficient to
accommodate the materials collected and the collection schedule.
(6) All recyclable material shall be stored in containers or in
the mobile unit vehicle, and no materials shall be left outside of
containers when attendant is not present.
(7) The facility shall. be maintained free of vermin, litter and
any other undesirable materials, and be swept at the end of each
collection day and cleaned weekly.
(8) Noise levels shall not exceed sixty (60) dBA as measured at
the property line of a residentially zoned or occupied site;
otherwise, noise levels shall not exceed seventy (70) dBA.
(9) Attended facilities located within one hundred (100) feet of
a site zoned or occupied for residential use shall operate only
during the hours between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
(10) Containers for twenty -four-hour drop off centers shall be at
least seventy-five (75) feet from any property zoned or occupied
for residential use, unless there is a recognized service corridor
and acoustical shielding between the containers and the residential
use.
(11) Containers shall be clearly marked to 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, and display a notice stating
that no material shall be left outside the containers. The
operator shall keep the area clean and free of litter, material or
debris.
(12) The facility shall not impair the landscaping required for
any concurrent use.
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Ordinance No. 1902
Materials Recovery Facilities
Solid Waste Transfer & Processing Facilities
June 2. 1992 - Page 6
(13) No additional parking spaces are required for customers of
the recycling center when located in an established parking lot of
the host use; one (1) space will provided for the attendant, if
• needed:
(14) Mobile recycling unit shall have an area clearly marked to
prohibit other vehicular parking during hours when the mobile unit
is scheduled to be present.
(15) 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 host use unless all of the
following conditions exist:
i. The facility is located in a convenience zone or a potential
convenience zone as designated by the California Department of
Conservation.
ii. A parking study shows that existing parking capacity is not
already fully utilized during the time the recycling facility
is in operation;
A reduction in available parking spaces in an established parking
facility may then be allowed as follows:
Number of Available Maximum
Parking Spaces Reduction
0-25 0
26-35 1
36-49 2
50-99 3
100-299 4
300- 5
(16) If the permit expires without renewal, the recycling facility
shall be removed from the site on the day following permit
expiration.
(17) A twelve -inch by twelve -inch sign which states the redemption
value offered shall be posted daily.
(b) Reverse vending machines.
(1) The machines shall be located within thirty (30) feet of the
entrance to the commercial structure, and shall not obstruct
pedestrian, handicapped or vehicular circulation.
(2) The machines shall not occupy parking spaces required by the
primary use.
(3) The machines shall occupy no more than fifty 50 square feet of
floor space per installation, including any protective enclosure,
and shall not be more than eight (8) feet in height.
(4) The machine shall be constructed and maintained with durable
waterproof material.
(5) Reverse vending machines 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 if the machine is inoperative.
(6) The machines shall be maintained in a clean, vermin free, and
litter free condition on a daily basis.
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Ordinance No. 1902
Materials Recovery Facilities
Solid Waste Transfer & Processing Facilities
June 2, 1992 - Page 7
(7) Operating hours shall be at least the operating hours of the
host use.
• (8) The machines shall be illuminated to ensure comfortable and
safe operation if operating hours are between dusk and dawn.
(9) A twelve -inch by twelve -inch sign which states the redemption
value offered shall be posted.
(10) Reverse vending machines do not require additional parking
spaces for recycling customers.
(c) Material Recycling Facilities and Solid Waste Transfer or
Processing Stations. These requirements are minimum local land use
requirements which supplement the requirements of state law
permits. Additional requirements may be required through the
unclassified use permit process.
(1) Site Location Criteria
(i) Said facilities shall not substantially increase vehicular
traffic nor existing noise levels in adjacent residential areas on
local residential streets or shall be mitigated.
(ii) Said facilities shall not substantially lessen the usability
and suitability of adjacent or nearby properties for their existing
use.
(iii) The site shall be served by an improved arterial street
adequate in width and pavement type to carry the quantity and type
of traffic generated by said use without significantly lowering the
existing level of service of that arterial.
(iv) The site shall be adequate in size and shape to accommodate
said use, and to accommodate all yards, walls, vehicular stacking,
parking, landscaping and other required improvements.
(2) Site development standards
(i) All buildings, structures or improvements shall meet the
setback requirements of the underlying zone. Setbacks may be used
only for the following purposes:
- Passage or temporary standing of automobiles
- Landscape areas
- Light poles and standards
(ii) All waste unloading, loading, and processing equipment and
activities shall be contained within an enclosed building with only
sufficient openings for ingress/egress of vehicles and ventilation.
(iii) Sufficient off-street parking shall be provided to
accommodate all company, employee and visitor vehicles on -site.
(iv) On site truck stacking and maneuvering area shall be
provided as necessary to accommodate the anticipated vehicular
usage of the facility, depending on the size and nature of the
facility. No truck stacking and maneuvering area shall be
permitted within the required front and street side yard setback,
and shall be completely screened by solid masonry walls not less
than 6 feet in height with appropriate landscaping and irrigation.
0306-92/C:CC/MRFORDA/em
Ordinance No. 1902
Materials Recovery Facilities
Solid Waste Transfer & Processing Facilities
June 2, 1992 - Page 8
(v) Any leachate and other liquid flow that may result shall be
contained on -site and disposed of through an on -site treatment
and/or sewer system to a regular or industrial sewer. Such
• leachate must also be handled pursuant to the requirements of the
Integrated Waste Management Board, Regional Water Quality Control
Board, and Los Angeles County Department of Health.
(vi) Average noise levels shall not exceed seventy (70) dBA as
measured at the property line of the facility in cases where any
abutting non -residentially zoned property is impacted, and sixty
(60) dBA as measured at the property line of the facility in cases
where any abutting residentially zoned property is impacted.
(vii) Adequate safety features (e.g. sprinkler systems, alarm
systems, materials screening program, emergency procedures) shall
at a minimum be incorporated into the design of the facility.
(viii) Adequate dust, odor and noise controls shall be
incorporated into the facility to minimize generation and off site
transmission of dust, odor and noise.
(ix) All materials stored outside shall either be in processed
bales or kept within storage bins constructed and maintained with
durable waterproof, leakproof and rustproof material, covered and
locked when the center is not attended, secured from unauthorized
entry and removal of material, and of a capacity sufficient to
accommodate the materials collected and the collection schedule.
(x) All lighting shall be focused and directed and so arranged
as to prevent glare or direct illumination on streets or adjoining
property.
(xi) The lighting system shall be so designed to produce. a
minimum maintained average lighting level of one -foot candle on the
entire facility's horizontal surface.
(xii) If the MRF/Transfer Station facility is located within
500 feet of property occupied by residential use, operating hours
of operation shall at a minimum be restricted to between 6:00 a.m.
and 8:00 p.m., and the average noise levels during this time shall
be in accordance with Section 1(vi) above. except for indoor
activities such as but not limited to dispatching of vehicles and
administration. Said hours may be extended for some or all
activities when appropriate mitigation measures and acceptable
noise performance standards during these extended operating hours,
as determined by the Planning Commission or Planning Director, are
in place.
(xiii) All open areas, other than landscaped planter beds, shall
be paved with not less than two and one-half inches of asphaltic
concrete or an equivalent surface meeting the established standards
and specifications of the Engineering Department, shall be graded
and drained so as to adequately dispose of all surface water and
shall be maintained in good repair at all times.
(xiv) No operating portion of the site shall be visible from
public view. This requirement may at a minimum be satisfied by a
solid masonry wall not less than six feet in height, landscaping,
existing topographic conditions, or a combination thereof.
(xv) A minimum of 20 foot wide planters shall be provided along
all street frontages except for driveway openings.
0306-92/C:CC/MRFORDA/em
Ordinance No . 1902
Materials Recovery Facilities
Solid Waste Transfer & Processing Facilities
June 2, 1992 - Page 9
(xvi) A daily cleaning program for floors, equipment and
facility buildings and grounds and ongoing maintenance program
shall be established to the approval of the West Covina Enforcement
• Waste Management Agency.
(xvii) Refuse shall be handled as quickly as,possible to avoid
long term exposure on -site
(xviii) All incoming or outgoing trucks shall be completely
enclosed or equipped with an impermeable tight fitting cover to
suppress odors and prevent spillage of materials.
(xix) No waste, trash except for separated recyclables, shall be
stored at the facility overnight for longer than 24 hours, unless
the facility is properly permitted to do so.
(xx) - Additional noise controls including use of the best
available noise. suppression and control technology shall be used if
necessary to achieve the established noise control performance
standards.
(xxi) - The facility operator shall prepare and implement a noise
monitoring and abatement program, which shall be approved by the
West Covina Enforcement Waste Management Agency. The program shall
monitor noise levels at the property line of at a minimum of three
sensitive receptor locations within the potential impact zone of
the project. If noise levels at these locations exceed performance
standards the operator shall notify the city within 24 hours and
institute additional noise reduction measures to bring noise
emanating from the facility into compliance with the standards
within thirty (30) days or otherwise seek city approval for a time
extension. Data from all noise monitoring activities are to be
recorded and made available for review by the city upon request.
(xxii) - The facility shall comply with Rule 402 of the South Coast
Air Quality Management District.
(xxiii) - Upon detection, extremely odorous loads entering the MRF
shall be transferred as soon as possible.
(1)(xxiv) - When necessary, the MRF operator shall treat wastes in
the MRF with odor suppressants to comply with the baseline odor
standards. A Certified Industrial Hygienist shall establish
baseline indoor odor standards and perform quarterly inspections to
monitor odor levels.
(xxv) - Additional odor controls including the best available odor
suppression technology shall be used if necessary to minimize the
release of fugitive odors.
(xxvi) - The facility operator shall prepare and implement a odor
monitoring and abatement program, which shall be approved by the
West Covina Enforcement Waste Management Agency. The program shall
ensure that odor levels within the facility are kept within the
baseline odor standards and that odors emanating from the facility
shall not exceed the odor detection thresholds at the facility's
boundary line. The program shall use the services of a Certified
Industrial Hygienist to monitor odor levels on a quarterly basis,
both within the facility and at a minimum of three sensitive
receptor locations within the potential impact zone of the project.
If odor levels at these monitoring locations exceed the odor
detection thresholds, the operator shall notify the city within 24
hours and institute additional odor reduction measures to meet the
specified odor performance standards. The facility operator shall
bring the odor level into compliance with the baseline odor
0306-92/C:CC/MRFORDA/em
Ordinance No. 1902
Materials Recovery Facilities
Solid Waste Transfer & Processing Facilities
June 2, 1992 - Page 10
standards within thirty (30) days, or shall otherwise request an
extension of time from the city in order to reach compliance. Data
from all odor monitoring activities are to be recorded and made
• available for review by the city upon request.
(3) Load Inspection Program
All material recovery facilities, solid waste transfer
stations or other solid waste management facilities will be
required to institute a Load Inspection Program (LIP) as part
of their daily operations. The requirements for the LIP are
as follows: The facility operator shall prepare and implement
a program for screening loads at the facility gate house, and
for checking loads at the facility building(s) and areas of
operation. The load inspection program shall include
inspection for hazardous wastes and other ineligible wastes,
and shall include procedures for their handling and disposal.
Specifics of the program will be submitted to the city in a
written report for their review and comment. The program
shall be approved by the West Covina Enforcement Waste
Management Agency.
Sec. 26-685.97. Signage.
(a) Reverse vending machines shall have a sign area of a maximum
of two (2) square feet per machine, exclusive of operating
instructions.
(b) Recycling centers may have signage provided as follows:
(1) Identification signs with a maximum of sixteen (16) square
feet, in addition to informational signs required by Section
26-685,66(b)(12).
(2) The signs must be consistent with the architectural style and
character of the host use.
3) Directional signs, bearing no advertising message, may be
installed on the site with the approval of the planning director,
if deemed to be necessary to facilitate traffic circulation, or if
the facility is not visible from the public right-of-way.
(c) Materials Recovery Facilities and Solid Waste Transfer or
Processing Stations shall have signs as provided for the zone in
which they are located.
SECTION NO. 4: The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this
ordinance and shall cause the same to be published as required by
law.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 2nd day of June, 1992
i
ATTEST: Mayor
City Clerk
0306-92/C:CC/MRFORDA/em
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Ordinance No. 1902
Materials Recovery Facilities
Solid Waste Transfer & Processing Facilities
June 2, 1992 - Page 11
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
• COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss
CITY OF WEST COVINA )
a -
I, JANET BERRY, City Clerk of the City of West Covina, do hereby
certify that the foregoing Ordinance No. was regularly
introduced and placed upon its first reading at a regular meeting
of the City Council on the 2nd day of June, 1992. That,
thereafter, said Ordinance was duly adopted and passed at a regular
meeting of the City Council on the& day of r /q9z
by the following vote, to -wit:
AYES: Manners, Jennings, Herfert, McFadden, Wong
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
off' gc�.r��aJ
City Atto ney
I
0306-92/C:CC/MRFORDA/em
City C erk
0
0
CERTIFICATION
I, JANET BERRY, Deputy City Clerk of the City of West Covina, State
• of California, do hereby certify that a true and accurate copy of
Ordinance No. MV was published, pursuant to law, in the San
Gabriel Valley Tribune, a newspaper of general circulation
published and circulated in the City of West Covina.
DATED:
a
�����Yr-tic�✓
Janet Berry, City Clerk
City of West Covina, California