These provisions establish comprehensive standards to regulate the number, design, and location of off-street freight and equipment loading/unloading areas, in a manner which ensures the following:

(a)

Accessible, attractive, secure and well-maintained loading/unloading and delivery facilities.

(b)

Reduced potential for traffic congestion and hazards.

(c)

Protection for adjacent parcels and surrounding neighborhoods from the effects of vehicular noise and traffic generated from the anticipated land use.

(d)

Loading/unloading and delivery services in proportion to the needs generated by the proposed use(s) which are clearly compatible with adjacent parcels and the surrounding neighborhood.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)

Every nonresidential use shall have permanently maintained off-street loading/unloading areas pursuant to the following provisions.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)

(a)

Off-street freight and equipment loading/unloading spaces shall be provided for all offices, hospitals, institutions, hotels, senior group housing, schools, and other commercial and industrial land uses.

(b)

The following minimum number of loading/unloading spaces shall be provided for each use:

Requirements for uses not specifically listed shall be determined by the director based upon the requirements for comparable uses and upon the particular characteristics of the proposed use.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)

Off-street loading/unloading spaces shall be provided in the following manner:

(a)

Access. When the parcel upon which the loading/unloading space is located abuts an alley, the loading/unloading space shall have access from the alley.

(b)

Dimensions. Required freight and equipment loading/unloading spaces shall be not less than 15 feet in width, 50 feet in length, with 14 feet of vertical clearance.

(c)

Lighting. Loading/unloading areas shall have lighting capable of providing adequate illumination for security and safety. Lighting standards shall be energy-efficient and in scale with the height and use of the structure(s). Any illumination, including security lighting, shall be directed away from adjoining parcels and public rights-of-way.

(d)

Location. Freight and equipment loading/unloading spaces shall be located and designed as follows:

(1)

Adjacent to, or as close as possible to, the main structure, and limited to the rear two-thirds of the parcel.

(2)

Situated to ensure that the loading/unloading facility shall not be visible from any major public right-of-way.

(3)

Situated to ensure that all loading/unloading and unloading/unloading takes place on-site, and in no case within adjacent public rights-of-way, or other traffic areas on-site.

(4)

Situated to ensure that all vehicular maneuvers occur on-site.

(e)

Screening. All loading/unloading areas abutting residentially zoned parcels shall have a six-foot high solid architecturally treated decorative masonry wall, approved by the director, to properly screen the loading/unloading area(s). All wall treatments shall occur on both sides. In addition, adequate area shall be provided adjacent to public rights-of-way to accommodate a required three-foot high permanently maintained and irrigated landscaped berm.

(f)

Security. All loading/unloading facilities shall be designed, constructed and maintained with security as a priority to protect the safety of the users.

(g)

Striping. Loading/unloading areas shall be striped indicating the loading/unloading spaces and identifying the spaces for "loading only." The striping shall be permanently maintained in a clear and visible manner at all times.

(h)

Surfacing. Loading/unloading areas shall be surfaced with a minimum thickness of four inches of asphaltic concrete over a minimum thickness of six inches of an aggregate base material or an appropriate structural section to be approved by the city engineer.

(i)

Wheel stops/curbing. Continuous concrete curbing at least six inches high and six inches wide shall be provided for all loading/unloading spaces. Wheel stops shall not be used in lieu of curbing.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)

(a)

Passenger loading/unloading spaces shall be provided in addition to any required freight and equipment loading/unloading spaces whenever required by a planned development permit. Passenger loading/unloading spaces shall be not less than ten feet wide and 20 feet long, shall be located in close proximity to the structure entrance, and shall not require pedestrians to cross a driveway, parking aisle, alley, or street in order to reach the structure entrance. Required loading/unloading spaces shall not count as required parking spaces.

(b)

Accessible passenger drop-off and loading/unloading zones shall be provided in the following manner:

(1)

General. Where provided, one passenger drop-off and loading zones shall provide an access aisle at least 60 inches wide and 20 feet long adjacent and parallel to the vehicle pull-up space. Such zones shall be located on a surface with a slope not exceeding one vertical in 50 horizontal. If there are curbs between the access aisle and the vehicle pull-up space, a curb ramp shall be provided.

(2)

Vertical clearance. Provide a minimum vertical clearance of 114 inches at accessible loading/unloading zones and along at least one vehicle access out to such areas from site entrances and exits.

(3)

Valet parking. Valet parking facilities shall provide a passenger loading/unloading zone complying with above and shall be located on an accessible route to the entrance of the facility. The parking space requirements for accessible parking space design apply to facilities with valet parking.

(Ord. No. 98-193, §§ 1—4, 10-19-98)