§ 17.07.140. Performance standards—I zones.

A.

All ground mounted mechanical equipment, including heating and air conditioning units and trash receptacle areas, shall be completely screened from surrounding properties by use of a parapet, wall or fence, or shall be enclosed within a building. Exposed gutters, downspouts, vents, louvers, and other similar elements shall be painted to match the surface to which they are attached unless they are used as part of the design theme.

B.

All utility connections shall be designed to coordinate with the architectural elements of the site so as not to be exposed except where necessary. Pad mounted transformers and/or meter box locations shall be included in the site plan with an appropriate screening treatment. Power lines and overhead cable shall be installed undergrounding. In the case of power lines and overhead cable owner by Imperial Irrigation district, the planning commission shall have the authority to waive undergrounding requirements when the costs for undergrounding are found to be excessive.

C.

Lighting. Outdoor lighting shall be permitted so as to provide safe pedestrian and vehicular access and to provide security lighting in compliance with the following standards:

1.

Lights shall be used for the purpose of illumination only, and not designed for or used as an advertising display.

2.

Light fixtures shall be so designed and adjusted as to reflect light away from the following: any road or street: adjoining premises on which a dwelling is located: or land zoned for other than business or industrial uses.

3.

Light fixtures for any light source shall be shielded from above in such a manner that the edge of the shield is level with or below the bottom of the light source in order to minimize the direct emission of light above the horizontal. For the purposes of this section, the term light source shall include light-directing refractors and exclude incandescent lamps of two hundred watts or less and light produced directly by the combustion of natural gas or other fuels.

4.

No light or glare shall be transmitted or reflected in such concentrated quantities or intensities as to be detrimental or harmful to, or to interfere with, the use of surrounding properties or streets.

5.

Freestanding light posts located on projects which contain less than fifteen acres shall be no taller than thirty feet

D.

Electrical Disturbance, Heat and Cold, Glare. No use except a temporary construction operation shall be permitted which creates changes in temperature or direct glare, detectable by the human senses without the aid of instruments, beyond the boundaries of the site. No use shall be permitted which creates electrical disturbances that affect the operation of any equipment beyond the boundaries of the site.

E.

Fire and Explosion Hazard. All storage of and activities involving inflammable and explosive materials shall be provided with adequate safety and fire fighting devices to the specifications of the Uniform Fire Code and the fire chief. All incineration is prohibited. Adequate emergency sprinklers and smoke detectors shall be installed in all new construction and upon expansion or change of an existing use.

F.

Noise. No use except a temporary construction operation shall be permitted which creates noise level which exceeds five decibels (as defined in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970) above the ambient level of the area measured at the property line.

G.

Odor. No use shall be permitted which creates odor in such quantities as to be readily detectable beyond the boundaries of the site.

H.

Radioactivity. In all I zones, the use of radioactive materials shall be limited to measuring, gauging, calibration devices, and medical x-ray diagnostic equipment except for trucking companies which comply with the regulations of the federal government regarding such materials.

I.

Vibration. No use except a temporary construction operation shall be permitted which generates inherent and recurrent ground vibration perceptible without instruments at the boundary of the lot on which the use is located.

J.

In any I zone the conversion of a project to condominium ownership shall meet all the requirements of the zone to the maximum extent possible within the constraints of the existing development. In no case shall the requirements of the fire code, sign ordinance, and screening standards be waived. Specific city council waiver shall be required where the zone requirements except as noted herein, cannot be met.

K.

Air Pollution. There shall be no emission on any site, for more than one minute in any hour, of air contaminants which, at the emission point or within a reasonable distance of the emissions point, are as dark or darker in shade as that designated as No. 1 on the Ringelman Chart as published in the United States Bureau of Mines Information Circular 7718.

L.

Testing. Whenever there is a question of conformance with the performance standards of this section, the planning director shall require the property owner or operator to engage the services of a certified testing firm. Copies of all such tests shall be furnished to the planning director.

M.

Energy Conservation. Buildings shall be located on the site to provide adjacent buildings adequate sunlight for solar access. All buildings shall meet the requirements of Title 24 of the California Building Code and submit calculations to receive a building permit.

(1992 zoning ord. (part))

(Ord. No. 1173, § 3, 10-12-16)