Sec. 98-48.  M-1 First Industrial District.

(a)        Intent: This district is intended to accommodate those industries that do not generate great amounts of materials, noise, heat, or outside activity. Uses in this district conduct the vast majority of operations inside of buildings and are generally consistent with adjacent commercial districts. Typical uses in this district include metal fabrication, machining, mass production of assembled products and heavy service operations such as vehicle storage, material storage and the like. The regulation in this district are intended to establish adequate space and setbacks, parking, and loading, to create campus type industrial areas.

(b)        Uses: A building or premises in this zoning district shall be used only for the purposes shown in table 1.

(c)            Maximum height and area: All lots and structures shall comply with table 2, schedule of yards, lot dimensions, and building height/area requirements herein.

(d)            Parking: Off-street parking shall be provided in accordance with tables 3 and 4, herein and the regulations in article VIII.

(e)            Landscaping: Requirements for landscaping are found in chapter 90, article II "Landscaping" of the Code of Ordinances.

(f)        Signs: Signs in this district shall comply with the conditions of chapter 66 "Signs" of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Webster.

(g)        Special regulations: The following special regulations shall apply to structures located in this district:

(1)        All area and security lighting shall be located to minimize glare and be oriented to prevent illumination of adjoining properties.

(2)        No odors of any kind are detectable outside the building(s).

(3)        No emissions of any particulate matter, gas, fluid, or other substance regulated by either the state or the federal government, in any measurable amount using appropriate detection equipment, occur outside the confines of buildings or structures.

(h)       Special access restrictions adjacent to residential areas: When any use other than single-family residential occupies a lot across the street from land zoned for or used as single-family residential, and that use has access from another street which is not across the street from single-family residential property, no access to the property shall be permitted from the street on which the residential property is located.

(i)            Screening requirements:

(1)        All open storage of materials, vehicles, and equipment shall be enclosed by a screening device, at least six feet in height when viewed from the front of the building on the street which is the principal address of the use.

(2)        A masonry wall no less than eight feet nor more than ten feet in height shall be erected on the common property line and maintained by the owner of any lot in this district before any permitted use may be constructed or enlarged when the adjoining property is occupied or zoned for residential purposes.

(3)        Trash receptacles and dumpsters:

a.         Trash receptacles and dumpsters must be closed at all times except when loading garbage or refuse.

b.            Screening of trash receptacles and dumpsters is required only if they can be observed from a public street.

c.         A chain link fence is acceptable material in the screening of trash receptacles and dumpsters with the solid area equaling 75 percent of the wall surface.

d.         A screening device is necessary for all trash receptacles and dumpsters visible from a public street. If the opening of the trash receptacle or dumpster screening device is not visible from a public street, the three-sided trash receptacle or dumpster screening device is acceptable. If the opening of the trash receptacle or dumpster screening device is visible from the public street, gates shall be installed and kept closed.

e.         A trash receptacle or dumpster screening device shall be a three- to four-sided structure with a minimum opening width of ten feet. The height of the enclosure must be a minimum of six feet, but must be at least one foot taller than the trash receptacle or dumpster itself. The solid area must equal 75 percent of the wall surface, including gate or gates. The trash receptacle or dumpster screening device must be continually maintained.

f.          All new establishments and any establishment changing ownership with a food permit will be required to install drain(s).

(j)            Erection and maintenance of screening devices:

(1)        When a screening device is required under the terms of this chapter the user of the nonresidential property shall erect the required screening device, and the screening device shall be complete and in place before they may occupy the property.

(2)        All screening devices required in accordance with the terms of this chapter, or action of the city council, shall be perpetually maintained by the user of the property on which it is located.

(3)        A screening device shall be at least eight feet in height but shall not exceed ten feet in height, and all masonry walls of any height, must be approved by the zoning official prior to construction.

(k)            Sidewalks: Continuous sidewalks not less than four feet in width shall generally be provided along all public streets abutting any part of the lot or site. On the major thoroughfares of Interstate Highway 45, Nasa Road One, Bay Area Boulevard and FM 270, these sidewalks shall be no less than six feet in width.The sidewalks shall be designed and constructed in conformance with the city sidewalk design standards. Where existing sidewalks are less than six feet in width, the developer may match the existing sidewalk width, but in no case shall any sidewalk be less than four feet in width.