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University City, MO
St. Louis County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[R.O. 2011 §8.44.010; Ord. No. 6208 §1(part), 1999]
For the purpose of this Chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meaning given herein:
COMPOST
The biological decomposition of organic constituents under controlled conditions.
DIRECTOR
The Director of the Department of Public Works and Parks.
YARD BY-PRODUCT
The source separated leaves, grass clippings, tree trimmings and limbs, yard and garden vegetation and Christmas trees.
YARD BY-PRODUCT COMPOST FACILITY
A non-residential premises which collects and/or accepts recovered yard by-product generated off site for the purpose of controlled biological decomposition.
[R.O. 2011 §8.44.020; Ord. No. 6208 §1 (part), 1999]
The purpose of this Chapter is to fully regulate all yard by-product compost facilities within the boundaries of the City. It is the intent of the City that such facilities be exempt from the provisions of Subchapter T, Sections 607.1005 through 607.1170 of the St. Louis County Revised Ordinances which pertain to yard by-product compost facilities.
[R.O. 2011 §8.44.030; Ord. No. 6208 §1(part), 1999]
This Chapter shall apply to all areas of yard by-product composting within the jurisdiction of the City, including the existing natural composting area located at Ruth Park, which was operational prior to the passage of the St. Louis County Ordinance No. 17291, Chapter 607.
[R.O. 2011 §8.44.040; Ord. No. 6208 §1(part), 1999]
A. 
The Director of Public Works and Parks is appointed to administer and implement the provisions of this Chapter. Duties and responsibilities of the Director shall include, but not be limited to:
1. 
Notifying the St. Louis County Department of Health Director of the City's adoption of regulations as strict as those stated in Subchapter T, Sections 607.1005 through 607.1170 of the St. Louis County Revised Ordinances that relate to the construction, operation and closure of a yard by-product compost facility in order to retain full regulatory authority over privately and municipally owned and/or operated yard by-product compost facilities within the City's boundaries; and supplying the Director with a copy of this Chapter;
2. 
Filing a statement with the St. Louis County Department of Health Director at least once per year registering each yard by-product compost facility regulated by the City. The statement shall contain the following information:
a. 
Volume of yard by-product in cubic yards received by the facility during the previous year,
b. 
Volume of end-use product produced.
[R.O. 2011 §8.44.050; Ord. No. 6208 §1(part), 1999]
A. 
The construction, operation and closure of a yard by-product facility shall be consistent with the provisions of this Chapter. Duties and responsibilities of the Director for yard by-product compost facility management shall include, but not be limited to:
1. 
Developing, reviewing and/or approving a plan for the construction and operation of a yard by-product compost facility which includes:
a. 
A description of the type of materials the yard by-product compost facility will accept,
b. 
The maximum storage capacity of material which will allow for proper management of the material,
c. 
The technology utilized to process and store the materials,
d. 
Drawings detailing the operation of the yard by-product compost facility,
e. 
Location of the nearest available water source,
f. 
A description of windrow construction (or other approved methodology) to achieve a marketable finished compost product,
g. 
A description of construction of processing and storage bases. Bases shall be designed to shed storm water and maintain integrity through continued use of heavy equipment.
2. 
Developing, reviewing and/or approving a closure plan for the facility consistent with Section 235.070 of this Chapter.
[R.O. 2011 §8.44.060; Ord. No. 6208 §1(part), 1999]
A. 
Yard by-product compost facilities within the jurisdiction of the City shall adhere to the following requirements:
1. 
A facility shall not accept material beyond that which can be properly managed;
2. 
Materials for composting shall be stored in a manner that will minimize the generation of odor and aesthetic problems, prevent spontaneous combustion and the harborage of vectors, and not create a public health nuisance;
3. 
Vector control programs shall be implemented to prevent or rectify vector problems;
4. 
Surface watercourses and runoff shall be diverted to storm sewers, detention ponds or other approved collection methods;
5. 
Materials easily moved by wind shall be stored in such a manner so as to prevent such material from becoming airborne and scattered;
6. 
Fire extinguishers shall be provided and accessible;
7. 
Persons not authorized shall not be permitted to remove or scavenge in the materials deposited at the facility;
8. 
Compliance with handling, storage and disposal requirements for materials regulated under Federal, State and/or local jurisdictions shall be met.
[R.O. 2011 §8.44.070; Ord. No. 6208 §1(part), 1999]
A. 
The director shall inspect the yard by-product compost areas when notified by an operator that a yard by-product compost facility area has been closed. The operator shall comply with the following:
1. 
Remove or cause to be removed all yard by-product material from the yard by-product compost facility site;
2. 
Restore the site by planting grass and trees as determined necessary by the City Forester;
3. 
Notify the Director in writing at least ninety (90) days prior to the closure date (the date in which material for composting will no longer be accepted);
4. 
At least thirty (30) days prior to the closure date, notify all regular suppliers and haulers of organic material (yard by-products and bulking agents) and regular recipients/customers of compost of its intent to close;
5. 
At least thirty (30) days prior to the closure date, post a legible sign with letters not less than three (3) inches in height which states the yard by-product compost facility's intent to close. The sign shall also state the final date any yard by-product or other organic materials used in the compost process will be received by the facility and the final date compost may be obtained from the facility. The sign shall be located at all facility access gates and shall be visible to all customers entering the facility;
6. 
Initiate implementation of the closure plan within ninety (90) days of the closure date;
7. 
Not later than thirty (30) days following the closure date, post a sign easily visible at all access gates leading into the facility. The text of such signs must read in letter not less than three (3) inches high: "This facility is closed for all composting activities and receipt of yard by-product. No dumping allowed. Violators are subject to fines and imprisonment in the University City Jail". Signs must be maintained in legible condition until certification of completion of closure is issued for the facility by the Director;
8. 
Unless otherwise authorized, within one hundred eighty (180) days of the closure date, final closure shall be completed;
9. 
A yard by-product compost facility shall be considered finally closed upon final inspection of the facility and certified closed by the Director. If determined that closure has complied with this closure plan, the Director shall, within thirty (30) days of the inspection date, issue written certification of such to the operator of the facility. This letter shall be sent as certified mail to the operator of the facility.