AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE FLEET SERVICES
PROPOSED POLICY FRAMEWORK
INTRODUCTION
The intent of this policy framework is to establish a new land use classification with standards and approval procedures for autonomous vehicle fleet services that typically include vehicle charging in conjunction with light cleaning and maintenance activi ties on a 24-hour basis. The intent is to enable autonomous vehicle fleet services to coexist in proximity with residential uses within all mixed-use zones, given that there are no longer any commercial -only zones within the City. This new classification is not intended to include facilities with electric vehicle charging only.
NEW USE DEFINITION
• Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Fleet Services – Passenger transportation services, local delivery services, and other businesses that rely on fleets of five or more autonomous vehicles (AVs), as defined by California Vehicle Code Section 38750. This addresses the following activities for AVs, including, but not limited to, storage, cleaning, software servicing, vehicle mainten ance/servicing, and offices. It does not include charging only facilities ; however, facilities with e lectrical charging are not exempt from this classification solely because electric vehicle charging occurs on site. • Additional vehicle services including, but not limited to Accessories Installation, Car Washes (not including hand washing and handheld vacuuming), Maintenance/Repair, Impounding/Storage, Paint/ Body Work, are not included in this classification , and shall be subject to the permit requirements in C ulver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section
17.220.015.
PERMITTED LOCATIONS
• Permitted
o In Mixed Use Zones (MU-1, MU-2, MU-I, MU-MD, and MU-HD) subject to codified Performance Standards.
o Performance Standards may be modified through an Administrative Use Permit (AUP) pursuant to CCMC Section 17.530.
• Not Permitted
o In Residential Zones (R1, R2, RLD, RMD, RHD),
o On portions of lots within 100 feet of Residential Zones , unless located inside enclosed structures designed to attenuate noise and light impacts . o In the Mixed Use – Neighborhood (MU-N) or the Mixed Use – Downtown (MU-DT) Zones, unless located inside enclosed structures designed to attenuate noise and light impacts .
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE FLEET SERVICES
PROPOSED POLICY FRAMEWORK
o On parcels abutting and sharing common street /alley frontage with hospitals, fire stations, police and highway patrol stations.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
Site Access and Circulation
• A minimum 11-foot clear travel lane width shall be maintained at all times in public rights-of-way adjacent to the site to ensure that emergency or essential services , including access to designated bus stops and ADA accessible facilities , are not obstructed by vehicle queuing, staging or idling in the public right -of-way. • Adequate clearance , circulation , and maneuvering of vehicles , including emergency vehicles when on-site access is required, shall be designed in compliance with California Fire Code § 503.
• Towing, loading, and delivery of AV fleet vehicles shall not take place between the hours of 10pm and 7am, unless required for emergency purposes. Emergencies include blocking of the right-of-way, site entrances or drive-aisles by stalled vehicles , or inoperable on-site vehicles that pose a n imminent threat to public health or safety.
Emergencies do not include vehicle supply/demand mismatches that may occur during night-time hours.
Parking Design and Layout
• All AV Fleet Service parking facilities shall comply with the requirements of CCMC Section 17.32 0.035 (Parking Design and Layout Guidelines ), and Section 17.320.040 (Driveway and Site Access Standards), unless exempted by State law. • Alternative parking design and layout standards may be approved through an AUP process.
Lighting and Noise Attenuation
• Pursuant to CCMC Section 17.300.040 (Outdoor lighting), all exterior light sources shall be shielded and/or recessed to ensure that direct glare and reflections are confined to the maximum extent feasible within the boundaries of the site and shall be dire cted downward and away from adjoining properties and public rights -of-way. • AV Fleet Service sites shall be screened to block lighting and attenuate noise generated by on-site AVs and ancillary uses with the following:
o A six-foot tall wrought iron fenc e around the perimeter of the site, combined with a landscaped planting strip between the fence and parking area with a minimum width of two feet (inside dimension).
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE FLEET SERVICES
PROPOSED POLICY FRAMEWORK
o Plant materials shall be selected to provide a minimum height of 36 inches at time of planting to block lighting and support noise attenuation . o Alternative materials that achieve an equivalent level of light and noise attenuation may be approved by the Director.
• Pursuant to the Culver City General Plan Noise Element and CCMC Chapter 9.07:
Noise Regulation, all operations shall comply with all applicable City noise regulations and shall be operated in a manner that minimizes noise impacts on surrounding properties.
• Noise generating activities such as vacuuming (without silencers) , vehicle repairs, tire filling/changing (using noise-generating equipment), and amplified sounds are not permitted between the hours of 10pm and 7am, unless they occur within an enclosed structure designed to attenuate sound .
Operational and Site Maintenance Standards
• All outdoor/open storage of materials shall be limited to a maximum area of 300 square feet and shall be enclosed by a six -foot-high, solid decorative masonry wall, subject to the approval of the Director.
• A refuse storage area, completely enclosed with a masonry wall not less than five -feet- high, with a solid gated opening, and large enough to accommodate standard -sized commercial trash bins, shall be located to be accessible to refuse collection vehicles. • On-site utilities must comply with the location and screening requirements of CCMC Section 17.300.035, to address health and safety impacts as permitted by State Law.
On-Site Personnel and Emergency Contact
• A minimum of one on-site staff person is required during all hours of operation. • A 24-hour emergency operator contact phone number with authority to address on -site emergencies shall be posted on site within public view.
ADMINISTRATIVE USE PERMIT (AUP)
• In accordance with the provisions of CCMC Chapter 17.530, an Administrative Use Permit may be sought for any alternative objective performance standards , subject to conditions of approval.
• Required Findings:
o Modified or alternative performance standards must provide an equivalent level of protection against health and safety impacts and must not create conflicts with emergency access routes for hospitals, fire stations, police and highway patrol stations, or other public safety uses.
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE FLEET SERVICES
PROPOSED POLICY FRAMEWORK
o Additionally, findings must be made for Administrative Use Permits as listed under CCMC Section 17.530.020 - Findings and Decision s. • AUP Decision letter s are posted on the City website and subject to appeal to the Planning Commission within 15 days.