Cookeville City Council will consider making changes to the city’s dumpster requirements after discussions at a Monday work session.
The amendments consist of adding dimensions, new inspection requirements, and requiring all dumpsters be screened to prevent trash from blowing out. Screen materials must be block/brick or a wooden privacy fence. Community Development Director Jon Ward also said there are some changes to the dumpster construction requirements.
“So we are adding an eight-inch minimum base stone under the required pad,” Ward said. “That wasn’t clarified in the previous dumpster detail. We are adding some language about installing rods on the inside of gates and bore holes in concrete to secure doors.”
Ward also said approved alternative solutions regarding dumpster gates approved by Public Works is being added to the code. Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said that part of the ordinance hopes to correct issues with construction of these structures.
“Constant questions, and constant being built wrong, and having to make contractors take it out and redo it,” Elrod said. “And so it’s not adding any more hardships on a contractor, it’s just clarifying so it gets built properly the first time.”
The council asked Ward about dumpster walkways. Ward said he doesn’t believe the city would reject a dumpster walkway.
“We’ve seen those walkways, we’ve just not added that to the standard detail, but we’ve had some that are approved that have that offset,” Ward said. “As long as the interior clearances are met, because that is what is important for Public Works in trying to pick these things up and have room to maneuver the trucks in and out and get a hold of the dumpsters.”
City Manager James Mills said dumpsters are the most amended portion of the city’s zoning code. The dumpster requirement changes came from the city’s planning commission.
The City Council will vote on first reading on Thursday at 5pm.