Light Manufacturing Definition

[ryancnunn]

Hi Everyone!

We have a business that does light manufacturing, looking to move into our commercial zone. We have been tasked to write a definition for light manufacturing and add the use to our commercial zone. Are there any suggestions you all have to help improve this proposed definition?

“MANUFACTURING, LIGHT: The assembly of materials entirely within enclosed buildings, with no significant noise, vibration, emissions, or other adverse impacts on nearby properties or uses. This includes the use of hand tools and 3D Printing equipment. Limited on-site storage of raw materials and finished goods is permitted, provided all storage occurs within enclosed structures. Goods may be finished or semi-finished for direct sale or used as components in other products.”

I appreciate any suggestions or other light manufacturing definition examples you can share.

[Nicole Masson]

Here are a couple of thoughts:

“MANUFACTURING, LIGHT: The assembly of materials entirely within enclosed buildings, with no significant noise, vibration, emissions, or other adverse impacts on nearby properties or uses (I’d suggest dropping the nearby properties part – the use needs to be free of all those impacts on its’ own accord, not just if it impacts others). This includes the use of hand tools and 3D Printing equipment (really not necessary – what happens inside, if kept inside, shouldn’t really matter). Limited(try to be more precise – “limited” is open to interpretation) on-site storage of raw materials and finished goods is permitted, provided all storage occurs within enclosed structures (are you allowing storage containers for the storage – if not, this would appear to allow them). Goods may be finished or semi-finished for direct sale or used as components in other products.”

If headed toward your commercial zone, do you want to include on-site sale requirements?  If this is anticipated for a non-city center area, it sounds ok, but probably not a great use in a city center without a retail component.

From John Janson

[Andy Hulka]

Here’s Salt Lake’s definition:

<span style=”color: #212529; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: justify;”>LIGHT MANUFACTURING: The assembly, fabrication or processing of goods and materials using processes that ordinarily do not create noise, smoke, fumes, odors, glare, or health or safety hazards outside of the building or lot where such assembly, fabrication or processing takes place or where such processes are housed entirely within a building. Light manufacturing generally includes processing and fabrication of finished products, predominantly from previously prepared materials, and includes processes which do not require extensive floor areas or land areas. The term “light manufacturing” shall include uses such as electronic equipment production and printing plants. The term “light manufacturing” shall not include any use which is otherwise listed specifically in the table of permitted and conditional uses for the category of zoning district or districts under this title.</span>

It might be useful to add the stuff about odors and health hazards to your definition, just in case. If your code doesn’t already address these elsewhere, you might also want to specifically prohibit other industrial uses with more negative impacts: hazardous waste storage, chemical/paint manufacturing, explosive/flammable materials manufacturing, medical waste incinerating, food processing/slaughterhouses, refineries, etc.

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