§ 40-875. Minimum design requirements.

The following minimum design requirements shall be adhered to and demonstrated with the submission of appropriate plans and specifications during the site and design plan approval process (article XI of this chapter) and development permitting (article XII of this chapter):

(1)

Paving; variations. Parking and loading areas shall be paved with concrete, asphaltic concrete or asphalt, unless the Planning Commission via the site and design plan approval process (see article XI of this chapter) specifically approves another dust-free surface material be substituted in lieu of such paving. Porous pavement parking spaces and grass pavers may be substituted for standard dust free pavements subject to the approval of the City Engineer. Aggregate (gravel) surface may be considered appropriate in agricultural and rural areas. Water quality considerations and the character of the district in which the parking lot is proposed to be constructed may be considered by the Planning Commission in modifying parking lot pavement requirements during the required site and design approval process.

(2)

Curbing and drainage. Parking and loading areas shall be properly graded if necessary but in all cases drained so as to prevent damage to abutting properties or public streets. Water quality effectiveness and character of the zoning district shall be considerations in determining curbing requirements by the Planning Commission via the site and design approval process (see article XI of this chapter).

(3)

Circulation. Dead-end parking areas shall be prohibited unless design conditions prevent a connected design, and they can only be used if 90-degree parking design is used.

(4)   

Minimum parking space width. Off-street parking spaces shall be a minimum of ten feet in width.

(5)

Minimum parking space length. Off-street parking spaces shall be a minimum of 20 feet in length except where compact parking is authorized by the Zoning Administrator, in which case parking space lengths can be reduced to 16 feet.

(6)

Minimum aisle length. Parking driveway maneuvering aisle width requirements vary according to the width and length of parking spaces and the angle of parking. For a single row of 90-degree head-in parking, the minimum depth for a parking space plus the width of the aisle shall be 42 feet. For two rows of 90-degree head-in parking using the same aisle, the minimum depth for parking spaces plus the width of the aisle shall be 60 feet for ten-foot wide spaces (measured from back of curb to back of curb).

(7)

Compact auto parking. Compact parking spaces may be used in parking areas when more than 20 parking spaces are required, provided that the areas for compact parking are clearly marked and not more than 20 percent of the number of parking spaces provided in the entire parking area is designated compact auto parking.

(8)

Angled parking. The Planning Commission may authorize parking lot designs that utilize 75-, 60-, and 45-degree-angled parking spaces with one-way or two-way aisles. If such angled parking is used, parking lots shall comply with acceptable parking dimensional standards for aisle widths as specified by the Institute of Transportation Engineers or other reputable source approved by the Planning Commission.

(9)

Maximum aisle length. Parking aisle length shall not exceed 100 feet without a break for circulation.

(10)   

Landscaped divider. One landscaped divider (i.e., planted area within in between and separating the vehicle parking spaces fronting one another) with a minimum width of nine feet shall be provided for every third parking aisle in a parking lot; provided, however, that the Planning Commission may vary this requirement via the site and design plan approval process in cases of short parking aisles or where alternative designs prevent random maneuvers which can endanger pedestrians.

(11)

Lighting. Parking areas shall be appropriately lighted unless the Planning Commission via site and design plan approval determines that lighting would be incompatible with abutting properties. Lighting shall not create safety hazard, public nuisance, or other forms of light pollution, and shall minimize impact on natural darkness beyond the perimeter and above the site. Where lighting of parking lots is required or provided, light poles should be located in landscaped planter strips. Where this cannot be accomplished, light poles must be placed on a reinforced concrete pedestal to protect them from damage or being knocked over.

(12)

Landscaping. Parking lots shall meet the requirements for parking lot landscaping as specified in the city tree ordinance (chapter 38), as well as tree maintenance guidelines and standards, as applicable.

(13)

Signage. Where needed to promote proper circulation within off-street parking areas, directional signs shall be placed in appropriate locations as specified by the Planning Commission via site and design plan approval or the Zoning Administrator via development permit approval or parking plan approval.

(Code 1997, § 40-1411; Ord. of 2-6-2012, § 1(40-1411))