Borough of Hughesville, PA OFF-STREET PARKING, LOADING AND ACCESS DRIVES

[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 800; as amended by Ord. 6-2007, 10/8/2007]

In all districts, in accordance with every use, there shall be provided at the time any new building or structure is erected or any existing building is converted to a new use, or increased in capacity, off-street parking spaces in accordance with the requirements of this section. The facilities required herein shall be available throughout the hours of operation of the particular business or use for which they are provided.

All vehicle parking spaces shall contain a minimum of 180 square feet and shall have a width of not less than nine feet.

All parking spaces and parking areas shall be graded for proper drainage and shall be designed to provide for the orderly and safe parking or storage of vehicles. Parking areas proposed to serve fewer than five vehicles shall, at a minimum, be covered with compacted stone to provide a durable, dustless wearing surface. Parking areas proposed to serve five or more vehicles shall be surfaced with an asphalt, concrete, or other pavement approved by the Borough. All such uses shall be maintained in good condition by the property owner.

Off-street parking spaces for all residential uses shall be located on the same lot as the dwelling unit(s) to be served, either inside or outside of a building. Off-street parking for nonresidential uses may be located on a lot other than that containing the principal use, but shall be situated within 300 feet of the use being served. Such remote parking shall, however, remain under the control of the owner or operator of the use to which it is appurtenant.

Off-street parking spaces provided for all residential uses (except single-family dwellings) in the R-1, R-2, and C-1 Districts shall be situated in the rear yard of the property served. Where, however, no space is available at the rear of the property, such parking may be provided in a side yard. No parking shall be permitted in the front yard of such residential uses, except as may be authorized by the Borough Zoning Hearing Board.

Adequate provisions shall be made for ingress and egress to all parking spaces. Access to off-street parking areas shall be limited to a minimal number of well defined locations. In no case shall unrestricted access along the length of a street or alley upon which the parking abuts be permitted, except where the parking area is less than 35 feet in depth. (See also Subsection F below.) Parking areas shall be designed so there will be no need for motorists to back over public walkways or rights-of-way.

All off-street parking spaces and parking areas (except as provided in subsection (E) above and those associated with single family dwellings) shall be physically separated from the street or alley onto which they access by means of a curb, concrete or other acceptable parking barrier, or planted barrier strip in order to control traffic movements.

Any lighting which is used to illuminate off-street parking areas shall be mounted and shielded in such a manner to effectively eliminate direct glare on adjacent properties or upon public streets.

Provision of Spaces.

(1)

Off-street parking shall be provided as set forth in Table 1 below. In the case of any building, structure or premises, the use of which is not specifically mentioned herein, the provisions for a use so mentioned and to which said use is similar shall apply.

(2)

Applicants proposing new retail development in the C-2 Commercial District need not provide off-street parking spaces as required in Table 1 below but are encouraged to provide as many spaces as possible for their use(s). The Borough Council shall review each proposal in this district and ultimately determine the number of spaces that must be provided.

Due to the absence of available undeveloped space in the C-2 Commercial District, new uses or structures proposed in this zone need not provide off-street parking as required in Table 1. New businesses are however encouraged to provide as much off-street parking for their establishments as may be possible.

Table 1
Off-Street Parking Schedule
Use Classification			Spaces Required
Residential Uses
1.	Single- and two-family dwelling units (attached and detached)		2 for each dwelling unit
2.	Multifamily dwelling units, including conversion apartments		2 for each dwelling unit
3.	Mobile home parks		2 for each dwelling unit
4.	Accessory residential uses		2 for each dwelling unit
Institutional Uses
4.	Churches, social halls or similar places of public or private assembly		1 for each 4 seats, plus 1 for each employee
5.	Schools
	A.	Elementary schools	1 for each 2 classrooms, plus 1 for each employee
	B.	Middle or high schools or postsecondary education facilities	1 for each 4 seats of auditorium or gymnasium capacity, whichever is greater
6.	Nursing or personal care homes		1 for each 4 beds, plus 1 for each 2 employees
7.	Group homes		1 for each 2 residents, plus 1 employee space
8.	Day-care centers		1 for each 5 students/clients, plus 1 for each employee
Commercial/Retail Uses
9.	Retail stores or business establishments		1 for each 500 square feet of gross floor area
10.	Food markets or grocery stores		1 for each 200 square feet of gross floor area
11.	Convenience food markets		1 for each 100 square feet of gross floor area
12.	Restaurants and taverns		1 for each 3 customer seats, plus 1 for each employee
13.	Clubs, lodges and similar facilities		1 for each 100 square feet of gross floor area
14.	Professional offices and financial institutions		1 for each 250 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for each 2 employees
15.	Medical, dental or veterinary clinics or animal hospitals		3 for each doctor or physician's assistant, plus 1 for each 2 employees
16.	Motels, bed-and-breakfast establishments or other transient lodging facilities		1 for each guest room, plus 1 for each 2 employees
17.	Automotive repair garages or service stations		1 for each 300 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 for each employee
18.	Public entertainment facilities		1 for each 4 persons of total facility capacity
19.	Funeral facilities		1 for each 4 seats, with a minimum of 12 spaces
Industrial Uses
20.	Industrial operations, including warehouses		1 for each 2 employees in the maximum work shift
Recreational Uses
21.	Public, semipublic or private parks, playgrounds or recreational uses		1 for each 5 persons of total facility capacity
22.	Campgrounds		1 for each camping space, plus 1 additional space for each 5 camping spaces

§ 802 Off-Street Loading Requirements.

[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 801]

Off-street loading berths or spaces shall be provided in connection with every commercial, industrial or institutional building exceeding 6,000 square feet in gross floor area which requires the delivery or shipment of merchandise or materials. Such accommodations shall meet the following requirements:

Each off-street loading space or berth shall not be less than 12 feet in width, 50 feet in length, and shall have an overhead clearance of no less than 14 feet, exclusive of drives or maneuvering area. The loading area shall be entirely located on the lot being served, either inside or outside of a building, and shall be designed so that there will be no need for drivers to use or back over public walkways or rights-of-way.

All off-street loading spaces shall be physically separated from the street or alley onto which they access by means of a curb, concrete or other acceptable parking barrier, or planted barrier strip in order to control traffic movements.

Loading areas and spaces shall be constructed at grade level whenever possible. When necessary, ramps may be permitted, with a grade not exceeding 5% and protection against water impoundment or drifting snow.

The number of loading spaces required shall be as set forth in Table 2 below.

Table 2
Off-Street Loading Schedule
Gross Floor Area	Berths Required
6,000 to 10,000 square feet	One
10,001 to 50,000 square feet	Two
over 50,000 square feet	Two, plus one for each additional 50,000 square feet

§ 803 Driveways and Access Drives.

[Ord. 8-1994, 12/12/1994, § 802]

To minimize traffic congestion and control street access in the interest of public safety, and to encourage the appropriate development of street and road access, the following standards shall apply to the construction or creation of all new driveways or access drives:

Every building or lot shall have access to a public street or an approved private street. Where possible, all residential lots shall access onto a local street rather than a collector road. Access shall require a driveway or highway occupancy permit in accordance with PennDOT standards or Borough driveway requirements.

Except in the case of single and two-family dwellings, all driveways shall be designed so that there will be no need for motorists to back over public rights-of-way.

The number of driveways or access drives provided shall be the fewest required to adequately serve the needs of the abutting property. The total number of driveways or access drives shall not exceed two per lot, except where frontages of exceptional length occur. In cases where frontages are 50 feet or less, each lot shall be limited to one driveway or access drive.

A common driveway serving two adjoining lots may be permitted; provided, that the lot owners involved submit a mutually-acknowledged agreement subjecting said lots to such use to the Borough.

Driveways or access drives shall be constructed of a durable all-weather material and shall not exceed 35 feet in width, except as may be increased by curve radii.

Driveways and access drives should be located where street alignment and profiles are favorable, where there are no sharp curves or steep grades and where sight distance in conjunction with the driveway would be deemed enough not to jeopardize safe traffic operation.

Driveways or access drives shall not cross a street right-of-way line within:

(1)

Forty feet of the right-of-way line of an intersecting street.

(2)

Five feet of a fire hydrant, catch basin or drain inlet.

(3)

Ten feet of the property line of a commercial or industrial use.

Driveways and access drives shall be designed and constructed in such a manner to avoid impairing drainage within a street right-of-way or any adjacent area. Where determined necessary by Borough officials, a drainage pipe with a diameter of at least 15 inches shall be installed under the driveway or access drive by the property owner.

In addition to the standards set forth above, the driveway and access drive design guidelines contained in Table 3 shall be utilized to the greatest extent possible in the design and construction of such facilities.

Table 3
Driveway and Access Drive Design Guidelines
Type of Development	Min. Width	Max. Width[1]	Min. Curb Radius[2]	Min. Intervals[3]	Min. Sight Distance[4]
Single Unit Residential	10 feet	15%	10 feet	40 feet	150 feet
Multiunit Residential[5]	20 feet	12%	15 feet	40 feet	200 feet
Non-residential Uses	15 feet	8%	15 feet	40 feet	300 feet

[1]

Editor's Note: All driveways shall provide a stopping or leveling area having a grade less than or equal to 5% which extends 25 feet from the edge of the shoulder or curb of the intersecting street. This leveling area shall intersect the street at an angle of no less than 60°, preferably 90°.

[2]

Editor's Note: Where dropped curbs are to be used to provide driveway access, the minimum width of the dropped curb shall be 20 feet for single family residential uses and 35 feet for multiunit and nonresidential uses. The transition from the normal driveway width to the width of the dropped curb shall begin 10 feet back from the edge of the curb for single family residential and 15 feet back for multiunit and nonresidential uses.

[3]

Editor's Note: Minimum intervals for single family residential units shall apply between an intersection and the first driveway only. Minimum intervals for other types of uses shall be measured between any two points of access, including both driveways and public streets.

[4]

Editor's Note: Minimum sight distance shall be measured from the point of intersection of the driveway center line and the street right-of-way line to a point on the cartway center line. No significant obstructions or plantings measuring between 30 inches above road grade and eight feet above road grade shall be permitted in this area.

[5]

Editor's Note: For the purposes of driveway or access drive design, the multiunit residential design criteria shall be used for driveways or access drives serving five or more dwelling units.