Article 6.3 Parking and Loading

To ensure that adequate parking spaces are provided in relation to development sites at time of development so that parking does not overflow onto adjoining streets which may not be designed to handle it.

LOADING AND UNLOADING AREA

To ensure that accommodation is made for bicycle parking.

Definitions. Unless otherwise specifically provided or unless clearly required by the context, the words and phrases defined below shall have the meaning indicated when used in this article:

CIRCULATION AREA

That portion of the vehicle accommodation area used for access to parking or loading areas or other facilities on the lot. Essentially, driveways and other maneuvering areas (other than parking aisles and parking spaces) comprise the circulation area.

COMMUNITY GARAGE

A bank of one-story garages, not more than six in number, with a maximum of 280 square feet each. Access by a common means accessory to an existing structure to be used for residential storage only.

DRIVEWAY

That portion of the vehicle accommodation area that consists of a travel lane bounded on either side by an area that is not part of the vehicle accommodation area.

GROSS FLOOR AREA (GFA)

The total area of a building measured by taking the outside dimensions of the building, including any attached structures or outside dining areas, at each floor level intended for occupancy or storage.

The portion of the vehicle accommodation area used for off-street loading and unloading to accommodate the delivery/shipment process and other normal daily operations.

PARKING AREA AISLES

The portion of the vehicle accommodation area consisting of lanes providing access to parking spaces.

PARKING SPACE

A portion of the vehicle accommodation area set for the parking of one vehicle.

SATELLITE PARKING

The number of off-street parking spaces required by this chapter that cannot be provided on the same lot where the principal use associated with these parking spaces is located.

VEHICLE ACCOMMODATION AREA

That portion of a lot that is used by vehicles for access, circulation, parking, and loading and unloading. It comprises the total of circulation areas, loading and unloading areas, and parking areas (spaces and aisles).

§ 120-6.3.2 Off-street parking required.

[Amended 1-28-2019 by Ord. No. 1.14.2019.A]

Schedule of required parking.

In all districts, space for parking vehicles shall be provided in accordance with the Schedule of Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements by Land Use set forth in Table 4 of this chapter.

Subject to approval by the Planning Commission, off-street parking requirements may be varied or modified within the Historic District and for designated historic sites without adherence to § 120-6.3.3 of this chapter.

The Town recognizes that the table of parking requirements set forth in Table 4 cannot and does not cover every possible situation that may arise. Therefore, in cases not specifically covered, the permit-issuing authority is authorized to determine the parking requirements using this table as a guide.

If minimum parking requirements cannot be met an applicant may request mitigation to obtain a permit for the required number of spaces. The Planning Commission may choose to recommend the applicant pay a parking mitigation fee or provide for other mitigation as the Commission deems appropriate.

A parking space for which a fee is required to be paid in order to park may not be used to satisfy the minimum required parking spaces set forth in Table 4.

Table 4 Schedule of Minimum Off-Street Parking Requirements by Land Use
Use	Minimum Required Parking Spaces
Residential
Single-family residential; detached	2 per dwelling unit
Single-family residential; attached	2 per dwelling unit
Two-family, duplex	2 per dwelling unit
Accessory apartment	1 per dwelling unit
Multifamily dwelling	1.5 per dwelling unit
Boarders in residence	1 per boarder, plus residential requirement
Group home, halfway house	1 per staff, plus 1 per 2 residents
Boardinghouse	1 per unit, plus residential requirement
Intermediate care institutions	*
Day care home	1 per staff, plus residential requirement
Day-care center, day nursery (30 or fewer people)	3 per classroom
Homeless shelter	*
Bed-and-breakfast, country inn	1 per unit, plus residential requirement
Home occupations	1 per employed nonresident, plus residential requirement
Home occupations, such as physician, dentist	2 per doctor, plus residential requirement
Institutional
Schools; elementary, secondary, trade and vocational college	*
Studios for instruction in dance, art, music, similar	1 per 5 students
Churches and other buildings for religious assembly	1 per 4 seats in main assembly hall
Monasteries, convents	1 per 6 seats in main assembly hall
Lodges, clubs, fraternal organizations	*
Nursery schools, day-care centers (with more than 30 people)	3 per classroom
Libraries, other public administrative and cultural buildings	*
Cemeteries	*
Hospitals, medical clinics, and similar centers in excess of 10,000 square feet	*
Nursing care institutions, child-care institutions	1 per staff, plus 1 per 5 residents
Public or nonprofit park and/or recreational area	**
Commercial
Artist, photographer galleries, studios	1 per 500 square feet of gross floor area
Retail shops, including service/repair such as clock or jewelry repair	1 per 350 square feet of gross floor area
Convenience, grocery, department, variety, hardware, dry goods stores	1 per 300 square feet of gross floor area
Hotels, motels	1 per unit, plus 1 per staff
Personal service shops, barber, salons, shoe repair, dry cleaning	1 per 250 square feet of gross floor area
Personal services such as health and fitness center, spa	1 per 300 square feet of gross floor area
Computer repair shop, small appliance repair, similar	1 per 400 square feet of gross floor area
Banks and financial institutions	1 per 300 square feet of gross floor area
Places of indoor amusements, movie cinema, theater	1 per 4 seats
Professional office	2 per professional
Medical or dental office, clinic or center under 10,000 square feet	1 per 250 square feet of gross floor area
Business offices, including finance, insurance, real estate	1 per 400 square feet of gross floor area
Business services, plumbing shops, contractor shops	1 per staff
Building materials, lumberyards, boat and heavy equipment	*
Restaurants, standard	2 per 200 square feet of gross floor area, plus 1 per 5 seats
Restaurants, fast-food, drive-thru	1 per 250 square feet of gross floor area
Pubs, taverns, nightclubs, dance halls	1 per 250 square feet of gross floor area
Resorts	**
Shopping center	**
Small-scale manufacturing and assembly uses, warehousing	1 per staff
Animal hospital, veterinarian clinic	1.5 per exam room
Kennel/cattery	1 per staff
Funeral parlor	1 per 4 seats in chapel
Marina	0.5 per boat slip
Nursery for plants, greenhouses	*
Private outdoor amusement/recreational activities	**
Filling station, service stations, automotive repair, full-service garage	1 per pump, plus 1 per service bay, plus 1 per staff
Motor vehicle sales, rental, service	1 per 300 square feet of gross floor area
Automotive body shop	1 per service bay, plus 1 per staff
Miscellaneous
Public utility building/facility	*
Temporary buildings incidental to construction	**
Festivals, events of public interest, special events, occasional, outdoor	**

*	Minimum parking shall be 1 space per staff plus spaces in number as determined by the Town approving authority to serve the visiting resident public.
**	Minimum parking shall be established by the Town approving authority upon review and approval of a site plan and/or zoning permit.

Parking space dimensions.

Subject to Subsection B(2) and (3), each parking space shall contain a rectangular area at least 18 feet long and 10 feet wide. Lines demarcating parking spaces may be drawn at various angles in relation to curbs or aisles, so long as the parking spaces so created contain within them the rectangular area required by this section.

Wherever parking areas consist of spaces set aside for parallel parking, the dimensions of such parking spaces shall be not less than 23 feet by nine feet. Parallel parking spaces in the Historic Area District may be less than 23 feet by nine feet.

Each handicapped parking space shall meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.

Minimum parking space area.

An off-street parking space shall comprise not less than 18 feet long and 10 feet wide per angled parking stall and 23 feet long by nine feet wide per parallel parking stall plus necessary maneuvering space.

Space for maneuvering incidental to parking or unparking shall not encroach upon any public right-of-way.

Required widths of parking area aisles and driveways.

Parking area aisle widths shall conform to the following table, which varies the width requirement according to the angle of parking:

	Parking Angle
Aisle Width (feet)	0°	30°	45°	60°	90°
One-way traffic	15	15	16	18	24
Two-way traffic	22	22	22	23	24

Driveways shall not be less than 10 feet or exceed 15 feet in width for one-way traffic and not be less than 18 feet or exceed 30 feet in width for two-way traffic, except that ten-foot-wide driveways are permissible for two-way traffic when:

(a)

The driveway is no longer than 50 feet;

(b)

It provides access to not more than six spaces; and

(c)

Sufficient turning space is provided so that vehicles need not back into a public street.

General design requirement.

Unless no other practicable alternative is available, vehicle accommodation areas shall be designed so that, without resorting to extraordinary movements, vehicles may exit such areas without backing onto a public street. This requirement does not apply to parking areas consisting of driveways that serve one or two dwelling units, although backing onto arterial streets is discouraged. Exits from parking lots shall be configured to avoid being directly across from a residential driveway, residence, or commercial driveway unless necessary.

Vehicle accommodation areas of all development shall be designed so that sanitation, emergency, and other public service vehicles can serve such developments without the necessity of backing unreasonable distances or making other dangerous or hazardous turning movements.

Every vehicle accommodation area shall be designed so that vehicles cannot extend beyond the perimeter of such area onto adjacent properties or public rights-of-way. Such areas shall also be designed so that vehicles do not extend over sidewalks or tend to bump against or damage any wall, vegetation, or other obstruction. In order to reduce glare of headlights, parking spaces located along a property line should be positioned to avoid parked vehicles facing directly into a street or residence by using parallel parking along the adjoining property line.

Circulation areas shall be designed so that vehicles can proceed safely without posing a danger to pedestrians or other vehicles and without interfering with parking areas. In parking lots over 50 spaces, landscaped pedestrian walkways are required to provide safe passage through parking lots to an exit or street sidewalk. Such walkways are to be installed from the rear of the parking lot to an exit or street. (Refer to Illustration 3.)

Any lighting used to illuminate off-street parking areas shall be arranged so as to reflect away from any adjoining residential zone or uses and any public or private right-of-way.

A sight triangle shall be observed within a triangle formed by the intersection of the street lines and points on the street line 25 feet from the intersection at all street intersections or intersections of driveways with streets.

(7)

All parking areas shall be drained so as to dispose of all surface water within the parking area without carrying the said water accumulation over a public sidewalk. Piping the water to a suitable outfall may be required.

(8)

Permanent stormwater management shall be provided for all off-street parking areas as required by the Town of Chesapeake City.

(9)

No required off-street parking space in any residential zone (TND, V-1, V-2, RC) shall be located within any required front yard with the exception of infill lots.

(10)

Off-street parking facilities may be located within the required front yard of any General or Marine Commercial Zone, but shall not be nearer than 50 feet to any residential district.

(11)

Special access, surface, and location requirements for garages, parking lots, automobile service stations, and vehicle sales lots.

(a)

No building, structure or premises shall be used, erected, or altered which is intended or designed to be used as a community garage, an automobile repair shop, a service station, or a parking lot or structure as the principal use on a property which has an entrance or exit for vehicles in the same block front and within 200 feet of the property boundary of any school, public playground, church, hospital, public library, convalescent, nursing, or rest home, or orphanage, and no such entrance or exit, except for a community garage, shall be located within 20 feet of any residential zone, nor shall any structure used for an automobile repair shop or service station or any part of a parking lot or structure be located within 100 feet of any property boundary line of any of the aforesaid public or institutional uses. "Parking lot" as used herein does not include off-street parking areas as otherwise required for the public or institutional uses listed above.

(b)

No gasoline pump or similar appliance for any purpose shall be located within 15 feet of any right-of-way or within 50 feet of a residential zone, except where such a pump or appliance is within a completely enclosed building and is of a distance at least 15 feet from any vehicular entrance or exit of such building. Except for gasoline service stations, no gasoline pumps shall be permitted as an accessory use for another activity unless a site plan is submitted to and approved by the Planning Commission.

(12)

Parking areas that are required to have more than 10 parking spaces and that are used regularly at least five days per week shall have one refuse container per 50 spaces over 10 spaces, which will be provided by the owner of said property.

Vehicle accommodation area surfaces.

Vehicle accommodation areas that include lanes for drive-in windows, provide on-premises parking or contain parking areas that are required to have more than six parking spaces and that are used regularly at least five days per week shall be graded and surfaced with asphalt, concrete or other material that will provide equivalent protection against potholes, erosion, and dust as per applicable Town specifications.

Vehicle accommodation areas that are not provided with the type of surface specified in Subsection F(1) of this section shall be graded and surfaced with crushed stone, gravel or other suitable material to provide a surface that is stable and will help to reduce dust and erosion. The perimeter of such parking areas shall be defined by bricks, stones, railroad ties, or other similar devices. In addition, whenever such a vehicle accommodation area abuts a paved street, the driveway leading from such street to such area (or, if there is no driveway, the portion of the vehicle accommodation area that opens onto such streets) shall be paved as provided in Subsection F(1) for a distance of 20 feet back from the edge of the paved street. This subsection shall not apply to single-family or two-family residences.

Parking spaces in areas surfaced in accordance with Subsection F(1) of this section shall be appropriately demarcated with painted lines or other markings. Parking spaces in areas surfaced in accordance with Subsection F(2) of this section shall be demarcated whenever practicable.

Vehicle accommodation areas shall be properly maintained in all respects. In particular, and without limiting the foregoing, vehicle accommodation area surfaces shall be kept in good condition (free from potholes, weeds, overgrowth, trash, clutter, dust, etc.) and parking space lines or markings shall be kept clearly visible and distinct.

Special provisions for lots with existing buildings.

Any increase in the intensity of use of any structure shall mean the addition of dwelling units, gross floor area, seating capacity, or any other unit of measurement used as a basis for determining required parking facilities. When the intensity of use of any structure is increased from the date of this chapter parking facilities shall be provided for the increase of use.

§ 120-6.3.3 Modification of parking requirement.

When the use of any structure or premises is changed to a different use, parking facilities shall be provided for the different use.

[Amended 5-15-2017 by Ord. No. 01.09.2017; 1-28-2019 by Ord. No. 1.14.2019.A]

Due to site conditions. Should the configuration of the lot, the placement of existing conforming structures, or a change of use to a conforming but more intensive use preclude strict adherence § 120-6.3.2, the Planning Commission, in relation to a Category 1 site plan, or the Zoning Administrator, in relation to a Category 2 site plan, may modify the parking requirements provided there are findings of facts that:

Adequate public off-street parking is available within reasonable walking distance;

On-street parking is available and adequate and that the parking required by the contemplated use will not materially impede the flow of traffic or preempt existing residential parking; or

A written agreement is established and made part of any site plan approval, allowing parking required by the use of an adequate off-street parking lot within a reasonable walking distance. Such agreement, as necessary, shall become a deed restriction or easement on the property.

Due to joint-use of parking. Where joint-use of parking by one or more uses is possible, the Planning Commission, in relation to a Category 1 site plan, or the Zoning Administrator, in relation to a Category 2 site plan, may modify the parking requirements provided there are findings of facts that:

Joint-use of parking spaces will not reduce the availability of parking spaces below the minimum required number of spaces required by each use during its peak demand.

A written agreement is established and made part of any site plan approval providing for the joint-use of spaces. Such agreement, as necessary, shall become a deed restriction or easement on the property.

Reduction due to lack of demand. Should the applicant demonstrate and the Planning Commission, in relation to a Category 1 site plan, or the Zoning Administrator, in relation to a Category 2 site plan, find that a sizeable share of site-related traffic would access the site by bicycle and/or walking, then minimum parking requirements may be reduced.

Parking in front yards in TND Zone. The use of the required front yard on single-family lots in the TND Zone for the parking or storage of motorized and nonmotorized vehicles of any kind is prohibited, except where the creation of the lot predates the adoption of this chapter.

Satellite parking.

If the number of off-street parking spaces required by this chapter cannot reasonably be provided on the same lot where the principal use associated with these parking spaces is located, or if the on-site parking for an existing commercial use is otherwise inadequate, then spaces may be provided on adjacent or nearby lots in accordance with the provisions of this section. These off-site spaces are referred to in this section as satellite parking spaces.

If the property upon which the satellite parking is to be located is not under the same ownership as the property upon which the principal associated use is located, written authorization of the owner of the property upon which the satellite parking is to be located is required, and evidence of such shall be furnished.

All satellite parking spaces shall be located in the same zoning district as the structures or uses served or shall abut the property upon which the principal use is associated, or shall be directly across a street, roadway, or alley from the associated property.

Satellite parking spaces shall be used solely for the parking of passenger vehicles. No sign of any kind, other than designating ownership, entrances, exits, and condition of use, shall be maintained on such satellite parking areas.

Each new entrance and exit to and from such parking area shall be at least 20 feet away from any adjacent lot line located in any residential zone.

§ 120-6.3.4 Minimum bicycle parking requirements by land use.

The satellite parking areas shall be subject to all requirements of this chapter concerning surfacing, lighting, drainage, landscaping, screening, and setbacks.

Schedule of required parking. Bicycle parking shall be provided in accordance with the following schedule. In all districts, either space for parking and/or storage of bicycles shall be provided or the applicant shall demonstrate that adequate bicycle parking is provided for.

Bed-and-breakfast, hotels, motels	2, or 1 per 25 employees
Retail sales, service operations	2, or 1 per 5,000 square feet gross floor area
Office buildings	2, or 1 per 5,000 square feet gross floor area
Museums, libraries, similar	4, or 1 per 3,000 square feet gross floor area
Churches, similar	1 per 50 members
Community centers	1 per 250 square feet gross floor area
Schools
Elementary	1 per 10 students
Middle and high	1 per 6 students
Indoor amusement	4, or 1 per 50 seats
Restaurants	4, or 1 per 50 seats
Other commercial	2, or 1 per 50 employees

Waiver or modification. The Planning Commission may waive or modify the bike parking requirement in the Village Commercial and Village Center Districts where adequate publicly accessible bike parking is already provided within a reasonable walking distance.

Design of bicycle parking spaces.

Each bicycle parking space shall be sufficient to accommodate a bicycle at least six feet in length and two feet wide and shall be provided with some form of stable frame permanently anchored to a foundation to which a bicycle frame and both wheels may be conveniently secured using a chain and padlock, locker, or other storage facilities which are convenient for storage and are reasonably secure from theft and vandalism. The separation of the bicycle parking spaces and the amount of corridor space shall be adequate for convenient access to every space when the parking facility is full.

When automobile parking spaces are provided in a structure, all required bicycle spaces shall be located inside that structure or shall be located in other areas protected from the weather. Bicycle parking spaces in parking structures shall be clearly marked as such and shall be separated from auto parking by some form of barrier to minimize the possibility of a parked bicycle being hit by a car.

Bicycle parking spaces shall be located near the entrance of the use being served and within view of pedestrian traffic if possible and shall be sufficiently secure to reasonably reduce the likelihood of bicycle theft.

Bicycle parking facilities shall not impede pedestrian or vehicular circulation.

Racks must not be placed close enough to a wall or other obstruction so as to make use difficult. There must be sufficient space (at least 24 inches) beside each parked bike that allows access. This access may be shared by adjacent bicycles. An aisle or other space shall be provided to bicycles to enter and leave the facility. This aisle shall have a width of at least six feet to the front or rear of a bike parked in the facility.

§ 120-6.3.5 Off-street loading spaces required.

Paving is not required, but the outside ground surface shall be finished or planted in a way that avoids mud and dust. Bike parking facilities within auto parking areas shall be separated by a physical barrier to protect bicycles from damage by cars, such as curbs, wheel stops, poles or other similar features.

[Amended 1-28-2019 by Ord. No. 1.14.2019.A]

Whenever the normal operation of any development requires that goods, merchandise, or equipment be routinely delivered to or shipped from that development, a sufficient off-street loading and unloading area must be provided in accordance with this section to accommodate the delivery or shipment operations in a safe and convenient manner.

The loading and unloading area shall be of sufficient size to accommodate the numbers and types of vehicles that are likely to use this area given the nature of the development in question. The following table indicates the number and size of spaces that, presumptively, satisfy the standard set forth in this subsection. However, the permit-issuing authority may require more or less loading and unloading area if reasonably necessary to satisfy the foregoing standard.

Gross Floor Area of Building (square feet)	Number of Spaces*
1,000 to 19,999	1
20,000 to 79,999	2
80,000 to 127,999	3
128,000 to 191,999	4
192,000 to 255,999	5
256,000 to 319,999	6
320,000 to 391,999	7
Plus 1 space for each additional 72,000 square feet or fraction thereof

*	Minimum dimensions of 12 feet by 55 feet and overhead clearance of 14 feet from street grade required.

Loading and unloading areas shall be so located and designed that the vehicles intended to use them can:

Maneuver safely and conveniently to and from a public right-of-way; and

Complete the loading and unloading operations without obstructing or interfering with any public right-of-way or any parking space or parking lot aisle.

No area allocated to loading and unloading facilities may be used to satisfy the area requirements for off-street parking, nor shall any portion of any off-street parking be used to satisfy the area requirements for loading and unloading facilities.

Whenever there exists a lot with one or more structures on it constructed before the effective date of this chapter, and a change in use that does not involve any enlargement of a structure is proposed for such lot, and the loading area requirements of this section cannot be satisfied because there is not sufficient area available on the lot that can practicably be used for loading and unloading, then the developer need only comply with this section to the extent reasonably possible.

No such space shall be located closer than 50 feet to any other lot in any residential district unless wholly screened within a completely enclosed building or unless enclosed on all sides by a wall or screening fence not less than six feet in height.

§ 120-6.3.6 Exterior lighting.

[Amended 1-28-2019 by Ord. No. 1.14.2019.A]

Lighting plan.

An exterior lighting plan shall be submitted as part of every Category 1 site plan and major subdivision plat for approval by the Planning Commission.

Where a landscaping plan is required, the lighting plan shall be incorporated into or overlaid on the required landscape plan and include locations, dimensions, and distances and illumination areas associated with all light fixtures.

Light fixtures shall conform to the Town's standards and design specifications.

The lighting plan shall provide that the illumination area generated from proposed lighting fixtures located on the subject site of the lighting plan will not overlap adjoining properties or rights-of-way.

Outdoor lighting.

Outdoor lighting facilities shall be required for off-street parking, off-street loading, and ingress and egress thereto for all residential developments and for all business, commercial, personal service, industrial, recreational, institutional, public, and other uses. All proposed intersections with an arterial or collector road, as defined by functional classification, shall have streetlights.

Lighting plans shall be submitted to the Planning Commission for review and approval with all applications for conditional uses, special exceptions, variances, and subdivision and land development plans. The required lighting plan shall include the following information:

(a)

A site plan containing a layout of the proposed fixture locations and type, including, at minimum, a plan displaying a ten-foot by ten-foot grid of all areas on the lot to be affected by lighting; if such site plan for lighting does not display the entire parcel, an additional site plan that displays the parcel, structures, and streets shall be included, with the area(s) to be affected by lighting displayed on the site plan.

(b)

Catalogue cuts and photometrics for each light fixture, the method of energizing each light fixture, a listing of the hours of operation and a plan showing the photometrics for the entire site, based upon the proposed placement of the light fixtures. A description of glare-reduction devices, lamps, wattage, control devices, mounting heights, pole foundation details, and mounting methods, as appropriate for each fixture, should also be included.

The Town reserves the right to conduct a post-installation nighttime inspection to verify compliance with the requirements of this chapter and, if appropriate, to require remedial action at no expense to the Town.

Design standards.

Outdoor lighting standards in parking areas shall not be located farther than 100 feet apart.

No outdoor lighting shall be permitted which shines directly into residential units or results in glare beyond an angle of 35° from a vertical plane.

All outdoor lighting shall be effectively shielded and shall be arranged so as to protect street and neighboring properties from direct glare or light radiation which may cause a safety problem or nuisance. Authority for determination shall rest with the Town Engineer.

For lighting horizontal tasks such as roadways, pathways and parking areas, fixtures shall meet IESNA standards or equivalent.

Floodlights and spotlights shall be so installed and aimed so that they do not project their output into the windows of neighboring residences, businesses, and adjacent uses, directly skyward or onto a roadway.