No application for a zoning permit, in conjunction with an application
for a building permit for the construction or substantial reconstruction
of any principal building, and no application for conditional use
or special exception approval shall be approved unless there is included
with the plan for such building a plan showing the number of off-street
parking spaces to be provided in connection with such construction
or reconstruction in accordance with the regulations set forth herein.
A. There shall be provisions for convenient and safe ingress and egress
to all off-street parking spaces or lots.
B. For the purposes of this chapter, an off-street parking space shall
consist of a space adequate for parking an automobile with room for
opening doors on both sides, but in no case measuring less than eight
feet six inches by 18 feet, together with maneuvering room and properly
related access to a public street or alley. Required off-street parking
areas for three or more automobiles shall have individual spaces marked
and shall be so designed, maintained and regulated so that no parking
or maneuvering incidental to parking shall be on any public street
or walk and so that any automobile may be parked or unparked without
moving another. No driveway across public property or curb shall exceed
a width of 25 feet. Required or optional parking spaces shall not
be permitted in a required front or side yard in residential districts
unless on an access driveway leading to a garage or paved rear lot
parking area.
C. All open parking areas containing more than four parking spaces shall
have an approved surfacing of bituminous asphalt, concrete, brick
or pavers, provided with bumper guards where appropriate, and shall
be effectively screened on each side adjoining any residence by a
wall, opaque fence or densely planted compact hedge not less than
four nor more than six feet in height. All parking lots shall be graded
to drain to a natural outfall or municipal storm sewer. All such parking
lots shall be equipped with trash containers.
D. Required off-street parking shall be located on the site of the principal building which is served by the parking or separated therefrom by a public right-of-way not more than 25 feet in width. Said parking space shall not be encroached upon by buildings, storage or other use, nor shall the parking space be reduced from the specified size of eight feet six inches by 18 feet (see Subsection
B above), except upon approval of the Zoning Officer and only after proof that the off-street parking spaces provided are no longer needed by reason of the reduction in floor area, seating area or other factors controlling the regulation of such parking facilities as established in this section.
E. All parking areas in Commercial and Industrial Districts shall be
suitably illuminated at night, and such lighting shall be deflected
away from any residential structure. Access shall be provided for
parking areas to main buildings by means of paved sidewalks.
As applicable, all new and substantially new structures and
required parking facilities must be in compliance with the Pennsylvania
Accessibility Act, Act No. 235 of 1965, P.L. 459, as amended, 71 P.S.
§ 1455.1, except single-family homes, townhouses and multifamily
apartments of fewer than six dwelling units. All public facilities,
buildings and businesses shall provide thirteen-foot-wide space for
physically handicapped. The number of such spaces is stipulated by
laws governing the same. Curb cuts, ramps and accessible entrances
shall be also provided for all new subsequent facilities within the
Borough as of the date of this chapter.
When a number of different uses are proposed within a structure,
facility or complex and when it can be demonstrated that one or more
of such uses require parking needs at times other than normal business
or operating hours, the applicant may present for review and consideration
a written report prepared by a professional traffic engineer or consultant,
stating that a maximum combination of all such uses will not require
that the total accumulative parking needs must be provided on the
site. After review of the plan, if determined that a reduced overall
parking requirement can satisfy the off-street parking needs of the
combined facilities, the applicant shall be permitted to reduce the
parking spaces provided in accordance with the stipulated number of
spaces by the appropriate reviewing body.
All required parking areas for commercial, industrial or institutional
uses shall not be used to store abandoned vehicles, used and discarded
tires, stacked or piled newspapers, discarded furniture, lumber, refuse
in general and other items or materials not compatible with the use
of the site or adjacent and nearby properties or as determined not
to be in compliance with the performance standards of this chapter.
Parking vehicles is prohibited in front yards on that portion
of a driveway that crosses any sidewalk intended for unobstructed
public use.