It is the purpose of these off-street parking and loading requirements to provide for sufficient accessory use areas for the temporary parking of motor vehicles and for loading and unloading of transport vehicles associated with large multi-family dwellings, commercial uses, and industrial uses. The requirements for off-street parking and loading spaces are intended to reduce the congestion on the streets due to excessive use of such streets for parking and/or loading and unloading of motor vehicles.

However, certain exceptions from these requirements are provided for under special circumstances. These exceptions are provided as a practical matter so as not to unduly limit the reuse of existing developed properties by strictly imposing off-street parking space standards. Even with the exceptions from the regulations contained in this Article, it is not the intent to permit such exceptions that would result in undue impacts of overflow parking from one use onto other properties or public rights-of-way.

(Ord. No. 2800, § 1(Exh. A), 10-9-17; Ord. No. 3050, § 2(Exh. B), 3-10-25)

A.

A parking space is an area 300 square feet which includes a stall of not less than 9 feet by 19 feet and circulation space. For off-street parking the following minimum design standards shall apply:

B.

Where off-street parking is designed for vehicles longer than 20 feet, bumper to bumper, the parking stall and maneuvering space shall be of such size and dimensions as will accommodate the parking and maneuvering of the vehicles.

C.

A parking space located within a C-1, C-2, C-3, PD-C, or PD-MXD Zoning District may, subject to approval of the Board of Aldermen, be of a size and configuration less than 9 feet by 19 feet plus circulation space in order to maximize allowable parking and to accommodate lot or garage configuration limitations. In all such cases where smaller spaces are permitted they shall be marked for compact vehicles and the total number of such spaces shall not be greater than 5 percent of the total number of spaces required, but in any event no space shall have a width of less than 8 feet and depth of less than 18 feet. In any such instance, aisle with shall not be less than that for the remainder of a row.

(Ord. No. 2800, § 1(Exh. A), 10-9-17; Ord. No. 3050, § 2(Exh. B), 3-10-25)

The off-street parking spaces shall apply as a minimum for each use listed in the tables as follow:

A.

Residential.

B.

Commercial/Industrial.

C.

Cultural, Entertainment, and Recreation (for profit and not-for-profit).

D.

Institutional, Open Space and Agricultural.

E.

Temporary Parking During Construction. Every developer or contractor shall provide sufficient off-street parking during construction to accommodate all construction equipment and personal vehicles of workers. Such parking shall be provided to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Works.

F.

Shared Parking. Parking requirements for shared lots may be reduced using the regulations in 407.025 (H)(5) and (H)(6).

(Ord. No. 2800, § 1(Exh. A), 10-9-17; Ord. No. 2849, § 1, 9-9-19; Ord. No. 3050, § 2(Exh. B), 3-10-25)

A.

In determining the parking space requirements under this section:

1.

Where the computations provided for in this section result in a fraction, the next highest whole number shall be used.

2.

Where a building contains more than one (1) use, the number of parking spaces shall equal the total number of parking spaces computed separately for each use.

3.

No buildings may be enlarged in floor area, number of employees, seating capacity or otherwise unless the number of parking spaces required after the change is provided per Section 410.015, B.

4.

No occupancy permit shall be issued for a new use within an existing commercial building or center unless the number of available spaces are per Section 410.015, B., or unless the proposed use has a requirement for the same or lesser number of spaces as the old use/merchant.

B.

Off-street parking facilities shall be located on the same parcel as the building served in the case of residential. Off-street parking for other uses may be located on an area immediately contiguous to the building served. More than two (2) persons may provide parking on the same area.

C.

No parking lot may be improved or operated for the purpose of providing off-street parking of this section unless the plans for that lot have been approved by the Director of Public Works. Those plans shall show the proposed construction, maintenance and operation of the lot and must comply with the following requirements:

1.

All off-street parking areas shall be constructed of concrete, asphalt, or pavers. Pervious surfacing made be used in appropriate areas as approved by the Director of Public Works.

2.

Adequate provision shall be made for storm water runoff so that storm water flow onto adjoining property or adjacent sidewalks does not increase. In this regard the plans must show the location of all open drainage channels, all improvements such as widening, straightening, surfacing, realigning or other adjustment or improvement of channels: reconstruction or construction of bridges, culverts, underground enclosed sewers and all surface accessories for carrying off storm water. The plans must be accompanied with data which is as complete as is possible under the circumstances regarding the area served by the facilities and the estimated runoff onto the lot from other areas. This portion of the plan must be approved by the Metropolitan Sewer District to the extent that the lot is within its boundaries.

3.

The following screening and wall requirements shall be met:

a.

Where necessary to prevent washing of soil from or onto the lot, an adequate retaining wall shall be erected.

b.

Screens or walls may be required in accordance with Chapter 409, Sections 409.010 through 409.055.

4.

The following requirements concerning entrances and exits shall be made:

a.

Unless otherwise allowed by the Board of Aldermen, in order to prevent or alleviate traffic problems onto any one (1) street there may be only one (1) combined entrance and exit or, where separate entrances and exits are used, they must be separated by at least twenty-five (25) feet.

b.

Where a parking facility includes ten (10) or more parking spaces, no entrance or exit may be located within seventy-five (75) feet of a street intersection unless otherwise approved by the Director of Public Works.

c.

The specific location and width of each entrance and exit on city maintained streets must be approved by the Director of Public Works. Unless otherwise required, the maximum width of a driveway shall be twenty-five (25) feet.

d.

Entrances and exits shall conform to the standard street cut now on file with the City of Des Peres showing sidewalk and street elevations.

e.

All grades for sidewalks and curb cuts shall conform to the standard section now on file with the City of Des Peres.

f.

Every effort shall be made to combine entrances and exits onto Manchester Road (State Route 100) from adjoining commercial properties. Shared driveways and jointly used access between adjoining commercial lots shall be encouraged in all commercial districts in the city, necessary parking spaces, buffer, or landscaping requirements notwithstanding. When the use of such shared facilities conflicts with parking, buffer, or landscaping requirements of a given commercial zoning district, the Board of Aldermen shall have authority to modify such requirements to the extent reasonably necessary to accommodate use of shared facilities and internal traffic circulation within or between adjoining properties and to require the provision of such alternative landscaping or buffer areas as may be appropriate to reduce any negative impact on nearby properties resulting from such modification.

5.

The location of each parking space and the direction of movement along the driveways providing access to the parking spaces shall be indicated by such devices or signs as are approved by the Director of Public Works. Parking spaces shall be so located as to provide an unobstructed fire lane around and adjacent to the buildings served.

6.

Wherever commercial parking lots are to be used during darkness, a system of lighting shall be installed to provide an adequate standard of illumination over the entire parking lot. All lighting fixtures shall be designed so that minimum glare will extend to adjacent properties. Lighting details shall be shown on a lighting plan accompanied by a photometric plot taken at ground level and prepared and sealed by a certified lighting engineer. The plan shall include the location and height of each standard and a photometric plot indicating the illumination pattern for the lot and surrounding areas within 100 feet of the lot. All parking lot lighting must comply with the following requirements:

The foot candle illumination for parking lots must be an average minimum of 0.5 foot candles but may not exceed an average of 3.0 foot candles. The alteration of approved fixtures or lamps is prohibited at any time thereafter without submittal of an amended lighting plan to the Planning and Zoning Commission for approval.

a.

Lighting design shall conform to 407.025 J, Lighting

7.

Planting requirements shall be met according to Section 409.035: Parking Lot Plantings

8.

For all lots which: provide two hundred (200) or more spaces shall provide access from the public road system and to all parking areas by way of a primary internal driveway which shall be designated on all site plans subject to this requirement. Parking lots containing a primary internal driveway shall meet the following additional requirements:

a.

All access between the public road system and the parking area shall be by way of a primary internal driveway.

b.

The primary internal driveway shall provide for two-way travel and have a traveled pavement width of at least twenty-six (26) feet and at least thirteen (13) feet per lane.

c.

Intersections between primary internal driveways and the public road system shall be constructed in accord with specifications for street curb openings.

d.

Pavement markings and intersection controls shall be required throughout the length of all primary internal driveways for each intersection with parking aisles and the public road system.

e.

Intersections between the primary internal driveway and parking aisles shall be separated by a distance of at least fifty (50) feet unless waived by the Director of Public Works.

f.

No intersection between a primary internal driveway and a parking aisle shall be closer than seventy-five (75) feet to the primary internal driveway's intersection with the public road system in order to allow sufficient vehicle stacking within the primary internal driveway for vehicles entering the public roadway unless waived by the Director of Public Works.

g.

No vehicle parking shall be permitted in or on any primary internal driveway. All vehicle access to parking spaces shall be by way of parking aisles reached through properly configured intersections with the primary internal driveway. Parking lot subject to the requirements of this subsection shall be so configured such that vehicles cannot back from a parking space onto the primary internal driveway.

h.

Parking lots subject to the requirements of this subsection shall be so configured as to provide internal circulation of vehicular traffic in a continuous forward motion, with no dead-end aisles or other configuration which would require or encourage vehicles which fail to find a parking space to reverse their course of travel in order to exit the parking aisle.

D.

Commercial Parking Lots.

1.

A commercial parking lot is land used for storage of motor vehicles for the purpose of serving a commercial use.

2.

Except where otherwise provided, a commercial parking lot is governed by the provisions of this section relating to off-street parking areas.

3.

A temporary shelter for the use of a commercial parking lot attendant may be maintained on the lot if the location, construction and design of the shelter has been approved by the Director of Public Works and is in conformity with existing codes and ordinances. The Board of Aldermen may grant a permit for the operation of a commercial parking lot in a residential district other than an "A" district, when the operation of the lot is in the best interest of the community, and where the land to be used abuts onto or is adjacent to a commercial district and the following requirements are complied with:

a.

The lot is to be used only for the parking of passenger automobiles of employees, guests or customers of the person or persons served by the lot. No sales, repair work, service work or advertising of any kind shall take place on the lot.

b.

No charge shall be made for parking on the lot.

c.

Parking is to be kept behind the setback building line by a barrier unless otherwise specified by the Board of Aldermen.

d.

A hedge or sight-proof fence or wall, of at least four feet high, shall be located at all places necessary to screen the lot and that portion of the driveway behind the building line, from residential uses whether adjacent or across the street.

e.

Lighting is to be adequate and arranged in such a manner as to avoid glare from the lights which would annoy residential use occupants.

f.

Exits and entrances shall be so located as to have the least adverse impact upon the residential district. The placement of exits and entrances shall be approved by the Director of Public Works before the lot permit is issued.

g.

The lot is to be owned and operated by one or more persons for the purpose of serving the owner's commercial use. The person responsible for the operation of the lot and compliance with the provisions of this Title applicable to it is the person named in this permit.

4.

The permit issued for the operation of a lot under paragraph 3 of this subsection shall be subject to the following:

a.

The permit is conditioned upon compliance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of this subsection and such other reasonable requirements regarding operation, assurance of compliance and protection of residential uses as the Board of Aldermen shall impose.

b.

The permit may be amended or revoked by the Board of Aldermen after a hearing is held at which the person or persons who are served by the lot have adequate opportunity to be heard. The hearing shall be held within a reasonable time after ten (10) days have elapsed from the date on which the permittee is notified of the date and time of the hearing and the specific action to be taken regarding the permit. Notice to the permittee shall be deemed notice to all persons who are served by the lot.

c.

Amendment or revocation of a permit is at the discretion of the Board. A permit may be revoked on violation of any of the conditions to that permit properly imposed under this section. A permit may be revoked or amended where necessary to protect residential uses from adverse effects not posed or reasonably foreseen when the permit was originally issued or at last amended.

d.

At a hearing concerning amendment or revocation of a permit, the permittee and any other person served by the lot may adduce evidence and compel testimony.

e.

If, after the hearing, the Board of Aldermen amends or revokes the permit, it shall state its findings of fact and its reasons for the revocation or amendment.

f.

Appeals from a refusal, amendment or revocation of a permit shall be appealable in the same manner as is a denial of a building permit.

(Ord. No. 2800, § 1(Exh. A), 10-9-17; Ord. No. 3050, § 2(Exh. B), 3-10-25)

Where specified in Section 410.005 of this Chapter above, loading spaces shall be provided in accordance with the following tables:

Table A

Table B

^* Each 10' × 40' loading space shall have height clear of obstruction of not less than fourteen (14) feet.

(Ord. No. 2800, § 1(Exh. A), 10-9-17; Ord. No. 3050, § 2(Exh. B), 3-10-25)