Eldred Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIII
Off-Street Parking, Loading and Access Drives
§ 250-800 Off-street parking requirements.
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.
A.
All vehicle parking spaces shall contain a minimum of 200 square feet and shall be designed in accordance with the standards set forth in Chapter 200, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Code of Eldred Township.
B.
All off-street parking spaces and parking lots shall be graded for proper drainage and shall be surfaced so as to provide a durable, dustless wearing surface. Parking lots serving three or more vehicles shall be surfaced with asphalt or other material suitable to the Township Supervisors.
C.
All parking lots shall be designed to provide for the orderly and safe parking or storage of vehicles, shall be clearly marked to facilitate movement and efficiency of use, and shall be maintained in good condition by the developer/owner. In addition, parking areas shall meet all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)[1] requirements.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.
D.
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 spaces for nonresidential uses may be located on a lot other than that containing the principal use, but shall remain under the control of the owner or operator of the use to which it is accessory and applications involving such parking areas shall include documentation which authorizes the use of said area for parking in connection with the principal use.
E.
The required parking spaces for any number of separate uses may be combined in one lot, but the required spaces assigned to one use may not be assigned to another use at the same time, except that parking spaces required for uses whose peak attendance will be at night or on Sundays, may be assigned to a use which will be closed at night and/or on Sundays. Any applicant proposing to jointly use parking facilities with another use shall submit sufficient documentation to prove such uses will be nonconcurrent.
F.
In new development, access to off-street parking spaces or parking lots 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 depth of the parking lot is less than 35 feet. Parking lots shall also be designed so there will be no need for motorists to back over public walkways, streets or alleys.
G.
Parking lots for all nonresidential uses shall be effectively screened on each side which abuts a residential district or residential use. Such screening shall consist of a solid fence or wall at least six feet in height; a building; or shall meet the requirements for screen plantings set forth in § 250-506 of this chapter.
H.
No off-street parking spaces or parking lots shall extend into any required bufferyard. (See also § 250-505.)
I.
All lighting used to illuminate off-street parking spaces or parking lots shall be mounted and shielded in such a manner to avoid causing excessive glare on adjacent properties or public streets.
J.
Off-street parking shall be provided as set forth in Table 1 below. In the case of any building 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, in the opinion of the Township Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors, shall apply. In the case of mixed uses or multiple uses of one structure, the total number of required parking spaces shall be the sum of the required spaces for the various uses computed separately. Where the computation of required spaces results in a fractional number, any fraction of the next highest number shall be counted as one.
Table 1 | |
|---|---|
Off-Street Parking Schedule | |
Use Classification | Spaces Required |
Residential Uses | |
Residential dwelling units, including single- and two-family dwellings, multifamily dwellings, mobile homes and conversion apartments | 2 for each dwelling unit |
Mobile home parks | 2 for each mobile home lot |
Bed-and-breakfast establishments or boarding homes | 1 for each guest room or boarder + 2 for the dwelling unit, where applicable |
Institutional Uses | |
Day-care facilities | |
Day-care centers and group day-care homes | 1 for each 5 students/clients + 1 for each employee |
Family day-care homes | 2 for the dwelling unit + 2 customer spaces |
Schools (public or private) | |
Elementary schools | 5 for each classroom + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift |
Middle or high schools or postsecondary education facilities | 1 for each 4 seats of auditorium or gymnasium capacity, whichever is greater |
Churches, theaters, social halls, and similar places of public or private assembly; government, municipal or community buildings | 1 for each 4 seats of total facility capacity, or 1 for each 500 square feet of gross floor area where seats are not provided + 1 for each employee |
Nursing or personal care homes | 1 for each 3 beds + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift |
Group homes or institutional residences | 1 for each 2 residents + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift |
Commercial/Retail Uses | |
Home occupations or farm-related businesses | 2 for each dwelling unit, 2 customer spaces + 1 for each nonoccupant employee |
Retail stores or business establishments, including agribusinesses and business or professional offices, except as provided below | 1 for each 300 square feet of gross floor area + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift |
General stores | 1 for each 200 square feet of gross floor area + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift |
Restaurants; clubs or social organization facilities | 1 for each 100 square feet of gross floor area + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift |
Medical, dental or veterinary offices or clinics | 3 for each service provider + 1 for each employee |
Commercial lodging facilities; country inns | 1 for each guest room + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift |
Public entertainment facilities | 1 for each 3 persons of total facility capacity + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift |
Industrial Uses | |
Limited industrial uses | 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift + 3 visitor spaces |
Junkyards or auto salvage operations; sawmills | 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift + 3 visitor spaces |
Mineral extraction operations | 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift |
Recreational Uses | |
Parks or playgrounds | 1 for each 5 persons of total facility capacity |
Outdoor commercial recreation uses, except as provided below | 1 for each 3 persons of total facility capacity + 1 for each employee |
Campgrounds or RV parks | 2 for each camping space + 1 additional space for every 5 camping spaces |
§ 250-801 Off-street loading requirements.
Off-street loading spaces or berths shall be provided in connection with every commercial, industrial, or institutional building or use exceeding 1,000 square feet of gross floor area which requires the delivery or shipment of merchandise or materials. Such space shall meet the following requirements.
A.
Each off-street loading space or berth shall be designed to be of such size as will adequately accommodate the intended use. Such spaces shall be no less than 12 feet in width, 30 feet in length, and 14 feet in height, exclusive of drives and/or maneuvering space, and shall be located entirely on the lot being served, either inside or outside of a building. In addition, the space shall be designed so that there will be no need for drivers to back over public walkways or street rights-of-way.
B.
No off-street loading space, berth or dock may extend into any required bufferyard or required setback area.
C.
All off-street loading areas shall be graded for proper drainage and shall be provided with an durable, dustless surface approved by the Township Supervisors.
D.
The number of loading spaces required shall be as set forth in Table 2 below.
Table 2 | |
|---|---|
Off-Street Loading Schedule | |
Gross Floor Area | Spaces/Berths Required |
1,000 to 6,000 square feet | 1 |
6,001 to 20,000 square feet | 2 |
Over 20,000 square feet | 3 + 1 for each additional 60,000 square feet of gross floor area |
§ 250-802 Driveways and access drive requirements.
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.
A.
Every building or lot shall have access to a public street or an approved private street. Where possible, residential lots shall access onto a local street rather than a collector road or arterial highway. Access shall require a driveway or highway occupancy permit in accordance with PennDOT standards or Township driveway requirements, as appropriate.
B.
All new driveways or access drives shall be designed to meet the driveway design standards set forth in Chapter 200, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Code of Eldred Township.
C.
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 related to the driveway is sufficient to avoid creating hazardous traffic conditions.
D.
Driveways or 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 Township officials, a drainage pipe shall be installed under the driveway or access drive by the property owner. The length and diameter of such pipe shall be as established and approved by the appropriate Township officials.
E.
Drives intended to provide access to off-street parking spaces and areas shall be designed and constructed to meet the driveway design standards set forth in Chapter 200, Subdivision and Land Development, of the Code of Eldred Township. Except in the case of single- and two-family residences, off-street parking areas shall be designed so there will be no need for motorists to back over public walkways or street rights-of-way.