The off street parking and off street loading provisions of this UDO shall apply as follows:

   A.   Accessory off street parking and off street loading facilities shall be provided as required by the regulations of this chapter for all buildings and structures erected and all uses of land established in each district after the effective date hereof.

   B.   When the intensity of use of any building, structure, or premises shall be increased through the addition of dwelling units, gross floor area, seating capacity, or other units of measurement for required parking and loading facilities in the amount specified herein, additional parking and loading facilities as required herein shall be provided for such increase in intensity of use.

   C.   Whenever the existing use of a building or structure shall hereafter be changed to a new use, parking and loading facilities shall be provided as required for such new use. However, if the said building or structure was erected prior to the effective date hereof, additional parking or loading facilities are mandatory only in the amount by which the requirements for the new use would exceed those for the existing use, if the latter were subject to the parking and loading provisions of this UDO. (Ord. 10-001, 1-12-2010)

Nothing in this title shall be deemed to prevent the voluntary establishment of off street parking or loading facilities to serve any existing use of land or buildings; provided, that all regulations herein governing the location, design and operation of such facilities are adhered to. (Ord. 10-001, 1-12-2010)

When any conforming or nonconforming building, structure, or use which is in existence on the effective date hereof, which is restored and continued in operation after being damaged or destroyed by fire, collapse, explosion, or other cause, to the extent that the cost of restoration does not exceed sixty percent (60%) of equalized assessed valuation, there may be provided only the off street parking or loading facilities equivalent to any maintained at the time of such damage or destruction. However, in no case shall it be necessary to restore or maintain parking or loading facilities in excess of those required by this title for equivalent new uses or construction. (Ord. 10-001, 1-12-2010)

   A.   Any application for a building permit, or for a zoning certificate where no building permit is required, shall include a plot plan and an up to date survey, drawn to scale and fully dimensioned, showing off street parking and loading facilities to be provided in compliance with this title. The plan shall show:

      1.   The use of the building, structure, or parcel of land;

      2.   The number of dwelling units, gross floor area, design capacity, estimated number of employees, or other units of measurement specified herein for determining the number of off street parking spaces or loading berths required by this title; and

      3.   The arrangement, character, extent, width, grade, and location of all parking facilities shall be considered in relation to existing and planned streets; to reasonable circulation for traffic within and adjacent to parking areas; to topographical conditions and to runoff of stormwater; and to public convenience and safety.

   B.   No building permit or zoning certificate shall be issued until the plot plan showing all required off street parking and loading facilities is approved by the Land Use Department. (Ord. 10-001, 1-12-2010)

Off street parking facilities for motor vehicles shall be provided in accordance with the following additional regulations:

   A.   Existing Parking Facilities: Accessory off street parking facilities in existence on the effective date hereof and located on the same lot as the building or use served shall not hereafter be reduced below, or, if already less than, shall not be further reduced below the requirements for a similar new building or use under the provisions of this title.

   B.   Use Of Parking Facilities: Access of off street parking facilities required as accessory to uses listed herein shall be solely for the parking of vehicles of patrons, occupants, or employees. When bus transportation is provided for patrons, occupants, or employees of a specific establishment, additional open or enclosed off street parking spaces for each bus to be parked on the premises shall be provided in accordance with regulations set forth in this chapter.

   C.   Off Site Parking Facilities: In cases where the parking facilities are permitted on a lot other than the lot on which the structure or use served is located, the owner of record of such lot shall be the same as the owner of record of the lot occupied by the structure or use in which the parking facilities are accessory. A covenant running with the land must be recorded in the Office of the County Recorder of Deeds on the lot upon which the accessory off street parking is located which prohibits any other use on that lot, and a copy of the recorded covenant certified by the County Recorder of Deeds must be deposited with the Land Use Department. The covenant shall not be released until such time as either one of the following conditions occur:

      1.   The structure on the lot containing the principal use is removed and the principal use terminated.

      2.   Another lot of the required size within the required distance is properly developed and used for the required accessory off street parking in place of and in lieu of the initial lot used for accessory off street parking with the same requirements, covenants and conditions attaching to such substitute accessory use lot as approved by the same authority as required for approval of such initial lot.

   D.   Employee Parking: Parking spaces required on an employee basis shall be based on the maximum number of employees on duty or residing on the premises, or both, at any one time.

   E.   Handicapped Parking: All uses except single-family detached or attached dwellings shall be required to provide off street parking spaces for handicapped persons in accordance with the standards established by section 8-8-1-6, "Standard Parking And Handicapped Space Standards", of this chapter.

   F.   Location:

      1.   In Yards: Off street parking spaces, open to the sky, may be located in required interior side yards and rear yards, not less than five feet (5') from the nearest lot line, except a parking area containing four (4) or more parking spaces shall be not less than twenty feet (20') from a residential lot line. In the business district, the required off street parking spaces may be located in a front yard or side yard adjoining a street, not less than five feet (5') from a street line.

      2.   Reserved Land Area For Parking:

         a.   All business, office, or manufacturing complexes containing more than thirty thousand (30,000) square feet of gross floor area, where the petitioner feels he does not need the number of parking spaces required by this title, may request a variation and, if granted, shall reserve adequate land area consistent with the requirements of this title to provide for the required off street parking in case of change of ownership or operations.

         b.   After the effective date hereof, required accessory off street parking spaces shall be located on the same lot as the building or use served, except when the Zoning Board of Appeals or the Land Use Committee recommends and the County Board authorizes for a specific use, the location of all or part of the required off street parking spaces on a lot that does not contain the principal use or structure. However, there shall be compliance with the regulations set forth in subsection C of this section. (Ord. 2018-012, 6-12-2018)

   G.   Reduction Of Parking Or Loading Requirements By Demonstration Of Lesser Demand:

      1.   Special Parking Study: It is understood that uses may have very different hours of operation and peak parking demand hours. The County desires to encourage the sharing of parking and reduced impervious surfaces. Thus, where a reduced need for parking exists, the County may reduce the required number of spaces. There may be a reduction in the number of required parking or loading spaces if the applicant demonstrates that such a reduction is appropriate based on specific parking demand forecasts for the proposed use(s), provided that:

         a.   Such forecasts are made by a qualified traffic engineer and are based upon a peak parking analysis of at least five (5) comparable uses; and

         b.   The comparability of the uses shall be documented in detail, which includes their location, size, transportation system access, use restrictions, and all other factors that were considered by the traffic engineer that could affect parking demand.

      2.   Retainment Of Engineer: The County may retain a qualified traffic engineer at the applicant's expense to review the parking demand forecast and provide recommendations to the County.

      3.   Parking Study Reliance: The County may rely on the applicant's special study or the special study conducted by the County's consultant.

      4.   Reservation Of Space For Additional Parking: The County may require that space be reserved or land banked for additional parking upon a determination that there is a reasonable likelihood that the nature of the use could change in a manner that increases its parking demand.

   H.   Design And Maintenance:

      1.   Access: Each required off street parking space shall open directly upon an aisle or driveway of width and design in accordance with standards set forth in section 8-8-1-6, "Standard Parking And Handicapped Space Standards", of this chapter. All off street parking facilities shall be provided with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street or alley with location and design of intersection of parking area access driveway and the street or alley in accordance with regulations set forth in section 8-8-1-6, "Standard Parking And Handicapped Space Standards", of this chapter.

      2.   Computation Of Number Of Spaces: When determination of the number of off street parking spaces required by this title results in a requirement of a fractional space, any fraction of one-half (1/2) or less may be disregarded, while a fraction in excess of one-half (1/2) shall be counted as one parking space.

      3.   Size: A required off street parking space shall have a width and length, exclusive of access drives or aisles, ramps, columns, or office and work areas, in accordance with standards set forth in section 8-8-1-6, "Standard Parking And Handicapped Space Standards", of this chapter. Enclosed parking spaces shall have a vertical clearance of at least seven feet (7').

      4.   Surfacing: All open off street parking areas containing more than four (4) parking spaces shall be improved with a hard surface and a dustproof wearing surface as approved by the Land Use Department. Also see subsection 8-6-3-5D of this title.

      5.   Screening And Landscaping: All open off street parking areas containing more than four (4) parking spaces, located less than forty feet (40') from the nearest property line of a lot in a residential district, shall be effectively screened on each side adjoining or fronting on such property line by a wall, fence, or densely planted compact hedge not less than five feet (5') and not more than eight feet (8') in height. Also see subsection 8-6-3-5C5 of this title.

      6.   Repair And Service: No motor vehicle repair work or service of any kind shall be permitted in off street parking areas. No gasoline or motor oil shall be sold in conjunction with any accessory parking facilities. (Ord. 10-001, 1-12-2010)

   A.   Standard Parking Space Dimensions: Parking spaces shall have the following dimensions: Nine feet by eighteen feet (9' x 18').

   B.   Number Of Required Disabled Parking Spaces: Disabled parking shall be provided as set out in table 8-8-1-6A, "Disabled Parking Requirements", of this section. Disabled parking is included in the total number of required parking spaces.

 

   C.   Disabled Parking Space Dimensions, Design, And Location:

      1.   Disabled parking spaces shall be nine feet by twenty feet (9' x 20'), with an access aisle on one side (may be shared with another disabled space), as shown in figure 8-8-1-6B, "Disabled Parking", of this section, with the following dimensions:

         a.   Car space: Five feet by twenty feet (5' x 20').

         b.   Van space: Nine feet by twenty feet (9' x 20').

      2.   The access aisle adjacent to disabled spaces shall be:

         a.   Clearly marked (the end of the aisle that is adjacent to the driving aisle may be a squared or curved shape);

         b.   Level (1:50 maximum slope in all directions, no intrusion by ramps);

         c.   The same length as the adjacent parking space(s) it serves; and

         d.   Connected to an accessible route to the building served by the space.

      3.   An accessible route shall be provided from disabled spaces to the building, which:

         a.   Shall always be provided from the accessible parking to the accessible entrance;

         b.   Shall not be obstructed by curbs or stairs;

         c.   Shall be at least three feet (3') wide (if the accessible route is located in front of a parking space, as shown in figure 8-8-1-6B, "Disabled Parking", of this section, wheel stops shall be installed to keep vehicles from reducing the effective width of the accessible route to less than 3 feet);

         d.   Shall have a firm, stable, slip resistant surface; and

         e.   Shall have a slope of not greater than one to twelve (1:12) in the direction of travel.

      4.   A vertical clearance of not less than eight feet two inches (8'2") shall be provided and maintained above van accessible disabled parking spaces and the vehicular routes that access them.

      5.   Disabled spaces shall be posted with a sign that includes the international symbol of accessibility, mounted high enough so it can be seen while a vehicle is parked in the space. Signs posted for van accessible spaces shall also include the words "Van Accessible".

      6.   Accessible parking spaces shall be located on the shortest accessible route of travel to an accessible facility entrance (where buildings have multiple accessible entrances with adjacent parking, the accessible parking spaces must be dispersed and located closest to the accessible entrances), except that:

         a.   Accessible parking spaces may be clustered in one or more lots if equivalent or greater accessibility is provided in terms of distance from the accessible entrance, parking fees, and convenience; and

         b.   Van accessible spaces located in parking structures may be clustered on one floor if necessary to accommodate the eight foot two inch (8'2") minimum vertical clearance requirement.

FIGURE 8-8-1-6B
DISABLED PARKING

Car spaces

Van spaces

   D.   Alternative Disabled Space Dimensions: In the alternative to providing car and van accessible spaces, the applicant may provide all required disabled spaces with the following dimensions:

      1.   Width: Eleven feet (11').

      2.   Depth: Twenty feet (20').

      3.   Accessible route width: Five feet (5').

   E.   Parking Module Dimensions: Parking modules shall be dimensioned as shown in table 8-8-1-6C, "Minimum Horizontal Parking Dimensions For Standard Automobiles", of this section. The dimensions that are set out in the table are illustrated in figure 8-8-1-6D, "Parking Module Standards", of this section.

 

FIGURE 8-8-1-6D
PARKING MODULE STANDARDS

(Ord. 10-001, 1-12-2010)

There shall be provided for each building, structure and use hereafter erected, structurally altered or enlarged, the minimum number of accessory off street parking spaces in accordance with the following:

 

Note:

    1.   Parking spaces located in a garage or carport are counted in determining compliance with this provision.

(Ord. 2018-012, 6-12-2018)

There shall be provided off street loading spaces of not less than the minimum requirements specified in this section in connection with any building, structure or use which is to be erected or substantially altered, and which requires the receipt or distribution of materials or merchandise by trucks or similar vehicles in accordance with the following:

   A.   Location: Accessory off street loading spaces shall be located on the same lot as the principal use. No loading space shall be located within forty feet (40') of the nearest point of intersection of any two (2) streets. No loading space shall be located in a required front or side yard, and any loading space located in a required rear yard shall be open to the sky.

   B.   Screening: Open off street loading spaces which abut a residential district boundary line shall be completely screened therefrom by a fence, wall, door, or any combination thereof, not less than six feet (6') nor more than eight feet (8') in height, or a densely planted tree or shrub hedge maintained to not less than six feet (6') in height.

   C.   Size: Unless otherwise specified in this title, a required off street loading space shall be at least fourteen feet (14') in width and at least fifty five feet (55') in length, exclusive of access drives, aisles, ramps, and maneuvering space, and shall have a vertical clearance of not less than fifteen feet (15').

   D.   Access: Each required off street loading space shall be designed with appropriate means of vehicular access to a street or alley in a manner which will least interfere with traffic movements. Access drives and intersection of driveways with streets shall be in accordance with regulations set forth in the Grundy County highway access regulation ordinance.

   E.   Surfacing: All open off street loading spaces, access drives, aisles, and maneuvering space shall be improved with a hard surface and a permanent wearing surface as approved by the Land Use Department.

   F.   Use Restrictions: No storage of any kind nor motor vehicle repair work or service of any kind shall be permitted within any required loading space.

   G.   Utilization: Space allocated to any off street loading spaces shall not, while so allocated, be used to satisfy the space requirements for any off street parking facilities or portions thereof.

   H.   Number Of Spaces: The minimum number of off street loading spaces accessory to buildings, structures, and uses hereafter erected, structurally altered, or enlarged, in all business and manufacturing districts, shall be in accordance with the following schedule:

 

 

(Ord. 10-001, 1-12-2010)

   A.   Applicability: Bicycle parking shall be required for all parcels proposed for development that have parking lots with twenty (20) or more parking spaces.

   B.   Number Of Bicycle Parking Spaces: One bicycle parking space per ten (10) parking spaces, to a maximum of six (6) bicycle parking spaces.

   C.   Bicycle Parking Design Standards: Bicycle parking shall be designed so that:

      1.   The bicycle frame and one wheel can be locked to the rack with a high security, U-shaped lock if both wheels are left on the bicycle. See figure 8-8-1-9, "Permitted Bicycle Parking Example - Wave Rack", of this section.

      2.   A bicycle that is six feet (6') long can be securely held with its frame supported so that the bicycle cannot be pushed or fall in a manner that will damage the wheel components.

      3.   Racks must be securely anchored.

      4.   Areas devoted to bicycle parking shall be hard surfaced.

      5.   Bicycle parking designs that only allow one locking point at the wheel are prohibited.

      6.   Bicycle racks are not required for bicycle parking associated with residential uses.

FIGURE 8-8-1-9
PERMITTED BICYCLE PARKING EXAMPLE - WAVE RACK

   D.   Bicycle Parking Location Standards:

      1.   Short term bicycle parking must be located within fifty feet (50') of the principal building entrance, at the same grade as the sidewalk or accessible route.

      2.   An aisle at least five feet (5') wide shall be provided behind all required bicycle parking to allow room for bicycle maneuvering.

      3.   If required bicycle parking is not visible from the street or principal building entrance, a sign shall be posted at the principal building entrance indicating the location of the bicycle parking.

   E.   Administrative Adjustments: The land use director is authorized to approve an administrative adjustment reducing the number of bicycle spaces if it is demonstrated that:

      1.   The use will not generate any bicycle traffic; or

      2.   It is impossible to provide bicycle parking at the subject location. (Ord. 10-001, 1-12-2010)

   A.   Separate Ownership; No Common Plan Of Development: Where adjacent properties are separately owned and not part of a common plan of development, the county may require common access or internal cross access as the parcels are developed, substantially improved, or redeveloped. As such, an applicant may be granted temporary individual access if:

      1.   The applicant demonstrates that a reasonable offer with regard to cross access was refused by the adjacent landowner; and

      2.   The applicant records a covenant acceptable to the land use department to ensure that the connection will be provided and access will be consolidated upon the earlier of:

         a.   Approval for development, substantial improvement, or redevelopment, of the adjacent property, if providing such connection is a requirement of the approval for the adjacent property; or

         b.   The applicant's parcel and the adjacent parcel coming under common ownership.

      3.   The applicant demonstrates that the proposed temporary access will not materially affect the safe and efficient flow of traffic.

   B.   Common Ownership Or Common Plan Of Development: Phased development, development sites under the same ownership, or development sites that are consolidated for the purposes of development and comprised of more than one building are considered unified parcels. Unified parcels shall provide access as follows:

      1.   The number of connections permitted shall be the minimum number necessary to provide reasonable access to the overall site and not the maximum available for the site's frontage; and

      2.   Access to outparcels shall be internalized using the shared circulation system and designed to avoid excessive movement across parking aisles or queuing across surrounding parking and driving aisles.

   C.   Terms: The county may require that common and cross access easements include one or more of the following:

      1.   A continuous drive extending the entire length of each block it serves, or at least one thousand feet (1,000') of linear frontage along a thoroughfare, whichever is less.

      2.   Sufficient width to accommodate a two-way access between properties, designed to accommodate automobiles and service and loading vehicles.

      3.   Stub-outs and other design features to allow abutting properties to be tied in to provide future cross access.

      4.   Linkage to other cross access drives in the area.

      5.   Common access, internal cross access, and driveway entrance improvements for nonresidential developments shall be made prior to the recording of a subdivision plat, unless proper surety has been posted to guarantee those improvements.

   D.   Approval And Recording Of Easements: Access that is shared by adjacent properties, whether under single or separate ownership, requires that an appropriate legal instrument to ensure continued shared access be approved by the land use department and recorded in the official public record at the applicant's expense. The recorded book and page number shall be referenced on any subsequent subdivision plats of the property. (Ord. 10-001, 1-12-2010)

   A.   General:

      1.   Generally, the maximum number of access points allowed will be the smallest number of access points that are necessary to accommodate the peak hour demands of the site.

      2.   The maximum number of access points may be increased if:

         a.   The lot fronts on an arterial and one or more side streets of lesser functional classification;

         b.   Access to the site will be provided from the streets of lesser functional classification; and

         c.   The total number of access points along the arterial frontage is reduced. (Ord. 10-001, 1-12-2010)

   A.   Generally: The maximum permitted illumination and the maximum permitted luminaire height shall conform with this section.

   B.   Fixture Type:

      1.   Generally, light fixtures shall be "cutoff" fixtures that limit lighting that is visible or measurable at the property line.

      2.   "Non cutoff" fixtures may be used only for decorative purposes, provided:

         a.   They have luminaires that produce no more than one thousand five hundred (1,500) lumens (approximately equal to a 100W incandescent bulb);

         b.   They have a maximum height of fifteen feet (15'); and

         c.   They use energy efficient bulbs, such as compact fluorescent (CF).

   C.   Maximum Freestanding Fixture Height: No freestanding light fixture shall be greater than twenty five feet (25') in height.

   D.   Maximum Illumination:

      1.   Outdoor lighting shall be deflected, shaded, and focused away from adjacent properties and shall not be a nuisance to such adjacent properties.

      2.   Outdoor lighting shall be designed so that any overspill of lighting onto adjacent properties shall not exceed three-tenths (3/10) foot-candle, measured vertically, and three-tenths (3/10) foot-candle, measured horizontally, on adjacent properties.

      3.   The ground level luminance ratio (the ratio between the luminance of the brightest point on the property and the darkest point on the property) shall not exceed twelve to one (12:1).

      4.   If additional light is necessary, it shall be provided within an enclosed structure.

   E.   Canopy Lighting: Canopy lighting for uses that have sheltered outside work or service areas, such as gas stations, shall meet the standards of this section. All luminaires shall be recessed into the canopy so that they cannot be viewed from off site from an eye height of four feet (4') (to protect automobile drivers from glare).

   F.   Outside Wall Mounted Lighting: No outside wall mounted lighting is permitted unless it is a cutoff fixture that is pointed straight down. (Ord. 10-001, 1-12-2010)

   A.   Generally: Ball diamonds, playing fields, driving ranges, tennis courts, and similar amusement or recreation uses have unique requirements for nighttime visibility and, generally, have limited hours of operation. The standards of this section, and not section 8-8-3-1, "Nonresidential Lighting Standards", of this chapter, apply to outdoor recreation uses.

   B.   Fixture Type: Light fixtures for illumination of playing courts and athletic fields shall be "cutoff" fixtures that limit lighting that is visible or measurable at the property line.

   C.   Maximum Freestanding Fixture Height: No freestanding light fixture shall be greater than eighty feet (80') in height.

   D.   Maximum Illumination:

      1.   Field and court lighting shall be deflected, shaded and focused away from adjacent properties and shall not be a nuisance to such adjacent properties.

      2.   Field and court lighting shall be designed so that any overspill of lighting onto adjacent properties shall not exceed one-half (1/2) foot-candle, measured vertically, and one-half (1/2) foot-candle, measured horizontally, on adjacent properties.

      3.   A landscaped buffer yard may be used to block lighting spillover onto adjacent property. The land use department may require more opaque buffer yards than those in chapter 9, "Landscaping And Tree Protection", of this title, to achieve this objective.

   E.   Hours Of Illumination: If the development is within three hundred feet (300') of a residential district, field lights shall be turned off by ten o'clock (10:00) P.M. (Ord. 10-001, 1-12-2010)

   A.   Generally: The county may require the modification or removal or limited operation of existing or new lighting fixtures found to be a public hazard or public nuisance according to the criteria of this title.

   B.   Hazards: Criteria for finding illumination to be a public hazard are as follows:

      1.   Light trespass or glare which is sufficiently intense or contrasts excessively with surrounding illumination, regardless of the intensity of the surrounding illumination, in a manner to cause impairment of visual performance or to distract from or impair the safe operation of a vehicle.

      2.   Light trespass or glare that impairs a person's visual performance or ability to avoid obstacles in their path.

   C.   Nuisance: Criteria for finding illumination to be a public nuisance are as follows:

      1.   Light trespass or glare that deprives an owner or occupant of usual and reasonable use and enjoyment of their property.

      2.   A high frequency and/or duration of periods when light trespass or glare is sufficient to interrupt or interfere with usual and reasonable use and enjoyment of a property.

      3.   Light trespass or glare that causes visual discomfort or impairment of visual performance in a manner that deprives any person from the usual and reasonable enjoyment of the public streets and properties of the county. (Ord. 10-001, 1-12-2010)