No person, firm or corporation shall construct, reconstruct, alter or repair, remove or replace any sidewalk, drive approach or any concrete work on any Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) right-of-way within the city without first obtaining an approved TxDOT permit. This permit shall be submitted to the city for initial review and forwarded to TxDOT for final review and approval.

(Code 2014, § 46-569; Ord. No. 629, § 01.19.001, 12-1-2006)

   (a)   Compliance with ordinances, regulations and plans. Any person seeking access to lands abutting the public street right-of-way shall comply with this article and:

      (1)   The city's subdivision regulations (chapter 40).

      (2)   The city's comprehensive zoning regulations provided in this chapter.

      (3)   Other applicable city regulations, codes or ordinances.

      (4)   Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

   (b)   Downtown districts and home occupations. This article shall not apply to developments located within the downtown districts or to home occupations.

(Code 2014, § 46-570; Ord. No. 629, § 01.19.002, 12-1-2006)

   (a)   Nonresidential parking areas shall be designed not to allow backing of vehicles into a public street.

   (b)   Access facilities shall be located and designed with respect to both the public street and the on-site circulation to provide maximum safety and to minimize interference with street traffic.

   (c)   The property owner shall do all work and pay all costs in connection with the construction of access driveways and their appurtenances on the right-of-way.

   (d)   Temporary or permanent nonpublic all-weather drive surfaces will be required at the beginning of construction for emergency access or turnaround for emergency vehicles. The minimum standards for this surface shall consist of four inches of limestone base with a one-course seal coat or slag or asphalt or concrete. Driveways shall be a minimum of 12 feet in width and continue to the garage or carport for residential applications. No slag is permitted in commercial applications.

   (e)   Driveway entrances must be able to accommodate all vehicle types having occasion to enter the site, including delivery vehicles.

   (f)   Access to TxDOT facilities shall also comply with all TxDOT standards.

   (g)   No single-family dwelling, townhouse, or duplex unit may take direct access to arterial streets or collector streets if the property can be accessed by a local street. If it can only be accessed by an arterial or collector street, then adequate maneuvering space must be provided, as vehicles will not be allowed to back directly into these streets.

   (h)   Access from a nonresidential development to a local street shall be discouraged when the primary use of the local street is access to and from residences.

(Code 2014, § 46-571; Ord. No. 629, § 01.19.003, 12-1-2006; Ord. No. 743, § 3, 4-14-2014)

   (a)   In computing the parking requirements for any building or development, the total parking requirements shall be the sum of the specific parking space requirements for each class of use included in the building for development. The minimum parking requirements herein specified are considered minimum requirements and shall be exceeded where usage, experience or design information makes such increase appropriate.

   (b)   Required off-street parking areas shall not be used for the commercial sale, repair, dismantling, servicing, storage or display of vehicles, equipment, materials, supplies or merchandise.

   (c)   Where open land is used for manufacturing, storage, or other operations in a manner similar to indoor operations, such open land shall be added to floor space in determining the number of parking spaces required.

   (d)   All off-street parking spaces shall be accompanied by adequate automobile maneuvering area permitting full and direct ingress and egress to such parking spaces. The maneuvering area thereto shall be located entirely upon private property, except that the unobstructed width of an abutting alley may be considered for maneuvering area.

   (e)   All off-street parking spaces and accompanying maneuvering areas specifically designed vehicles with a wheel base of passenger car design standard shall have an all-weather surface. The all-weather surface shall be composed of asphalt or Portland cement pavement for commercial zone and asphalt or Portland cement or a steel slag material up to one inch in size and a minimum of four inches thick for residential zone. All off-street parking areas shall be so graded and drained as to dispose of all surface water accumulated within the area, and shall be so arranged and marked as to provide the orderly and safe loading or unloading parking and storage of vehicles of the city.

   (f)   No requirement set forth in this chapter shall be construed to prevent collective utilization of any off-street parking facility for two or more buildings or uses; provided, however, that the total number of off-street parking spaces shall not be less than the sum of the requirements for the particular individual uses computed separately in accordance with the applicable regulations for off-street parking spaces.

   (g)   A commercial site contiguous with another commercial site shall provide parking aisle connections to the boundary of the site for connection to such contiguous commercial site unless such connection is inappropriate, as, for example, when there exists topographic constraints, environmental constraints, or adjacent uses that are incompatible for the purposes of mixing traffic, then the city manager or a designee, may, after considering all relevant factors, waive this requirement.

(Code 2014, § 46-572; Ord. No. 629, § 01.19.004, 12-1-2006; Ord. No. 738, § 1A, 1-13-2014)

The design of 45-degree, 60-degree, 90-degree, and parallel parking areas shall conform to the standards shown below. These requirements are measured from wall to wall. An 18-foot-paved space (90-degree only) may be utilized where the space abuts a landscaped island with a minimum depth of four feet. An 18-foot space may also be used when adjacent to a sidewalk, provided that the minimum width of the sidewalk is six feet.

(Code 2014, § 46-573; Ord. No. 629, § 01.19.005, 12-1-2006)

All striping for parking stalls shall be a minimum of four inches wide of white safety traffic paint designated for such use. All other markings required designating crosswalks, directional arrows, fire lanes, handicap spaces, or service areas shall be in compliance with the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

(Code 2014, § 46-574; Ord. No. 629, § 01.19.006, 12-1-2006)

All handicap parking spaces and access shall be in accordance with the state accessibility standards.

(Code 2014, § 46-575; Ord. No. 629, § 01.19.007, 12-1-2006)

An end island shall be required at the end of each parking row. The island shall have raised curbing not less than six inches in height and encompass an area of not less than 180 square feet for single parking row end islands or 360 square feet for double single-row end islands.

(Code 2014, § 46-576; Ord. No. 629, § 01.19.008, 12-1-2006)

Bay dividers shall be provided in order to prevent uncontrolled movement across parking areas, to separate the parking area from the adjacent property, and to increase the safety of individuals using the lot. Dividers shall be provided on every other parking row and conform to one of the following standards:

      (1)   Wheel stops shall be made of concrete and/or approved materials not less than six inches in height and six feet in length and shall be anchored and placed in the center of each parking stall 2½ feet behind the front of the parking space;

      (2)   Raised dividers shall have raised six-inch curbing and be a minimum of five feet in width measured from face of curb to face of curb and tie in with the end island; or

      (3)   Raised dividers that are landscaped shall have raised six-inch curbing and be a minimum of seven feet in width and tie in to the end island.

(Code 2014, § 46-577; Ord. No. 629, § 01.19.009, 12-1-2006)

All traffic control signs required for the site shall meet the standards established in the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

(Code 2014, § 46-578; Ord. No. 629, § 01.19.010, 12-1-2006)

All parking spaces required by this chapter shall be located on the same property as the structure they serve except where an enlargement or change in use increases the required number of spaces. In such cases, off-site parking may be allowed and must conform to the following standards:

      (1)   The off-site parking area must be on adjacent property to the property served or within 100 feet of the structure it serves if not located on the property adjacent to the site;

      (2)   Access to off-site parking shall not interfere with the normal movement of traffic along adjacent arterials or collectors, as specified in the major thoroughfare plan, nor as to endanger pedestrians moving between the parking area and the structure served. Off-site parking is not allowed in any area that would require a pedestrian to cross an arterial street;

      (3)   To discourage the use of thoroughfares by circulating vehicles, provisions for circulation between adjacent parcels shall be provided through coordinated or joint parking systems; and

      (4)   The off-site parking area shall remain in use as long as the parking requirement exists or until such time that adequate on-site parking is provided. In any case where required parking spaces are not located on the same property with the activity or establishment, or where such spaces are collectively or jointly provided and used, a written agreement thereby assuring their retention for such purposes shall be properly drawn and executed by the parties concerned, approved as to form by the city attorney, filed with the county and submitted with the application for site plan approval.

(Code 2014, § 46-579; Ord. No. 629, § 01.19.011, 12-1-2006)

   (a)   Rules for computing the parking requirement.

      (1)   Where fractional spaces result, the parking spaces required shall be construed to be the next largest whole number.

      (2)   The parking space required for a use not specifically mentioned herein shall be the same as required for a similar use.

      (3)   A parking analysis shall be required for each development. It shall include the number of employees, number of parking spaces provided, number of spaces required with proper calculations, square footage of each structure and the use of each structure. When necessary, an additional traffic impact analysis may be required to determine the impacts of a development on the off-site public street system.

   (b)   Minimum parking requirements.

      (1)   Residential. (Note: The single-family requirements only apply to new residential construction. Enclosure of a garage or a room addition would not be required to add parking if the driveway can accommodate two vehicles. In the case where only one space is provided, an additional space will be required or a variance must be obtained.)

         a.   Single-family dwelling:

            1.   One to two bedrooms: Two spaces required.

            2.   Three to four bedrooms: Three spaces required.

            3.   Five or more bedrooms: Four spaces required.

         b.   Duplex and quadruplex: One per bedroom.

         c.   Apartments: One per bedroom.

         d.   Boardinghouse: Two spaces per dwelling unit, plus one for every two roomers.

         e.   Manufactured home park; see article XXVI of this chapter.

         f.   Hotel or motel:

            1.   One per guestroom; and

            2.   One for every 400 square feet of public meeting space.

      (2)   Institutional and special uses.

         a.   Church: One per two seats in the sanctuary.

         b.   College or university: One per faculty and staff, plus five per resident and commuter student.

         c.   Public community, health, or welfare center: One per 250 square feet of gross floor area (GFA).

         d.   Day camp, kindergarten, or day nursery: One per six pupils, plus one per two staff members.

         e.   Fraternity or sorority house: One per residence, plus one for every two additional active members.

         f.   Hospital: 1.5 per bed.

         g.   Institution, religious, charitable, or philanthropic organizations: One per 200 square feet of GFA.

         h.   Trade schools: One per 200 square feet of GFA.

         i.   Nursing or convalescent homes: One per five beds, plus one for each day staff member.

         j.   Institutional home for the elderly: One per five residence units, plus one per each day staff member.

         k.   Residence home for the elderly: One per dwelling unit.

         l.   Place of public assembly: One per 50 square feet of GFA.

         m.   School, elementary: One per 20 students.

         n.   School, middle: One per 15 students.

         o.   School, high: One per three students.

         p.   Lodge or fraternal organization: One per 100 square feet of GFA.

      (3)   Food and beverage services.

         a.   Drive-in, fast food, or take-out (service to auto): Eight, plus one per 50 square feet of seating area.

         b.   General restaurant or cafeteria (no service to auto): 1.25 per 100 square feet of GFA, plus spaces for banquet rooms.

      (4)   Office, professional, or financial uses.

         a.   Bank or savings and loan office: One per 300 square feet of GFA.

         b.   Clinic or doctor's office: One per 200 square feet of GFA.

         c.   General office: One per 300 square feet of GFA.

         d.   Dance, drama, or music studio: One per 200 square feet of GFA.

      (5)   Personal service and retail uses.

         a.   Personal service establishments: One per 200 square feet of GFA.

         b.   Retail stores/shops in buildings: One per 250 square feet of GFA.

         c.   Shopping centers: One per 200 square feet of GFA.

         d.   Outdoor retail sales: One per 400 square feet of site area.

      (6)   Recreation, social, and entertainment uses.

         a.   Commercial amusements: One per 100 square feet of enclosed GFA.

         b.   Bowling alley: Six per lane.

         c.   Theater: One per five seats.

         d.   Nightclub: One per 50 square feet of GFA.

      (7)   Motor vehicle and machinery uses.

         a.   Carwash: One per 500 square feet of GFA.

         b.   Automobile sales:

            1.   One per 400 square feet enclosed space.

            2.   One per 2,000 square feet outside display area.

         c.   Auto repair, garage, or shop: One per 200 square feet of GFA.

         d.   Machinery sales or repair, indoor: One per 500 square feet of GFA.

         e.   Machinery sales or repair, outdoor: One per 2,000 square feet of GFA.

      (8)   Storage, wholesale, and manufacturing uses.

         a.   Brick or lumberyard: One per 2,000 square feet of site area.

         b.   Storage of sand, gravel, petroleum products, etc., outdoor: One per 2,000 square feet of site area.

         c.   Wholesale or manufacturing operation: One per 1,000 square feet of GFA or one per each two employees on the larger shift.

         d.   Warehouse and enclosed storage: One per 600 square feet of GFA.

         e.   Mini-storage complex: One per 30 square feet of office area.

(Code 2014, § 46-580; Ord. No. 629, § 01.19.012, 12-1-2006)

   (a)   Loading and unloading areas shall be located so as not to restrict or interfere with the normal movement of pedestrians and vehicles along streets, sidewalks or in parking areas. Driveway placement shall be such that loading and unloading activities will in no way hinder vehicle ingress or egress.

   (b)   Areas designated for the loading and unloading of people shall be physically separated from areas designated for the loading and unloading of freight or goods not carried by people embarking/disembarking from a vehicle. Such physical separation will preclude use of a loading/unloading area by the other activity.

   (c)   Loading and unloading areas shall be screened from parking areas and adjacent properties by a solid visual barrier not less than six feet in height. Loading and unloading areas for people are not required to be screened from parking areas and adjacent properties.

   (d)   Child care centers, kindergartens and other child care facilities shall be required to provide a loading/unloading area separate from the parking area and as close to the main entrance as possible. The loading/unloading area shall have one-way movement.

   (e)   Commercial applications shall have a minimum of 75 feet in length to the first stopping point at all times, and be a minimum of 40 feet in width.

(Code 2014, § 46-581; Ord. No. 629, § 01.19.013, 12-1-2006; Ord. No. 743, § 5, 4-14-2014)