The off-street parking and loading requirements of this chapter are established to prevent congestion on public streets by providing clearly defined parking areas that are separated from roadways; to remove the hazard to pedestrians of emerging between parked vehicles onto a public street; to facilitate proper storm-water runoff; to prevent the generation of dust; and to ensure safe, on-site circulation for pedestrians and automobiles.

(Ord. No. 158, § 8.00, 9-22-2008)

It shall be the duty of both the owner and occupant of any premises to provide off-street parking areas as required in this article. Such off-street parking areas shall be laid out, constructed and maintained in accordance with the following standards and regulations:

(1)

Whenever a use or an activity requiring off-street parking is created, enlarged or increased in activity or intensity, off-street parking spaces shall be provided on site and maintained as required by this chapter.

(2)

The amount of required off-street parking for new uses of buildings, additions to existing buildings, new uses of land and accessory buildings shall be determined in accordance with the regulations in effect at the time the new use or addition is proposed, and the space so required shall be shown on the site plan and shall be irrevocably reserved for such use.

(3)

Off-street parking existing at the effective date of this chapter in conjunction with the operation of an existing building or use shall not be reduced to an amount less than hereinafter required for a similar new building or new use.

(4)

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the collective provisions of offstreet parking areas for two or more buildings or uses. Such collective parking may be reduced by up to 15 percent of the required minimum number of spaces for the various uses computed separately, provided that a parking study is presented to the planning commission which substantiates the requested reduction.

(5)

Where the owners of two buildings, whose peak operating hours do not overlap, desire to utilize common off-street parking areas, the planning commission may permit such dual function provided that the following conditions have been met:

a.

The peak business hours of the two buildings or uses do not overlap. The applicant requesting shared parking shall demonstrate to the planning commission that the amount of parking required for each individual site may be accommodated for in the future. In the event that there is a change of uses that no longer meets the criteria established for shared parking, the required number of spaces as provided in section 60-163 shall be installed.

b.

The common parking area meets the off-street parking requirements of the larger building or more intensive use.

c.

The common parking area meets all of the locational requirements of this chapter with respect to each building or use.

(6)

Off-street parking areas required herein shall be located within 300 feet of the permitted use it is intended to serve, such distance to be measured along lines of public access to the property between the nearest point of the parking area and the building to be served, provided that the said off-street parking area shall not be separated from the building to be served by any major or secondary thoroughfare, drain or physical barrier, or public improvement.

(7)

Required off-street parking may not be enclosed with a gate that would permit it to be closed to either employees or patrons.

(8)

When units or measurements determining the number of required parking spaces result in the requirement of a fractional space, any faction shall require one parking space.

(9)

For the purpose of determining off-street parking requirements for all uses, floor area shall mean 100 percent of the gross floor area as measured from the interior of all exterior walls.

(10)

Whenever drive-through or vehicle stacking lanes are provided, such lanes shall be located so as not to impede pedestrian or vehicular circulation on the site or on abutting sites, nor shall any drive-thru lane cross a vehicle maneuvering lane or aisle or block any space used for parking. Stacking or vehicle waiting spaces shall be a minimum of 9.5' × 21'. Four (4) stacking spaces shall be provided for each drive-through window provided. Eating and drinking establishments shall provide a minimum six (6) stacking spaces beginning at the menu board.

(Ord. No. 158, § 8.01, 9-22-2008)

The minimum number of off-street parking spaces by type of use shall be determined in accordance with the following schedule. For those uses not specifically mentioned, the requirements for off-street parking facilities shall be in accord with a use which is most similar in type as determined by the planning commission.

(1)

Residential.

a.

The off-street parking area required for single-family dwellings shall be located on the same lot or plot of ground of the building they are intended to serve and shall consist of a paved parking strip, parking apron, carport and/or garage on the basis of two parking spaces for each dwelling unit. Parking shall be restricted to paved areas. The parking of recreation vehicles shall by regulated by all applicable ordinances within the city.

b.

Multiple-family residential dwellings shall have two paved off-street parking spaces for each one-bedroom dwelling unit. For each additional bedroom per unit, one-half additional parking space shall be provided. Multiple-family dwelling units in the central business zoning district shall be required one and one-half paved off-street parking spaces per each dwelling unit.

c.

Housing for the elderly. Two spaces for each three dwelling units, and one for each employee. Should the dwelling units revert to general occupancy, then two spaces per unit shall be provided. The location of this reserved parking area shall be shown on the site plan at the time of the original approval.

d.

Manufactured homes. Two spaces per unit, plus one (1) space for every three manufactured home sites for visitor parking. Visitor parking shall be located within 300 feet of the manufactured home sites they are intended to serve.

e.

Community buildings (multiple-family and manufactured housing community). One space for each four persons allowed within the maximum occupancy load, as determined by the fire department.

f.

In multiple-family residential districts and manufactured housing communities where recreation vehicles are permitted, a secured storage area for such vehicles shall be provided and buffered from adjacent uses. No unlicensed motor vehicle of any type shall be parked within the development at any time, except within a covered building or the enclosed storage area. In the manufactured housing community district, no motorized recreation vehicles or boats shall be parked on individual home sites. All group off-street parking lots shall be adequately lighted during hours of darkness with no more than one-half footcandle of illumination.

_____

(2)

Institutional.

(3)

Recreational.

(4)

Offices.

(5)

Auto-related uses.

(6)

Commercial.

(7)

Industrial.

_____

(8)

Maximum number of parking spaces permitted. In no circumstance shall any use provide a number of surface parking spaces which exceeds the required minimum amount defined in section 60-163 by more than 25 percent, unless otherwise stated in this chapter.

(9)

Parking in the central business zoning district. The city council, after planning commission recommendation, may waive or lessen the parking requirements for property zoned CB, central business, based upon the availability of parking within the area or the projected amount of pedestrian traffic. Residential uses in the CB Zoning District shall not be eligible for a parking waiver and shall meet the requirements of subsection (1)b.

Wherever the requirements in section 60-213 require the construction of an off-street parking area, such off-street parking area shall be laid out, constructed and maintained in accordance with the following standards and regulations:

(1)

No parking lot shall be constructed unless and until a permit therefore is issued by the building department. Applications for a permit shall be submitted as per the requirements of site plan review (article III).

(2)

Plans for the layout of an off-street parking area shall have dimensions consistent with the following standards:

a.

Ninety-degree pattern: Parking spaces and maneuvering lanes shall be provided based on one of the following alternatives:

b.

Sixty-degree pattern: Fifty-eight feet for two tiers of spaces, and one aisle/maneuvering lane, with the minimum aisle width for two-way traffic being 20 feet. One-way traffic shall require a maneuvering lane of not less than 15 feet in width.

c.

Forty-five degree pattern: Fifty-six feet with two tiers of parking spaces, plus one aisle/maneuvering lane of at least 20 feet in width for two-way traffic. One-way traffic shall require a maneuvering lane of not less than 12 feet in width.

d.

Parallel parking: Each parallel parking space shall be separated by at least five feet from an adjoining parking space.

e.

All other two-way drives or maneuvering lanes not indicated above shall have a minimum width of 20 feet. One-way drives shall have a minimum width of ten feet. All proposed maneuvering lanes less than 20 feet in width are subject to approval by the City of New Baltimore Fire Department.

f.

Parking spaces to accommodate vehicles with trailers (boats and recreational vehicles) shall be at least ten feet by 40 feet.

g.

All parking area stalls shall be striped and maintained.

(3)

Site drainage and water detention/retention in a proposed parking area shall be approved by the City of New Baltimore Engineer.

(4)

Handicapped parking spaces shall be furnished as required by state and federal law.

(5)

All parking spaces shall be provided with adequate access by means of maneuvering lanes. Spaces shall not be designed to permit or encourage vehicles from backing out of a space directly onto a street or alley, with the exception of single-family residential uses.

(6)

The entire parking area, including parking spaces, maneuvering lanes and drives required under this Section, shall be provided with asphalt or concrete surfacing in accordance with the City of New Baltimore Engineering Standards and as approved by the city engineer. The parking area shall be surfaced prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy for the building or buildings which it serves.

(7)

No parking area shall be located closer than five feet to any property line. Single-family residential development shall not be required to meet this provision.

(8)

Curbed, landscaped islands shall be placed at the ends of parking space groupings to separate parking spaces from maneuvering aisles and provide for safe traffic flow.

(9)

In any area where front-end parking abuts a curbed area or a raised sidewalk, a two-foot vehicle overhang shall be required.

(10)

In any area where a row of front-end parking abuts a curbed lawn area at least two feet in width or a raised sidewalk having a minimum width of at least five feet, the minimum parking stall depth may be reduced by up to two feet in depth in order to allow for a vehicle to overhang such area or such sidewalk. In no case shall the parking stall depth be decreased to allow a vehicle to overhang a required parking setback or property line.

(11)

Ingress and egress to a parking lot for nonresidential purposes shall not be provided across land zoned for single-family residential purposes. All such entrances and exits shall also be located at least ten feet from any property zoned for single-family residential use.

(12)

Parking lot lighting shall meet the requirements of section 60-189.

(13)

The surface of the parking lot area, shall be maintained and kept free from weeds, rubbish, refuse and debris.

(14)

All parking serving other than single-family dwellings shall be side-by-side or parallel. Tandem parking shall be prohibited, except where a multiple-family unit has its own separate two-car garage, their separate approach apron can be used for visitor parking. Tandem parking to a depth of three cars may be permitted in vehicle storage and inventory areas provided such areas are under the control of employees and are not accessible by the general public. Any parking or vehicle circulation areas accessible to the public shall meet the size standards specified in this section.

(15)

Except as otherwise provided in this article, required off-street parking space shall be for the use of occupants, employees, visitors, customers, clients and patrons. Off-street parking areas shall not be used for other than parking purposes or allowed to become unusable, except for temporary repairs. The storage of vehicles or merchandise in any off-street parking space is prohibited, except as permitted in conjunction with the approved principal or accessory use. Further, no repairs or service to vehicles and no display of vehicles for the purpose of sale shall be carried on or permitted upon any off-street parking area, except as permitted in conjunction with the approved principal or accessory use.

(16)

The planning commission may require an access easement to provide for vehicular access to existing or contemplated adjacent parking areas to minimize the need for driveways to each facility and thereby decreasing hazards to vehicular traffic. In such instances, a reciprocal use agreement shall be signed by each owner.

(17)

The use of any outdoor noise-producing device or public address system that is deemed a nuisance to neighboring properties shall be prohibited.

(18)

Adequate ingress and egress to the parking area by means of clearly limited and defined paved drives shall be provided for all vehicles. All parking areas shall be provided with an entrance and exit from the abutting public thoroughfare. Such entrance and exit may be combined as one, which shall be 30 feet in width and/or may be located on an adjacent site.

(19)

Reinforced concrete curbs, meeting the City of New Baltimore Engineering Standards, and as approved by the city engineer, shall be required. The use of bumper blocks is prohibited, except in such circumstances as determined by the planning commission where the site characteristics warrant their use.

(Ord. No. 158, § 8.03, 9-22-2008)

It is intended that the provision of parking within structures or buildings shall serve to increase the value and convenience of related development and to enhance, rather than detract from, the appearance of the overall development. It is further intended that the provision of such facilities shall not negatively impact the safety and security of the public. All parking structures shall observe the layout, construction and maintenance requirements of section 60-164, plus the following additional standards:

(1)

Parking structures shall be considered a permitted use in the following zoning districts: GC General commercial, CB central business and I industrial. In all other zoning districts a parking structure shall require special land use approval (article X).

(2)

Parking structures shall be physically integrated into the overall design and functioning of the site, as well as the surrounding area. The exterior treatment of the parking structure element of a building complex shall be substantially the same in appearance to that of the main building element, and shall further be designed so that all architectural and vehicular lighting is shielded or screened from view from adjacent properties.

(3)

The development of parking structures shall be in accordance with safety and security requirements established by the city.

(Ord. No. 158, § 8.04, 9-22-2008)

On the same premises with every building, structure, or part thereof, erected and occupied for manufacturing, storage, warehouse goods, a wholesale store, a market, a hotel, a hospital, a mortuary, or other uses similarly involving the receipt or distribution of vehicles, materials or merchandise, there shall be provided and maintained on the lot adequate space for standing, loading, and unloading services adjacent to the opening used for loading and unloading in order to avoid interference with public use of the streets and alleys. Such loading and unloading shall be provided in accordance with the following:

(1)

All loading or unloading areas shall provide a minimum area of ten feet by 50 feet with a height clearance of 14 feet.

(2)

Loading and unloading areas shall be so located and designed that the vehicles intended to use them can maneuver safely and conveniently to and from a public right-of-way and complete loading and unloading operations without obstructing or interfering with any public right-of-way or any parking space or parking lot maneuvering lane or aisle. When required, loading and unloading areas shall be designated and defined.

(3)

No area allocated to loading and unloading facilities may be used to satisfy the area requirements for off-street parking, nor shall any portion of any off-street parking area be used to satisfy the area requirements for loading and unloading facilities, except as specifically authorized by this chapter.

(4)

Unless otherwise specified, loading and unloading areas shall be provided only in rear yards. Side yard loading may be permitted by the planning commission when it is determined that such space and loading facilities would not interfere with parking and circulation, either vehicular or pedestrian, or with abutting uses.

(5)

All loading and unloading areas shall be surfaced, drained, and otherwise developed in accordance with the provisions applicable to off-street parking areas (section 60-164).

(6)

Loading and unloading in the central business zoning district shall be provided for on a case by case basis, as determined necessary by the planning commission.

(7)

Overhead doors shall be considered as loading/unloading areas and shall not be placed on the front of the building.

(Ord. No. 158, § 8.05, 9-22-2008)