a.   Scope of provisions. Except as provided in this section, an application for a building permit for a multi-family, commercial or industrial use shall include a site plan showing the required space reserved for off-street parking and access. The plan may include landscaping. An occupancy permit shall not be issued unless the required off-street parking and access have been provided in accordance with those shown on the approved plan.

   b.   Off-street parking required. In all districts at the time any building or structure is constructed or enlarged, or the use is changed or increased in intensity, off-street parking spaces for automobiles and/or bicycles shall be provided in accordance with the requirements herein. Said spaces shall be located on the lot containing the use itself; provided, however, in unusual or extraordinary circumstances the Zoning Administrator may grant approval to allow a portion or all of the required spaces to be located on a lot which is accessible to the lot containing the use itself. The approval shall be based on the accessibility of the lot. In order to merit favorable consideration, the applicant must provide evidence to the satisfaction of the Zoning Administrator that a suitable long-term lease or other legal agreement can be executed and recorded which would guarantee that the lot containing the use has the irrevocable right to utilize the adjacent lot for off-street automobile and/or bicycle parking purposes.

(Ord. Z2013-01, passed 9-12-2013)

   Parking space requirements of this article shall not be reduced in size or number, modified or transferred to another use without proper zoning and/or building permits. When parking spaces are a special use permit, the owner must have received a variance from the Board of Adjustment. In order to receive a variance, the lot owner must demonstrate that the tenant(s) or occupant(s) of the subject lot will not: (1) need the number of parking spaces required by this article for that general type of use(s); and (2) that the area subject to the reduction in size and/or number of parking spaces can be utilized for landscaping or other aesthetic amenities not otherwise required by this article.

   Exception

   The off-street parking requirements within the CD District may be exempted in part where it is found that it is impracticable to provide all parking requirements of this part.

(Ord. Z2013-01, passed 9-12-2013)

   Bicycle parking spaces, as set forth in the design criteria shall equal in number to 2% of the total number of parking spaces required as set forth in § 13-5 with a minimum of one bicycle parking space. This requirement shall be in addition to the requirement for automobile parking. This requirement may be administratively waived by the Zoning Administrator in those unique instances where it is clearly demonstrated that bicycle parking is inappropriate.

   Example: Bicycle Parking Facility in a Shopping Center

(Ord. Z2013-01, passed 9-12-2013)

   Parking lots, ramps, walks, bridges, entrances and the like shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the North Carolina Building Code dealing with making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities, as from time to time amended, in addition to minimum requirements of this chapter.

(Ord. Z2013-01, passed 9-12-2013)

 

 

(Ord. Z2013-01, passed 9-12-2013)

   Where practical, every use shall provide space for loading and unloading of vehicles off the street or public alley.

(Ord. Z2013-01, passed 9-12-2013)

   Off-street loading spaces must be provided as appropriate to function and scope of operation of individual or groups of buildings and uses.

   The table is not all inclusive. There may be uses that are not listed or not equivalent. For those uses, the Planning Department may make a determination of the nearest and best number of parking spaces for the proposed use.

(Ord. Z2013-01, passed 9-12-2013)

   a.   Off-street loading spaces must be designed and constructed so that all maneuvering of vehicles for loading and unloading can take place entirely within the property lines of the premises. Loading spaces must be designed so as not to interfere with the normal movement of vehicles and pedestrians on public right-of-way.

   b.   Where more than one tenant or use is included within any building or on any one lot, the requirements shall be the sum total of the loading and unloading requirements for all of the various tenants or uses. Generally speaking, loading and unloading requirements for a building shall be based on the most common requirements for uses in the zone in which such building is located, except where use areas are distinctively separated by building form.

(Ord. Z2013-01, passed 9-12-2013)

   Minimum parking lot and parking area design and dimension criteria shall be as follows.

   a.   The minimum width of a one-way drive shall be 12 feet or as required by the Building Code.

   b.   Except as permitted in the parking space dimension chart, the minimum width of a two-way drive shall be 18 feet except where required by the Building Code for fire lanes and accessibility for firefighting equipment, etc.

   c.   Tandem parking will generally not be permitted to satisfy parking requirements except where appropriate for developments of single- or two-family units.

   d.   Bicycle parking facilities shall be conveniently located adjacent to on-site bicycle circulation pedestrian routes and shall be provided with durable and functional bicycle racks.

   e.   Parking stalls and interior driveways shall have at least the following dimensions:

 

 

 

 

   f.   The minimum number of accessible parking spaces shall be determined and installed in accordance with the North Carolina Building Code.

   g.   Islands. Parking lanes shall be separated with planting islands, wheel stops or painted lines so as to provide clear avenues of travel.

(Ord. Z2013-01, passed 9-12-2013)

   Every lot or parcel of land hereafter used as a public or private parking area, including a commercial parking lot and an automobile or trailer sales lot, shall be developed and maintained in accordance with the following requirements.

   a.   Separation from walkways, sidewalks and streets. All off-street parking, loading and service areas shall be separated from walkways, sidewalks and streets.

   b.   Surfacing. Any off-street parking area shall be surfaced with a material providing a durable, all weather, dustless surface (e.g., asphalt or concrete paving), shall be so graded and drained as to dispose of all surface water accumulated within the area, not damage adjacent properties or streets, and shall be so arranged and marked as to provide for orderly and safe loading, unloading, parking and storage of automobiles. Pervious pavement are acceptable as well as those with open cells seeded with grass and any other surface approved by the Planning Department.

(Ord. Z2013-01, passed 9-12-2013)