North Centre Township Columbia County
City Zoning Code
City Zoning Code
PART 8
OFF-STREET PARKING, LOADING AND ACCESS DRIVE REQUIREMENTS
§ 27-801 Off-Street Parking Requirements.
[Ord. No. 11/10/2008, § 800]
1.
In all districts, except the V Village District, in connection 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 is 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. (See also Subsection 1J below.)
A.
All off-street vehicle parking spaces shall contain a minimum of 200 square feet of usable area, exclusive of drives, entrances or exits, and shall have a width of not less than 10 feet.
B.
Off-street parking spaces for residential uses shall be located on the same lot or contiguous lot as the dwelling unit(s) being served, either inside or outside of a building. Off-street parking for nonresidential uses may be located on a lot other than that containing the principal use, but shall be situated within 500 feet of the use being served. Such remote parking shall however remain under the control and care 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 proposed use and sets forth appropriate maintenance responsibilities for the parking area.
C.
All off-street parking areas 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.
D.
All off-street parking spaces and parking areas shall be graded for proper drainage and shall be stabilized with a durable, all-weather wearing surface, such as compacted gravel, concrete or bituminous pavement.
E.
All lighting which is used to illuminate off-street parking areas shall be mounted and shielded so as to avoid creating safety problems for motorists on public streets and to avoid causing direct glare on adjacent properties.
F.
All nonresidential off-street parking areas shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all side and rear property lines when such parking is proposed to be located adjacent to another nonresidential lot. Where however, such parking abuts a residential lot, a setback of not less than 15 feet shall be required. Screening, as provided in § 27-507 of this chapter, shall be used to effectively screen nonresidential parking areas from residential uses.
G.
Adequate provision shall be made for ingress and egress to all off-street parking spaces and parking areas. Access shall be limited to a minimal number of well-defined locations. In no case shall unrestricted access along the length of a street upon which the parking abuts be permitted. Nonresidential parking spaces and parking areas shall be designed so there will be no need for motorists to back over public walkways or street rights-of-way.
H.
A planting strip, at least 20 feet in width, shall be reserved as open space between any street right-of-way line and any nonresidential off-street parking area. No parking or vehicular circulation shall be permitted within this required setback area (except designated points of ingress and egress), nor shall any planting or sign located within such area be placed within the clear sight triangle of any intersection (as per the requirements of § 27-505, Subsection 4, of this chapter), nor at any other location within the required setback area that could obstruct or impair a driver's clear vision.
I.
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 as may be recommended otherwise by the Township Planning Commission and approved by the Township Supervisors.
J.
Off-street parking shall be provided as set forth in Table 1 below. In the case of any building, structure 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 Zoning Officer, shall apply. In the case of mixed uses or multiple uses of one building, the total number of required parking spaces shall be the sum of the number of spaces required for each use.
Off-street parking spaces for handicapped persons shall be provided as per the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Applicants proposing development in the V Village District are encouraged to provide as much off-street parking as possible. The Township Planning Commission shall review each proposal in this district and recommend an appropriate number of spaces. Township Supervisors shall ultimately determine the number of spaces that must be provided.
Table 1 Off-Street Parking Schedule | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Use Classification | Spaces Required | ||
Residential Uses | |||
(1) | Single and two-family dwelling units. (Attached or detached) | 2 for each dwelling unit | |
(2) | Multifamily dwelling units, including conversion apartments, and multifamily or residential cluster developments | 2 for each dwelling unit; 1 for each dwelling unit for elderly housing | |
(3) | Mobile home parks | 2 for each mobile home lot | |
(4) | Rooming or boarding homes | 2 for the dwelling unit + 1 for each boarding unit or guest room | |
(5) | Bed-and-breakfast establishments | 2 for the dwelling unit + 1 for each guest room | |
Institutional Uses | |||
(6) | Day care facilities | ||
(a) | Family day care homes or accessory group day care homes | 2 for the dwelling unit + 1 for each 3 students/clients | |
(b) | Day-care centers or group day care homes | 1 for each 3 students/clients + 1 for each employee | |
(7) | Schools. (Public or private) | ||
(a) | Elementary schools | 5 for each classroom + 1 for each employee | |
(b) | Middle or high schools or post-secondary education facilities | 1 for each 3 seats of auditorium or gymnasium capacity, whichever is greater | |
(8) | Places of public or private assembly, such as churches, government or municipal buildings, community centers, or clubs and fraternal organization facilities | 1 for each 3 seats of facility design capacity | |
(9) | Personal care or nursing homes | 1 for each 3 beds + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift | |
(10) | Group homes or institutional residences | 1 for each 2 residents + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift | |
(11) | Medical or dental clinics | 5 for each service provider + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift | |
(12) | Veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and/or kennels | 3 for each service provider + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift | |
(13) | Cemeteries | 5 visitor spaces + 1 per employee | |
Commercial/Retail Uses | |||
(14) | Retail stores or personal service business establishments, including neighborhood retail activities, except as provided below | 1 for each 200 square feet of gross floor area + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift | |
(15) | No-impact home based businesses or home occupations | 2 for the dwelling unit + 2 customer spaces | |
(16) | Farm-related businesses | 4 for each business + 1 for each employee | |
(17) | Roadside stands, plant nurseries or greenhouses | 5 for each facility + 1 for each employee | |
(18) | Restaurants | 1 for each 3 seats or 3 persons of facility design capacity + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift | |
(19) | Grocery stores or convenience markets | 1 for each 200 square feet or gross floor area + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift | |
(20) | Automotive sales facilities or automotive service stations and/or repair shops | 1 for each 400 square feet of gross floor area + 1 for each employee | |
(21) | Commercial lodging facilities | 1 for each 300 square feet of gross floor area + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift | |
(22) | Business, professional or financial offices; and office buildings | 1 for each guest room + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift | |
(23) | Public or adult entertainment establishments | 1 for each 3 persons of facility design capacity + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift | |
(24) | Funeral homes or mortuaries | 1 for each 3 seats of facility design capacity + 1 for each employee | |
Industrial Uses | |||
(25) | Limited industrial uses or manufacturing operations; warehousing or storage facilities, except as provided below | 1.5 for each employee in the maximum work shift + 5 visitor spaces | |
(26) | Sawmills; lumber yards; machine shops; or contractor's shops and yards | 1 for each employee + 3 customer spaces | |
(27) | Mineral extraction operations; junkyards or auto salvage operations | 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift + 3 visitor spaces | |
(28) | Wholesale businesses | 1 for each employee + 3 customer spaces | |
Recreational or Open Space Uses | |||
(29) | Parks or playgrounds | 1 for each 5 persons of facility design capacity | |
(30) | Stables or riding academies | 1 for each 3 persons of facility design capacity + 1 for each employee | |
(31) | Outdoor commercial recreation uses | 1 for each 3 persons of facility design capacity + 1 for each employee in the maximum work shift | |
(32) | Campgrounds or RV parks | 1 for each camping space + 1 additional space for every 5 camping spaces | |
(33) | Seasonal dwellings | 2 for each seasonal unit | |
§ 27-802 Off-Street Loading Requirements.
[Ord. No. 11/10/2008, § 801]
1.
Off-street loading space or area shall be provided in connection with every commercial, industrial or institutional building or use, or part thereof, hereafter erected which requires the delivery or shipment of merchandise or materials. Such accommodations shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of this section and shall meet the following standards:
A.
Each off-street loading space shall be of sufficient size to adequately accommodate the use being served and shall be located entirely on the subject lot. At a minimum, each loading space shall be 12 feet in width, 50 feet in length, and have an overhead clearance of 14 feet, exclusive of drives or maneuvering area. Where possible, such spaces shall be designed so that there will be no need for drivers to back over public walkways or street rights-of-way.
B.
Loading spaces shall be graded for proper drainage and shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the standards established in § 27-801, Subsection 1D, for parking areas.
C.
All lighting used to illuminate off-street loading spaces shall be mounted and shielded in such a manner to avoid creating safety problems for motorists on public streets and to avoid causing glare on adjacent properties.
D.
No off-street loading space or loading dock may extend into any required off-street buffer yard or setback area (see § 27-506), nor shall the area provided for off-street parking be included in the calculation of required loading or unloading spaces.
E.
Off-street loading spaces shall be set back a minimum of 10 feet from all side and rear property lines when such loading is proposed to be located adjacent to a nonresidential lot. Where however, such loading abuts a residential lot, a setback of not less than 15 feet shall be required. Screening, as provided in § 27-507 of this chapter, shall be used to effectively screen loading areas from residential uses.
F.
The number of off-street loading spaces required shall be as set forth in Table 2 below.
Applicants proposing nonresidential development in the V Village District should be encouraged to provide as much off-street loading space as possible. The Township Planning Commission shall review each such proposal for this district and recommend an appropriate number of loading spaces. Township Supervisors shall ultimately determine the number of spaces that must be provided.
Table 2 Off-Street Loading Schedule | |
|---|---|
Gross Floor Area | Minimum Number of Spaces Required |
Up to 20,000 square feet | 1 |
20,001 square feet - 40,000 square feet | 2 |
40,001 square feet - 100,000 square feet | 3 |
Over 100,000 square feet | 3 + 1 for each additional 50,000 square feet of gross floor area |
§ 27-803 Driveway and Access Drive Requirements.
[Ord. No. 11/10/2008, § 802]
1.
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 and 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. Access onto state roadways shall require a highway occupancy permit in accordance with PADOT standards and access onto a Township road shall require a driveway or access permit in accordance with municipal requirements.
B.
All new driveways or access drives proposed for construction shall adhere to the clear sight triangle requirements set forth in § 27-505, Subsection 4, of this chapter and shall meet or exceed the design standards established in Table 3 below to the extent possible. In addition, all such driveways or access drives should be located where street alignment and profiles are favorable, and should avoid sharp curves and steep grades where feasible.
C.
Where a driveway or access drive is to be installed in conjunction with a proposed use, the zoning permit application for such use shall include a scaled drawing showing the location, construction material(s), and the sight distance proposed for the driveway or access drive.
D.
Driveways or access drives for residential development shall be limited to one point of intersection, and access for nonresidential development shall be limited to two drives or intersections. When however, a residential lot's frontage exceeds 100 feet or a nonresidential lot exceeds 300 feet in width, or other exceptional circumstances exist, the Zoning Hearing Board may authorize additional access intersections. (See also Table 3.)
E.
Except in the case of single- and two-family dwellings, all driveways and access drives shall be designed so that there will be no need for motorists to back over public walkways or street rights-of-way.
F.
No driveway shall be closer than five feet to a side or rear property line, unless the two adjoining property owners mutually agree to a common driveway. In such an instance, a written agreement shall be prepared by the property owners and submitted to the Township for review prior to the issuance of a driveway and/or zoning permit, where applicable.
G.
Driveways and access drives shall be designed and constructed in such manner to avoid impairing drainage within a street right-of-way or any adjacent area. Where determined necessary by the appropriate Township official(s), 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 Township.
H.
In addition to the requirements set forth above, the driveway and access drive design guidelines contained in Table 3 (next page) shall be utilized to the greatest extent possible in the design and construction of such facilities.
Table 3 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Driveway and Access Drive Design Guidelines | |||||
Type of Development | Minimum Width (feet) | Maximum Grade1 | Minimum Curb Radius2 (feet) | Minimum Intervals3 (feet) | Minimum Sight Distance4 (feet) |
Single-Unit Residential | 10 | 15% | 10 | 40 | 150 |
Multi-Unit Residential5 | 20 | 12% | 15 | 75 | 200 |
Nonresidential Uses | 15 feet/lane | 8% | 15 | 100 | 300 |
Notes: | |
1 | All driveways and access drives shall provide a stopping or leveling area having a grade of 5% or less for a distance of 25 feet from the edge of the cartway or paved surface of the intersecting street. This leveling area shall intersect the street at an angle of no less than 60°, preferably 90°. |
2 | Where dropped curbs are used to provide driveway access, the minimum width of the dropped curb shall be 20 feet for single-family residential uses and 35 feet for multi-unit and nonresidential uses. The transition from the normal driveway width to the width of the dropped curb shall begin 10 feet back from the edge of the curb for single-family residential and 15 feet back for multi-unit and nonresidential uses. |
3 | Minimum intervals for single-family residential units shall apply between a street intersection and the first driveway only. Minimum intervals for other types of uses shall be measured between any two points of access, including driveways and public streets. |
4 | Minimum sight distance shall be measured from the point of intersection of the driveway or access drive center line and the street right-of-way line to a point at the specified distance on the cartway center line. No significant obstructions or plantings measuring higher than 30 inches or hanging lower than 10 feet above road grade shall be permitted within this area. |
5 | For the purposes of driveway or access drive design, the multi-unit residential design criteria shall be used for driveways or access drives serving five or more lots or dwelling units. |