North Wales City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XV
Parking and Loading
§ 208-60 Intent.
In expansion of the declaration of legislative intent found in Article I of this chapter and the statement of community development objectives found in Article I, the intent of this article, among others, is as follows:
A.
Set reasonable standards and provide reasonable controls to ensure sufficient parking capacity for the uses or potential uses of land in the Borough.
B.
Allow flexibility in addressing parking, loading, and access by permitting construction of a reduced number of parking spaces under appropriate conditions.
§ 208-61 General standards for parking areas.
A.
Existing parking areas. Structures and uses in existence at the date of adoption of this chapter shall not be subject to the requirements of this article so long as the kind or extent of use is not changed, provided that any parking facility now serving such structures or uses shall not, in the future, be reduced below such requirements.
B.
Pedestrian access. Safe provisions for pedestrian access to and through a parking lot shall be required.
C.
Size of parking spaces.
D.
Marking of parking spaces. Nonresidential parking spaces and multifamily parking spaces shall be striped on pavement with white paint or designated with some other form of permanent marking.
E.
Driveways and vehicular access.
(1)
Access. Access to off-street parking and loading areas shall be provided via an existing alley wherever feasible or, where alley access is not provided, the roadway of the lowest functional classification.
(2)
Access driveways on Main Street.
(a)
New or expanded access driveways onto Main Street shall not be permitted except where the lot width is greater than 100 feet. If the lot width is greater than 100 feet, a maximum of one full-movement driveway from Main Street shall be permitted.
(3)
Maximum number of driveways.
(a)
Properties shall only be allowed one driveway curb cut per each street frontage, unless an entrance-only or an exit-only driveway is proposed along the same street frontage as a full-movement driveway for properties greater than 50 feet in width.
(b)
Lots having street frontage on two different roadways shall be permitted up to two full-movement driveways, provided each street frontage is limited to one full-movement curb cut.
(4)
Access driveway design standards.
(a)
For any driveway associated with use B-1: Single-family attached dwelling, use B-2: Single-family detached dwelling, or use B-3: Single-family semidetached dwelling located in any zoning district, the following standards shall apply:
[1]
Each driveway apron or curb cut shall be no more than 12 feet in width at the curbline.
[2]
Driveways shall be located not less than five feet from any side and/or rear lot lines.
[a]
This provision shall not apply when shared access is provided pursuant to § 208-61(E)(5).
[3]
Required parking spaces may be stacked in a driveway such that the vehicle nearest the road-way blocks the vehicle(s) behind it.
[4]
In order to increase stormwater infiltration on residential lots, a ribbon driveway (see definition) may be constructed in place of a standard driveway when the following design standards are met:
[a]
Each driveway apron or curb cut shall be no more than 12 feet in width at the curbline.
[b]
The hard-surfaced, parallel strips where vehicle tires meet the surface shall be a minimum of two feet in width and shall be constructed of a material acceptable to the Borough Engineer.
[c]
The open area between the hard-surfaced, parallel strips shall be no less than four feet in width and shall either be planted with grass or other ground cover, or contain landscape stone, pavers, or a combination thereof; exposed earth or sand is prohibited within the open area.
[e]
The ribbon driveway shall be at a perpendicular angle with the curb and be straight for its entire length. Ribbon driveways are not permitted for curved driveways.
 |
(b)
For any access driveway associated with any use not covered by § 208-61E(4)(a), above, the following standards shall apply:
[1]
Each driveway apron or curb cut shall be no more than 12 feet in width at the curbline for one-way traffic and 20 feet to 24 feet in width at the curbline for two-way traffic.
[2]
Access driveways shall be located not less than three feet from any side and/or rear lot lines.
[a]
This provision shall not apply when shared access is provided pursuant to § 208-61(E)(5).
[3]
Access driveways shall not be located between a building's front facade and the roadway.
(5)
Shared access driveways. Shared access between two or more adjacent lots is encouraged and shall be permitted when the following conditions are met:
F.
Siting of surface parking areas.
(1)
Surface parking areas and other auto-related areas shall be located to the side and/or rear of a property and shall not be located closer than five feet to a property line.
(2)
Surface parking areas shall be prohibited between a building and the roadway. Parking areas shall not extend beyond the front building facade.
(3)
On a corner lot or on a lot with two street frontages, surface parking shall be located to the side and/or rear of the structure fronting on the street of lower classification.
(4)
The provisions of this section shall not apply to driveways utilized to fulfill the parking requirement for use B-1: Single-family attached dwelling, use B-2: Single-family detached dwelling, or use B-3: Single-family semidetached dwelling, as regulated by § 208-61E(4)(a).
G.
Landscape buffers required.
(1)
Intent. In order to mitigate the potential impacts of parking areas on the character of the community, provide shade for parked cars, reduce heat islands, manage stormwater runoff and improve air quality, parking lot landscaping shall be required as outlined herein.
(2)
General design requirements.
(a)
Parking lot landscaping areas shall be protected by curbs, wheel stops or bollards.
(c)
To the greatest extent feasible, rainwater should be directed to the planting areas with curb cuts or inlets. Parking lot landscaping shall be designed to serve as stormwater basins to capture and infiltrate stormwater through the use of best practices, as outlined in the MCPC publication, "Sustainable Green Parking Lots."
(d)
In addition to any other requirement of this chapter or Chapter 184, one shade or canopy tree shall be required for every 40 feet of perimeter surrounding the parking area, including the length of any access driveway(s). Shade or canopy trees shall be distributed throughout the screen buffer and internal planting islands to ensure well-distributed canopy coverage of the vehicular use areas.
(3)
Parking lots with more than five spaces shall require a landscaped screen buffer around the entire perimeter of the parking lot except where buildings, driveways, and walkways are located.
(a)
The landscaped buffer shall be a minimum of five feet in width and shall meet the requirements for screen buffers as regulated by § 184-26F(1).
[1]
Parking lots abutting residential uses in residential districts (R-1, R-2 and R-3) shall also provide a six-foot tall fence, wall, or hedge along any shared lot lines with the residential use.
(4)
Parking lots with 10 or more spaces shall require planting islands interior to the parking area.
(a)
Planting islands shall be a minimum of nine feet by 18 feet.
(b)
Planting islands shall require a minimum of 80% ground coverage of low-growing shrubs, grasses and/or ground cover plants.
(c)
Plants shall be selected or pruned to limit the height of vegetation to two feet at the ends of a planting island at which vehicles turn corners, in order to preserve sight distance. Trees may be planted in these areas, provided that branches are limbed up to preserve sight distance.
(d)
There shall be no more than 10 continuous parking spaces in a row without a planting island.
(e)
The ends of all parking rows shall be divided from driving lanes by planting islands, with a minimum of one planting island per 10 parking spaces, or fraction thereof.
(5)
Shared access driveways. Shared access driveways between two or more adjacent lots is encouraged and shall be permitted when the following conditions are met:
H.
Bicycle parking required.
(1)
Applicability. Any change of use shall require the installation of the requisite number of bicycle parking spaces pursuant to Subsection H(2), below.
(2)
Number of bicycle parking spaces required.
(a)
One bicycle parking space shall be provided for every three dwelling units. When less than three dwelling units are located on a lot, no bicycle parking facilities shall be required.
(b)
One bicycle parking space shall be provided for every 10 vehicle parking spaces required for any nonresidential use. Uses requiring less than 10 parking spaces shall not be required to provide bicycle parking facilities.
(3)
Design.
(a)
Bicycle facilities shall be provided either interior and/or exterior to the building and be convenient for use by employees, patrons, residents and/or visitors.
(b)
Bicycle parking facilities should include a secure device to which the bicycle frame and one wheel of the bicycle can be attached with a cable or locking device. The device should be suitable to keep bicycles erect when they are locked to it.
(c)
Bicycle parking design and location shall be in conformance with the most recent published standards of the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals.
§ 208-62 Minimum parking requirements by land use.
A.
Minimum required parking shall be provided according to Table 15.1, Minimum Parking Requirements.
(1)
When a minimum parking requirement is noted as "per unit," this refers to the number of separate dwelling units.
(2)
When a minimum parking requirement is noted as per a set "sq. ft. GFA," this refers to the square feet (sq. ft.) of gross floor area (GFA) of the building(s) associated with the applicable use.
B.
When the calculation of the minimum required parking spaces results in a fractional number, fractions equal to or over 0.5 shall be rounded up to the nearest whole number and fractions under 0.5 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number.
C.
When multiple uses are proposed in a single building or on a single lot, the sum of the parking requirements for each use shall be provided unless said uses are covered under § 208-63F, Shared parking.
Table 15.1 Minimum Parking Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
Accessory Uses | Minimum Parking Requirement | |
A-1 | Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) | 1 space per studio, efficiency, or 1-bedroom unit; 1.5 spaces per 2-bedroom unit; 2 spaces per 3+ bedroom unit |
A-4 | Bed-and-breakfast | 1 space per guest room |
A-6 | Family child-care home | *Provided for in use regulations as 2 dropoff spaces* |
B | Residential Uses | Minimum Parking Requirement |
B-1 | Single-family attached dwelling (townhouse) | 2 spaces per unit |
B-2 | Single-family detached dwelling | 2 spaces per unit |
B-3 | Single-family semidetached dwelling (twin) | 2 spaces per unit |
B-4 | Two-family detached dwelling (duplex) | 2 spaces per unit |
B-5 | Mobile home park | 2 spaces per unit |
B-6 | Multifamily development | 1 space per studio, efficiency, or 1-bedroom unit; 1.5 spaces per 2-bedroom unit; 2 spaces per 3+ bedroom unit |
Community Service and Institutional Uses | Minimum Parking Requirement | |
C-1 | Cemetery | Net total of the parking requirement for accessory office, place of worship, etc. |
C-2 | Club/lodge | 1 space per 5 fixed seats or 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA, whichever is greater, for the largest place of public assembly |
C-3 | Day-care facility | 1 space per 10 clients at full capacity, plus 1 per staff/volunteer |
C-4 | Educational institution | 1 space per 5 fixed seats or 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA, whichever is greater, for the largest place of public assembly (e.g., auditorium) |
C-5 | Emergency services | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. GFA |
C-6 | Hospital | 1 space per 4 patient beds |
C-7 | Library, museum, or community center | 1 per 400 sq. ft. GFA |
C-8 | Place of worship | 1 space per 5 fixed seats or 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA, whichever is greater, for the largest place of public assembly |
C-9 | Residential care facility | 0.5 spaces per bed |
Commercial Uses | Minimum Parking Requirement | |
D-1 | Age-regulated use | 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA |
D-2 | Animal care | 1 space per 500 sq. ft. GFA |
D-3 | Bank | 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA |
D-4 | Event facility | 1 space per 5 fixed seats or 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA, whichever is greater, for the largest place of public assembly |
D-5 | Funeral home | 1 space per 5 fixed seats or 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA, whichever is greater, for the largest place of public assembly |
D-6 | Gasoline service station | 1 space per fuel pump, plus 1 space per 250 sq. ft. GFA |
D-7 | Microbrewery, microdistillery, or microwinery | 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA |
D-8 | Mixed use | Net total of the parking requirement for each use in the building |
D-9 | Overnight lodging | 1 space per guest room |
D-10 | Recreation Facility | 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA |
D-11 | Restaurant, dine-in | 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA |
D-12 | Restaurant, take-out | 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA |
D-13a | Retail, specialized | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. GFA |
D-13b | Retail store | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. GFA |
D-14 | Service/personal care establishment | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. GFA |
D-15 | Studio | 1 space per 400 sq. ft. GFA |
D-16 | Tavern/bar/nightclub | 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA |
D-17 | Theater | 1 space per 5 fixed seats or 1 space per 200 sq. ft. GFA, whichever is greater |
Office Uses | Minimum Parking Requirement | |
E-1 | Co-working site | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. GFA |
E-2 | Office, business/professional | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. GFA |
E-3 | Medical office or clinic | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. GFA |
Industrial Uses | Minimum Parking Requirement | |
F-1 | Artisan manufacturing | 1 space per 500 sq. ft. GFA |
F-2 | Automobile sales or service | 3 spaces per service bay, plus 1 space per 250 sq. ft. GFA, and 1 space per vehicle for sale |
F-3 | Building supply or home improvement | 1 space per 500 sq. ft. GFA |
F-4 | Contractor's office/storage | 1 space per 500 sq. ft. GFA |
F-5 | Dry cleaners or laundromat | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. GFA |
F-6 | Junkyard | 1 space per 250 sq. ft. GFA (enclosed) |
F-7 | Manufacturing, processing, and production | 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
F-8 | Self-storage facility | 1 space per 5,000 sq. ft. GFA |
F-10 | Warehouse | 0.5 space per 1,000 sq. ft. GFA |
F-11 | Any other use not specifically prohibited, when permitted as a conditional use | 1 space per 500 sq. ft. GFA |
§ 208-63 Parking reduction options.
B.
Utilization of on-street parking. When legally established on-street parking spaces exist along a property's frontage(s), any parking spaces located entirely within the frontage may be counted towards meeting the minimum nonresidential parking requirement. The number of on-street parking spaces shall be calculated as follows:
(1)
Calculation of parking spaces entirely within the property frontage shall be determined by extending the side property lines outward from the property lines, perpendicular from the curb. Any space that extends beyond the frontage shall be disregarded.
(2)
If parking spaces are not marked, then the applicant shall provide a plan indicating the placement of standard parallel parking spaces along the property's frontage(s) taking into account areas where parking would not be permissible or feasible.
(a)
Any portion of the frontage(s) that does not allow for parking, whether by signage, ordinance, or structural barrier (e.g., driveways), shall be noted on the plan and omitted from the placement of parking spaces.
(3)
On-street parking spaces along a property's frontage shall remain open to public use and shall not be allocated specifically to the subject property or use.
C.
Parking reduction for existing nonresidential structures. When an existing nonresidential structure changes in use from one nonresidential use another nonresidential use, the first 1,000 square feet of gross floor area shall be omitted from the calculation of the minimum parking requirement set forth in § 208-62 when the following conditions are met:
(1)
The proposed nonresidential use shall be located entirely within an existing structure or portion thereof, which was wholly constructed prior to the effective date of the Zoning Ordinance.
(2)
If the applicable parking requirement for the new nonresidential is not based on gross floor area, then five parking spaces may be omitted from the minimum parking requirement.
D.
Parking reduction for existing nonresidential structures on Main Street and Walnut Street in the CBD. When an existing nonresidential structure changes in use from one nonresidential use another nonresidential use, no new off-street parking shall be required when the following conditions are met:
(1)
The proposed nonresidential use shall be located entirely within an existing structure or portion thereof, which was wholly constructed prior to the effective date of the Zoning Ordinance.
(2)
The subject lot is located with the Commercial Business District (CBD).
(3)
The structure utilized shall have its primary frontage on Main Street or Walnut Street.
E.
Parking reduction in the TOD district by conditional use. Borough shall have the authority to reduce by up to 50% the parking requirement for any use in the TOD district when the following conditions are met:
(1)
Parking study required. A parking study prepared by a licensed traffic engineer shall be submitted by the applicant, the cost of which shall be borne by the applicant. The submitted parking study must render an expert opinion that less than the required number of parking spaces is necessary to adequately service the proposed development, and providing credible data to substantiate this opinion. Acceptable data shall include, but is not limited to, data from the Institute of Traffic Engineers and surveys or reports on substantially similar developments.
F.
Shared parking.
(2)
A shared parking agreement, approved by the Borough Solicitor, shall be filed with the Zoning Officer.
(a)
The owner of the shared parking facility shall guarantee availability of the required spaces for the associated use and meet their minimum requirement.
(b)
The shared parking facility may utilize shared parking to reduce the total spaces within the facility in accordance with Table 15.2, Mixed-Use and Shared Parking.
(4)
Shared parking shall be calculated using the peak demand calculations listed in Table 15.2, Mixed-Use and Shared Parking, using the following system:
(a)
First, calculate the minimum amount of parking required for each land use as if it were a separate use (including any applicable parking reductions per § 208-63, 208-63C, 208-63D, and/or 208-63E).
[1]
The Zoning Officer shall determine the appropriate category of use as noted in Table 15.2, Mixed-Use and Shared Parking.
(b)
To determine the peak parking requirements, multiply the minimum parking required for each proposed land use by the corresponding percentage in the table below for each of the time periods.
(c)
Calculate the column total for each time period.
(d)
The column (time period) with the highest value shall be the minimum parking requirement.
Table 15.2. Mixed-Use and Shared Parking | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Use | Minimum Parking Requirement (Table 13.1) | Mon. to Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Mon. to Fri. 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 Midnight | Mon. to Fri. 12:00 Midnight to 8:00 a.m. | Sat. to Sun 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Sat. to Sun. 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 Midnight | Sat. to Sun. 12:00 Midnight to 8:00 a.m. | ||||||
Residential uses | input | 60% | result | 100% | result | 100% | result | 80% | result | 100% | result | 100% | result |
Overnight lodging | input | 70% | result | 100% | result | 100% | result | 70% | result | 100% | result | 100% | result |
Commercial uses | (See below) | ||||||||||||
Office uses | input | 100% | result | 20% | result | 5% | result | 5% | result | 5% | result | 5% | result |
Food/beverage service uses | input | 70% | result | 100% | result | 5% | result | 70% | result | 100% | result | 20% | result |
Public assembly uses | input | 80% | result | 80% | result | 10% | result | 80% | result | 100% | result | 50% | result |
All other uses | input | 90% | result | 80% | result | 5% | result | 100% | result | 70% | result | 5% | result |
Educational use | input | 60% | result | 100% | result | 10% | result | 80% | result | 50% | result | 10% | result |
Institutional use | input | 60% | result | 100% | result | 10% | result | 80% | result | 100% | result | 50% | result |
All other uses | input | 70% | result | 100% | result | 10% | result | 20% | result | 5% | result | 5% | result |
Total required spaces | Total Input | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | Result | ||||||
§ 208-64 Off-street loading.
Adequate off-street loading and unloading space shall be required in connection with any building, structure, or use which requires the receipt or distribution of materials or merchandise by trucks or similar vehicles. Loading space shall be required and designed pursuant to the following provisions:
A.
Applicability. Loading spaces shall be required according to the following:
Use(s)* | Gross Floor Area | Loading Spaces Required (total) |
|---|---|---|
Use D-4: Event facility Use D-7: Microbrewery, microdistillery, or microwinery Use D-11: Restaurant, dine-in Use D-12: Restaurant, take-out Use D-13a: Retail, specialized Use D-13b: Retail store Use D-16: Tavern/bar/nightclub | Under 5,000 sq. ft. 5,000 to 10,000 sq. ft. Over 10,000 sq. ft. | Optional 1 2 |
Use F-1: Artisan manufacturing Use F-2: Automobile sales or service Use F-3: Building supply or home improvement Use F-4: Contractor's office/storage Use F-5: Dry cleaners or laundromat Use F-6: Junkyard Use F-7: Manufacturing, processing, and production Use F-10: Warehouse | Under 10,000 sq. ft. 10,000 to 20,000 sq. ft. Over 20,000 sq. ft. | 1 2 1 per 10,000 sq. ft. |
* When multiple uses are present within a building, loading spaces shall be provided based on the net total gross floor area. |
B.
Areas provided for the loading and unloading of delivery trucks and other vehicles, and for the servicing of shops by refuse collection, fuels, and other service vehicles, shall be arranged such that they may be occupied without blocking or interfering with the use of vehicle travel lanes, access driveways, parking aisles, parking spaces, or pedestrian ways.
C.
Each required loading space shall be designed with appropriate means of vehicular access to an interior drive in a manner which will least interfere with existing or planned traffic movements.
D.
A required loading space shall be at least 12 feet in width by at least 35 feet in length, exclusive of aisle and maneuvering space, and shall have a vertical clearance of at least 16 feet.
E.
Loading areas or docks shall be located to the side or rear of the building which it serves.
F.
Loading facilities shall be set back at least 10 feet from any lot line and shall not be constructed in any required buffer area.
G.
Space allocated to a loading space shall not be used to satisfy the space requirements for any parking facilities or portions thereof.
H.
All required loading spaces shall be located on the same lot as the use to be served, and no portion of the vehicle shall project into any traffic lane.
I.
No storage or motor vehicle repair work of any kind, except emergency work, shall be permitted within any required loading space.