Park Ridge City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XV
Landscaping and Buffers; Off-Street Parking
§ 101-61 Landscaping of parking and loading areas.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
All shade trees shall have a minimum caliper of 2 inches to 2 1/2 inches.
(2)
All evergreen trees shall have a minimum height of six feet.
(3)
Plantings shall be protected from impact by motor vehicles and from the negative effects of road salt and snowplowing.
(4)
The choice of plant materials to be used in parking and loading areas shall consider the ultimate growth characteristics of the plantings. Hardy, low-maintenance plants which are normally free from destructive insect or disease problems shall be used.
(5)
Landscaping shall not cast excessive shade on adjacent properties, interfere with existing vegetation, interfere with light fixtures or interfere with adequate sight distance for vehicles or pedestrians.
B.
Perimeter plantings.
(1)
Parking areas with more than 30 spaces shall provide at least one shade tree within the perimeter of the parking area for every 15 parking spaces.
(2)
Parking areas with at least five spaces shall be screened from the street with landscaping, including, at a minimum, one evergreen plant for every five spaces in the parking area.
C.
Interior parking area plantings.
(1)
Parking areas shall be separated by curbed, landscaped center islands at least 10 feet in width between every six rows (i.e., three double bays) of parking spaces.
(2)
Each landscaped center island should include one shade tree for every five spaces that are adjacent to the island and a minimum of three shrubs for every space adjacent to the island.
(3)
Widths of islands and planting areas shall be sufficient to accommodate the ultimate growth of any plantings in parking and loading areas, but in any case no less than five feet in width.
(4)
Where landscaped center islands are not provided, landscaped end islands shall be provided at the end of each parking row.
(5)
Each landscape end island shall include a minimum of two shade trees and three shrubs.
§ 101-62 Off-street parking requirements.
A.
Number of parking spaces required. The number of off-street parking spaces required shall be as set forth in Table X-1. If determination of the number of required parking spaces results in a fractional space, the fraction shall require one additional parking space.
B.
Location of parking spaces. The approving authority shall approve the location of all proposed parking spaces on the site and shall take into consideration the size and topography of the site, visibility from the site to the adjoining street as well as within the parking area, conditions of safety relating to the movement of people and vehicles and the elimination of nuisance factors, including glare, noise, dust and other similar considerations. Off-street parking shall not be located in a required front yard. No off-street parking area shall be located closer than five feet from any side or rear lot line. These conditions shall apply to all surface and above-grade parking facilities. All parking facilities shall not be located closer than 25 feet from any two intersecting streets or within the sight triangle of any driveway and the street right-of-way. All parking and design shall be in conformance with residential site improvement standards.
Table X-1 Off-Street Parking Requirements | ||
|---|---|---|
Use | Required Parking Spaces | |
Automobile service stations | 4 for each bay, plus 1 for each employee on the maximum shift | |
Banks and savings institutions | 1 for each 300 feet of floor area or 8 for each teller window, whichever is greater | |
Bowling lanes (alleys) | 5 for each lane | |
Churches and other places or worship | 1 for each 200 square feet of floor area, but not less than 1 for every 4 seats | |
Community buildings, social halls and places of public assembly | 1 for every 3 seats, except where a specific amount of seating is undetermined, then 1 shall be required for each 150 square feet of assemblage area | |
Continuing-care facilities | 0.6 for each 1 bed of any type | |
Funeral homes and mortuaries | 15 for each parlor or slumber room | |
Garden apartments | 1 1/2 for each dwelling unit, plus 1 for each 6 dwellings for visitor parking | |
Hospitals and convalescent homes | 1 for each 2 beds, plus 1 for each staff member, plus 1 for each employee on the peak shift | |
Hotels and motels | 2 for each bedroom or suite | |
Housing for the handicapped | 1/2 for each dwelling unit, plus 1 for each 6 dwelling units for visitor parking | |
Industrial and manufacturing uses | 1 for each 1,000 square feet of floor area | |
Laboratories and research uses | 1 for every 300 square feet of floor area | |
Medical or dental clinics or offices | 1 for every 165 square feet of floor area | |
Mixed uses | In the same building, shall be calculated as the sum of the individual uses, unless an applicant can demonstrate to the approving authority that the parking characteristics of the individual uses are such that the total needs of the development are less than the sum of the parts and the number of spaces to be provided will satisfy the lesser need | |
Offices, other than medical or dental | 1 for every 250 square feet of floor area | |
Residential dwellings | As per residential site improvement standards N.J.A.C. 5:21-4.14, of which one space must be enclosed by a garage | |
Restaurants, including fast-food | 1 for every 3 seats and 1 for every employee in the maximum work shift | |
Retail stores and personal service establishments (not including new or used car sales or restaurants) | 1 for every 200 square feet of floor space | |
Schools, elementary | 1 per staff member | |
Schools, high school | 1 per staff member, plus 1 for every 20 students | |
Theaters | 1 for every 3 seats | |
Other uses not provided herein | To be determined by approving authority | |
The existence of the standards in Table X-1 is not intended to imply that any of the uses are permitted pursuant to this chapter. | ||
C.
Mandatory installation of electric vehicle charging stations. The following requirements to provide electric charging stations shall apply to all new applications before the Borough Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment for site plan subdivision or use plans for development.
[Added 3-23-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-005]
(1) CHARGING LEVELS(a) (b) ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION (hereinafter EV)
Definitions. As used in this subsection, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
The electrical force, or voltage, at which an electric vehicle's battery is recharged. Levels 1 and 2 are the most common EV charging levels, and include the following specifications:
Level 1 is considered slow charging. It requires a 15- or 20-amp breaker on a 120-volt AC circuit and standard outlet. This level of charging can fully recharge an electric vehicle between eight and 32 hours.
Level 2 is considered medium charging. It requires a 40-amp to 100-amp breaker on a 240-volt AC circuit. This level of charging can fully recharge an electric vehicle between four and six hours.
A public or private parking space that is served by battery charging station equipment that has as its primary purpose the transfer of electric energy (by conductive or inductive means) to a battery or other energy storage device in an electric vehicle.
(2)
Nonresidential Developments: Level 2 charging stations shall be installed in all nonresidential developments that meet one of the following requirements:
(a)
All office developments and warehouse developments in excess of 20,000 square feet.
(b)
All hotels and motels in excess of 50 rooms.
(c)
All large retail establishments in excess of 10,000 square feet, as well as all gymnasiums and health clubs in excess of 10,000 square feet.
(d)
All restaurants not classified as a "drive-in restaurant" in excess of 2,000 square feet.
(3)
For nonresidential developments meeting one of the requirements listed, electric vehicle charging stations shall be required based upon the number of parking stalls being provided as follows. This shall include parking stalls located in parking garages.
(a)
Zero to 50 stalls require one Level 2 electric vehicle charging station.
(b)
Fifty-one to 75 stalls require two Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations.
(c)
Seventy-six to 100 stalls require three Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations, one of which must be ADA compliant.
(d)
One hundred one to 150 stalls require four Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations, one of which must be ADA compliant.
(e)
One hundred fifty-one stalls and above requires 4% of the stalls be Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations, 10% of which must be ADA compliant.
(4)
Multifamily Residential Developments: Level 1 and Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations must be installed at all multifamily residential developments that meet one of the following requirements:
(a)
Apartment complexes with 10 or more units that do not provide individual garages for the parking of vehicles.
(b)
Townhouse complexes with 10 or more units that do not provide individual garages for the parking of vehicles.
(c)
Condominium complexes with 10 or more units that do not provide individual garages for the parking of vehicles.
(d)
Cooperative complexes with 10 or more units that do not provide individual garages for the parking of vehicles.
(5)
Multifamily developments meeting the requirements as listed shall install Level 1 and Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations as per the following requirements:
(6)
Approvals and permits.
(a)
An electric vehicle charging station is permitted as an accessory use to any principal use in all zones.
(b)
Permits and approvals for electric charging stations shall be granted or denied by the Construction Official.
(c)
The owner of the property where the EV is being installed may collect a reasonable fee for the use of the EV.
(7)
General regulations.
(a)
Each electric vehicle charging station space shall be not less than nine feet wide or 18 feet in length. A vehicle charging station should comply with ADA standards.
(b)
Electric vehicle charging stations are reserved for the parking and charging of electric vehicles and for those residents or customers using or living on the property where the EV is located. It shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave standing a vehicle in a space designated for the charging of a plug-in electric vehicle unless the vehicle is connected to the station for charging purposes and actively charging. Electric vehicles may be parked in any space designated for public parking, subject to the restrictions that would apply to any other vehicle that would park in that space.
(c)
Identification signage for electric vehicle charging stations shall be posted immediately adjacent to and visible to the parking space and have a designated sign not greater than 17 inches by 22 inches in size. One sign per electric vehicle charging space is required to be installed with each EV station.
(d)
Charging station outlets and connector devices shall be no less than 36 inches and no higher than 48 inches from the ground or pavement surface where mounted. They shall contain a retraction device and/or a place to hang permanent cords and connectors a sufficient and safe distance above the ground or pavement surface. Equipment mounted on pedestals, lighting posts, or other devices shall be designated and located so as not to impede pedestrian travel or create trip hazards.
(e)
Adequate charging station equipment protection such as concrete-filled steel bollards shall be used. Nonmountable curbing may be used in lieu of bollards, if the charging station is set back a minimum of 24 inches from the face of the curb. Bollards or curbing shall be placed in a manner which protects the EV from direct or indirect contact from other vehicles.
§ 101-63 Landscaping and buffer areas.
A.
Landscaping. A landscape plan shall be submitted with each site plan application. The plan shall identify existing and proposed trees, shrubs, bushes, plant materials, ground cover and natural features such as boulders and rock outcroppings.
(1)
Any part or portion of the site which is not used for buildings, accessory structures, loading or parking spaces or aisles, sidewalks and designated storage areas, and which does not contain existing vegetation to remain, shall be landscaped in accordance with an overall landscape planting plan, as approved by the approving authority.
(2)
Natural wooded areas shall be preserved to the greatest extent possible. Existing vegetation that is to be retained shall be shown on the plan.
(3)
All landscaped portions of the site shall be maintained adequately throughout the year.
B.
Protection of existing vegetation.
(1)
Existing vegetation shall be preserved to the maximum extent practicable. Vegetation to be preserved shall be shown on the plans submitted to the Board for any development approval.
(2)
Snow fence or silt fence is to remain installed until all construction is completed.
(3)
Cut or fill near existing trees to be preserved shall require the installation of tree wells or retaining walls, as appropriate, to maintain the existing grade above the roots of the tree.
C.
Buffers.
(1)
Buffers, including fences, landscaping, berms and mounds, shall be utilized to minimize any adverse impacts or nuisances from the site to adjacent areas and shall be provided:
(a)
Along property lines, shielding various uses from one another.
(b)
Where interior roads or driveways run parallel with roadways exterior to the site.
(c)
Where parking areas abut other properties.
(d)
In areas of refuse storage areas, loading and unloading areas and outdoor storage areas deemed appropriate by approving authority.
(e)
As windbreak areas.
(f)
To shield areas from deleterious noise or other adverse conditions.
(g)
Where the approving authority deems necessary to minimize adverse impacts to adjacent properties.
(2)
Buffer areas shall be designed in accordance with the following criteria:
(a)
Buffer widths shall be sufficient to accommodate the ultimate growth of any plantings in the buffer, but in any case no less than 10 feet in width.
(b)
Where nonresidential uses abut residential uses or zones in the B-2 Zone District, a twenty-five-foot buffer is required, and in the ORL Zone, a one-hundred-foot buffer is required. Evergreen trees and shrubs used in a buffer shall be at least six feet high at the time of planting, and shall be maintained at above six feet in height. If plantings are combined with a berm, the combined height of plantings must be at least six feet at the time of planting.
(c)
Shade trees shall have a minimum caliper of 2 inches to 2 1/2 inches at the time of planting.
(d)
At minimum, the buffer shall include eight shrubs for every 10 linear feet of buffer, one ornamental tree for every 30 linear feet of buffer, supplemented by ground cover and perennial plantings.
(e)
Trees and shrubs used in a buffer shall be spaced to accommodate normal plant growth without overcrowding and to provide a complete visual screen within three years of planting. If necessary to achieve the above intent, double or triple staggered rows of plantings shall be provided.
(f)
The choice of plant materials to be used in a buffer shall consider the ultimate growth characteristics of the plantings. Hardy, low-maintenance plants, which are normally free from insect or disease problems, shall be used. Plants which tend to lose their lower branches as they mature shall not be used or they shall be supplemented with other plants to provide a sufficient screen.
(g)
Buffers shall be protected from impact by motor vehicles and from the negative effects of road salt and snow-plowing.