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Raton City Zoning Code

OFF-STREET PARKING

PAVING, LOADING, AND LANDSCAPING

§ 156.155 OFF-STREET PARKING AREA REQUIRED.

   (A)   After the effective date of §§ 156.155 et seq., all new commercial structures and industrial structures in any zone shall provide off-street parking, loading, and lighting to meet the written standards established by the Planning and Zoning Department from generally accepted engineering practices.
   (B)   Existing uses where no off-street parking is reasonably available shall be exempt from these requirements.
(Ord. 878, passed 1-27-1998;Am. Ord. 953, passed 10-14-2008) Penalty, see § 10.99

§ 156.156 PAVING AND LANDSCAPING OF OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIRED.

   (A)   Paving. Paving shall be completed no later than 1 year from structure completion. The owner or agent must provide a performance bond or executed paving contract with a paving contractor as a condition to securing a zoning permit.
   (B)   Parking surfaces. All parking lots shall be constructed in a manner to mitigate duct contamination and silt laden run-off. This is to be accomplished by concrete, asphalt, or other approved material. Final design sections for parking surfaces will be approved by the Public Works Director before construction is permitted. It is recommended that all parking surfaces be designed by a professional engineer to meet the minimum city standards and meet all requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
   (C)   New structures. New commercial structures established in the SC, C-1, C-2, C-3, MHP, R-5, RM-1, and R-O-I zoning districts, any retail business open to the public, and any permitted nonindustrial commercial uses located in industrial districts shall pave the required off-street parking, driveway and provide the required landscaping. Multi-family and 2 or more separate dwellings on 1 lot shall be considered a commercial use for the purposes of this section.
   (D)   Existing commercial and industrial structures.
      (1)   Structures, existing prior to the effective date of §§ 156.155 et seq., in the aforesaid zones shall provide paving and landscaping, only upon structure enlargement.
      (2)   The area required for paving shall be limited to that parking and access needed for the enlarged structure. The exemption shall remain for the other unaffected structures on the property.
      (3)   New and existing permitted uses in the R-1, R-4, R-5, MHS, L-I, H-I, and H-2 zoning districts are exempt from paving and landscaping of the required off street parking, however permitted C-3 uses in the industrial districts shall pave the required off-street parking and provide the required landscaping.
   (E)   Exemptions.
      (1)   New and existing structures and uses which do not derive primary access from a paved street shall be exempt.
      (2)   Mobile home parks existing on the date of §§ 156.155 et seq. shall only be required to pave both new and existing driving isles upon enlargement of the park or adding additional mobile home spaces.
(Ord. 878, passed 1-27-1998) Penalty, see § 10.99

§ 156.157 QUESTIONABLE USES.

   Questionable uses, where paving may not be beneficial, shall be presented and reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment, through the variance application and/or special exception application procedure § 156.213. At that time, the there may be conditions placed upon that use and any paving requirements.
(Ord. 878, passed 1-27-1998)

§ 156.158 LANDSCAPING STANDARDS.

   (A)   Off-street parking area landscaping. Trees are required in and around off-street parking areas to provide shade and relieve the adverse visual impact of large expanses of pavement and parked vehicles. Quantity and distribution of trees shall be as follows.
      (1)   One tree is required per 10 parking spaces.
      (2)   No parking space may be more than 100 feet from a tree trunk.
      (3)   An area equal to 2% of the area required for parking shall be provided with landscaping.
      (4)   All trees and other required landscaping shall be in place within 6 months of business opening.
   (B)   Tree requirements for multi-family residential developments. In addition to the above requirements, multi-family residential sites must provide trees in areas around residential structures as follows: Trees shall be provided at not less than the rate of 1 per ground floor dwelling unit and 1 tree per second-story dwelling units. No additional trees are required for units above the second story.
(Ord. 878, passed 1-27-1998) Penalty, see § 10.99

§ 156.159 OFF-STREET PARKING LOCATED OFF-SITE.

   (A)   All parking spaces, aisles, and turning areas shall be located entirely within the served property’s lot lines and shall not encroach on am road, driveway, or other public right-of-way. No parked vehicle shall overhang any road, access driveway, or public right-of-way.
   (B)   Parking or overflow parking may be located off-site or in common parking areas subject to the following rules.
      (1)   Single-family attached homes shall have all parking other than overflow parking on-lot, except townhouses and atrium homes may opt to use off-site parking.
      (2)   Multiple-family dwelling units shall have all off street parking located within 200 feet of the building being served. This provision also applies to townhouses or atrium (courtyard) homes that choose to use off-site parking.
      (3)   For all other uses, all off-street parking shall be located within 300 feet of the building being served.
   (C)   The City Commission shall hold a public hearing before making a final decision in relation to the issuance of the special use permit for off-street parking in residential areas
(Ord. 878, passed 1-27-1998) Penalty, see § 10.99