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Reed City City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 1278

Off-Street Parking and Loading

1278.01 APPLICATION OF CHAPTER.

   For all structures erected and all uses of land established after the effective date of this Zoning Code, accessory parking and loading facilities shall be provided as herein required. (Ord. 52. Passed 6-16-97.)

1278.02 MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES REQUIRED.

   The minimum number of off-street parking spaces shall be provided in all districts accessory to permitted uses as follows:
   (a)   Automobile sales and service garages: One space for each 500 square feet of floor area.
   (b)   Barber shops and beauty shops: Three spaces for each chair or booth.
   (c)   Bowling alleys: Six spaces for each alley.
   (d)   Churches: One space for every three seats.
   (e)   Outdoor commercial recreation: Twenty-five percent of lot area, but in no case less than ten spaces.
   (f)   Dance hall, assembly hall, exhibition hall (without fixed seats): One space for every 100 square feet of floor area.
   (g)   Drive-in facilities:
      (1)   Banks (and similar financial institutions): Four spaces for each drive-in window.
      (2)   Dry cleaners, drug stores (and other retail services with drive-in service facilities): Three storage spaces for each drive-in window.
   (a)   Dwelling: Two spaces per family or dwelling unit.
   (b)   Funeral home or mortuaries: One space for each twenty-five square feet in service parlors or chapels plus one space for each funeral vehicle maintained on the premises.
   (c)   Furniture sales (retail): One space for each 500 square feet of floor area.
   (d)   Hospital: One space for each two beds plus one space for each doctor plus one space for each two employees other than doctors.
   (e)   Hotels, motels, tourist homes: One space for each lodging room plus one space per three full time employees.
   (f)   Launderette: One space per washer unit.
   (g)   Libraries, museums, governmental administration buildings: Adequate parking facilities as approved by the Planning Commission.
   (h)   Manufacturing and industrial uses: Two spaces for each employee on the largest shift.
(I)   Office buildings, including banks, business, and professional offices: One space for each 200 square feet of floor area.
   (j)   Restaurants and bars (and similar establishments): One space for each three seats provided for patron use plus one space for each two employees.
   (k)   Retail sales and personal services (except supermarkets and self-service stores): One space for each 200 square feet of floor area.
   (l)   Schools: One space for each two employees (staff and faculty) plus one space for each five fixed seats in the auditorium or gymnasium.
   (m)   Service stations: One space for each two employees plus one space for the owner or manager plus one space for each service stall.
   (n)   Supermarket or self-service store: One space for each 150 square feet of floor area.
   (o)   Theaters and auditoriums (not incidental to schools): One space for each four seats plus one space for each two employees.
   (p)   Warehouses, storage buildings, lumber and supply yards, wholesale outlets: Two parking spaces for each employee.
      (Ord. 52. Passed 6-16-97.)

1278.03 MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR OFF-STREET PARKING FACILITIES.

   Parking or storage of motor vehicles shall be required in all districts and for all uses, except single family dwellings, subject to the following standards and regulations:
   (a)   Any person desiring to establish, maintain, or alter an off-street parking area shall submit plans to the Zoning Administrator showing the location, design, size, shape, landscaping, surface material, marking, lighting, drainage, curb cuts, entrances, exits, and any other pertinent features of the parking facility. Any curb cuts, entrances, exits, and drainage design shall have the written approval of the City Engineer or the Zoning Administrator.
   (b)   Parking requirements for uses or premises not specifically mentioned above will be determined by the provisions of the use which is most similar.
   (c)   In the case of mixed or combined uses in the same structure or on the same zoning lot, the total requirements for off-street parking shall be the sum of the requirements for the individual uses computed separately.
   (d)   Required parking spaces for a permitted use shall be computed relative to the entire first floor area of the building; parking for uses on additional floors including basement shall be added to the total required for the first floor.
   (e)   Each off-street parking space shall have a minimum width of nine feet and a minimum length of eighteen feet. The length of angled parking must be determined as the overall perpendicular distance of the spaces. Access drives to and from a parking space shall not be considered part of the required parking area.
   (f)   Driveways and internal circulation drives shall have a minimum width of twenty-four feet.
   (g)   If the use of a structure or premises changes, the minimum parking requirements shall apply to the new use.
   (h)   If a structure or premises are enlarged, the minimum parking requirements shall be applicable to the total area of the structure or premises.
(I)   All off-street parking spaces shall be provided adequate access by means of maneuvering lanes. Backing onto a street or onto or across a public walk shall be prohibited.
   (j)   There shall be a curb or bumper rail provided wherever an off-street parking space is adjacent to a public sidewalk or right of way so designed to prevent any portion of the vehicle from extending beyond the limits of the required parking area.
   (k)   Any lighting used to illuminate any off-street parking area shall be so installed and maintained as to confine light within the parking area and direct light away from adjoining premises.
   (l)   Off-street parking areas including access drives shall have a hard surface (concrete or bituminous) and shall be sloped and drained to dispose of all surface water.
   (m)   When units or measurements determining the number of required parking spaces result in the requirement of a fractional space, any fraction shall be construed to mean one space.
   (n)   In the instance of dual function of off-street parking spaces where operating hours of uses do not overlap, the Zoning Board of Appeals may grant an exception.
   (o)   Any off-street parking area containing ten or more spaces shall contain one suitably hardy tree for each ten spaces. Trees shall be spaced not less than fifty feet apart and shall be protected by a curbed planter or similar element with dimensions not less than six feet by six feet.
   (p)   Any construction or rearrangement of existing drives which involve the ingress and/or egress of vehicular traffic to or from a public street shall be so arranged as to ensure the maximum of safety and the least interference of traffic upon said streets.
   (q)   All parking areas shall be screened on all sides which abut an R-1 or R-2 District or a street right of way with an ornamental fence or compact hedge not less than three feet or more than six feet of a type which will at all seasons obscure vision from adjoining premises but will not interfere with corner vision as stipulated in this Zoning Code.
   (r)   Each off-street parking area entrance and exit shall have clearly defined drives at least twenty feet distant from adjacent property lines.
   (s)   The storage of merchandise, motor vehicles for sale, or the repair of vehicles is prohibited in any required parking area.
   (t)   The location of required off-street parking facilities shall be within 500 feet of the structure containing the use they are intended to serve, measured from the nearest point of the structure.
   (u)   Parking areas shall be setback a minimum of ten feet from all property lines and shall not be located in any required front or side setback area.
   (v)   The Zoning Administrator shall require such assurance, surety, or performance bonds in the form, manner, and amount as in his or her discretion may be required to compel compliance with all off-street parking requirements of this Zoning Code; provided, however, that such assurance, surety, or performance bond shall not be for amounts greater than the reasonable cost of complying with such off-street parking requirements.
   (w)   A permit issued for a parking area under the provisions of this Zoning Code shall be revocable, subject to compliance with all requirements and conditions as stipulated. (Ord. 52. Passed 6-16-97.)

1278.04 PROVISION OF PUBLIC PARKING IN C-1 DISTRICTS.

   Where public parking is provided within 200 feet of a use in the C-1 Commercial District the Planning Commission may adjust the parking requirements as follows:
   (a)   If the required number of public parking spaces is provided within 200 feet of the structure in which the use occurs all parking requirements will be satisfied.
   (b)   When only a portion of the parking requirements are fulfilled by public parking spaces within 200 feet of the structure in which the use occurs the remainder of parking spaces must be provided until all parking requirements are satisfied.
      (Ord. 52. Passed 6-16-97.)

1278.05 OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS.

   Parking areas to serve residential dwellings shall be required in all districts in which they are permitted subject to the following standards and regulations:
   (a)   Parking areas shall not be located in any required front or side setback area, except that the driveway in the required front setback leading to a garage or parking area may be used for parking.
   (b)   No commercial repair work, servicing, or selling of any kind shall be conducted in such areas and no sign of any kind shall be erected thereon. No charge shall be made for parking or storage of vehicles.
   (c)   No parking area shall be used for parking or storing of any commercial vehicle exceeding one-ton rated cargo weight.
      (Ord. 52. Passed 6-16-97.)

1278.06 MINIMUM LOADING SPACE REQUIRED.

   The minimum amount of off-street loading space shall be required in all districts accessory to permitted uses as follows:
   (a)   Industrial and Commercial Uses.
      (1)   10,000 - 20,000 square feet of floor area: One space.
      (2)   20,000 - 50,000 square feet of floor area: Two spaces.
      (3)   50,000 - 100,000 square feet of floor area: Three spaces.
   (a)   Schools. Provide adequate space for safe loading and unloading of students from vehicles as approved by the Planning Commission.
   (b)   Medical Facilities. Provide adequate space for safe loading and unloading of patients as approved by the Planning Commission.
      (Ord. 52. Passed 6-16-97.)

1278.07 MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR OFF-STREET LOADING FACILITIES.

   Loading and unloading spaces shall be provided in all C-1, C-2, and IND Districts in connection with commercial and industrial uses subject to the following standards and regulations:
   (a)   Off-street loading areas shall be surfaced with a concrete or bituminous mix pavement and shall be sloped and drained to dispose of surface water.
   (b)   Any lighting used to illuminate off-street loading areas shall be so arranged as to direct light away from adjoining premises.
   (c)   Each loading space shall be at least ten feet wide and twenty-five feet long, and shall have a clearance of fourteen feet above grade.
   (d)   Required loading areas shall be in addition to required off-street parking areas.
   (e)   Loading spaces may occupy all or any part of any required yard or court space.
   (f)   No loading spaces shall be located closer than fifty feet to any lot in any R-1 or R-2 District unless wholly within an enclosed building, or enclosed on all sides facing R-1 or R-2 Districts by a wall or uniformly painted solid board or masonry fence of uniform appearance which is not less than six feet in height.
(Ord. 52. Passed 6-16-97.)