All parking and loading space needs generated by development shall be accommodated off-street as specified in this section. Such parking spaces shall not be less in number than the parking and loading space requirements of the table in section 17-413 and all required parking shall be maintained for the life of the use.

(Prior Code, § 17.15(1))

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Loading space means a dust-free and durable, hard surfaced area of adequate size for the delivery vehicles expected to be used, logically and conveniently located for bulk pickup and delivery, readily accessible when required parking spaces are filled, which shall be located totally outside of any street or alley right-of-way.

Parking space means a durable, hard surfaced area adequate for parking a motor vehicle with room for opening doors on both sides, together with a clear, properly related access to a public street or alley and maneuvering room which shall be located totally outside of any street or alley right-of-way.

(Prior Code, § 17.15(2))

(a)

Interpretation by zoning administrator. Parking spaces for other permitted or conditional uses not listed in this section shall be determined by the administrator based on the requirements for comparable uses.

(b)

Fractional numbers. Fractional numbers shall be increased to the next whole number.

(c)

Preexisting parking and loading spaces. Parking and loading spaces that were in existence on the effective date of the ordinance from which this article is derived or were provided voluntarily after such date shall not hereafter be reduced in number except to conform to the requirements herein.

(d)

Use exclusively for parking and loading. Parking and loading spaces shall be used solely for the intended use and not for the storage of goods, or of vehicles that are inoperable, for lease, rent or sale except for the sale of a vehicle at an owner's home.

(e)

Temporary waivers. The administrator may temporarily suspend parking requirements for major unused portions of buildings for periods of one year, renewable for periods of one year.

(Prior Code, § 17.15(3))

Parking and loading spaces generated by development shall be located on the same parcel as the use that they are intended to serve.

(Prior Code, § 17.15(4))

(Prior Code, § 17.15(5))

(a)

Mixed occupancies. In the case of two or more uses in the same building, the total requirements for off-street parking facilities shall be the sum of the requirements for the several uses computed separately. Off-street parking facilities for one use shall not be considered as providing required parking facilities for any other use, except as approved specifically by the administrator for joint but alternative uses.

(b)

Joint but alternative use. The administrator may authorize the joint use of parking facilities under the following conditions:

(1)

Up to 50 percent of the parking facilities by nighttime uses may be supplied by the off-street parking facilities of daytime uses.

(2)

Up to 50 percent of the parking facilities of daytime uses may be supplied by the off-street parking facilities of nighttime uses.

(3)

Up to 100 percent of the parking facilities of a church or auditorium incidental to a school may be supplied by the off-street parking facilities of daytime uses.

(4)

For the purposes of this section, daytime uses are defined as offices, banks, retail stores, personal service or repair shops, household equipment or furniture stores, manufacturing or wholesale, or similar primarily daytime uses; and nighttime uses are defined as auditoriums incidental to schools, churches, bowling alleys, dance halls, theaters, bars or restaurants, motels, or similar primarily nighttime or Sunday uses.

(5)

Conditions required for joint use:

a.

The building or use for which application is being made to utilize the off-street parking facilities provided by another building or use shall be located within 250 feet of the parking facilities.

b.

The applicant shall show that there is no substantial conflict in the principal operating hours of the two buildings or uses for which joint use of off-street parking facilities is proposed.

c.

A properly drawn legal instrument, executed by the parties concerned for joint use of off-street parking facilities, duly approved as to form and manner of execution by the city attorney, shall be filed with the administrator. Joint use parking privileges shall continue in effect only so long as such instrument, binding on all parties, remains in force. If such instrument becomes legally ineffective, then parking shall be provided as otherwise required in this article.

(Prior Code, § 17.15(6))

(a)

Plot plan. Any application for a building permit shall include therewith a plot plan, drawn to scale and fully dimensioned, showing any parking or loading facilities to be provided in compliance with this article, excluding required parking of four spaces or less. The plot plan shall be approved by the administrator.

(b)

Size. Parking and loading spaces shall be of adequate size and shape to accommodate the required number of vehicles. Except when modified by the administrator, parking spaces shall be a minimum of 180 square feet in area exclusive of access. Loading spaces to accommodate tractors and trailers shall be a minimum of 650 square feet in area, exclusive of access.

(c)

Surfacing and drainage. Parking and loading areas shall be graded and drained to dispose of all surface water accumulated within the area. The method of discharge of the water to public facilities shall be subject to approval of the city engineer. All required parking and loading spaces and access drives shall be paved with concrete or bituminous pavement with a setback of a minimum of three feet from any lot line.

(d)

Lighting. Any lighting used to illuminate off-street parking or loading areas shall be directed away from residential properties in such a way as not to create a nuisance to either residential properties or oncoming vehicles.

(e)

Landscaping. Parking areas with 20 or more spaces shall have at least ten percent of the total parking area landscaped. Parking areas with 100 or more spaces shall have at least 25 percent of the required ten percent to be landscaped located in the interior of the lot. No island shall be less than 100 square feet. When landscaping is required, as set forth above, then an average of at least one tree shall be planted for every 15 parking spaces within the parking area.

(f)

Setback from residential lots. No off-street parking area containing more than four parking spaces shall be located closer than 15 feet from an adjacent lot zoned for residential purposes.

(g)

Driveways. All driveways shall be set back three feet from lot lines, except for common driveways.

(Prior Code, § 17.15(7))

(a)

B-1 downtown business district exception. No accessory off-street parking is required in the B-1 downtown business district, except for dwelling units located above the ground floor of permitted uses which were created after the adoption of this article.

(b)

Elderly housing developments. The plan commission may grant exceptions, through the issuance of a conditional use permit, to the off-street parking requirements for certain elderly housing developments where the developer can successfully demonstrate that automobile ownership will be sufficiently low so that the required number of stalls would be unnecessary. In no instance may the number of stalls be reduced to less than 0.5 per dwelling unit.

(c)

Off-site parking. The plan commission may grant exceptions through the issuance of a conditional use permit, whenever required parking and loading spaces cannot be located on a parcel because of development restrictions imposed by the presence of an existing structure that is to continue in use. Required parking may then be provided off the parcel, for permitted uses only, subject to the following requirements:

(1)

If the use is residential, hotel, motel, or tourist home, the off-site spaces shall be within 200 feet of the principal entrance or the entrance for individual occupants for whom spaces are reserved.

(2)

If the use is other than residential, hotel, motel, or tourist home, the farthest portion of the parking lot shall be with 500 feet of an entrance to the establishment.

(3)

Distances indicated above shall be measured along routes generally available to the pedestrians involved.

(4)

Off-site parking areas shall be held by the same owner as the use requiring the off-street parking space, or under lease, rental, or other form of agreement satisfactory to the plan commission with respect to ensuring continuing availability for required off-site parking for the use.

(Prior Code, § 17.15(8))