Winchester City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VI
Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements
Section 405.260 Purpose.
[CC 1981 §430.010; Ord. No. 638 §2(430.010), 11-14-1990]
The purpose of this Article is to alleviate or prevent congestion of the public streets in the City of Winchester and to promote the safety and welfare of the public by establishing minimum requirements for the off-street parking and loading and unloading of motor vehicles in accordance with the use to which the property is put. Specifically, it is intended for all such uses to have adequate on-site parking and loading facilities. In any event, no public street or portions thereof shall be utilized to meet said off-street parking and loading provisions.
Section 405.270 Scope.
[CC 1981 §430.020; Ord. No. 638 §2(430.020), 11-14-1990]
A.
For all buildings and structures erected and all uses of land established after the effective date of this Chapter, parking and loading facilities shall be provided as specified herein.
B.
Whenever the intensity of use of any building, structure or premises shall be increased through the addition of dwelling units, seating capacity or other units of measurement described herein, parking and loading facilities as required in this Article shall be provided for such increase in intensity of use.
C.
Whenever the existing use of a building or structure shall hereafter be or changed to a new use so as to increase the required parking and loading facilities in accordance with the requirements of this Article, the specified number of parking or loading spaces shall be provided for such new use in full compliance with this Article.
D.
For any conforming or legally non-conforming building or use which was in existence on the effective date of this Chapter, and which subsequent thereto is damaged or destroyed by fire, collapse, explosion or other cause, and which is reconstructed, re-established or repaired, off-street parking or loading facilities equivalent to any maintained at the time of such damage or destruction shall be restored or continued in operation. However, in no case shall it be necessary to restore and maintain parking or load facilities in excess of those required in the Section for such reconstructed or re-established building or use.
Section 405.275 Lighting Design Standards for Exterior Lighting.
[Ord. No. 958 §1, 12-12-2007]
A.
Purpose. Explains the reasoning for the regulations.
1.
To provide minimum standards for effective, economical and attractive outdoor lighting.
B.
Intent. Explains what the Section is intended to encourage/discourage.
1.
Discourage excessive lighting, to minimize glare and light trespass protecting neighbors from the consequences of stray light;
2.
Create a safe environment in hours of darkness;
3.
Regulate the type of fixtures, lamps and standards.
C.
Scope. Explains the Section's application.
1.
All uses, including residential, and all jurisdictions, including public, private and municipal, except as provided elsewhere.
2.
Applies to all outdoor lighting including, but not limited to, lighting for:
a.
Building and structures;
b.
Recreation areas;
c.
Parking lot lighting;
d.
Landscape lighting;
e.
Other outdoor lighting.
D.
Definitions. As used in this Section, the following terms shall have the meanings set out herein pertaining to lighting:
DIRECT LIGHT
Light emitted directly from the lamp, off of the reflector or reflector diffuser, or through the refractor or diffuser lens of a luminaire.
FIXTURE
The assembly that holds a lamp and may include an assembly housing, a mounting bracket or pole socket, a lamp holder, a ballast, a reflector or mirror and a refractor or lens.
FLOURESCENT LIGHT OR TUBE
Electric-discharge lighting utilizing glass tubing manufactured to standard lengths.
FOOT-CANDLE
A unit of illumination produced on a surface, all points of which are one (1) foot from a uniform point source of one (1) candle.
GLARE
Direct light emitted by a luminaire that causes reduced vision or momentary blindness.
IESNA LIGHTING HANDBOOK
The Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) Lighting Handbook (9th Edition 2000), which document is hereby incorporated by reference.
ILLUMINANCE
The level of light measured at a surface.
LAMP
The component of a luminaire that produces the light.
LIGHT-EMITTING DIODE (LED)
A p-n junction solid-state diode whose radiated output is a function of its physical construction, material used and exciting current. The output can be in the IR or in the visible region.
LIGHT POLLUTION
General sky glow caused by the scattering of artificial light in the atmosphere, much of which is caused by poorly designed luminaires.
LIGHT SHIELD
Any attachment which interrupts and blocks the path of light emitted from a luminaire or fixture.
LIGHT TRESPASS
Light emitted by a luminaire that shines beyond the boundaries of the property on which the luminaire is located.
LUMEN
A unit of measure of luminous flux.
LUMINAIRE
The complete lighting system, including the lamp and the fixture.
LUMINAIRE FULL CUT OFF
A luminaire that allows no direct light emissions above a horizontal plane through the luminaire's lowest light-emitting part.
NEON TUBING
Electric discharge, cold cathode tubing manufactured into shapes that form letters, parts of letters, skeleton tubing, outline lighting and other decorative elements or art forms, in various colors and diameters and filled with inert gases.
OUTDOOR LIGHT FIXTURE
Outdoor artificial illuminating devices, installed or portable, used for floodlighting, general illumination or advertisement.
SHIELDED
A light fixture whose output is controlled in such a manner that a direct view of the light-emitting surface from an adjacent property is either minimized or prevented. This control could be as a result of the fixture housing, external or internal control devices (louvers, shields, barn doors, etc.), placement of the luminaire on the subject property or any combination of these elements. Shielding may either be full or partial.
SHIELDED — FULLY
Outdoor light fixtures shielded or constructed so that no light rays are emitted by the installed fixture at angles above the horizontal plane passing through the lowest point of the fixture from which the light is emitted as certified by a photometric test report.
SHIELDED — PARTIALLY
Outdoor light fixtures shielded or constructed so that the lower edge of the shield is at or below the centerline of the light source or lamp so as to minimize light emissions above the horizontal plane.
TEMPORARY OUTDOOR LIGHTING
The specific illumination of an outside area of object by any manmade device located outdoors that produces light by any means for a period of no more that thirty (30) days, with at least one hundred eighty (180) days passing before being used again.
E.
Maintenance. Stipulates that required lighting be properly maintained.
All required lighting installations must be regularly maintained (cleaned, repaired, etc.), such that they always provide acceptable luminance levels and glare control.
F.
Light Fixtures And Usage. Contains provisions intended to reduce light pollution and glare.
1.
All outdoor light fixtures and lamp types installed and hereafter maintained shall use only shielded and/or enclosed light fixtures as specified in Table 1 (Shielding and Enclosure Requirements).
2.
Building-mounted lighting, including both utilitarian and decorative applications, shall be limited to fully shielded, cut-off optics, flat lens luminaires.
3.
Exterior building lighting shall be architecturally integrated with the building style, material and color. The color of exterior lamps shall be consistent with that on surrounding buildings.
4.
Exterior lighting shall be fully shielded, flat-lens enclosed luminaires, except for street light standards.
Table 1. Shielding and Enclosure Requirements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Fixture Lamp Type | Shielding | Enclosure | |
Mercury vapor | Fully shielded | None | |
Low pressure sodium | Fully shielded | None | |
High pressure sodium | Fully shielded | None | |
Metal halide | Fully shielded | Yes | |
Fluorescent | Fully shielded | Yes | |
Quartz | Fully shielded | None | |
Incandescent greater than 160 watt | Fully shielded | None | |
Incandescent 150 watt or less | Partial shielding | None | |
Glass tube filled with argon, krypton | None | None | |
G.
The fixture lamp types within Table 1 are further limited as follows:
1.
Clear mercury lamps are not permitted for general illumination. Only mercury vapor lamps that are environmentally safe, as defined (by the manufacturer) by their ability to be recycled and self-extinguish, are permitted.
2.
Except where color rendition is critical, this lamp type is a permitted light source to minimize undesirable emission into the night sky due to its monochromatic spectral distribution.
3.
Metal halide lamps shall be installed only in enclosed luminaires.
4.
Warm white and natural lamps are required in order to minimize detrimental effects.
5.
For the purposes of this Subsection, quartz lamps are not considered an incandescent light source.
H.
Illuminance And Uniformity. To achieve uniformity of light distribution and reduce light pollution, glare and spill-over, all outdoor lighting for non-security purposes shall meet the foot-candle standards set forth in Table 2 (Foot-candle Standards):
Table 2. Foot-candle Standards | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Location | Average Maintained Foot-candles | Uniformity Ratio (avg:min) | |
Roadways, local, residential | 0.4 | 6:1 | |
Roadways, local, commercial | 0.9 | 6:1 | |
Walkways and bikeways | 0.5 | 5:1 | |
Building entrances and exits | 5.0 | N/A | |
Outdoor storage areas | 8.0 | N/A | |
I.
Parking Area Lighting. Contains illumination standards for parking areas.
1.
Exterior lighting shall be provided in all parking areas.
2.
Parking lot lighting shall provide the minimum lighting necessary to ensure adequate vision and comfort in parking areas and to not cause glare or direct illumination onto adjacent properties of streets or public/private rights-of-way.
3.
Parking area lighting shall be designed and installed so as to achieve the illumination levels set forth in Table 3 (Illumination Standards in Foot-candles for Structures and Their Parking Areas) below. Lighting shall be maintained so as to achieve not less than eighty percent (80%) of the minimum and average illumination levels.
4.
For the purpose of Table 3, "commercial" refers to parking areas for any land use, regardless of zoning designation, in which goods or services are offered to the general public on the premises.
5.
The City planner may permit lighting arrangements exceeding the maximum initial level set forth in Table 3 below, lighting designs which substantially exceed the required minimum and average illumination levels.
6.
Parking lot lighting shall be fully shielded, flat-lens enclosed luminaires.
7.
Mounting heights of lighting fixtures shall not exceed thirty (30) feet.
Table 3. Illumination Standards in Foot-candles for Structures and Their Parking Areas | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Residential | Commercial | Other | ||
Minimum initial level at any point on the parking area | 0.07 | 0.5 | 0.3 | |
Average initial level | 0.35 | 1.0 | 0.5 | |
Maximum initial level 5 feet from the base of a light standard | 3.0 | 8.0 | 5.0 | |
J.
Lighting Of Gas Station Aprons And Canopies. Includes specific regulations for gas stations.
1.
Lighting levels on gasoline station aprons and under canopies shall be the minimum lighting necessary to ensure adequate comfort and safety in accordance with the Lighting Handbook.
2.
Areas on the apron away from the gasoline pump islands used for parking or vehicle storage shall be illuminated in accordance with the requirements for parking areas. If no gasoline pumps are provided, the entire apron shall be treated as a parking area.
3.
Areas around the pump islands and under canopies shall be illuminated so that the minimum horizontal illuminance at grade level is no more than five and one-half (5.5) foot-candles. The ratio of average to minimum illuminance shall be no greater than 4:1. This yields an average illumination level of no more than twenty-two (22.0) foot candles.
4.
Light fixtures mounted on canopies shall be recessed so that the lens cover is recessed or flush with the bottom surface of the canopy and/or shielded by the fixture or the edge of the canopy so that light is restrained to no more than eighty-five degrees (85°) beyond the vertical plane.
K.
Lighting Of Public Gathering Places. Lighting fixtures within outdoor plazas and similar public gathering places shall be either low-level fixtures (fifteen (15) foot maximum) and/or a combination of bollards and uplighting in order to create a "human scale" environment.
L.
Lighting Plan. The applicant for any concept or site plan shall also submit a lighting plan that complies with this Section. Lighting plans are approved by the City Engineer. The following information shall be included in the plan:
1.
A diagram indicating the location of all standards and fixtures and the proposed type of illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, supports, reflectors and other devices as well as a photometric plan denoting foot-candle levels;
2.
A description of the illuminating devices, fixtures, lamps, color of lights, supports, reflectors and other devices.
3.
A cut sheet delineating all light standards and fixtures.
M.
Enforcement. The compliance with standards and regulations contained in the Article shall be in accordance with those established in the Municipal Code.
Section 405.280 General.
[CC 1981 §430.030; Ord. No. 638 §2(430.030), 11-14-1990]
A.
Computation. When the determination of the number of off-street parking spaces required by this Section results in a requirement of a fractional space of one-half (½) or less, an extra space may be disregarded.
B.
Location. The location of off-street parking facilities in relation to the use served shall be as prescribed herein. All distances specified shall be walking distances between such parking facilities and the use served.
1.
Residential districts. All required off-street parking for uses permitted in residential districts shall be on the same lot as uses served.
2.
Non-residential districts. All required off-street parking for permitted uses in districts other than residential shall be on the same lot as the uses served. However, where an increase in the number of spaces is required by a change or enlargement of the use, the required spaces may be located and maintained not to exceed three hundred (300) feet from the building served, upon approval by the Planning and Zoning Board.
C.
Lighting. The illumination of off-street lighting facilities in non-residential districts shall be designed so that the light from such facilities does not reflect direct rays or spill over into residential districts. Lighting arrangements shall be approved by the City Engineer or his/her authorized representative.
D.
Striping. All non-residential off-street parking and loading areas shall be striped.
E.
Paving. In all zoning districts, all parking and loading areas, including driveways, shall be paved.
F.
Construction Standards. All ground surface off-street parking and loading areas shall be constructed to City of Winchester standards. Said parking shall be maintained in a clean, orderly and dust-free condition.
G.
Minimum Off-Street Parking Dimensions. The regulations of this Section shall govern the dimensions of off-street parking spaces, including those provided in developments approved by special procedures.
1.
Except as otherwise provided for in this Section, the requirements for off-street parking shall be as set forth in the following table:
Parking Table | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | |
45° | 9.0' | 19.7' | 12.5' | 12.7' | 51.9' | 45.6' | |
60° | 9.0' | 21.0' | 17.5' | 10.5' | 59.5' | 55.0' | |
90° | 9.0' | 19.0' | 22.0' | 9.0' | 60.0' | — | |
A. | Parking angle | E. | Curb length per car | |
B. | Stall width | F. | Curb to curb | |
C. | 19' minimum stall to curb | G. | Center to center width of double row with aisle between | |
D. | Aisle width* |
*Additional width may be required where the aisle serves as principal means of access to on-site buildings or structures. |
2.
In the event that the desired parking angle is not specified by the above table, the City Planning and Zoning Administrator, upon review by the City Engineer, may specify other equivalent dimensions associated with the desired parking angle by interpolating from dimensions listed in the table.
 |
H.
Supplementary Off-Street Parking And Loading Requirements.[1]
1.
The dimension for disabled parking spaces shall be required as per the (BOCA) basic Building Code. Each space shall be inclusive of the off-street space requirements specified and shall be marked by an above grade sign. Said sign shall be centered at the interior end of the parking space at a minimum height of forty-eight (48) inches from the bottom of the sign to the parking space finished grade. Surface markings may also be used to identify disabled parking stalls. The schedule below shall be standard for determining the number of spaces.
Number of Spaces | Disabled Parking Spaces Required (Minimum) | |
|---|---|---|
1 — 10 | 0 | |
11 — 50 | 1 | |
51 — 100 | 2 | |
101 — 500 | 3 | |
Over 500 | 2 per building entry |
2.
All parking spaces in any "R" District shall be on the same lot as the uses served. In no case shall said spaces encroach into the public right-of-way.
3.
On-site parallel parking stalls shall be nine (9) feet by twenty-two (22) feet adjacent to a twenty-two (22) foot two-way lane or fifteen (15) feet where adjacent to a one-way lane.
4.
Curbed islands are required at ends of aisles where necessary for traffic control or drainage.
5.
All areas for off-street parking and loading in the non-residential district shall be so arranged that vehicles at no time shall be required to back into any street or roadway to gain access thereto.
6.
Off-street parking areas in any non-residential district shall provide ingress and egress to any public right-of-way only at such location as approved by the Missouri Department of Transportation or the St. Louis County Department of Highways and Traffic and the City depending on which has jurisdiction over the public right-of-way.
7.
When an off-street parking lot for five (5) or more vehicles lies adjacent any "R" District, a setback of not less than ten (10) feet shall be provided between the parking lot and adjoining any residential district. Said parking setbacks shall be effectively screened. Such screening shall consist of a sight-proof fence or wall, and such screening shall be not less than six (6) feet in height above the surface elevation of the parking area, except where sight distance regulations at street intersections require other arrangements. When requested by the property owner, the City Engineer may approve the use of topographic features, landscaping or a combination of fences, walls, topographic features or landscaping in lieu of fences or walls, where such alternates will achieve a comparable effect.
8.
In a "C" District, no unenclosed parking or loading space or internal drive, except for ingress and egress drives, shall be closer to the street right-of-way than fifteen (15) feet. The area within fifteen (15) feet of the street right-of-way shall be landscaped as approved by the City Engineer.
9.
No off-street parking space required under this Article shall be used for any other purpose. Where a change in use creates greater parking requirements than the amount being provided, an occupancy permit shall not be issued until provision is made for the increased amount of required off-street parking.
10.
Where an addition is made to an existing use which does not comply with the parking requirements cited for such use, additional parking shall be provided as required.
11.
Where minimum requirement is specified or when one (1) or more of the parking requirements may be construed as applicable to the same use, lot or building, the final determination of required parking shall be made by the City Engineer.
12.
No person shall stop, stand or park a vehicle on any portion of any lot, tract or parcel of ground extending beyond the front building line if such lot, tract or parcel of ground is not constructed, maintained and established as a parking lot as provided in the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Winchester. This shall not apply to vehicles parked on public streets or on any private driveway, surfaced or unsurfaced, in the City of Winchester. For the purpose of this Section, there shall be only one (1) driveway per lot, tract or parcel of ground and the width shall not exceed twenty-five (25) feet.
13.
When determining the parking for any non-residential district, it shall be based on the gross square footage (where applicable). Gross floor area (GFA) is the sum of the gross horizontal areas of the several floors of a building or structure measured from the interior faces of the interior walls or from the interior line of walls separating two (2) buildings or structures. The following shall be included in the GFA total:
a.
Attics and storage areas.
b.
Washrooms.
c.
Lobbies and atriums.
d.
Elevator shafts and stairwells.
e.
Hallways.
f.
Interior balconies and mezzanines.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Supplementary Off-Street Parking and Loading Requirements table is included as an attachment to this chapter.
Section 405.290 Off-Street Loading.
[CC 1981 §430.040; Ord. No. 638 §2(430.040), 11-14-1990]
A.
Location. All off-street loading spaces shall be located on the same zoning lot as the use served. No loading berth for vehicles over eight thousand (8,000) pounds gross vehicular weight shall be closer than fifty (50) feet to any property in a residential district unless completely enclosed by building walls or solid fence or wall, or combination thereof, no less than ten (10) feet in height. No loading berth shall be located within twenty-five (25) feet of the nearest point of intersection of any two (2) streets.
B.
Size (Minimum). Unless otherwise specified, a required loading space shall be at least twelve (12) feet in width and at least fifty (50) feet in length, exclusive of aisles and maneuvering space and shall have a vertical clearance of fourteen (14) feet.
C.
Access. Each off-street loading space shall be designed with appropriate and safe means of vehicular access to a street or alley in a manner which will least interfere with traffic movements. Said access shall be approved upon review of the Planning and Zoning Board.
D.
Repair And Service. No motor vehicle repair work of service of any kind shall be permitted in conjunction with loading facilities provided in any zoning district.
E.
Drainage And Maintenance. Off-street loading facilities shall be drained to eliminate water and prevent damage to abutting property and/or public streets and alleys and surfaced with erosion-resistant material in accordance with City specification. Off-street loading areas shall be maintained in a clean, orderly and dust-free condition by the owner or lessee.
F.
Restricted Parking. Space allocated to any off-street loading berth shall not, while so allocated, be used to satisfy the space requirements for any off-street parking facilities or portions thereof.
G.
Surfacing. All open, off-street loading berths shall be improved with the standards established by the City.
H.
Below Minimum Floor Area. Uses for which off-street loading facilities are required herein but which are located in buildings of less floor area than the minimum for which facilities are required shall be provided with adequate receiving facilities as determined upon review by the Planning and Zoning Board.
I.
Special Use And Conditions. For special uses and uses other than specified in this Article, loading spaces, adequate in number and size to serve such use, shall be determined upon review by the Planning and Zoning Board. In any case, the Board, upon recommendation by the City Engineer, may eliminate or reduce the full provision of loading facilities where application of said provision is either impractical under certain conditions or unnecessary due to the nature of such uses.
J.
Loading Space Required. For the uses listed in the following table, off-street loading shall be provided on the basis of gross floor area of building or portions thereof devoted to such uses in the amounts shown herein.
Floor Area in Square Feet | Loading Spaces Required |
1.
Commercial, Office and Industrial Uses:
to 2,999 | upon review | |
3,000 — 19,999 | 1 | |
20,000 — 49,999 | 2 | |
50,000 — 99,999 | 3 | |
above 100,000 | upon review |
2.
Hospitals, Institutions and Similar Uses:
to 9,999 | upon review | |
10,000 — 49,999 | 1 | |
50,000 — 99,999 | 2 | |
above 100,000 | upon review |