The intent of this chapter is to prescribe provisions, criteria and standards for off-street parking and loading areas. The city recognizes that inadequate off-street parking and loading areas may lead to traffic congestion, parking violations in adjacent streets, loss of economic opportunities, as well as unauthorized parking in adjacent lots. Excessive parking and loading areas may waste money and valuable space for development or open space, and increase the potential or drainage problems. This chapter seeks to balance the public and the private needs for off-street parking and loading areas. (Ord. 478-1988 § 1(part), 1988)

A.

All development in all zoning districts shall provide a sufficient number of parking spaces to accommodate the number of vehicles that ordinarily are likely to be attracted to the development in question.

B.

The presumptions established by this chapter are that:

1.

A development must comply with the standards found in this chapter;

2.

Any development meeting these standards is presumed to be in compliance. Such presumption may be rebutted by competent evidence.

C.

The requirements of this chapter shall not apply to uses in existence as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, except as specifically noted to the contrary.

D.

When determination of the number of parking spaces required by the table of number of parking spaces required results in a requirement of a fractional space, any fraction of less than one-half may be disregarded, while a fraction of one-half or more shall be counted as one space.

E.

The city recognizes that the table of number of parking spaces required cannot and does not cover every possible situation that may arise. Therefore, in cases where the parking requirements are not specified in the table in Section 18.39.030, the planning department is authorized to recommend the parking requirements using the table in Section 18.39.030 as a guide and/or utilize applicant-submitted parking data that provides evidence of the adequacy of parking based on demand from similar uses in other jurisdictions.

The parking requirements in Section 18.39.030 may be modified where applicant-submitted parking data illustrates that the parking requirements do not reasonably apply to a specific development. The data submitted for an alternative parking plan shall include, at a minimum, the size and type of the proposed development, the mix of uses, the anticipated rate of parking turnover and the anticipated peak parking and traffic loads of all uses.

In both cases above, whether to approve the proposed parking shall be determined by the administrative officer who administers Title 18 of the Municipal Code when submitted with a zoning development permit application or a site plan review for a permitted use. City council shall determine whether to approve the proposed parking submitted with a conditional use permit, site plan review, or a planned unit development application, after review by and recommendation from the planning commission.

Any person aggrieved by the administrative officer's decision may appeal that decision in accordance with the procedures in Sections 18.54.020 and 18.54.030, except that such appeal shall be to the city council. All appeals from any other decision by the administrative officer regarding the same zoning development permit application or site plan review for permitted use shall be consolidated with the appeal from the decision approving or not approving the proposed parking. The city council shall have the sole power to hear and decide such appeals and any appeals consolidated with such appeals.

F.

Whenever any use in existence as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter expands or changes to another use, parking spaces shall be brought into conformance with the provisions of this chapter.

G.

Whenever more than one use occupies the same building or lot, the total number of parking spaces required shall be the sum of the requirements for each use. (Ord. 478-1988 § 1(part), 1988; Ord. No. 1169-2012, § 2, 11-1-2012)

(Ord. 604-1993 § 6, 1994; Ord. 478-1988 § 1(part), 1988)

(Ord. No. 1169-2012, § 1, 11-1-2012)

Whenever there exists a lot with a use that existed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter and the use is expanded or changes to another use, the requirements of this chapter are applicable. However, when the requirements cannot be satisfied on such lot because there is not sufficient area on the lot that can be practicably used for parking, then the owner of said use and/or lot shall pay fees in lieu of providing the required parking. The fees will be recommended by the city engineer and will be established by city council-adopted resolution on an annual basis. The per space fee will include required pavement, curb and gutter, drainage, landscaping, striping, associated construction costs and land costs, if applicable. Fees paid to the city in lieu of required parking spaces will be set aside in a separate fund that will be used to construct public parking lots in appropriate areas throughout the city. (Ord. 660-1995 § 4, 1995)

The provisions of this section shall only apply to single-family and two-family residential developments to the extent that they are applicable and reasonable.

A.

Parking Lot, Space and Aisle Dimensions. Parking lot, space and aisle dimensions shall be in accordance with the "Off Street Parking Table" and "Off Street Parking Layout." Requirements shall be as specified for the general all purpose standard, unless otherwise requested.

B.

Parking Lot Access. Access to parking lots shall be not less than ten feet in width for one-way traffic and eighteen feet in width for two-way traffic. Access shall be to a public right-of-way.

C.

Yard Setback Requirements. Parking lots shall not be required to meet the specific yard setback requirements of the zoning district in which they are located. Parking lots, aisles and spaces shall be designed so that vehicles cannot extend beyond the perimeter of such area or lot onto adjacent properties, or public rights-of-way. Such areas shall be designed so that vehicles do not extend over sidewalks, tend to bump against any wall, vegetation or obstruction or present a sight-distance problem.

D.

Backing onto Streets Prohibited. Parking lots shall be designed so that without resorting to extraordinary movements, vehicles may exit the lot without backing onto a public street.

E.

Accommodation of Service Vehicles. Parking lots shall be designed so sanitation, emergency, and other public service vehicles can serve such developments without the necessity of backing unreasonable distances or making dangerous or hazardous turning movements.

F.

Parking Lot and Other Vehicle Accommodation Area Surfaces. Whenever a person desires to change the use of properties and/or existing structures, develop property, or substantially improve an existing structure, the provisions of this section shall apply. All parking lot and other vehicle accommodation areas shall be graded and hard-surfaced with bituminous asphalt and/or portland cement concrete (chip and seal applications shall not be allowed) to control potholes, erosion and/or dust. Concrete curb and gutter for drainage and parking lot delineation is required for all parking lots and other vehicle accommodation areas and shall be designated per city subdivision regulation specifications. For purposes of this provision, vehicle accommodation area is defined as all of that portion of a lot that is used by vehicles for access, circulation, parking, loading and unloading.

G.

Parking Spaces to be Marked. Parking spaces in hard-surfaced parking lots shall be appropriately demarcated with painted lines or other markings. Such lines shall be kept clearly visible and distinct.

H.

Parking Lots to be Maintained. Parking lots shall be properly maintained in all respects, specifically, they shall be free of potholes, accumulation of trash, and parking space lines kept clearly visible and distinct.

I.

Handicapped Parking Required. Parking spaces for the handicapped shall be provided in accordance with the city Uniform Building Code.

J.

Snow Storage Area Required. Snow storage areas shall be provided for all parking lots. The amount of snow storage area shall be equal to or exceed ten percent of the total area of required parking spaces. Snow storage areas shall be located so as to not drain onto adjacent properties. Such areas may utilize excess parking spaces above the number required.

K.

Landscaping Required. All parking lots shall be landscaped in accordance with the following standards:

1.

Landscaped borders of not less than four feet in depth will be required at all edges of the lot.

2.

The borders shall include vegetation which will not present a sight-distance problem at full maturity.

3.

All required landscaped areas shall be maintained. Specifically, they shall be kept free of dead plant materials and trash.

L.

Existing Parking and Vehicle Accommodation Surfaces. All parking lots and vehicle-accommodation areas existing as of May 1, 1995, other than those used for single-family purposes shall comply with the hardsurfacing requirements and parking lot standards as referenced in subsection F of this section. Compliance of this section must be made on all applicable lots by October 1, 1997. This section amends the provisions of Ordinance No. 340-1984. (Ord. 660-1995 §§ 5, 6, 1995; Ord. 571-1992 § 5, 1992; Ord. 478-1988 § 1(part), 1988)

A.

A parking lot may contain required spaces for several different uses, but except as otherwise provided in this section, the required parking spaces assigned to one use may not be credited to any other use.

B.

To the extent that developments that wish to make joint use of the same parking spaces operated at different times, the same parking spaces may be credited to both uses. (Ord. 478-1988 § 1(part), 1988)

A.

If the number of parking spaces required by this chapter cannot reasonably be provided on the same lot where the use is located, then spaces may be provided on adjacent or nearby lots in accordance with the provisions of this section.

B.

All off-site parking shall be located within four hundred feet of the lot where the use is located.

C.

The developer or applicant desiring to utilize the provisions of this section shall present satisfactory evidence that he has the permission of the owner of the off-site parking lot to use such spaces. The parking spaces shall not be the required spaces assigned to any other use. The developer or applicant shall acknowledge that the validity of his permit depends upon his continuing ability to provide required number of parking spaces.

D.

Off-site parking lots shall meet the requirements of this section. (Ord. 478-1988 § 1(part), 1988)

A.

Whenever any use requires that goods, merchandise, or equipment be routinely delivered to or shipped from the site upon the same lot, sufficient off-street loading and unloading area shall be provided in accordance with this section to accommodate the delivery or shipment operations in a safe and convenient manner.

B.

The loading and unloading area shall be of sufficient size to accommodate the numbers and types of vehicles that are likely to use the area, subject to the nature of the use in question. The following equation indicates the number of loading berths that satisfy the standard found in this subsection:

Up to ten thousand square feet of usable floor area requires the first berth, plus, for each additional five thousand square feet of usable floor area, one additional berth is required.

For purposes of this section a loading berth shall contain a space ten feet wide and thirty-five feet long. Where the vehicles generally used for loading and unloading exceed these dimensions, the required length of these berths shall be increased.

C.

Loading and unloading areas shall be so located and designed that the vehicles intended to use them can maneuver safely and conveniently to and from a public right-of-way, complete the loading and unloading operations without obstructing or interfering with any public right-of-way or any parking space or parking lot aisle.

D.

No area allocated to loading and unloading facilities may be used to satisfy the area requirements for off-street parking, nor shall any portion of any off-street parking area be used to satisfy the area requirements for loading and unloading facilities.

E.

Whenever there exists a lot with one or more structures or uses existing prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this chapter, and a change in use that does not involve any enlargement of a structure is proposed for such lot, and the loading area requirements of this section cannot be satisfied because there is not sufficient area available on the lot that can practicably be used for loading and unloading, then the applicant need only comply with this section to the extent reasonably possible. (Ord. 478-1988 § 1(part), 1988)

Any other contrary provision notwithstanding, a person applying for and obtaining permission in accordance with this Section 18.39.090 may comply with the parking requirements of this chapter by creating on-street parking by improving areas of public street right-of-way between the edge of the traveled lane and the outside boundary of the right-of-way.

A.

Improvement of such areas of street right-of-way to create on-street parking in lieu of off-street parking is allowed only in the Central Business District, Neighborhood Commercial District, Community Commercial District, and Public/Semi Public District.

B.

A request for permission for on-street parking in lieu may be made concurrently with an application for a zoning development permit, conditional use permit or a site plan review.

C.

Whether to grant permission for on-street parking in lieu shall be determined by the administrative officer who administers Title 18 of the Municipal Code with approval of the city engineer, when a request for permission for on-street parking is made concurrently with a zoning development permit application or a site plan review for a permitted use. Whether to grant permission for on-street parking in lieu shall be determined by the city council, after review by and recommendation from the planning commission, when a request for permission for on-street parking is made concurrently with a site plan review for conditional use application.

D.

Each on-street parking space created by improving street right-of-way in accordance with the provisions of this section shall be the equivalent of one off-street parking space. In order to receive credit for on-street parking spaces created pursuant to the provisions of this section, the improvements must be made on public street right-of-way that is: (i) adjacent to the lot where the use is located; or (ii) within 400 feet of the lot where the use is located. All improvements permitted under this section shall comply with the applicable design requirements contained in the City of Woodland Park Engineering Specifications, as the same may be amended from time to time, including those standards that the city engineer shall and is hereby directed to promulgate. Such standards shall be included in the Woodland Park Engineering Specifications.

E.

In determining whether to grant permission for on-street parking in-lieu, the planning commission or administrative official may consider without limitation the width of the right-of-way, the traffic volume on the subject street and in the vicinity and turning movement accommodation. No person has a right to permission to on-street parking in lieu under this section and no permission shall be granted where the city engineer determines that the requested improvements do not advance the reasonable safety, health and welfare of the citizens of the city.

F.

The city may place conditions upon granting on-street parking in lieu, including but not limited to, specifying the type of curb and gutter or requiring dedication of additional right-of-way or installation of drainage improvements. (Ord. No. 1034-2005, § 1, 10-6-2005)