§ 7.3. Off-Street Parking and Loading Regulations
The minimum off-street parking and loading shall be provided as set forth in the following schedule.
Table 10. Minimum Requirements for Parking Space Configuration, Arrangement, Size, and Circulation
A B C D E F Parking Angle (in degrees) Stall Width (in feet) Stall Depth (in feet) Aisle Width for One-Way Traffic (in feet) Aisle Width for Two-Way Traffic (in feet) Curb Length Per Car (in feet) Parking Lot Width (curb-to-curb, in feet) 30° 9.0 17.0 12.0 24.0 18.0 37.5 45° 9.0 19.0 13.0 24.0 12.7 46.5 60° 9.0 21.0 18.0 24.0 10.4 65.5 90° 9.0 19.0 24.0 24.0 9.0 62.0 7.3.1 Off-Street Parking
All parking shall be off-street and all vehicle maneuvering on the subject parcel shall not occur on the street or right-of-way. The space shall not be located within a public street or alley, nor shall head-in parking adjacent to a public street or alley, wherein the maneuvering is done on a public street or alley, be classified as off-street parking in computing the parking requirements for any use.
7.3.2 Off-Street Parking Provisions
A.
Residential Districts.
(1)
All required vehicle parking shall be on a concrete or asphalt paved surface.
(2)
All driveways and approaches to parking spaces shall be on a concrete or asphalt paved surface.
(3)
No required parking space, garage, carport, or other automobile storage space shall be used for the storage of any Heavy Load Vehicle (see Article 3. Definitions).
(4)
Additional parking shall be required in accordance with this Section for any recreational uses, clubhouse, office, sales offices and other similar accessory structures and uses.
B.
Nonresidential and Multi-Family Districts.
(1)
All parking areas shall be constructed of the same material as the adjoining street, or of concrete. All parking areas shall be separated from walkways, sidewalks, streets, or alleys by a wall, fence, curbing, or other protection device.
(2)
Covered Parking and Density Bonuses.
(a)
An increase in density of a total of up to twenty-four (24) units per acre is permitted when at least fifty (50) percent of the required parking spaces are constructed as covered or enclosed spaces.
(b)
An increase in density of a total of up to twenty-six (26) units per acre is permitted when one hundred (100) percent of the required parking spaces are constructed as covered or enclosed spaces.
(3)
No parking space may be located closer than six (6) feet from any building or closer than two (2) feet from any side or rear lot line.
(4)
For safety and fire-fighting purposes, access through to adjacent nonresidential parking areas shall be provided in accordance with 7.3.9 Fire Lanes.
(5)
All off-street parking, driveways, maneuvering, and loading areas shall be designed in accordance with Figure 21. References for Table 10 and Table 10. Minimum Requirements for Parking Space Configuration, Arrangement, Size, and Circulation, shall be paved with a concrete or asphalt surface, and shall be curbed in accordance with the City's parking lot paving requirements.
(6)
For new construction only, all vehicle maneuvering shall take place on-site. No public right-of-way shall be used for backing or maneuvering into or from a parking space (except business locations in the downtown area that are already in existence as of the effective date of this Ordinance), or for circulation within the parking lot.
(a)
All entrances into parking lots shall be a minimum of twenty (20) feet in width, or a maximum of forty (40) feet in width.
(b)
Divided entrances into parking lots shall have a minimum ingress lane of eighteen (18) feet wide, a minimum landscaped median width of five (5) feet for an unbroken distance of at least one hundred (100) feet, and a minimum egress lane of twenty-two (22) feet wide. All divided entrances shall be a maximum of forty-five (45) feet in width.
(7)
In all nonresidential and multi-family zoning districts, the perimeter of all parking lots and driveways shall be provided with concrete curbs. Parking shall not be permitted to encroach upon the public right-of-way.
(8)
Refuse storage facilities placed in a parking lot shall not be located in a designated parking or loading space. Each refuse facility shall be located so as to facilitate pickup by refuse collection agencies and ease of egress from the site without having to back up further than twenty (20) feet and without having to go the wrong way in a traffic aisle.
(9)
Parking space(s) for persons with disabilities and other associated provisions (e.g., clear and unobstructed pathways into building, crosswalks across parking lots, etc.) shall be provided according to building codes, State laws, and requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
(10)
Designated parking and loading areas shall not be used for the repair, storage, dismantling or servicing (except for normal maintenance of a private vehicle) of vehicles or equipment, or for the storage of materials or supplies, or for any other use in conflict with the designated parking and loading areas (i.e., advertising or outside storage of raw materials).
(11)
At no time after initial approval of the parking area layout shall changes be made in the location and number of provided spaces without written City approval of a revised plan.
(12)
A stacking space shall be an area on a site measuring at least eight (8) feet wide by twenty (20) feet long that has direct forward access to a service window or station of a drive-through facility and that does not constitute space for any other circulation driveway, parking space, or maneuvering area. An escape lane of at least eight (8) feet in width and with negotiable geometric design shall be provided to allow vehicles to get out of the stacking lane if necessary. Off-street stacking requirements for drive-through facilities shall be as follows:
(a)
For financial institutions with drive-through facilities, each teller window or station, human or mechanical, shall be provided with a minimum of five (5) stacking spaces. One (1) escape lane shall be provided.
(b)
For each service window of a drive-through restaurant, a minimum of five (5) spaces shall be provided for the first vehicle stop, and two (2) spaces shall be provided for each additional vehicle stop (order/pick-up windows, etc.). One escape lane shall be provided from the beginning of the stacking lane to the first vehicle stop.
(c)
For a full-service car wash, each vacuum or gas pump lane shall be provided with a minimum of four (4) stacking spaces. For the finish/drying area, adequate vehicle stacking and storage space shall be provided to keep finished vehicles out of circulation aisles, access easements, fire lanes, streets, etc.
(d)
For each automated self-service (drive-through/rollover) car wash bay, a minimum of three (3) stacking spaces, in addition to the wash bay itself, shall be provided. One (1) stacking space shall be provided at the exit end of each wash bay for window-drying and other detailing.
(e)
For each wand-type self-service (open) car wash bay, a minimum of two (2) stacking spaces, in addition to the wash bay itself, shall be provided. One (1) stacking space shall be provided at the exit end of each wash bay for window-drying and other detailing, unless a separate area/shade structure is provided (outside of circulation aisles) for these activities.
(f)
For automobile quick-lube type facilities, a minimum of three (3) stacking spaces shall be provided for each service bay in addition to the service bay itself.
(g)
For all other types of land use that provide drive-up service, a minimum of three (3) stacking spaces for each service window shall be provided.
(13)
Dead-end parking areas shall be avoided if possible. If dead-end parking is necessary, then it shall be designed such that it is no more than forty-five (45) feet in length, unless adequate turnaround space is provided. A minimum hammerhead back-up space of at least fifteen (15) feet shall be provided at the end of any dead-end parking area.
(14)
All parking structures shall conform to the construction and design standards of the zoning district in which they are located.
(15)
A parking analysis and tabulation shall be required on the Site Plan for each development and shall be a part of the Site Plan submittal. Each analysis shall include an explanation of applicable parking requirement, and as a minimum shall include occupancy classification type, building square footages, and number of employees, total parking spaces required, total parking spaces provided, required and provided Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible spaces, and required and provided ADA van accessible spaces. When the Director of Public Works, or designee determines necessary, an additional traffic impact study may be required to determine the impacts of a development on the off-site public street system.
C.
Off-Street Loading Facilities. All retail and similar nonresidential structures shall provide and maintain off-street facilities for receiving and loading merchandise, supplies and materials within a building or on the lot or tract. All drives and approaches shall provide space and clearances to allow for the maneuvering of trucks off-street. Each site shall provide a designated on-site maneuvering area for trucks (see Figure 22. Truck and Vehicle Maneuvering).
(a)
Off-street loading space may be adjacent to a public alley or private service drive or may consist of a truck berth within the structure. Such off-street loading space or truck berth shall consist of a minimum area of ten (10) feet by seventy-five (75) feet, and such spaces or berths shall be provided in accordance with Table 11.
(b)
For normal retail, commercial sales service or industrial use buildings and establishments, off-street loading facilities shall be provided in accordance with Table 11.
Table 11. Retail, Commercial, and Industrial Off-Street Loading Facilities
Square feet of gross floor area in structure Minimum required spaces or berths 0 to 5,000 None 5,000 to 15,000 1 15,000 to 40,000 2 40,000 to 65,000 3 65,000 to 100,000 4 Each Additional 50,000 1 Additional (c)
For hotels, office buildings, restaurants and similar establishments, off-street loading facilities shall be provided in accordance with Table 12.
Table 12. Hotel, Office, and Restaurant Off-Street Loading Facilities
Square feet of gross floor area in structure Minimum required spaces or berths 0 to 10,000 None 10,000 to 50,000 1 50,000 to 100,000 2 100,000 to 200,000 3 Each Additional 50,000 1 Additional D.
Loading docks for any establishment which customarily receives goods between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. and is adjacent to a residential use or district shall be designed and constructed so as to minimize the effects of the noise of the operation on adjacent residences. Other screening/buffering alternatives may be approved on the applicable required Concept or Site Plan provided that the City makes a finding that the method of screening/buffering will be adequate to minimize the impact on nearby residences.
E.
Below grade loading docks are required to have operational sump pumps or other approved drainage.
F.
Kindergartens, elementary schools, day care, and similar child training and care establishments shall provide one (1) paved off-street pedestrian loading and unloading space for an automobile on a through, "circular" drive for each ten (10) students cared for (excluding child care in a residence). An additional lane shall also be required to allow pass-by or through traffic to move while automobiles waiting or parked to pick up children occupy loading/unloading areas.
G.
Loading spaces that are adjacent and easily accessible to several buildings or uses, including buildings and uses on separate lots, shall be allowed to satisfy the loading requirements for the individual buildings or uses.
H.
Below grade loading docks are required to have operational sump pumps or other approved drainage.
7.3.3 Parking Requirements Based upon Use
The following parking requirements shall apply for all districts with the exception of C-1A, Decatur Square Business District.
A.
Residential Use Parking Schedule.
(1)
SF-1, Single-Family Residential District: Two (2) spaces for each dwelling unit.
(2)
SF-2, Single-Family Residential District: Two (2) spaces for each dwelling unit.
(3)
TH, Townhouse Residential District: Two (2) spaces for each dwelling unit.
(4)
2F, Two-Family Residential District: Two (2) spaces for each dwelling unit.
(5)
MF, Multiple-Family Residential District: Two and one-quarter (2¼) spaces for each dwelling unit in apartments, two (2) spaces for all other dwelling units.
(6)
MHD, Manufactured Home District: Two (2) spaces for each mobile home space. A minimum parking area of one hundred fifty (150) square feet per manufactured home space shall be provided in a common area for storage of boats or vehicles in excess of two (2) per manufactured home space, and for visitors' vehicles, to minimize on-street parking and to facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles into and through the park.
B.
Nonresidential Use Parking Schedule. Compliance with the following minimum parking space regulations shall be required:
(1)
Bank, Savings and Loan or Similar Financial Establishments: One (1) space for each two hundred (200) square feet of floor area.
(2)
Bed and Breakfast: One (1) space per guest room in addition to the requirements for a normal residential use.
(3)
Bowling Alley: Six (6) spaces for each lane.
(4)
Churches: One (1) space for each three (3) seats in the main sanctuary in addition to the requirements for other uses such as classrooms, offices, gymnasiums, and similar ancillary uses.
(5)
Clinics or Doctors' Offices: One (1) space for each three hundred (300) square feet of floor area (minimum of five (5) spaces).
(6)
Commercial Amusement, Indoor: Standalone: One (1) space per one hundred (100) square feet; In-line/strip style: One (1) space per two hundred and fifty (250) square feet.
(7)
Commercial Amusement, Outdoor: Twenty (20) spaces plus one (1) space for each one hundred (100) square feet of floor area over one thousand (1,000) square feet.
(8)
Assisted Living or Acute Care Living Facility: One (1) space for each three (3) beds.
(9)
Convenience Store with or without Gasoline Sales: One (1) space for each two hundred (200) square feet of Floor Area. Parking in front of pump stations shall be counted towards the required parking, however a minimum of six (6) parking spaces shall be provided adjacent to the main building.
(10)
Golf Course: Minimum of thirty (30) spaces.
(11)
High School, College or University: One (1) space for each classroom, laboratory or instruction area plus one (1) space for each one and one-half (1½) students accommodated in the institution.
(12)
Hospitals: One (1) space for every two (2) beds.
(13)
Hotel or Motel: One (1) space for each room, unit or guest accommodation, plus additional requirements specified for clubs, restaurants and other uses.
(14)
Institutions of a Philanthropic Nature: Ten (10) spaces plus one (1) space for each employee.
(15)
Library or Museum: Ten (10) spaces plus one (1) space for each three hundred (300) square feet of floor area.
(16)
Manufacturing, Processing or Repairing: One (1) space for each two (2) employees or one (1) space for each one thousand (1,000) square feet of floor area, whichever is greater.
(17)
Offices, General: One (1) space for each three hundred (300) square feet of floor area (minimum five (5) spaces).
(18)
Places of Public Assembly not listed: One (1) space for each three (3) seats provided.
(19)
Recreational, Private or Commercial area or building (other than listed): Standalone: One (1) space per one hundred (100) square feet; In-line/strip style: One (1) space per two hundred fifty (250) square feet.
(20)
Restaurant or Cafeteria: One (1) space for every three (3) seats under maximum seating arrangement (minimum of five (5) spaces).
(21)
Retail or Personal Service: One (1) space for each two hundred (200) square feet of floor area (minimum of five (5) spaces).
(22)
Schools, Elementary or Junior High: One (1) space for each classroom plus one (1) space for each four (4) seats in any auditorium, gymnasium or other place of assembly.
(23)
Storage or Warehousing: One (1) space for each two (2) employees or one (1) space for each one thousand (1,000) square feet of floor area, whichever is greater.
(24)
Theaters, Meeting Rooms and Places of Public Assembly: One (1) space for every three (3) seats.
C.
Special Off-Street Parking Regulations.
(1)
In the SF-1, Single-Family Residential District, SF-2, Single-Family Residential District, TH, Townhouse Residential District, 2F, Two-Family Residential District, MF, Multiple-Family Residential District, MHD, Manufactured Home District, C-O, Office District, C-1, Restricted Business District, and C-1A, Decatur Square Business District, no parking space, garage or carport, or other automobile storage space or structure shall be used for the storage of any truck, truck trailer or van, except panel and pickup trucks not exceeding one (1) ton capacity.
(2)
Floor area of structure devoted to off-street parking of vehicles shall be excluded in computing the off-street parking requirements of any use.
(3)
No open parking space or surfaced area shall be located nearer than two (2) feet to the side lot line.
(4)
No parking requirements are established for the C-1A, Decatur Square Business District.
D.
Parking Requirements for New and Unlisted Uses. Where questions arise concerning the minimum off-street parking requirements for any use not specifically listed herein, the requirements may be interpreted by the Planning Director as those of a similar listed use.
7.3.4 Construction Standards
Minimum construction standards for off-street parking shall include:
A.
Three thousand six hundred (3,600) psi reinforced concrete with a minimum thickness of six (6) inches or four (4) inches of Type "B" and two (2) inches of Type "D" HMAC.
B.
Subgrade thickness and content shall be determined from a geotechnical report sealed by a licensed professional engineer registered in Texas provided by the developer.
C.
Standard curb and gutter as shown in the NCTCOG standards manual shall be placed around all landscaping areas and the external boundary of the parking area.
D.
All off-street parking areas shall be striped in accordance with the latest edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) published by the Texas Department of Transportation.
7.3.5 Parking Access from a Public Street
A.
Entrance/exit drive(s) shall be designed and located to minimize traffic congestion or conflict within the site and with adjoining public streets. Based upon analysis by the City, if projected volumes of traffic entering or leaving a development are likely to interfere with the projected peak traffic flow volumes on adjoining streets, additional right-of-way and paving in the form of a deceleration lane, a turn lane, or other roadway improvements may be required of a developer in order to reduce such interference and to help ensure traffic safety and efficiency. The dedication of additional right-of-way or street paving may also be required, and shall be determined at the time the required plan and final plat are approved by the City.
B.
Vehicular access to nonresidential uses shall not be permitted from alleys serving residential areas, and shall not be configured as "head-in" parking spaces that are accessed directly from the street.
C.
Parking space configuration, arrangement, size and circulation in all districts shall be constructed according to Table 10. Minimum Requirements for Parking Space Configuration, Arrangement, Size, and Circulation and Figure 21. References for Table 10.
7.3.6 Computing Number of Parking Spaces
In computing the number of parking spaces required for each of the above uses, the following rules shall govern:
A.
"Floor Area" shall mean the gross floor area of the specific use.
B.
"Seat" shall be interpreted as follows:
(1)
For fixed (e.g., church pews, grandstands, benches, etc.) seating, one (1) seat equals one and three-quarters (1.75) feet of length; and
(2)
For flexible (e.g., folding chairs, etc.) seating areas, one (1) seat equals eight (8) square feet of floor area occupied by such seating area (includes aisles).
C.
Where fractional spaces result, the parking spaces required shall be calculated by rounding up to the nearest whole number.
D.
Whenever a Building or Use is changed or enlarged in floor area, number of dwelling units, seating capacity or otherwise, to create a need for an increase of ten percent (10%) or more in the number of existing parking spaces, such spaces shall be provided on the basis of the enlargement or change. If a building or use that was in existence prior to the effective date of this Ordinance is enlarged by more than fifty percent (50%) in floor area, number of employees, number of dwelling units, seating capacity or otherwise, then such Building or Use shall be required to conform with the parking requirements herein for the entire Building or Use.
E.
For buildings which have a combination of uses within the same structure or on the same premises (such as retail, office, and other nonresidential uses), the off-street parking requirement shall be calculated as the summation of the parking requirements for each use, and no parking space for one particular use shall be allowed to count toward the parking requirement for some other use on the premises except in the case of a shared parking arrangement (see F below).
F.
Shared parking may be allowed in the case of mixed uses (different buildings) under the following conditions:
(1)
Up to fifty percent (50%) of the parking spaces required for a theater or other place of evening entertainment (after 6:00 p.m.), or for a church, may be provided and used jointly by banks, offices, and similar uses not normally open, used, or operated during evening hours.
(2)
Shared parking shall be on the same parking lot.
(3)
Reduction due to shared parking shall only be allowed if approved by the City on the applicable required plan (see Section 4.5 Building Permits, Certificates of Occupancy and Completion).
(4)
To assure retention of the shared parking spaces, each property owner shall properly draw and execute an irrevocable mutual parking agreement document expressing the same and after receiving approval as required by Subsection 7.3.7, shall file this agreement in the County Real Property Records, and shall provide a copy of the filed agreement to the City prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for any use that relies upon the parking agreement.
(a)
In the event that a parking agreement is terminated, the City may revoke the Certificate of Occupancy of either use if either use lacks the required amount of parking after the agreement is terminated.
7.3.7 Location of Parking Spaces
In any case where any additional Parking Spaces are required and are not located on the same Lot with the Building or Use served, or where such spaces are collectively or jointly provided and used, approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council is required subject to the following conditions:
A.
Except for location, all other requirements relating to off-street parking shall be met;
B.
Such space shall be conveniently usable without unreasonable:
(1)
Hazard to pedestrians;
(2)
Hazard to vehicular traffic;
(3)
Traffic congestion; or,
(4)
Detriment to the appropriate Use of other properties in the vicinity;
C.
A written agreement shall be drawn to the satisfaction of the City Attorney and executed by all parties concerned, assuring the continued availability of the off-street parking facility for the development it is intended to serve.
7.3.8 Use of Required Parking Spaces in Nonresidential Districts
Off-street parking and loading spaces shall be used only for these respective purposes and shall not be used for refuse containers, cart corrals, recycling kiosks, signs or sign support structures, telecommunications towers or support structures, storage or permanent display of boats, trailers, campers, motor vehicles or other goods, materials, or products for sale/lease/rent. For temporary display and outdoor sales, see 6.2.5 Outdoor Sales.
7.3.9 Fire Lanes
Fire lanes shall be provided in all nonresidential, multi-family, single-family, and manufactured home park developments, as required by the adopted Fire Code of the City and the Subdivision Ordinance.
7.3.10 Special Regulations for Recreational Vehicles or Equipment
A.
Recreational vehicles shall not be located in a recreational vehicle park or campground for more than a ninety (90) calendar day time period.
B.
An owner or tenant of a residential lot may park a recreational vehicle that they own on the same lot in accordance with City regulations. Such vehicle parking shall also meet all other required City ordinances.
7.3.11 Parking Area Lighting
A.
To prevent nuisance situations, all parking area lighting shall be designed, shielded and operated so as not to reflect or shine on adjacent properties and shall be in accordance with all applicable City ordinances.
B.
Nonresidential streets and driveways shall be lighted at night with a minimum intensity of two (2) foot-candles' illumination if off-street parking or loading facilities are to be used at night.
C.
All lighting facilities shall be arranged as to reflect the illumination away from any residentially zoned property. Such lighting facilities shall distribute not more than two-tenths (0.2) of one (1) foot candle of light upon any adjacent residentially zoned property.
D.
All lighting facilities shall be placed, masked or otherwise arranged such that illumination or glare shall not create a hazard to motorists on any street, alley or other public way.