(a) Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is intended to provide efficient and safe access management and adequate parking areas for specific uses as well as promote the efficient use of land. It also seeks to prevent the adverse environmental impacts of large paved areas to the City.
(b) General Requirements.
(1) In all districts, except for in the T-4 and T-5 Zoning Districts, off-street parking spaces shall be provided at the time a building is erected, converted in use, or where floor space is increased by more than 10%, except as otherwise provided in this chapter or unless otherwise approved by the Zoning Administrator or their designee.
(2) Off-street parking spaces shall comply with this chapter, Chapter 1262 Landscaping and Screening, and Section 1281.04 Site Plan Review, unless otherwise approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee.
(3) Required parking may be provided off-site on non-residential zoned property on a lot or lots where there is a written lease or shared parking agreement to accommodate parking, provided that such arrangement is approved by the Zoning Administrator. Any lease or shared parking agreement must include a provision that requires notification to the Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee of any change in terms of the agreement or expiration of the agreement. Prior to approving the joint use of parking spaces to meet the minimum amount of required off-street parking for a given use in a given district, the Planning and Zoning Administrator must verify by a preponderance of the evidence that each of the statements are true:
A. Off-site parking must be within a convenient walking distance of the building entrances, as determined by the Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee.
B. The joint use of off-street parking spaces is unlikely to have a need for the joint parking spaces at overlapping times.
C. The parking spaces designated for joint use comprise less than 75% of the applicant's minimum required off-street parking spaces.
(4) No commercial repair work, servicing or selling of any kind shall be conducted on any required off-street parking area unless an approved use for that district and only when the parking lot meets all minimum standards for parking requirements.
(c) Design and Construction Requirements.
(1) Parking areas shall be designed and marked as to provide for orderly and safe movement and storage of vehicles.
(2) There shall be provided, at the time a building is erected, sidewalks along any street rights-of-way unless grade, topography, connectivity, or other conditions exist that prohibits the installation of said sidewalk, at the determination of the Zoning Administrator or their designee.
(3) Parking areas, including drives and maneuvering lanes (excluding single-family, and two family uses), must maintain a minimum of a ten-foot setback from any abutting street right-of-way and a five-foot setback from all other abutting property lines. Where multi-family, office, commercial, or industrial uses abut a residential zoning district, a ten-foot setback must be maintained between any parking area or maneuvering lane from any abutting property line. Required parking setbacks must be landscaped in accordance with Chapter 1262 and screened in accordance with Section 1260.02.
(4) Adequate lighting shall be provided when a parking area is in operation. All lighting shall be so arranged as to reflect light away from residential property adjacent to the area and all abutting rights-of-way.
(5) An area equivalent to 10% of the required parking area must be provided for snow storage. The snow storage area must be landscaped and if the parking lot is bounded by a fence, the snow storage area must be located on the parking lot side of that fence. The snow storage area may be located in a landscape area required in Chapter 1262 or in a storm water management area, subject to approval by the Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee.
(6) All new parking spaces abutting buildings, walkways or landscaping beds and islands shall be constructed with a concrete/ asphalt wheel stop or curb installed at the front of the space to prevent unintentional encroachment or furthering movement of the parked vehicle.
(7) Whenever a parking area with a capacity of four or more vehicles is built, an existing building or parking area is increased by 10% surface area, or parking lot mill and repave projects, such parking area must be laid out and maintained in accordance with the following standards showing by way of an approved site plan required by Section 1281.04 Site Plan Review:
A. Surfaces of all parking areas and drives must be surfaced with asphalt, concrete, or other smooth, durable hard surface approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee, installed at no less than the minimum industry standards for thickness and weight rating.
B. All parking areas must be approved for stormwater drainage by the Department of Public Works in accordance with the Stormwater Technical Manual and be graded/sloped at minimum of 2% and maximum of 5% unless otherwise approved by the Department of Public Works.
C. In addition to any other regulations required by the Michigan Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, aisle lane widths, parking space width, and parking space lengths are to be provided as shown in the Table and Figure below, unless otherwise approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee. All spaces must have adequate access by means of aisles or lanes and not directly to a street. Aisles for access to all angle parking spaces must have one-way movement only and must be clearly marked as such.
Parking Space Angle | Traffic Direction | Aisle Lane Width | Parking Space Width | Parking Space Length |
30 to 74 Degrees | One-Way | Min. 16 feet Max. 18 feet | 9 feet | Min. 18.5 feet Max. 20 feet |
75 to 90 Degrees | Two-Way | Min. 22 feet Max. 24 feet | 9 feet | Min. 18.5 feet Max. 20 feet |
Parallel | One-Way | 12 feet | 9 feet with a minimum 4-foot wide maneuvering area between each space | 25 feet |
Two-Way | Min. 22 feet Max. 24 feet |
Figure 21. Parking Space Dimensions
(d) Rules for Calculating Required Number of Parking Spaces. In computing the number of such spaces required, the following rules shall apply:
(1) Usable floor area (UFA). Parking calculations using usable floor area means the total floor area enclosed by exterior walls, excluding such areas that are not accessible or fit for occupancy including but not limited to fixed stairways, ramps, escalators or elevators, bathrooms, or areas used for storage.
(2) Bench seating. In stadiums, sports arenas, religious institutions, and other places of assembly in which those in attendance occupy benches, pews, or other similar seating facilities, each thirty inches of such seating will be counted as one seat. In cases where a place of assembly has both fixed and non-fixed areas, requirements shall be computed separately for each type and added together.
(3) Employee calculations. For requirements stated in term of number of employees, the calculation will be based upon the maximum number of employees likely to be on the premises at one time and may include overlap of employees during shift changes.
(4) Bicycle parking. A minimum of four bicycle parking spaces may be provided in lieu of not more than one required automobile parking space in a parking area required by this chapter, with a maximum reduction of up to five automobile parking spaces. Bicycle parking spaces and racks must be located on a paved surface, in a visible location from the nearest ROW, and as close as practicable to the main entrance. Bicycle parking shall consist of a bicycle rack designed such that the bicycle frame can be locked to the rack.
(5) Reserve space allowed. Where at the outset of development a parking demand can be demonstrated that is less than or more than what is required by this chapter, the difference can be placed in landscaped open space until such time it may needed.
(6) Mixed uses. In the case of mixed uses, such parking spaces shall equal the sum of the spaces required for each separate use. However, the Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee may reduce the total number of spaces by up to 30% if it is determined that the operating hours of the uses do not overlap.
(7) Uses not specified. The parking space requirement for a use not specifically mentioned herein shall be the same as required for a use of a similar nature as determined by the Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee. In making their determination, the Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee shall refer to the most recent edition of the Parking Generation, published by the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE), or other acceptable standard applicable for that use or a similar use.
(8) Off-street parking space minimums and maximums. Parking space requirements and allowances (including those spaces designated for handicap parking usage as required by the US Department of Justice) are listed by use in the following Table of General Off-Street Parking Space Requirements. The Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee may allow a reduction of the following requirements if warranted by property conditions, or when the requested adjustment is supported by the most recent edition of the ITE Parking Generation or a parking study from a qualified engineer. Where fractional spaces result, such parking spaces required shall be construed to be the next nearest whole number.
(e) Parking Standards by Land Use Type.
USE | MINIMUM PARKING REQUIRED | MAXIMUM PARKING ALLOWED |
USE | MINIMUM PARKING REQUIRED | MAXIMUM PARKING ALLOWED |
RESIDENTIAL USES | ||
Bed and Breakfast | 2 spaces for the owner(s) of the bed and breakfast; plus, 1 space for each guest room | 2 spaces for the owner(s) of the bed and breakfast; plus 1.1 spaces for each guest room |
Home Occupation | 2 parking spaces | 4 parking spaces |
Multi-Family Dwelling Units | 1 space for each dwelling unit; plus, 0.5 of a space per each dwelling unit for visitor parking | 1.5 spaces for each dwelling unit; plus 0.6 of a space per each dwelling unit for visitor parking |
Rooming and Boarding Houses | 1 space per room or resident, whichever is greater | 1.1 spaces per room or resident, whichever is greater |
State Licensed Family Child Care Home or Group Child Care Home | 1 space per 8 children of licensed authorized capacity; plus, 1 drop-off space per 8 children of licensed authorized capacity; plus, 1 space for each employee on site at any one time | 2.2 spaces; plus 1.1 spaces per 8 children of licensed authorized capacity; plus, 1 drop-off space per 8 children of licensed authorized capacity; plus 1.1 spaces for each employee on site at any one time |
State Licensed Residential Facility | 1 space per 8 residents of licensed authorized capacity; plus, 1 drop-off space per 8 residents of licensed authorized capacity; plus, 1 space for each employee on site at any one time | 2.2 spaces; plus 1.1 spaces per 8 residents of licensed authorized capacity; plus, 1 drop-off space per 8 residents of licensed authorized capacity; plus 1.1 spaces for each employee on site at any one time |
Two-Family Dwelling Units | 2 spaces for each two-family structure | 4 spaces for each two-family structure |
COMMERCIAL USES | ||
Adult Business | 1 space for each 500 sq. ft. of floor area | 1.1 spaces for each 500 sq. ft. of floor area |
Adult-Use Marihuana Microbusiness | 1 space for each 500 sq. ft. of floor area | 1.1 spaces for each 500 sq. ft. of floor area |
Adult-Use Marihuana Retailers | 1 space for each 500 sq. ft. of floor area | 1.1 spaces for each 500 sq. ft. of floor area |
Agri-Tourism | 1 space for each 500 sq. ft. of activity space | 1.1 spaces for each 500 sq. ft. of activity space |
Arena/Theater | 1 space per 3 seats | 1 space per 2 seats |
Artisan/Maker Space | 1 space per work station | 1.1 spaces per work station |
Assisted Senior Living | 1 space per 4 residents plus 1 space per employee in the largest shift | 1 space per 2 residents plus 1 space per employee in the largest shift |
Automobile Car Wash Establishment (automatic) | 1 space per employee on largest working shift; plus, 12 stacking spaces for the initial car wash bay; plus, 5 stacking spaces for each additional car wash bay | 1.1 spaces per employee on largest working shift; plus, 14 stacking spaces for the initial car wash bay; plus, 5 stacking spaces for each additional car wash bay |
Automobile Car Wash Establishment (manual) | 2 spaces; plus, 1 space per each employee on the largest working shift, plus 2 stacking spaces per bay | 4 spaces; plus 1.1 spaces per each employee on the largest working shift, plus 2.2 stacking spaces per bay |
Automobile Repair | 2 spaces for each service bay; plus, 1 space for each employee on largest working shift | 2.2 spaces for each service bay; plus 1.1 spaces for each employee on largest working shift |
Automobile Service Station | 0.5 spaces per 150 sq. ft. of UFA; plus, 1 stacking space per each fueling station; plus, 1 space for each 6 seats of on-site seating; plus, 1 space per each employee based upon the peak shift; plus, 2 spaces per each service bay; plus, 6 stacking spaces for accessory car washing facilities | 1 space per 150 sq. ft. of UFA; plus 1.5 stacking space per each fueling station; plus, 1 space for each 6 seats of on-site seating; plus, 1 space per each employee based upon the peak shift; plus, 3 spaces per each service bay; plus, 7 stacking spaces for accessory car washing facilities |
Automobile or Vehicle Dealership | 1 space for each 300 sq. ft. of interior sales area in addition to the spaces dedicated for vehicle sales; plus, 1 space for each service bay; plus, 1 space for each 2 employees on largest working shift | 1.5 spaces for each 300 sq. ft. of interior sales area in addition to the spaces dedicated for vehicle sales; plus, 1 space for each service bay; plus, 1 space for each 2 employees on largest working shift |
Banquet and Meeting Hall < 100 capacity | 1 space per 2 persons of capacity authorized by the Building Code or 10 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA, whichever is greater | 1.1 spaces per 2 persons of capacity authorized by the Building Code or 11 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA, whichever is greater |
Banquet and Meeting Hall > 100 capacity | 1 space per 2 persons of capacity authorized by the Building Code or 10 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA, whichever is greater | 1.1 spaces per 2 persons of capacity authorized by the Building Code or 11 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA, whichever is greater |
Bar, Tavern, or Saloon | 10 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA; plus, one space per employee on maximum shift | 15 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA; plus 1.1 spaces per employee on maximum shift |
Bookstore | 1 space per 225 sq. ft. of UFA | 1 space per 200 sq. ft. of UFA |
Brewpub | 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. of production space; plus, 1 space per 200 sq. ft. of taproom area | 2 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of production space; plus, 1 space per 200 sq. ft. of taproom area |
Catering Businesses | 1 space for every 3 persons, based on maximum capacity | 1 space for every 2 persons, based on maximum capacity |
Convalescent Home, Nursing Home, or Home for the Aged | 1 space for each 4 beds; plus, 1 space for each 2 employees on the maximum shift | 1.1 spaces for each 4 beds; plus 1.1 spaces for each 2 employees on the maximum shift |
Distillery, Winery - w/ or w/o food | 1 space for each 300 sq. ft. of floor area | 1 space for each 250 sq. ft. of floor area |
Financial Institutions | 1 space for each 150 sq. ft. of floor space, plus 1 space for each employee in largest working shift | 1 space for each 125 sq. ft. of floor space, plus 1 space for each employee in largest working shift |
Funeral Homes, Mortuaries, and Crematoriums | 1 space for each 50 sq. ft. of UFA in service parlors, chapels and reception areas; plus, 1 space for each fleet vehicle | 1.1 spaces for each 50 sq. ft. of UFA in service parlors, chapels and reception areas; plus 1.1 spaces for each fleet vehicle |
Hospital > 20,000 s. f. | 1.8 spaces per bed; plus, the spaces required per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA devoted to office, research or other related uses; plus, the required spaces for outpatient care centers | 2 spaces per bed; plus, the spaces required per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA devoted to office, research or other related uses; plus, the required spaces for outpatient care centers |
Hotel | 1 space per guest room; plus, 10 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA of lounge, restaurant, conference, banquet rooms or exhibit space (if the majority of the patrons are expected to be hotel/motel guests) | 1.1 spaces per guest room; plus, 11 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA of lounge, restaurant, conference, banquet rooms or exhibit space (if the majority of the patrons are expected to be hotel/motel guests) |
Independent Senior Living with Services | 1 space per dwelling unit | 1.1 spaces per dwelling unit |
Indoor Recreation | 1 space per 100 sq. ft. of UFA | 2 spaces per 100 sq. ft. of UFA |
Kennels/Veterinarian | 5 spaces; plus, 1 space per employee on maximum shift | 6 spaces; plus 1.1 spaces per employee on maximum shift |
Medical Marihuana Provisioning Center | 1 parking space for each 500 sq. ft. of UFA | 2 parking spaces for each 500 sq. ft. of UFA |
Medical or Dental Clinic < 20,000 s. f. | 4 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA | 4.4 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA |
Motel | 1 space per guest room; plus, 10 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA of lounge, restaurant, conference, banquet rooms or exhibit space (if the majority of the patrons are expected to be hotel/motel guests) | 1.1 spaces per guest room; plus, 11 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA of lounge, restaurant, conference, banquet rooms or exhibit space (if the majority of the patrons are expected to be hotel/motel guests) |
Microbrewery | 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. of production space; plus, 1 space per 200 sq. ft. of taproom area | 2 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of production space; plus, 1 space per 200 sq. ft. of taproom area |
Nightclub | 10 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA; plus, 1 space per employee on maximum shift | 15 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA; plus 1.1 spaces per employee on maximum shift |
Office | 4 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA | 6 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA |
Outdoor Recreation | 5 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of use area | 7 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of use area |
Personal Service Establishment | 1 parking space for each 500 sq. ft. of UFA | 1 parking space for each 250 sq. ft. of UFA |
RESTAURANTS | ||
Carry-Out Restaurant | 5 spaces; plus, 1 space per employee on maximum shift | 10 spaces; plus, 1 space per employee on maximum shift |
Drive-In Restaurant | 15 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA, excluding the areas used for food preparation; plus, 5 stacking spaces per lane from the location where orders are placed; plus, 1 space per employee on maximum shift | 20 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA, excluding the areas used for food preparation; plus, 7 stacking spaces per lane from the location where orders are placed; plus 1.1 spaces per employee on maximum shift |
Drive-Thru Restaurant | 15 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA, excluding the areas used for food preparation; plus, 5 stacking spaces per lane from the location where orders are placed; plus, 1 space per employee on maximum shift | 20 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA, excluding the areas used for food preparation; plus, 7 stacking spaces per lane from the location where orders are placed; plus 1.1 spaces per employee on maximum shift |
Full-Service Restaurant | 15 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA, excluding the areas used for food preparation; plus, 1 space per employee on maximum shift | 25 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA, excluding the areas used for food preparation; plus 1.1 spaces per employee on maximum shift |
Limited Service Restaurant | 1.5 spaces per 125 sq. ft. of UFA; plus, 1 space per employee on maximum shift | 2 spaces per 125 sq. ft. of UFA; plus 1.1 spaces per employee on maximum shift |
Retail Sales | 5 spaces; plus 2.5 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA for stores up to 25,000 sq. ft.; plus, 1 space per each additional 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA for stores greater than 25,000 sq. ft. of UFA such as shopping centers, discount stores, club warehouses, home improvement centers and grocery stores | 5 spaces; plus, 4 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA for stores up to 25,000 sq. ft.; plus 3 spaces per each additional 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA for stores greater than 25,000 sq. ft. of UFA such as shopping centers, discount stores, club warehouses, home improvement centers and grocery stores; and 0.3 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA of outdoor display and sales area |
Tree Farm | 1 space for each 500 sq. ft. of retail space | 1 space for each 250 sq. ft. of retail space |
Vehicle Repair | 2 spaces for each repair bay; plus, one 1 space for each employee | 3 spaces for each repair bay; plus, one 1 space for each employee |
INDUSTRIAL USES | ||
Junk or Salvage Yard | 1 space for each 2 employees; plus, 1 space for each 10,000 sq. ft. of use area | 1 space for each employee; plus, 1 space for each 10,000 sq. ft. of use area |
Manufacturing | 2 spaces; plus, 1 space per employee on maximum shift | 5 spaces; plus 1.1 spaces per employee on maximum shift |
Medical and Adult Use Marihuana Processing Facility | 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA | 1.1 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA |
Medical Marihuana Safety Compliance Facility | 1 space per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA | 1.1 spaces per 1,000 sq. ft. of UFA |
Research and Development | 1 space for each employee on largest working shift | 1.1 spaces for each employee on largest working shift |
Self-Storage Facilities | 1 space per 3,000 sq. ft. of UFA | 1 space per 2,500 sq. ft. of UFA |
Transportation and Logistics | 1 space per 500 sq. ft. of UFA | 1.1 spaces per 500 sq. ft. of UFA |
Warehouse | 2 spaces; plus, 1 space per employee on maximum shift; plus, 1 space for each vehicle to be stored on the premises | 5 spaces; plus 1.1 spaces per employee on maximum shift; plus 1.1 spaces for each vehicle to be stored on the premises |
Wholesale | 1 space for each 500 sq. ft. of floor space | 1.1 spaces for each 500 sq. ft. of floor space |
OTHER USES | ||
Essential Services | 1 space for each employee on the largest working shift | 1.1 spaces for each employee on the largest working shift |
Government/Public Uses | 0.5 spaces per 3 seats of permitted capacity with fixed seats (e.g., arenas, auditoriums, and stadiums); or 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of UFA without fixed seats (e.g., community centers) | 0.8 spaces per 3 seats of permitted capacity with fixed seats (e.g., arenas, auditoriums, and stadiums); or 1.1 spaces per 300 sq. ft. of UFA without fixed seats (e.g., community centers) |
Greenhouse / Nursery (Principal Use) | 1 space for each 500 sq. ft. of retail space | 1.1 spaces for each 500 sq. ft. of retail space |
Institutions of Higher Education | 1 space for each employee; plus, 1 space for each 10 students of capacity; plus 0.5 spaces for each seat in any assembly, auditorium, and/or outdoor arena areas | 1.1 spaces for each employee; plus 1.1 spaces for each 10 students of capacity; plus 0.6 spaces for each seat in any assembly, auditorium, and/or outdoor arena areas |
Private K-12 Schools | 1 space for each employee on maximum shift, plus 0.5 spaces for each seat in any assembly, auditorium and/ or outdoor arena areas, plus 10 pick-up/ drop-off spaces as well as any necessary waiting or loading area for buses. High schools are subject to the parking requirements in the first sentence in addition to 1 parking space for each 20 students of capacity. | 1.1 spaces for each employee on maximum shift, plus 0.6 spaces for each seat in any assembly, auditorium and/ or outdoor arena areas, plus 11 pick-up/ drop-off spaces as well as any necessary waiting or loading area for buses. High schools are subject to the parking requirements in the first sentence in addition to 1.1 parking spaces for each 20 students of capacity. |
Public K-12 Schools | 1 space for each employee on maximum shift, plus 0.5 spaces for each seat in any assembly, auditorium and/ or outdoor arena areas, plus 10 pick-up/ drop-off spaces as well as any necessary waiting or loading area for buses. High schools are subject to the parking requirements in the first sentence in addition to 1 parking space for each 20 students of capacity. | 1.1 spaces for each employee on maximum shift, plus 0.6 spaces for each seat in any assembly, auditorium and/ or outdoor arena areas, plus 11 pick-up/ drop-off spaces as well as any necessary waiting or loading area for buses. High schools are subject to the parking requirements in the first sentence in addition to 1.1 parking spaces for each 20 students of capacity. |
Religious Institutions | 1 space for each 4 seats of capacity | 1.1 spaces for each 4 seats of capacity |
Telecommunication Towers | 2 spaces for each substation | 2 spaces for each substation |
(1) Each parking lot that services a building entrance, except single- or two-family residential or temporary structures, shall provide parking spaces for the physically handicapped which shall be located as close as possible to walkways and entrances. All parking lots shall be designed in conformance with the Utilization of Public Facilities by Physically Limited Act, Public Act 1 of 1966, as amended, being MCL 125.1351 et seq., and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, being 42 USC 126, as summarized in the table below.
TOTAL SPACES REQUIRED | BARRIER-FREE SPACES REQUIRED |
TOTAL SPACES REQUIRED | BARRIER-FREE SPACES REQUIRED |
1-25 Spaces | 1 Space |
25-50 | 2 Spaces |
51-75 | 3 Spaces |
76-100 | 4 Spaces |
101-150 | 5 Spaces |
151-200 | 6 Spaces |
201-300 | 7 Spaces |
301-400 | 8 Spaces |
401-500 | 9 Spaces |
501-1,000 | 2% of total |
Greater than 1,000 | 20, plus one (1) for each 100 spaces over 1,000 |
(f) Ingress and Egress. The purpose of this section is to establish guidelines for the location and design of driveways that can be used for new construction in undeveloped areas and for redevelopment of existing developed areas within the commercial (B-1, B-2, T-3, T-4, T-5, S) and industrial (I-1 and I-2) districts. The objectives of these requirements are to reduce the frequency of conflicts between vehicular movements and to increase the spacing between conflict points, thereby providing motorists with increased decision process time, which will increase safety and assure smoother traffic flow.
Plans for development shall meet the following standards unless otherwise approved by the City Traffic Engineer or Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee:
(1) Turn prohibitions. Left turns may be prohibited to and/or from driveways if any of the following circumstances exist: inadequate corner clearance; inadequate sight distance; or inadequate driveway spacing.
(2) Relationship to opposing driveways. To the extent reasonably possible, driveways shall be aligned with driveways on the opposite side of the street.
(3) Sight distance. Adequate sight distance shall be ensured for all vehicles exiting from a proposed development. If certain movements cannot be made safely, then they shall be prohibited.
(4) Driveway permits. Prior to granting a building permit for any construction involving a new or expanded driveway opening to a public street, a permit for such driveway from the appropriate governmental entity having jurisdiction over the roadway shall be obtained.
(5) Driveway spacing. The minimum spacing allowed between a proposed driveway and all other driveways and streets located on the same side of the street shall be as follows unless otherwise approved by the City Traffic Engineer or Zoning Administrator or their designee:
MINIMUM DRIVEWAY SPACING REQUIREMENTS | |
Posted Legal Driving Speed Limit on the Street Which Adjoins or Abuts the Proposed Driveway | Minimum Spacing in Feet* |
30 mph or less | 125' |
35 mph | 175' |
40 mph | 225' |
45 mph | 275' |
50 mph | 300' |
* The above spacings are based on average vehicle acceleration and deceleration rates (Federal Highway Administration, FHWA-H1-91-0212). The spacing is measured from centerline to centerline of the driveways.
In the event that a particular parcel or parcels lack sufficient road frontage to maintain adequate spacing, the landowner(s) have one of three options:
A. They may seek a waiver from the
Planning and Zoning Administrator
or their designee for minimum spacing unless denial of the waiver would prohibit access to the site. In no case shall the waiver be greater than the next lowest classification. For example, on a forty-mph road requiring 225-foot spacing, the distance may be reduced to no less than 175 feet, which is the standard for a thirty-five-mph road facility; or
B. They may establish a common driveway with an adjacent landowner that serves the subject property and the adjacent property. A recorded access and maintenance easement for the driveway shall be provided to the City of Battle Creek Planning Division.
C. Apply to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a dimensional variance pursuant to Section 1280.03(d).
(6) Number of driveways per parcel.
A. Under normal circumstances a maximum of one driveway opening shall be permitted to a particular parcel from any abutting street.
B. The
Planning and Zoning Administrator
or their designee may permit one additional driveway entrance along a continuous site with frontage in excess of 330 feet and two additional driveway entrances along a continuous site if driveway access volumes exceed 5,000 vehicles per day and frontage exceeds 600 feet.
C. A dual-service (median-divided) driveway is considered to be one direct access driveway.
D. Only one pair of one-way drives may be used per 250 feet of street frontage.
(7) Driveway design.
A. Driveway width shall be sufficient for the particular use and anticipated traffic flows. One-way drives shall be a minimum of sixteen feet and a maximum of nineteen feet in width. Two-way drives shall be at least twenty-five feet wide, but no greater than sixteen feet per lane.
B. For uses which generate exit volumes in excess of 100 vehicles per hour or more than 5,000 vehicles per day, two exit lanes shall be provided and clearly marked for left and right turns. Driveways shall be designed with a minimum twenty-five-foot radius for inbound curbs and a minimum twenty feet for out-bound curbs.
C. Unless written permission is obtained from adjacent property owners, no portion of the driveway shall extend beyond the adjacent property lines extended to the edge of the street.
(8) Corner clearance. The minimum corner clearance distance between the centerline of a proposed driveway and the edge of the right-of-way of a nearby cross street shall be 100 feet. Traffic movements into and out of a driveway with a centerline located less than 150 feet from the edge of the right-of-way of a signalized intersection may be limited to right turns into and out of the driveway.
(9) Traffic impact studies. The Zoning Administrator or their designee or the City Engineer may require a traffic impact study (TIS) for all development proposals that it reviews. The TIS shall be accordance with and meet the standards of the City. The TIS shall be submitted by the developer or applicant to determine the potential future traffic conditions on adjacent roadways once a proposed development is finished. TIS shall predict the peak-hour operational conditions at site driveways and road intersections affected by the development. The results of the TIS shall be used in the final design of access points and internal circulation and may identify necessary off-site road improvements. At a minimum, the TIS shall meet standards as published by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) and MDOT in the handbook titled Evaluating Traffic Impact Studies.
(10) Modification of standards for special situations. During site plan review, the Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee shall have the authority to modify the standards of this section upon consideration of the following:
A. The standards of this section would prevent reasonable access to the site.
B. Access via a shared driveway or service/frontage road is not possible due to the presence of existing buildings or topographic conditions.
C. Roadway improvements (such as the addition of a traffic signal, center turn lane or bypass lane) will be made to improve overall traffic operations prior to project completion, or occupancy of the building.
D. The use involves the redesign of an existing development or a new use which will generate less traffic than the previous use.
E. The proposed location and design are supported by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) or the Calhoun County Road Department as an acceptable design under the existing site conditions. The Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee, or the City Engineer and their designee may also request the applicant provide a traffic impact study to support the requested access design.
F. Where there is a change in use or expansion at a site that does not comply with standards of this Ordinance, the Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee shall determine the amount of upgrade needed in consideration of the existing and expected traffic pattern and the capability to meet the standards of this Ordinance to the extent practical.
(g) Off-Street Loading Facilities.
(1) In order to prevent undue interference with the public use of streets, alleys, and public rights-of-way, off-street loading and unloading areas must be provided for uses which customarily receive or distribute material or merchandise by vehicles, subject to the following standards:
A. Loading areas must located on the same property of the building it serves, and located only in the side or rear yard.
B. Each space shall not be less than twelve feet in width, thirty feet in length, and provide at least fourteen feet of height clearance.
C. Each space shall be easily accessible from a street but have adequate room in the off-street parking area in which to maneuver. In no instances shall a public roadway be used to maneuver into or out of a loading area.
D. Each space shall be surfaced with asphalt, concrete, or other smooth, durable hard surface approved by the Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee, and installed at no less than the minimum industry standards for thickness and weight rating.
E. If a loading area abuts any residential property, it shall be suitably screened or fenced from view according to the requirements of Section 1260.02.
(2) The Planning and Zoning Administrator or their designee may modify this requirement during site plan review, to be less than twelve feet by thirty feet if the minimum dimensions are impractical based on the use of the site or the site cannot reasonably accommodate a loading space of twelve feet by thirty feet. If a smaller loading area is approved, it must be the minimum dimensions necessary to accommodate loading on the site. Where two adjacent uses can both utilize one loading space, a joint loading space may be approved if there is evidence that two deliveries will not be made simultaneously.
(Ord. 10-2020. Passed 11-24-20; Ord. 03-2023. Passed 5-2-23; Ord. 12-2023. Passed 10-17-23.)