(A) General provisions.
(1) The Department and the County Board of Commissioners shall have the authority to modify parking standards for special use and conditional use permits, when applicable.
(2) Existing off-street parking spaces upon the effective date of this chapter shall not be reduced in number unless the number exceeds the requirements set forth herein for a similar new use.
(3) The owner or occupant of all land parcels in the unincorporated area of Carver County shall provide off-street parking as set forth in this chapter to alleviate or prevent congestion of the public right- of-way and promote the safety and general welfare of the public.
(4) Should a building, structure or use in existence upon the effective date of this chapter be damaged or destroyed by fire or other cause, it may be re-established according to standards regarding any nonconformities but in doing so the number of off-street parking spaces which existed must be retained and should plans be proposed for enlarging the floor area, seating capacity or other facilities which would affect the parking spaces, shall be enlarged accordingly.
(5) Calculating parking space.
(a) Benches. In churches, recreation facilities, and other places of public assembly in which patrons or spectators occupy benches, pews or similar seating facilities, each 22 inches of the seating facility shall be counted as one seat for the purposes of determining requirements for off-street parking facilities under this chapter.
(b) Fractions. When determining the number of off-street parking spaces results in a fraction, each fraction of one-half or more shall constitute another space.
(c) Multiple uses. Should a structure contain two or more types of use, each use shall be calculated separately for determining the total off-street parking spaces required.
(6) Location.
(a) In all zoning districts, any off-street parking space shall not be designated within the actual or prescriptive road right-of-way, whichever is greater.
(b) The parking spaces must not create unsafe traffic or pedestrian conditions.
(B) Parking lot design.
(1) Off-street parking areas shall be surfaced to control dust and shall be drained to dispose of all surface water accumulation within the parking area in accordance with the County Erosion Control and Water Management Plan. All surfacing must be completed prior to the occupancy of the structure, unless otherwise approved by the Department and/or County Board of Commissioners.
(2) Each parking space shall be unobstructed and not less than 9 feet wide and 20 feet in length, plus adequate system of access.
(3) The grade elevation of any parking area shall not exceed 5% except as approved by the Department.
(4) Disability accessible parking spaces shall be provided as applicable pursuant to M.S. § 168.021, as it may be amended from time to time.
(C) Minimum off-street parking requirements.
(1) Schools, elementary and junior high. At least one parking space for each classroom plus one additional space for each 100 student capacity and each administration employee.
(2) High school through college. At least one parking space for each classroom plus one additional space for each five students based on designed capacity and for each administration employee.
(3) Churches and clubs. At least one parking space for each three seats based on the design capacity of the main assembly hall.
(4) Disability accessible parking spaces shall be provided as applicable pursuant to M.S. §168.021, as it may be amended from time to time.
(C) Minimum off-street parking requirements.
(1) Schools, elementary and junior high. At least one parking space for each classroom plus one additional space for each 100 student capacity and each administration employee.
(2) High school through college. At least one parking space for each classroom plus one additional space for each five students based on designed capacity and for each administration employee.
(3) Churches and clubs. At least one parking space for each three seats based on the design capacity of the main assembly hall.
(4) Recreational facilities. At least one parking space for each eight seats designed capacity.
(5) Golf course. Twenty spaces, plus three spaces per hole. If a restaurant and/or bar is established, one additional space per four seats is required. Additional requirements may be added if additional activities are proposed.
(6) Minimum convenience shopping. At least four parking spaces plus three for each service stall.
(7) Agricultural support. Four parking spaces plus one parking space for each 800 square feet of the first 1,000 feet of space.
(8) Manufacturing, fabricating or processing of a product or material. Four parking spaces plus one for each 400 square feet of floor area.
(9) Other uses. Spaces for uses not listed shall use be calculated by the land management department based on, but not limited to, the characteristics for similar uses and professional studies prepared by American Planning Association or Institute of Traffic Engineers.
(Ord. 47, passed 7-23-02; Am. Ord. 70-2010, passed 1-25-11; Am. Ord. 97-2021, passed 7-20-21)