(A) Shared/common parking. Shared parking, or an arrangement in which two or more nonresidential uses with different peak parking demands (hours of operation) uses the same off-street parking spaces to meet their off-street parking requirements, may be allowed.
(1) The Zoning Administrator may approve an adjustment to the parking requirements allowing shared parking arrangements for nonresidential uses with different hours of operation.
(2) Applicant must provide that there is no substantial conflict in the principle operating hours of the uses for which the shared parking is proposed.
(3) Shared parking must be within 50 feet walking distance, measured from the entrance of the use to the nearest parking space in the shared lot.
(4) An agreement providing for the shared use of the parking, executed by the parties involved, must be filed with the Zoning Administrator, in a form approved by the Zoning Administrator upon consultation with the city attorney.
(B) Modification of parking requirements. The Planning Commission may reduce the parking space requirements of this section for any use, based upon one or more of the following.
(1) Shared parking by multiple uses is expected due to the likelihood of numerous multipurpose visits, or if uses have peak parking demands during different times of the day or days of the week; subject to the following.
(a) Sidewalks shall be maintained or established between the uses.
(b) Pedestrian connections, both within and to the site, shall provide safe and convenient access to building entrances.
(c) For separate properties, shared parking lots shall be within 300 feet to one another with vehicular and pedestrian access.
(d) Unless the multiple uses are all under single ownership and within a unified business or shopping center, office park or industrial park, shared parking agreements shall be filed with the City Clerk after approval by the Zoning Administrator.
(2) Convenient municipal off-street parking facilities or on-street spaces are located no further than 600 feet from the subject properties.
(3) An expectation of walk-in trade is reasonable due to the proximity of residential neighborhoods, downtown or employment areas that are interconnected with sidewalks.
(4) Other forms of travel such as bicycle or transit are available and are reasonable alternatives.
(5) The Planning Commission may require a parking study to document that the above divisions (B)(1)(a) through (B)(1)(d) have been addressed.
(6) Where the applicant has provided a parking study, it shall demonstrate that a standard other than that required by this subchapter would be more appropriate based on the number of employees, expected level of customer traffic, or actual counts at a similar establishment. Parking studies shall be prepared by a qualified expert, such as a professional transportation engineer or professional transportation planner, based upon standards, manuals and research published by professional organizations, such as the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the Transportation Research Board or Urban Land Institute. The Planning Commission may require parking studies of comparable uses in the general area as part of the study.
(C) Deferred parking.
(1) Where a reduction in parking spaces is not warranted, but an applicant can demonstrate the parking requirements for a proposed use may be excessive given the particular circumstances of the use and property, the Planning Commission may defer some of the required parking. The site plan shall designate an area to accommodate its future construction, if and when it is needed, meeting the design standards and dimensional requirements of this subchapter. In the interim, the deferred parking area shall be landscaped and maintained and shall not occupy required setbacks, buffers or landscaped areas or be used for any other purpose.
(2) Construction of the deferred parking spaces may be initiated by the owner or required by the city based on conditions affecting on-site parking needs or observations, and shall require administrative approval of an amended site plan.
(D) Downtown parking. The minimum number of off-street parking spaces required by this section shall be waived for all buildings fronting Bridge Street between the Pine River Channel and Antrim Street.
(E) Proposed developments. The Planning Commission may require parking in the side or rear of a building where possible, if a proposed development fronts a public street. In these instances the Planning Commission may waive or reduce landscaping or screening requirements in § 153.171 of this chapter.
(Prior Code, § 5.93) (Ord. 794, passed 9-17-2018; Ord. 807, passed 9-3-2019)