(a) A one-way vehicle movement (to the left or counter clockwise) is encouraged.
(b) Where more than five (5) parking spaces are required by this Ordinance, each parking space shall be accessed by a parking aisle. If five (5) or less parking spaces are required, a parking aisle does not have to be provided, however, an additional ninety (90) square feet per parking space shall be required for turning access and this space shall be located directly behind the parking stall. In no event shall any parking spaces be proposed or constructed which requires the vehicles to back onto a road or access road.
(c) Parking areas or lots providing for more than sixty (60) motor vehicle spaces shall be subdivided into modular bays or lots of not more than sixty (60) spaces each. The parking module length shall not exceed three hundred (300) feet without a cross aisle for vehicular circulation.
(d) Where feasible, parking lots and parking modules shall be placed to the rear and/or the side of buildings.
(e) Raised parking islands shall be constructed at the ends of parking modules which are composed of thirty (30) or more spaces. Such parking islands shall be the width of the parking bay and shall effectively separate the parking module from circulation or perimeter access ways. Such parking islands shall be, at a minimum, one(1) foot in height and ten (10) feet in width. Landscaping which does not interfere with sight distances for vehicles is encouraged for such islands.
(f) Circulation within the lot should provide a consistent search pattern that enables vehicles to circulate as needed. No interior road, circulation road, or parking aisle shall be permitted which does not have a functional exit. Dead-end roads and aisles shall not be permitted unless an adequate turnaround is provided for vehicles.
(g) The following requirements apply to interior circulation roads and perimeter roads which are not considered parking access aisles.
(1) The minimum width of each lane shall be twelve (12) feet and the maximum width of each lane, shall be fifteen (15) feet.
(2) The roadway shall be marked and lined in accordance with the most recent and applicable West Virginia Department of Transportation guidelines.
(3) Intersections of more than two (2) streets shall not be permitted.
(4) Minimum street intersection angles shall be sixty degrees (60º). If possible, intersections shall intersect at ninety degrees (90º).
(5) The maximum grade of interior circulation roads and perimeter roads shall be not less than one percent (1%) or not more than ten percent (10%).
(6) Traffic control devices such as traffic lights, stop signs, and pavement markings shall be constructed in accordance with recommendation from the City Engineer.
(7) The cartway shall be constructed of asphalt or concrete in accordance with the most recent and applicable West Virginia Department of Transportation guidelines concerning local roadway construction.
(h) Sidewalks between parking areas and principal structures, along aisles and driveways and wherever pedestrian traffic may occur, shall be provided with an asphalt or concrete sidewalk, minimum width of four (4) feet of passable area and raised six (6) inches or more above the parking lot area except where crossing streets or driveways. At points of intersection between pedestrian and motorized lines of travel, and at other points where necessary to avoid abrupt changes in grade, a sidewalk shall slope gradually so as to provide an uninterrupted line of travel. Guard rails and wheelstops permanently anchored to the ground shall be provided in appropriate locations. Parked vehicles shall not overhang or extend over sidewalk areas, unless an additional sidewalk width of two and one-half (2.5) feet is provided to accommodate such overhang.
(i) All parking areas, access drives, circulation roads, and perimeter roads shall be properly drained.
(j) Parking areas shall be landscaped to minimize noise, glare, and other nuisance characteristics as well as to enhance the environment and ecology of the site and the surrounding area. Parking lot landscaping shall be in accordance with Article 1335B of this Ordinance.
(k) Lighting for parking areas and access drives shall be provided in accordance with the regulations in this subsection.
(1) In parking areas of thirty (30) or more parking spaces (except day time parking areas) exterior lighting of the parking area shall be required. Areas which are developed as outdoor stadiums, parks, recreation areas, or similar uses, may request that City Council reduce or eliminate the requirements for lighting. The decision to reduce or eliminate the lighting requirement shall lie solely with City Council.
(2) Driveway intersections with main roads or access roads shall be lighted to provide three (3) footcandles of illumination. The parking lot area shall be lighted to provide a total average of one-half footcandles of illumination throughout the parking area.
(3) All proposed lighting shall be shielded in such a manner to not create a hazard or nuisance to the adjoining properties or the traveling public.
(4) The maximum height of light poles shall be thirty-five (35) feet measured from the parking lot surface.
(5) No wiring required for light poles shall be open or above ground.
(l) Loading and unloading facilities shall be provided in accordance with Section 1339.04.
(m) Adequate fire lanes shall be provided as required by City Council with recommendation from the City Fire Department.
(n) Where the proposed topography of the site presents danger to vehicles utilizing the site, after recommendation from the City Engineer, City Council may require a developer to install guard rails or other safety features to ensure the safety of the traveling public.
(o) Adequate standby/stacking lanes shall be provided to serve as reservoir capacity for drive in uses such as drive-in restaurants, banks with drive in service, car washes, and gasoline stations, in accordance with the following table. The term "space" used in the following table shall be defined as the minimum required parking space area as defined by this Ordinance.
Type of Use | Required Reservoir Space |
Drive-In Restaurant | 6 spaces per pick-up window |
Drive-In Bank (teller window) | 4 spaces per teller window |
Drive-In Bank (money machine) | 3 spaces per money machine |
Automatic Car Wash | 15 spaces |
Gasoline Stations | 2 spaces per gas pump |