(a) In general. Mechanized parking spaces may be counted as required parking if the mechanized parking otherwise complies with the requirements of this article.
(b) Location. Mechanized parking must be located underground or in an enclosed above-ground parking structure.
(c) Compliance with approved plans required. Mechanized parking must comply with the building plans and operational plan approved by the building official.
(d) Maintenance. Mechanized parking must be maintained in a state of good repair and operation.
(e) Exemption from construction and maintenance provisions. Mechanized parking is exempt from the construction and maintenance provisions for off-street parking in Sections 51A-4.301(d) and 51A-4.306(c), (d), and (e). The lighting requirements in Sections 51A-4.301(e) and 51A-4.306(b) apply only to the first floor of a mechanized parking facility.
(f) Passenger loading and unloading.
(1) A passenger loading and unloading area is required if the mechanized parking facility is served by an attendant or valet.
(2) Passenger loading and unloading areas must comply with the requirements of Section 51A-4.306(f) regardless of zoning district.
(3) The passenger loading and unloading area must have adequate means of ingress from and egress to a street or an alley. The building official shall only consider alley access in satisfaction of this requirement when alley access is permitted by this chapter.
(g) Required stacking.
(1) One stacking space per every 10 mechanized parking bays is required for a mechanized parking facility not served by an attendant or valet.
(2) A mechanized loading bay counts as a stacking space.
(3) Required stacking must comply with Section 51A-4.304.
(4) The building official may reduce the stacking space requirement if the building official determines that all of the stacking spaces are not necessary based on an analysis of the operational plan. An applicant seeking a stacking space reduction from the building official shall provide the building official with a report by an independent professional engineer to justify the requested reduction.
(h) No use of public right-of-way. All stacking, maneuvering, parking, and loading for mechanized parking must be accomplished on private property.
(i) Access lane.
(1) An access lane no less than 20 feet in width must be provided outside each mechanized loading bay if the mechanized parking facility is not fully automated.
(2) An applicant seeking a reduction in the required width of an access lane from the building official shall provide the building official with a report by an independent professional engineer to justify the requested reduction.
(3) The building official may waive this requirement or reduce the width of an access lane required under this subsection if the building official determines that doing so will not create a traffic hazard or increase traffic congestion on adjacent or nearby streets.
(j) Required signs. A sign must be prominently displayed at all entrances of a mechanized parking facility. Each sign must:
(1) state the business hours of operation of the mechanized parking facility;
(2) have a phone number provided by the building official to be used for reporting violations of this division and any malfunctions of the mechanized parking facility;
(3) have the phone number of the licensee;
(4) have the issuance number of the license;
(5) have a phone number for 24-hour assistance;
(6) be constructed of weather resistant material;
(7) be no less than 30 inches wide and 24 inches long; and
(8) have clearly legible letters in a color that contrasts with the background material.
(k) Facade.
(1) These facade requirements apply to any portion of a building containing mechanized parking except when accessory to a single family or duplex use. If there is a conflict between the regulations within a zoning district that require concealment of parking structure facades, this subsection controls.
(2) An aboveground mechanized parking facility must be concealed by a facade. It is recommended that the facade be:
(A) compatible in appearance with the facade of the main building it serves, or
(B) compatible in appearance with other buildings within a one block radius.
(3) Aperture area or articulation must be provided at a minimum of 20 percent and a maximum of 80 percent for any street facing facade.
(4) Articulation must be provided at least every 30 feet, measured horizontally and vertically.
(5) Except for pedestrian and vehicular entrances, the aperture area must be screened. It is recommended that the required screening be constructed with an opaque or translucent material that may be permeable or impermeable and that the aperture area have no more than 36 square inches of transparent material in any given square foot of surface and have no more than 25 percent transparency.
(6) The board of adjustment may grant a special exception to the standards in this subsection when, in the opinion of the board, the special exception will not adversely affect neighboring property. The alternative facade must provide adequate screening of equipment and structures and mitigate noise. (Ord. Nos. 29128; 31607)