Chapter 18.160
PARKING AND LOADING REQUIREMENTS

Sections:

18.160.010    Existing structure expansions.

18.160.020    Improvement of parking areas.

18.160.030    Additional regulations.

18.160.040    Screening of parking areas.

18.160.010 Existing structure expansions.

For all existing buildings or structures hereafter reconstructed, moved or altered for building expansion, off-street parking complying with this chapter in the form of garages or areas made available exclusively for that purpose shall be provided if the floor expansion (contributing floor area) exceeds 25 percent of the original floor area. The original floor area shall be defined as that floor area existing at the time of the adoption of this provision of the zoning ordinance.

A. New Structures Requirements. For all new buildings or structures hereafter erected, constructed, or moved, off-street parking in the form of garages or areas made available exclusively for that purpose shall be provided. Such parking spaces shall be located entirely on private property with no portion except the necessary drives extending into any street or other public way. Except for those uses listed below, parking spaces shall be provided as set out in Chapters 18.140 through 18.155 GMC.

1. Churches, theaters, athletic fields, and other seating facilities shall provide one off-street parking space for every four beds or seating capacity.

2. Libraries shall provide one off-street parking space for every two employees and for every 200 square feet of service floor area.

3. Fraternity or sorority houses, dormitories, hotels, and apartment hotels shall provide one off-street parking space for every two employees and for every two guest rooms or guest beds.

4. Hospitals, sanitariums or homes for convalescent or aged shall provide one off-street parking space for every four beds and for each staff and visiting doctor.

5. Banks shall provide one off-street parking space for every two employees and for every 150 square feet of service floor area.

6. Barber or beauty shops shall provide one off-street parking space for every two employees and every 100 square feet of service floor area.

7. Cafes or cafeterias shall provide one off-street parking space for every two employees and for every four seating capacities.

8. Clinics shall provide one off-street parking space for every four beds and for each staff and visiting doctor as well as every 100 square feet of service floor area.

9. Dry cleaning and laundry coin-operated center shall provide one off-street parking space for every 200 square feet of service floor area.

10. Photographic or portrait studio shall provide one off-street parking space for every two employees and every 100 square feet of service floor area.

11. Elderly group housing shall provide parking spaces as set by the Planning Commission after study of the individual situation.

12. Schools shall provide parking spaces as set by the Planning Commission after study of the individual situation.

13. Telegraph offices shall provide one off-street parking space for every two employees and for every 150 square feet of service floor area.

14. Armories or assembly halls shall provide one off-street parking space for every 100 square feet of service floor area.

15. Bakeries shall provide one off-street parking space for every two employees.

16. Mortuaries shall provide one off-street parking space for every two employees and for every four seating capacities.

17. Printing and publishing plants shall provide one off-street parking space for every two employees.

18. Radio and television broadcasting stations and studios shall provide one off-street parking space for every two employees.

19. Shops for customer work or light manufacture shall provide one off-street parking space for every two employees.

20. Taverns or night clubs shall provide one off-street parking space for every four seating capacities.

21. Frozen food lockers shall provide one off-street parking space for every 100 square feet of service floor area.

22. Gymnasiums shall provide parking spaces as set by the Planning Commission after study of the individual situation.

23. Miniature golf courses shall provide parking spaces as set by the Planning Commission after study of the individual situation.

24. Wholesale sales offices and sample rooms shall provide one off-street parking space for every two employees and for every 200 square feet of service floor area. (Code 1990 § 16-1001)

18.160.020 Improvement of parking areas.

All parking spaces shall be at least nine feet by 18 feet exclusive of driveways, shall be ready for use upon occupying a building, and shall be surfaced with a permanent, bituminous or portland cement concrete pavement meeting the standards of the specifications of the City of Gardner prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit, unless special permission is granted by the City Engineer, due to weather conditions not being satisfactory for placing asphaltic or concrete materials. Ingress and egress shall be by means of paved driveways not exceeding 35 feet in width. The driveway curb return radius shall not be less than five feet or more than 15 feet. The minimum width for a one-way driveway is 12 feet and 24 feet for a two-way driveway. Head-in parking from any public right-of-way shall not be permitted. No parking spaces shall be located within six feet of an adjoining lot in a District R-1 to R-3 inclusive. Any lights used to illuminate said parking area shall be so arranged as to direct light away from any adjacent premises in a residential district. (Code 1990 § 16-1002)

18.160.030 Additional regulations.

A. In Districts C-O and CO-A, no parking shall be permitted in that part of the front yard setback when fronting on a street. In Districts C-2 to C-3 inclusive, no parking area shall be permitted within 15 feet of a right-of-way line. Such setback area shall be graded and planted with grass and shrubs or trees to the extent that it will constitute a finished lawn.

B. All parking lots and drives leading thereto, except those serving single-family and two-family dwellings, shall have curbs and drainage facilities approved by the City Engineer. Where greater setback requirements do not prevail, the back of the curb of a paved parking area shall not be closer than six feet to a property line except that, in a planned zoning district, the Planning Commission may permit a lesser setback where similar development on an adjoining lot will produce a satisfactory relationship.

C. No signs shall be permitted on parking lots except those necessary for the orderly parking thereon, and not more than one sign with maximum area of 20 square feet at each entrance to identify such parking area and present any regulations governing same.

D. The Planning Commission may require that a parking area be screened on any side where it may adversely affect adjacent property by a wall, screen planting, or fence of a height that the Commission deems adequate.

E. No vehicle, boat, trailer, recreational vehicle or equipment shall be parked and displayed for sale for a period in excess of 24 hours in parking lots in the C-O, C-1, C-2, or C-3 Zoning Districts, unless such sales are permitted by the zoning regulations.

F. No vehicle in excess of one ton shall be parked or stored on any private residential property or on any property in a private residential parking area or private residential common area on any property used for residential purposes in any zoning district for more than two hours, except when necessary for loading and unloading or within the performance of a service to or upon property of which the vehicle is parked.

G. One temporary cargo container is allowed per dwelling unit for up to two weeks; provided, that:

1. The temporary cargo container may only be used for purposes of storage in conjunction with moving or relocating residents’ household belongings.

2. Each dwelling unit is entitled to no more than two temporary cargo containers per year (any 12-month consecutive period).

3. The temporary cargo container must be located on a paved surface.

4. The temporary cargo container may not be located on any public or private street. Additionally, the temporary cargo container may not be placed in any sight triangle or in any location that would interfere with traffic safety.

A resident may apply for a permit for an extension to allow a cargo container to remain for an additional two weeks. There shall be no fee for the permit. (Ord. 2358 § 7; Ord. 1967 § 1. Code 1990 § 16-1003)

18.160.040 Screening of parking areas.

The Planning Commission, in specific cases, may require any screen planting, fence, or wall around a parking lot to be set back from a street if such setback will prevent adverse effects upon the appropriate use of adjacent property, or will prevent a traffic hazard; but provided, that such setback need not be greater than the respective front or side yard requirement in that district. (Code 1990 § 16-1004)