§ 8176-0. Purpose.

This Article establishes requirements for the amount, location, and design of off-street motor vehicle and bicycle parking and loading areas. As part of a balanced transportation system, these requirements are intended to promote public safety and environmental quality. Specifically, these requirements are intended to address the following objectives:

Mobility:

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Balance the motor vehicle parking needs of development, including the range of land uses that might locate at a site over time, with the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and the need to preserve community character.

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Ensure that sufficient loading and unloading areas are provided for freight services (i.e., food and beverages, office materials and other deliverable goods).

• Ensure that the design of motor vehicle and bicycle parking areas facilitates safe, convenient, and comfortable movement for the driver, pedestrian, and bicyclist.

• Allow for transportation options and movement efficiency.

Flexibility:

• Provide for exceptions to parking design requirements that reflect the nature and circumstance of the proposed land use, development, and site characteristics while accommodating the parking needs of individual projects.

• Accommodate changing transportation technology and trends, as well as innovative uses of parking infrastructure.

Resource Conservation:

• Encourage reduced driving and the use of alternative modes of transportation in order to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Avoid installation of excess motor vehicle parking spaces.

• Minimize the use of impervious surfaces.

• Reduce the adverse environmental effects of motor vehicle parking areas, including increased and contaminated stormwater runoff, the urban heat island effect, and resource consumption.

• Create neighborhoods designed to encourage walking rather than neighborhoods dependent on automobiles.

Coastal Access and Recreation:

• Provide sufficient off-street parking for development in areas where street parking is used for coastal access and recreation.

• Preserve existing parking areas that serve coastal access and recreation.

• Prohibit restrictions on public parking that would impede or restrict public coastal access, except where there is no feasible alternative to protect public safety.

Compatibility With Adjacent Uses:

• Promote compatibility between parking facilities and surrounding land uses through the use of landscaping, walls and setbacks.

• Ensure that new or modified parking areas within residential areas are compatible with adjacent military base requirements and uses.

• Ensure that adequate off-street parking is provided for new development.

• Reduce the adverse effects of motor vehicle parking areas on neighborhood character, such as the creation of non-compact sprawling development that discourages walking.

• Ensure that the design of motor vehicle and bicycle parking areas is attractive, efficient, and reduces the visual dominance of pavement.

(Ord. No. 4492, § 4, 6-21-2016)