§ 17.38.900. Facility design standards.

A.

Use of Standards. The design standards established by this section are basic guidelines for design, construction and maintenance of parking and loading facilities. The town engineer may authorize minor variation or adjustment to the design, function, attractiveness, or protection to adjoining uses in a manner equal to or greater than the specific requirements of this section.

B.

Basic Dimensions. The following basic dimensions apply to parking and loading spaces:

Type of Space	Length (feet)	Width (feet)	Vertical Clearance (feet)
Standard	18.5	9.0	7.5
Compact	15.0	8.0	7.5
Handicapped	18.0	14.0	7.5
Loading	40.0	12.0	15.0

 

C.

Design. Basic facility design dimensions are illustrated in Section 17.38.1100. Additional guidelines relating to internal design and layout, turning radii, pavement, slope, signage, pedestrian circulation, construction materials, and other design features may be adopted by resolution of the planning commission upon recommendation of the planning director and town engineer.

D.

Landscaping. The following basic standards shall apply, except where conflicts may arise with the landscape ordinance of the town, in which case the landscape ordinance shall prevail.

1.

Each parking facility shall provide interior landscaping, including shade trees where appropriate, in accord with the following schedule. Where possible, existing trees shall be incorporated into landscaped areas. Interior landscaping shall be distributed throughout the parking facility to reduce the visual impact of large paved areas.

Size of Parking Facility (square feet)	Minimum Required Interior Landscaping (percent of total parking facility)
Less than 10,000	None
10,000 to 19,999	5.0
20,000 to 29,999	7.5
30,000 and greater	10.0

 

2.

Each parking facility having twelve (12) or more spaces shall provide a perimeter landscaped strip at least five (5) feet wide where the facility adjoins a property line. Perimeter landscaping shall be continuous, except for necessary access to the site or to the parking facility.

3.

Landscaped areas shall be provided with irrigation facilities, and shall be protected with curbs or equivalent barriers.

E.

Paving and Drainage. The following standards shall apply:

1.

All parking and loading facilities shall be graded and provided with permanent storm drainage facilities.

2.

Surfacing, curbing and drainage improvements shall be sufficient to preclude free flow of water onto adjacent properties or streets, and to provide adequate drainage within the facility.

3.

The surfacing of parking and loading facilities may be required to be paved, chipsealed or an equivalent improvement as deemed appropriate by the town engineer.

F.

Safety Features. The following standards shall apply:

1.

Safety barriers, protective bumpers or curbing, and directional markings shall be provided to assure safety, efficient utilization, protection to landscaping, and to prevent encroachment onto adjoining public or private property.

2.

Visibility of and between pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists shall be assured within the parking facility and at all access driveways.

3.

Internal circulation patterns, and the location and traffic direction of all access drives, shall be designed and maintained in accord with accepted principles of traffic engineering and traffic safety.

G.

Lighting. Aboveground lighting fixtures shall be designed to reflect away from any residential land use, and to minimize glare and reflection onto adjoining properties.

H.

Noise. Areas used for primary circulation, frequent idling of vehicle engines or loading activities shall be designed and located to minimize impacts on adjoining properties, including provisions for screening or sound baffling and shall comply with the regulations of the town noise ordinance.

I.

Maintenance. Parking and loading facilities shall be maintained to assure desirability and usefulness, free of refuse, debris or other accumulated matter. Landscaping, screening, fencing, signing, lighting, surfacing, striping, and other features shall be maintained in a usable manner.

(Ord. 264 §2(part), 1995; Ord. 227 §10, 1993; Ord. 214 §2(part), 1992)