§ 44-85. Parking and access requirements.

(a)

Intent. The purpose of parking and access requirements is to prevent parking problems and other traffic related nuisances, and to improve traffic circulation and safety for each zoning district. This subsection shall provide standards, requirements and incentives for adequate, safe, and convenient off-street parking and access only in all general zoning districts.

(b)

Requirements. The following requirements shall apply to off-street parking and access for both residential and nonresidential developments and shall be further distinguished by the number and size of spaces, relationship of the parking area to the building it serves, and parking lot design.

(1)

Parking space requirements. An adequate number of off-street parking shall be required in all developments to accommodate residents and/or visitors. Off-street parking shall be required for various land uses as follows. On-street or right-of-way parking is prohibited.

a.

Residential uses:

Type	Standard
Two-family	Two spaces per dwelling unit
Multifamily	Two spaces per dwelling unit
Person care homes	One space per bed and one space per employee

 

b.

All other uses:

1.

Transient dwellings:

Type	Standard
Hotels	One space for each one room plus one additional space for each five employees
Motels, tourist courts and homes, mobile homes and travel trailer parks	Two spaces for each guest bedroom, or mobile horn or travel trailer space, plus one additional space for a resident manager or owner
Board and rooming houses, dormitories	One space for each bedroom

 

2.

Health facilities:

Type	Standard
Hospitals, sanitariums, nursing homes for the aged, and similar institutional uses	Two spaces for each bed.
Kennels and animal hospitals	One space for each 350 square feet of heated space
Medical, dental, and health offices and clinics	One space for each 200 square feet of heated floor area

 

3.

Public assembly:

Type	Standard
Churches and other places of worship	One space for each four seats in the main auditorium or sanctuary. [24″ per space = one space]
Private clubs, lodges, and fraternal buildings not providing overnight accommodations	One space per 100 square feet of gross floor area
Theaters, auditoriums, coliseums, stadiums, and similar places of assembly	One space for each four seats
Libraries, museums	One space for each 500 square feet of gross floor space
Schools, including kindergartens, playschools, and day care centers	One space for each four seats in assembly hall, or one space for each employee, including teachers and administrators, whichever is greater, plus five spaces per classroom for high schools and colleges
Skating rinks, dance halls, exhibition halls, pool rooms and other places of amusement or assembly without fixed seating arrangements	One space for each 100 square feet of floor area or ground area used for amusement or assembly
Bowling alleys	Four spaces for each alley

 

4.

Businesses:

Type	Standard
Automobile service and repair establishments	One space for each regular employee plus one space for each 250 square feet of floor area
Food stores	One space for each 100 square feet of floor area designated for retail sales only
Restaurants, including bars, cafes, taverns, night clubs, lunch counters, and all similar dining and/or drinking establishments	One space for each 75 square feet of patron floor area
Office buildings, including banks, business, commercial, and professional offices	One space for each 300 square feet of ground floor area, plus one space for each 500 square feet of upper floor space
General business, commercial, or personal service establishment catering to the retail trade, but excluding food stores	Three spaces for each 200 square feet of floor area designed for retail sales only
Government offices	One space for each 300 square feet of ground floor area plus one space for each 500 square feet of upper floor area and one space for each governmental vehicle
Shopping centers	Five parking spaces for each 1,000 square feet of gross floor area
Furniture stores	One space for each 500 square feet of gross floor area

 

5.

Industries:

Type	Standard
Commercial, manufacturing, and industrial establishments, not catering to the retail trade	One space for each three employees on the maximum working shift, plus one space for each company vehicle operating from the premises
Wholesale establishments	One space for every 50 square feet of customer service area, plus two spaces for each three employees on the maximum working shift, plus one space for each company vehicle operating from the premises

 

(2)

Parking lot design standards. Parking lots should be designed to adequately and economically service the facilities that they serve, while at the same time being conscious of the environmental impacts that poor design can cause. McDuffie County recognizes that the design of parking lots varies. However, the following standards are intended to balance the effectiveness of parking lot design with the community goals.

a.

Entrances and exits should be designed to provide adequate and effective circulation, and shall not impede the flow of traffic, or cause traffic congestion or traffic hazards.

b.

There should be sufficient maneuvering room for vehicles to enter and leave the lot and individual spaces without endangering themselves, vehicles traveling in the roadway system, or pedestrians.

c.

Parking bays or stalls shall be no less than 180 square feet. All parking bay designs and stall dimensions shall be approved by the development code administrator.

d.

Where it is determined that substantial traffic congestion or conflict would occur within or proximate to a proposed development access from collector or arterial streets to a parking lot may not be permitted unless an access drive is installed.

e.

Where large paved lots or parking areas are proposed, the requirements in article IV, section 44-72(7) may apply.

f.

The site plan shall provide for adequate drainage and shall minimize erosion.

(3)

Emergency vehicle access. The planning commission may require the applicant to designate separate special emergency vehicle access lanes in appropriation locations as is deemed necessary to provide for emergency vehicle access. Where required, emergency vehicle access lanes shall be located as close as possible to the main entrance of the principal structures of the property, shall be at least 15 feet in width, and shall be visibly designated for exclusive emergency use, either by painting, appropriate signage, or both.

(Ord. of 3-23-99, Art. V, § 5)