The Cape Charles Planning Commission reviewed proposed changes in parking requirements and loading and unloading zones at Tuesday’s Regular Meeting.
The proposed changes reorganize the current two sections to help staff and developers easily interpret and implement the off-street parking and loading requirements of the Town.
Planner Zach Ponds noted that the changes “better implement the Town’s Comprehensive Plan by enhancing multi-modal transportation opportunities and creating a more walkable, pedestrian-friendly
environment. The changes will promote economic growth, increased safety, enhanced aesthetics, and good health for citizens and visitors alike”.
The proposed changes include:
A – General requirements
B – Minimum number of parking spaces required
C – Shared parking
D – Bicycle parking
E – Golf cart parking
F – Electric vehicle charging stations
Changes to the General Requirements note that no non-single-family detached residential parking area may be used for the sale, repair,
dismantling, servicing, or long-term storage of any vehicles or equipment, unless such use is permitted by the zoning district in which the area is located. Any repairs deemed an emergency by the Zoning Administrator is exempt from this requirement.
The minimum parking requirements were added a definition for guest room, changed “sales and rental of goods” to “sales and rental of living space and goods.”, changed 1 space per 200 square feet to 2000. This regulation was initially 20 spaces at 6/4 meeting, then was changed to 1 per 200 square feet at 7/2 meeting. At the 7/2 meeting, it was discussed that the amount of parking was too much for the size of a proposed park. 1 space
per 2000 square feet comes out to 22 spaces required for a 1-acre park.
Bicycle Parking
Changes to bicycle parking state that developments of new primary buildings in all R-3, CR, C-1, C-2, C-3, H, GBI, M-1, M-2, and OSD districts, other than single-family residential, shall provide bicycle parking spaces at a ratio of at least one bicycle parking space for every 20 automobile parking spaces.
Staff added “new primary buildings” to make this regulation only pertain to new primary buildings being developed, and not to pertain to additions or other development projects. This also helps ensure that construction projects that are not new buildings along Mason Avenue would not be required to put in bicycle parking since the walkways are already somewhat tight in the existing built-up areas along Mason Avenue.
Staff added “other than single-family residential” to make this regulation only pertain to commercial, multi-family, and mixed-use developments. Duplexes, condos, and single-family attached and detached housing would not be required to provide bicycle parking spaces.
No primary structure building, other than single-family residential, shall have fewer than three bicycle parking spaces nor be required to exceed a maximum of 20 spaces. If three or more bicycle parking racks are located within 100’ of the primary entrance of the proposed development on the same street frontage, they are exempt from this requirement.
Staff added “located within 100’” so that streets will not have too much bicycle parking than is necessary for the probable number of bicycles.
Golf cart parking
Staff removed language to not allow a reduction of car parking spaces if providing golf cart parking.
Electric vehicle charging stations
The owner of the property shall be responsible for the installation, maintenance, and operation of electric vehicle charging stations. The owner of the property may determine whether or not a fee is associated with the electric vehicle charging station.
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