19.34.060 Reductions to off-street parking space requirements.
A. Parking Study as Alternative to Reduce Parking. The planning director, in consultation with the city engineer, may approve a modification to the off-street parking set forth in Table 34-1 or 34-2. A modification greater than twenty-five percent requires a Review Process II described in EMC Title 15, Local Project Review Procedures. Any reduction in off-street parking could impact future development if a change in use requires additional off-street parking.
1. A parking study for the proposed use(s) must be prepared by a professional with expertise in preparing traffic and parking analysis.
2. The parking study must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the planning director that a lesser standard is adequate.
3. A transportation demand management (TDM) plan (see EMC 19.34.080) may be required as a condition of any approved modification.
B. Reduction of Off-Street Parking for Transportation Alternatives and Mixed-Use Projects. Off-street parking may be reduced for the following transportation alternatives and mixed-use projects. A parking study is not required for use of these alternatives.
1. Car Share Stalls. Car sharing is where cars are made available for rent to other individuals, thus encouraging less car ownership and reducing parking demand. A substitution in off-street parking spaces for required off-street parking is allowed as follows:
a. For every one car sharing space that is provided, the off-street parking requirement is reduced by four spaces.
b. The car sharing parking spaces must be shown on development plans.
c. A copy of the car sharing agreement between the property owner and the car share company must be submitted with development permits.
d. This reduction may not be used in addition to other exceptions or reductions in parking requirements otherwise provided in this chapter.
e. This credit is limited to a maximum of ten percent of the required off-street parking spaces.
2. Motorcycle Parking.
a. For every four motorcycle/scooter parking spaces provided, the off-street parking requirement is reduced by one space.
b. This credit is limited to a maximum of five off-street parking spaces, or five percent of the standard off-street parking requirement for the development, whichever is less.
3. Bicycle Parking.
a. For every five nonrequired bicycle parking spaces provided, the off-street parking requirement is reduced by one space.
b. For every development which provides shower facilities and clothing storage areas for bicycle commuters, the off-street parking requirement is reduced by four spaces. The facilities shall be for the use of the employees and occupants of the building, and shall be located where they are easily accessible to bicycle parking facilities.
c. Each bicycle parking space must meet the location and design requirements of EMC 19.34.030.
d. This credit is limited to a maximum of five off-street parking spaces, or five percent of the standard off-street parking requirement for the development, whichever is more.
4. Mixed-Use Projects. Mixed-use buildings or developments, including developments such as a mini-mall, may have complementary parking utilization patterns, in which case sharing of the off-street parking can allow for a reduced number of stalls in a development.
a. Projects with Residential Units. For mixed-use buildings with residential units where fifty percent or more of the gross floor area is dedicated to nonresidential uses, it is reasonable to expect that there would be a substantial amount of parking left vacant during the hours when parking is needed by residents. The residential off-street parking requirement may be reduced by up to fifty percent with an approved transportation demand management (TDM) plan.
b. Mixed-Use Projects, General. If more than one type of land use (see Table 34-1) occupies a single structure or parcel of land, the total requirements for off-street parking may be reduced by five percent of the sum of the requirements for all uses.
c. Mixed Use Projects, Specific. See EMC 19.34.070 for reduced off-street parking for specific shared parking options. (Ord. 3616-18 § 2 (Exh. 1), 2018.)