06-16-2025 - Agenda Packet Planning Commission - Planning Commission Packet

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8 the input of the citizens for the community, and legal review according to state enabling legislation, among other issues, may result in standards that just do not fit. Further, the most popular standards are often derived from ITE information, the limitations of which are noted above. A number of PAS Reports and other APA publications provide useful discussions of parking standards—in some as the central topic (e.g., Off- Street Parking Requirements, PAS Report 432, and Flexible Parking Require- ments, PAS Report 377) while in others as an integral issue linked to other popular planning topics (e.g., Creating Transit-Supportive Land-Use Regula- tions, PAS Report 468, and The Transportation/Land-Use Connection, PAS Report 448). ITE (1995) has produced a model ordinance for shared park- ing. In addition to APA and ITE, other available sources of information include model recommendations from the National Parking Association (1992), the Urban Land Institute (1999), and the Eno Foundation (Weant and Levinson 1990). Transportation and parking consultants are sometimes hired to assist in determining parking standards. These consultants often provide analysis of parking issues within a particular geographic subset of a community, such as the downtown or a particularly busy commercial district. Although such studies are usually independent and authoritative, it’s important to realize they may include certain assumptions (about expectations related to transit use, for example) not necessarily consistent with a community’s long-term vision. Perhaps the most effective way to analyze demand is to get out in the community to look around and record information. When you obtain in- formation about parking occupancy in existing facilities, ask questions about the inevitability (or lack thereof) of similar conditions for future de- velopment. In an APA 2001 audio conference, “Effective Community Park- ing Standards,” one expert recommended that communities closely exam- ine their off-street parking standards every five to 10 years. OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS RELATED TO DRAFTING OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS The Comprehensive Plan As with any zoning code provision, off-street parking requirements should be consistent with the goals of a community’s comprehensive plan. A com- munity might review its comprehensive plan provisions related to trans- portation, land use, environmental quality, and design when drafting off- street parking standards to ensure a good “fit” between requirements and plan objectives. Politics Zoning code provisions are developed within a political context. Elected officials sensitive to complaints about parking “problems” may be re- luctant to revise off-street parking requirements to more closely meet average demand or to meet objectives related to, for example, transit use, air quality, and stormwater management. Advocates for change may need to educate voters about the effect of off-street parking requirements on community character. With public support will come political support. Administration of Regulations Off-street parking requirements can be difficult to administer. To avoid setting expectations that cannot be met, consider the amount of staff and staff time available for administration when drafting the require- ments. Also consider the process for calculating flexible parking require- 125