07-14-2025 - Agenda Packet City Council - regular meeting

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AGENDA ITEM Date: July 14, 2025 Item: 17 Title: LA25-000088, Text Amendment: Section 78-823 Garage Condo Standards, Ordinance 314 Presenter: Laura Oakden, Community Development Director Section: Community Development Report Purpose: The City of Orono is proposing an ordinance to amend the Zoning Code to establish off-street parking and site plan standards for Garage Condominium uses within the Industrial District. 2. Background: In 2024, the City Code was amended to allow Garage Condominiums (Garage Condos) as a Conditional Use within the Industrial District. At the April 28, 2025 meeting, Council directed staff to create additional criteria providing for guest parking on site, better maneuverability within the site, and to prevent off -site parking impacts to nearby streets under the Garage Condo use. Staff provided additional data and recommendations for consideration noting that, off- street parking standards should be balanced with the existing prohibition against dwelling use or events on the site. 3. Analysis: Staff conducted research on existing garage condo developments around the twin cities area and national parking standards for mini -warehouse (self storage) uses. Staff found that most cities do not have off-street parking standards specific to a garage condo use. In the few situations where off-street parking was required, it was typically due to an additional amenity being offered on site, or was associated with a more intense use such as commercial/retail space or a club house, or in situations where the additional parking was an existing condition. The following existing conditions or limitations established for Garage Condo uses should be consideration when implementing a new, off-street parking standard: - No dwelling use permitted - No events permitted - No exterior overnight parking permitted - No exterior storage permitted After researching other cities' codes, staff does not feel it is necessary or reasonable to require off- street parking unless commercial space, a club house, or a more intense use is proposed. For this reason, Staff recommends establishing a requirement for a limited number of off-street parking stalls to support temporary guest parking (see Exhibit B) as follows: "Each unit within a garage condo development must provide an 8' by 21 'foot, parallel parking space in front of each unit. The overall site must maintain a minimum 12' drive aisle for maneuverability and 1 parking space for every 10 units for temporary guest parking. " 4. Planning Commission Vote and Comment: The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed language at their June 16, 2025 meeting. The Commission held a public hearing were no comments were submitted. The Commission's 118