Columbus, Georgia

Subject: (ZC0205-7) Request to amend the text of the zoning ordinance to change the

Off-Street Parking requirements for commercial, general business or personal

service establishments that cater to retail trade but not including food stores



The Planning Division is proposing an amendment to Section 22-32 Off-street

parking requirements. The purpose of the amendment is to reduce the number of

parking spaces required for commercial, general business or personal service

establishments that cater to retail trade but not including food stores. The

text change will decrease the required off-street parking from five and

one-half (5 ?) spaces per one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor area

to four (4) spaces per one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor area. A

reduction in the amount of required spaces would reduce building costs and

asphalt. The parking space reduction would give commercial developers more

flexibility in complying with the new Tree Ordinance. Also, due to the current

requirements, the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is inundated with parking

requirement variances. A change in the ordinance would help to alleviate

pressures on the developers, the BZA, and the eventual enforcers of the Tree

Ordinance.



The Planning Advisory Commission considered this text amendment at their

meeting on June 5, 2002. The Planning Advisory Commission recommended that

this text change be approved.



The Planning Division also recommends the adoption of the proposed text

amendment.



Attached is a copy of the Planning Division=s Staff Report.



Sincerely,

Staff Report

Application

The Planning Division is proposing an amendment to Section 22-32 Off-street

parking requirements. The purpose of the amendment is to reduce the number of

parking spaces required for commercial, general business or personal service

establishments that cater to retail trade but not including food stores. The

text change will decrease the required off-street parking from five and

one-half (5 ?) spaces per one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor area

to four (4) spaces per one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor area. A

reduction in the amount of required spaces would reduce building costs and

asphalt. The parking space reduction would give commercial developers more

flexibility in complying with the new Tree Ordinance. Also, due to the current

requirements, the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is inundated with parking

requirement variances. A change in the ordinance would help to alleviate

pressures on the developers, the BZA, and the eventual enforcers of the Tree

Ordinance.

Proposed Text Amendment

Amend Sec. 22-32 Off-street parking requirements as follows:



(C) Number of Spaces Required:



(6) Commercial, general Four (4) spaces per

business or personal per one thousand

establishments that cater (1,000) square feet

that cater to retail trade of gross floor area

but not including food

stores

Planning Advisory Commission Recommendation

The Planning Advisory Commission considered this text amendment at their

meeting on June 5, 2002. The Planning Advisory Commission recommended that

text change 22-32 (C)(6) be approved.

Planning Department Recommendation

The Planning Division recommends approval of text amendment 22-32 (C)(6).

Application

The Planning Division is proposing an amendment to Section 22-32 Off-street

parking requirements. The purpose of the amendment is to reduce the number of

parking spaces required for commercial, general business or personal service

establishments that cater to retail trade but not including food stores. The

text change will decrease the required off-street parking from five and

one-half (5 ?) spaces per one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor area

to four (4) spaces per one thousand (1,000) square feet of gross floor area. A

reduction in the amount of required spaces would reduce building costs and

asphalt. The parking space reduction would give commercial developers more

flexibility in complying with the new Tree Ordinance. Also, due to the current

requirements, the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is inundated with parking

requirement variances. A change in the ordinance would help to alleviate

pressures on the developers, the BZA, and the eventual enforcers of the Tree

Ordinance.

Maps & Photos

N/A

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