Columbus, Georgia

Subject: (ZC0206-11) Request to amend the text of the zoning ordinance to change the

Off-Street Parking requirements for shopping centers and developments



In 2002, the City Manager asked the Planning Division to check into the

feasibility of reducing the number of parking spaces required for commercial,

general business or personal services establishments that cater to retail trade

but not including food stores. At the time, our intent was to include shopping

centers and developments as well. This request is intended to bring

consistency to our parking requirements. The Zoning Ordinance requires five

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

area. The current industry standard is 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 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 enforcers of the Tree Ordinance.



The Planning Advisory Commission considered this text amendment at their

meeting on July 21, 2004. The Planning Advisory Commission recommended that

this text change be approved.



The Planning Division also recommends approval.



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 shopping centers and developments. 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:



(23) Shopping centers and Four (4) spaces per

developments per one thousand

(1,000) square feet

of gross floor area

Planning Advisory Commission Recommendation

The Planning Advisory Commission considered this text amendment at their

meeting on July 21, 2004. The Planning Advisory Commission recommended that

text change 22-32 (C)(23) be approved.

Planning Department Recommendation

The Planning Division recommends approval of text amendment 22-32 (C)(23).

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 shopping centers and developments. 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

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