by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
The Planning Commission on July 9 passed a resolution that would reduce minimum parking requirements for nonresidential uses. The recommended amendments to the Land Development Code would delete specific minimum parking requirements for permitted uses, eliminating a major obstacle for smaller properties to achieve code compliance via redevelopment.
In addition, the city would accept shared parking arrangements in lieu of a parking study/analysis, providing applicants with an additional option to achieve compliance, and this option potentially improves parking and traffic circulation.
Specific minimum parking requirements for permitted uses would be deleted and text related to combined parking that requires provision of required parking for all uses and units would also be deleted, providing for flexibility for multiple occupancy centers and recognizing overlapping parking demand among uses or units at a center.
Less rigidity in the application of parking standards at commercial centers will also simplify review of proposed parking for conditional uses, such as restaurants, at those locations.
City staff had originally recommended on-street parking for permitted uses but withdrew that recommendation on further review.
The Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution (with Commissioner Lyman Welch absent), and it will now go before City Council.
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