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Name: Updating Parking and Access Standards <br />Date: 9/12/23 <br />Page: 2 <br /> <br />I:\COMMDEV\Grants and Program Reports\Ramsey County Corridor Revitalization Apps 2022\Parking Standards\05_PROJECT FILES\09-19-23 PC Review\EXT_Parking code prelim <br />updates_covermemo_09142023.docx <br /> <br />II. Preliminary Recommendations <br />Attached is the first draft on preliminary recommendations to improve parking and access standards. <br />The recommendations utilize current trends and best practices for parking code while seeking to <br />improve New Brighton’s climate resiliency and equity. <br />Sec. 11-010 General Requirements <br />1. Changes to “Application” to focus redevelopment of parking lots when connected to large, <br />cumulative changes to property or when the parking lot is expanded. <br />a. Resonding to feedback from business community and city to not require parking lot <br />updates resulting in a burden to the business owner. (Goal 1, 2) <br />b. Included a trigger for switching from a non-residential use to a residential use, or going <br />from a residential use that required fewer spaces to one that requires more. (Goal 1) <br />2. “Purpose” section added to provide legal justification to changes. (Goal 8) <br />3. Shift from “Reduction and Use of Parking or Loading Space” to “Use of Parking or Loading <br />Space” and allowing snow storage in parking areas. (Goal 8) <br />4. Combining parking location requirements from the Mixed-Use districts with “Location of <br />Parking” to encourage parking behind buildings and locating inside flood-prone areas. <br />a. Parking is only required to be behind a building when the development includes more <br />than one building. (Goal <br />b. Sustainability and Low Salt experts recommend not allowing parking areas in <br />floodplains. (Goal 8) <br />5. Expansion of “Buffers and Screens” to include requirements from Mixed Use districts. <br />a. Reduced and revised MU district requirements provide a good baseline for screening <br />parking areas and providing options to developers and property owners. <br />b. Sustainability and Low Salt experts recommend being careful with screening near <br />parking and pedestrian areas to not create constant shade curing winter. (Goal 8) <br />6. Creation of “Landscaping and Vegetation” to bring landscaping requirements to parking areas. <br />a. Current code does not have landscaping requirements for parking lots. Proposal <br />includes minimum size for parking lot islands and medians, planting types, and <br />connection to drainage management. Some inspiration taken from Burnsville and other <br />nearby communities. <br />b. Sustainability and Low Salt experts recommend incorporating native vegetation and <br />using them as a part of drainage management. (Goal 8) <br />7. Changes to “Lighting” to limit light spilling across property lines, consolidation of light poles onto <br />traffic island and around perimeters, and require lighting that is better for wildlife. (Goal 8) <br />Sec. 11-020 Construction and Maintenance <br />1. Allow permeable systems for parking areas within “Surfacing”.