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Name: Updating Parking and Access Standards Date: 10/24/23 Page: 2 H:\NEWB\0T6130130\2_Preliminary\C_Reports\9.28.23 Draft\NB_ParkingCode_covermemo_DRAFT10172023.docx II. Preliminary Recommendations Attached is the second draft on preliminary recommendations to improve parking and access standards. The recommendations utilize current trends and best practices for parking code while seeking to improve New Brighton’s climate resiliency and equity. Sec. 11-010 General Requirements 1. Changes to “Application” to focus redevelopment of parking lots when connected to large, cumulative changes to property or when the parking lot is expanded. a. Responding to feedback from business community and city to not require parking lot updates resulting in a burden to the business owner. (Goal 1, 2) b. Included a trigger for switching from a non-residential use to a residential use, or going from a residential use that required fewer spaces to one that requires more. (Goal 1) 2. “Purpose” section added to provide legal justification to changes. (Goal 8) 3. Shift from “Reduction and Use of Parking or Loading Space” to “Use of Parking or Loading Space” and allowing snow storage in parking areas. (Goal 8) 4. Combining parking location requirements from the Mixed-Use districts with “Location of Parking” to encourage parking behind buildings and locating inside flood-prone areas. a. Parking is only required to be behind a building when the development includes more than one building. (Goal 7) b. Sustainability and Low Salt experts recommend not allowing parking areas in floodplains. (Goal 8) 5. Expansion of “Buffers and Screens” to include requirements from Mixed Use districts. a. Inspired from MU district requirements, but reduced and revised to provide a good baseline for screening parking areas and providing options to developers and property owners. b. Sustainability and Low Salt experts recommend being careful with screening near parking and pedestrian areas to not create constant shade curing winter. (Goal 8) 6. Creation of “Landscaping and Vegetation” to bring landscaping requirements to parking areas. a. Current code does not have landscaping requirements for parking lots. Proposal includes minimum size for parking lot islands and medians, planting types, and connection to drainage management. Some inspiration taken from Burnsville and other nearby communities. b. Sustainability and Low Salt experts recommend incorporating native vegetation and using them as a part of drainage management. (Goal 8) 7. Changes to “Lighting” to limit light spilling across property lines, consolidation of light poles onto traffic island and around perimeters, and require lighting that is better for wildlife. (Goal 8)