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ITEM: 21
DATE: 09/10/19
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
SUBJECT: ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT RELATING TO BICYCLE PARKING
INCENTIVES
BACKGROUND:
On March 5. 2019, the City Council directed staff to prepare a text amendment to incentivize
bicycle parking for visitors to a site in commercial and industrial areas based upon a memo
providing background information (Attachment A). Currently. bicycle parking is required in
only a handful of commercial zones. The Downtown Gateway Commercial zone requires
bicycle parking and allows for a reduction in vehicle spaces.
Staff has received inquiries from developers and business owners wishing to retrofit one or
more vehicular parking spaces into bicycle parking. but the Zoning Ordinance does not
currently allow flexibility in the reduction of the minimum parking requirement for this purpose.
The intent is to promote bicycle parking with options to reduce vehicle parking requirements.
Staff proposes to allow. with Planning Director approval, a reduction of one vehicle parking
space for every six qualified bicycle parking spaces. Note this is an adjustment since the
Planning and Zoning Commission review to clear up an inconsistency in the draft ordinance
and the intent of relating the number of spaces to the size of vehicle parking space. A
maximum reduction of up to five vehicular parking spaces could be granted by the Planning
Director, provided there is adequate vehicle parking on site.
Based upon a typical bicycle parking loop two bicycles can be parked at each loop and a
standard vehicle parking stall could accommodate up three to five loops with adequate
spacing and its configuration for access. Adequate space accounts for a minimum of a 2x6
foot space for a bike plus access and clearance needs. Secured bicycle parking lockers
would also be eligible as a qualified facility to benefit from the parking reduction. The bicycle
parking need not be located within the parking lot to benefit from the parking reduction, but it
must be directly accessible to visitors of the site and within 150' of the entrance. A graphic
illustrating the implications of a 150' distance is included as Attachment B. Motorized bicycle
parking spaces are not eligible for the parking reduction allowance.
PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the requested amendment at its August 21 ,
2019 meeting. The Commission discussed at length the balance of reducing vehicle parking
as an incentive for creating bicycle parking. Two specific concerns discussed included 1 .)
How would the parking reduction affect the number of ADA accessible parking spaces if there
is a reduction in the total number of spaces? 2.) How would the Planning Director determine
within his/her discretion what is adequate parking to allow for a reduction? Staff explained
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that ADA compliant vehicle stalls are required at fixed ratios. with the first space provided
required to be an ADA compliant parking stall. With the allowed parking reduction. the
greatest amount of ADA parking stall changes that could ever occur is one space by
changing from one tier to another, but not to have none. Staff also explained that the
Planning Director would typically approve the reduction if the site initially included the
minimum required amount of vehicle parking defined by the Zoning Ordinance. However,
when a site has either nonconforming parking or only a few required spaces, the Director
would exercise discretion on whether to allow for the reduced vehicle parking incentive. The
Commission ultimately voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the text amendment for bicycle
parking standards and incentives, as proposed by staff.
Staff has prepared a second alternative to address the Planning Director discretion language
if City Council has concerns about the open ended language in the draft ordinance. To
ensure there is the ability to add a minimum of six bicycle parking spaces, at least a one-
space reduction would be allowed, but also allow for up to a 15% reduction. For example, a
site requiring 10 parking spaces could reduce the vehicle parking requirement by one space
(10% reduction). A site requiring 14 spaces would be able to reduce the requirement by two
spaces (14.3% reduction) by providing 12 bicycle parking spaces. A site providing 20 spaces
could reduce the total by three spaces (15%) by providing 18 bicycle parking spaces.
ALTERNATIVES:
1 . The City Council can approve on first reading the proposed ordinance related to providing
bicycle parking, including within a front yard and allowing for a parking reduction of one
parking space for every six qualified bicycle parking spaces for up to five vehicle parking
spaces in commercial and industrial uses.
2. The City Council can modify the draft ordinance language and approve on first reading
standards for bicycle parking and allowing a parking reduction of a minimum of one
parking space for six qualified bicycle parking spaces, up to a 15% reduction in vehicle
parking spaces for every six qualified bicycle parking spaces.
3. The City Council can direct staff to prepare alternative language for the proposed text
amendment.
4. The City Council can request additional information and defer making a recommendation.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
As the City continues to support multi-modal transportation and development of more
"complete street" options it will be beneficial to the City to promote bicycle parking at
commercial destinations. The proposed language creates an optional bicycle parking
standard that is incentivized by allowing for a reduction in vehicle parking. The allowance
still requires that vehicle parking be provided, but that it may be reduced while also providing
for bicycle parking. Residential areas are not included in the incentive at this time. because
minimum parking requirements are associated with the permitting and occupancy of rental
housing. Additionally, staff has seen the market adapt to people's biking interests with new
apartment developments providing for resident bike parking so that there does not appear to
be a need to incentivize the provision of bicycle parking in the case of residential uses.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that the City Council approve
Alternative #1 as described above.
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ATTACHMENT A:
CITY OF
Ames
PLANNING S HOUSING Memo
Department of Planning& housing
I:v.Yfn,nrof Srm.a
TO: City Council
FROM: Department of Planning and 1-lousing
DATE: January 18,2019
SUBJECT: Bicycle Parking Standards
The following information was originally provided to City Council at their request in September 2017.
City Council requested in August 2018 that staff resend the memo for their review prior to determining if
the issue should be placed on an agenda for discussion. This memo includes an overview of general
bicycle parking considerations and examples from other Midwestern communities.
Bicycle parking requirements are intended to help meet die day-to-day mobility needs of residents,
employees, and visitors. Bicycle parking ordinances help to expand mobility choices by providing a
greater expectation that secure parking will be available near destinations for those who may choose to
cycle, rather than drive. Lack of bicycle parking at a destination may deter bicycle ridership or result in
use of unintended site features,e.g trees, signs, to secure bikes.
Bicycle parking includes two separate types of user needs. Long term secured parking for a bicycle is
most commonly used for residential and employee related needs.Secured parkins often takes the form
of a bike locker. Some cities also address needs for locker roorns with long term bike parking
requirements. Unsecured bicycle parking spaces are for short term use and commonly available for
customers or visitors to a site. Short term parking for bicycles is consists of bicycle racks where an
individual secures their bicycle to the apparatus. Bicycle parking ordinances commonly address the mix
of long and short term parking facilities,location of facilities,and dimensions of bicycle parking facilities.
Bicycle parking can be mandatory,incentiviied as an allowable substitute for vehicle parking,or a
combination approach of both mandatory and allowing for substitutions. Parking requirements can
be based upon the number of required vehicle parking spaces, square footage of the use, or expected
occupant levels. One common approach is to require a minimum number of bicycle parking spaces(2 to
5 spaces)and scale up to approximately 50/6-10%of the vehicle parking on a site.Cities with a high share
of bicycle ridership may have higher standards to meet community needs.
Substitutions can be based upon the amount of space needed for bicycle parking or the percentage of
bicycle spaces provided on a site. Depending on the type of rack design and its placement, each "loop"
can serve two bicycles. One example would be for substitution of one vehicle parking space for every 5
bicycle parking spaces with a cap on the total amount of parking space substitutions.
There are a larger variety of cities with bicycle parking ordinances. Staff identified a short list of cities
from the Midwest as examples below. Attached to this memo is the Des Moines 2017 proposed bicycle
parking standards.
1)Bicycle Parking Minimum Standards:
Dubuque,
Iowa City,
Des Moines,*
Champaign (IL),
Columbia(MO),
Lawrence(KS),
Minneapolis(MN)
2)Bicycle Parking Substitution:
Minneapolis(MN)
Cedar Rapids,
Des Moines*
* denotes proposed ordinance
Cedar Rapids Substitution example:
A reduction in parking shall be granted at a rate of one (1) space for each five (5) rack bike stand.
Required bicycle parking must be within fifty-feet(50')of a principal entrance and shall permit the locking of
the bicycle frame and one (f)wheel to the rack frame.
Des Moines Draft Standards (August 3, 2017
Bicycle Parking
135.4.5 Bicycle Parking'
4 5 I MINIMUM BIKE PARKING RATIOS 4.5.3 GENERAL BICYCLE PARKING DESIGN AND
,— m . .i_��,.;-, 1 6-1,-, _ -ycle LOCATION REQUIREMENTS
park.r,g Spxes must cc pro✓.Jed in acco:a ce with NI Llcycle parking spew are subjeO,to the follo✓•ing
the minimum ratrcr established In Table 4-5) Uses for general design and location requirements
whin no bicycle parking ratio,S C%3bhShM 0 1 a;k A.Bicycle par"spaces must be iLminated if
1 are not reo„red in rfnside n"mrem hityrfe accessible to users after dark
parking
!.Bicycle parking space must be located to be readly
visible by the puok or by wilding users,except
USE CATEGORY W.—in space,Rpu wed In tote case of Class A parking spaces located in
secure areas accessible only to employees,staff of
U,e Spbcat.S.,Y class A ekyde CNss R Wayne resldenns
Spar. Spares
C.Bicycle parking spaces must be accessible without
RESIDENTIAL rkrritting stars,going tip of down d slope of more
Household Living than 1291,and Yu a route or the property that is
ewawr�n,tf 6 a` r designed to mnirre:e corMkts with motor vehicles
ZkL$ .Ines icon %o� and pedestrians
1 ear niwflne"nor 0.All bike racks must Do located at least 2 feel in all
Ion man 5U snits I per 1Swaeas directions from any obSVuction.including Other bike
,�,rrr. clan t space per unu.nrevnsoi
daeMl;xRrs t, ,aikxenwl t Spac
es racks,walls,doors posts of columns,
`fNNte1E mi E Nonresidential uses may use up to 2 required
Group tiwng `. _ .., automobile parking soaces as space for providing
►UDUC,civic AND INSTITUTIONAL twyc le parking
F. All required bicycle parking spaces must have
minimum dimensions of 2 feet in width by 6 fee[in
length.with a minimum Overhead vertical clearance
of 7 feet.
TABLE 4.5-11.BICYCLE PARKIFIG RATIOS
4.5.4 DESIGN AND LOCATION OF CLASS A
USE CATEGORY Minimum Spaces Required BICYCLE PARKING SPACES
Use Subcategory A Bi In adarion to the general-,<ycle parking design and
Class cycle Class B Bicycle location ret)
T,;.- utrenlents of 13`;-4.5 3.all required Class A
5:rn•c use . Spaces spaces bicycle parking must meet the following requirements
College or Unnersity Estx,ashed im accordancewitr 13�"3 7. A.Class A bicycle parking spaces may not be in
Fraternal Organuabon 0.125 Der 1.000 (1.25 pe'1.000 Sa It (tweling units or on dwefkng.nit balconies
ski.ft. !.Unless clearly visible from the main building
0057 per 1.000 0-033 per 1.000 efitrance,a sign ndicatng the 101anOrl Of all Class
Hospital souare feet souare fee: A b'f15.000 sq.ft)) 0fD0.0 sa It.1 'Cade parking spaces must prominent ly
f building
displayed near the mom entrancc e to the bolding
Library or Cultural Exhibit °.tv D r l,00° °.5 per 1.000 sq.It. or facility,and addrgnal signs must be provuted
sn ftas necessary to ensure easy way-finding A'bicycle
Parks A Recreauon Established in accordance wim I IS-4 17 parking sign must also be displayed on or adjacent
Religious Assembly '.o-e I per 200 Seas t0 arty indoor room or area designated for bicycle
rrwm,m 2 spaces pefking
Schoot 0.5I,er class,00, I t r dassroa-, C.Class A bicycle parking spices must protect the
COMMERCIAL entire bicycle,its components and accessories
Adult Entertainment 0 t:5 Mf 1,000 015 uc 1.000 sa It. against theft and inclement weather.ncludtrg
sq,n,. wind-driven rain and snow Acceptable forms of
Broadcast of Recording 0.12S per 1,000 ki.f PTOtKlIOn Include(I)individual bicycle lockers,(it)
Studio sq.ft 0.02 per 1.000 st. attended parking areas.(w)monitored parking
Business or Trade School 0.1 pw idassroon I per[titsrODni of Pas,(I✓)festricterd-access parking areas.or(L�
Caoanfy of more
commercial Service plus
Man SW,4 spaces0.25 per 1 ADO ski.h. other ComparablP arrangements approved by the
50 perso^capacity
Eating a Onnking Places 0125 per 1,000 0-25 per 1,000 so-ft 0.Except In the case of bicycle lockers with a separate
sq ft access door for each bike or attended facilities,all
500 sears or less-50D seaso less-I Class A bicycle parking spaces must be designed to
Entertain.6 Spectator 4 maces sSppaacCe per 1 15 seats allow bicycles to he SPCur kicked ro a bicycle fdCk
Events More clan 500 kbre Irian 500 seats �'
seats-10 spices -a S.-AC'IS
plus I
space per.250seats 4.5.5 DESIGN AND LOCATION OF CLASS B
Financial Service 0125rer1.000 0,25per1000sgft BICYCLE PARKING SPACES
sq.ft In addition to the- - Licycle parking design and
Lodging I per 40foorrs I per 40,00rm location re4uiremems,o; 135-4.5.3.all required Class B
Office 0 t z mw spaces"'m' bicycle parking must meet the following requirements.
sax. q. 1.000
s rt. 0.02 Do,1.000 sq.4. A Class B bicycle parking must visible from the
Parkin it,Non-Accessory \ore I fir 25 rotor main public building entrance and be at least as
,enicle Spices conveniently located as the most convenient non-
Reu l Sales °. -pc`t000 0.:5 per I.o00sa ft. disabled motor vehicle parking space serving the
sq.It.
Sports and Ric.►artrct- sables use.If n0 moor vehicle panting is provided,
pane Class B bicycle parking spaces must be locate
within 75 feet of a building entrance.
4.5.2 FLOOR AREA USED FOR BICYCLE PARKING B. Class B bicycle parking spaces must be located on
Areas within a building triad are used to provide bicycle private Droperty unless the city engineer approves a
parking that compiles with the bicycle parting design IOcd[tOfl within the public right-of-way
and location requirements of this section wit not t»
counted as floor area for the purpose of Cakulaung C. Class B bicycle parking spaces must be provided
motor vehicle parking requirements in the form of bike racks that comply with the citys
'Bike Rack Policy.'
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Attachment B
Example of 150' Distance for Bicycle Parking
This example illustrates the new Fareway store at 619 Burnett Ave.
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Attachment C:
Example of Bicycle Dimension Guidelines
��
PLACEMENT d pbp
The following minimum spacing requirements apply to AwEoffbetIkAe
some common installations of fixtures like inverted-U or
post-and-ring racks that park one bicycle roughly centered
on each side of the rack.Recommended clearances
are given first,with minimums in parentheses where
appropriate.In areas with tight clearances,consider
wheelwell-secure racks(page 6),which can be placed
closer to walls and constrain the bicycle footprint more
reliably than inverted-U and post-and-ring racks. j
The footprint of a typical bicycle is approximately 6'x 2'. 96„
Cargo bikes and bikes with trailers can extend to 10' (72"MIN) 36
or longer. I 1(24 MIN)
1 16'MIN
60"
(48"MIN)
1
i
96" I.-36"
* (72"MIN)
48"(36"MIN) I t
1 24"MIN
�36"-+1
—O
(24"MIN) 1
48"(36"MIN)
When installing sidewalk racks,maintain
��--120"RECOMMENDED the pedestrian through zone.Racks should
be placed in line with existing sidewalk
obstructions to maintain a clear line of
Sidewalk racks adjacent travel for all sidewalk users.
to on-street auto
parking should be placed
between parking stalls
to avoid conflicts with
opening car doors.
96"RECOMMENDED
CROSSWALK
�—6C 72 48"�
t
24" (36"PREFERRED WHEN ADJACENT TO AUTO PARKING)
1
CROSSWALK
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF
THE CITY OF AMES, IOWA, BY ENACTING NEW SECTIONS
29.201(22.1), 29.402(2)(a)(I1)(r), AND 29.406(2xe), AND
AMENDING SECTION 29.201(153), FOR THE PURPOSE OF
PROVIDING BICYCLE PARKING INCENTIVES; REPEALING
ANY AND ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES
IN CONFLICT TO THE EXTENT OF SUCH CONFLICT;
PROVIDING A PENALTY; AND ESTABLISHING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED,by the City Council for the City of Ames,Iowa,that:
Section One. The Municipal Code of the City of Ames, Iowa shall be and the same is hereby amended by
enacting new Sections 29.201(22.1),29.402(2)(a)(ii)(r),and 29.406(2)(e),and amending Section 29.201(153)as
follows:
"Sec.29.201.DEFINITIONS.
Except as otherwise defined in this Ordinance or unless the context may otherwise require, the following
words are defined for the purpose of this Ordinance as follows:
sss
(22.1) Bicycle Parking System means a fixed structure that allows bicyclists to park one or more
standing bicycles by locking the bicycle frame and one wheel to the structure or the storing of a
bicycle within a secured space,such as a locker.
sss
(153) Parking Space means any area designed and used for temporary location of a vehicle. "Parking
space" shall not include any vehicular storage areas. Bicycle Parking is not a parking space,
although it may be located within a parking area.
Sec.29.402.SETBACKS.
(2) Extensions into Required Building Setbacks.
(a)Principal Buildings.
(ii) Full projections allowed. In addition to the minor projections listed in the previous
section,the following features are allowed to fully project into required setbacks:
r. Bicycle Parking Systems. Bicycle Parking Systems may be located in the front
setback of nonresidential zoning districts when it is no higher than four feet in
height and it does not interfere with required landscaping. This exception does
not allow for parking areas where otherwise not permitted.
Sec.29.406.OFF-STREET PARKING.
(2)Required Parking Spaces. . . .
(e)The Planning Director may approve a reduction of required parking spaces for nonresidential
uses that have adequate vehicle parking, at a ratio of one parking space for every six Qualified
Bicycle Parking System spaces up to a maximum reduction of five spaces.
(i) Oualified Bicycle Parking Systems shall have the following attributes as determined
by the Planning Director:
1. Located on a paved surface, unless otherwise authorized for an alternative all-
weather improved surface.
2. Located to provide adeeuate space for direct and convenient access and use by
the bicyclist.
3. Located within 150 feet of the main entrance or a customer entrance.
4. Located in manner that does not interfere with the flow of pedestrians or
vehicles.
Section Two.Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute a municipal infraction
punishable as set out by law.
Section Three. All ordinances,or parts of ordinances,in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent
of such conflict,if any.
Section Four. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication as
required by law.
Passed this day of
Diane R Voss,City Clerk John A.Haila,Mayor