G12-81 63 /2 -J2/
Ordinance No. G3i
AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING THE ELGIN ZONING ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE
OFF-STREET PARKING REQUIREMENTS
WHEREAS, written application has been made to amend the provisions
of the Elgin Zoning Ordinance relating to the off-street parking require-
ments; and
WHEREAS, after due notice the Planning Committee conducted a public
hearing and has recommended that the application for an amendment of the
provisions of the Elgin Zoning Ordinance relating to off-street parking
requirements be granted; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Elgin concurs in the
recommendations of the Planning Committee.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ELGIN, ILLINOIS:
Section 1. That Section 19.44.090B of Chapter 19.44 of the Elgin
Municipal Code, 1976, as amended, be and is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"19.44.090 Purpose -- Scope of provisions.
,. B. This chapter further provides for review of all proposed
parking facilities to determine that the facility is so designed
so as to:
1. Function safely and efficiently;
2. Be constructed according to standards which assure
a reasonable life expectancy;
3. Be adequately surfaced so as to prevent the genera-
tion of dust;
4. Minimize the area of impervious paving by efficient
lot design and prevent damage to surrounding property, private
and public, by the unregulated discharge of increased storm-
water runoff;
5. Be compatible with adjacent properties by the presence
of screening where required by this chapter to control the
dispersion of vehicle light and noise;
6. Be an attractive asset to the community and protective
of property values through the use of minimum landscaping."
Section 2. That Section 19.44.140 of Chapter 19.44 of the Elgin
Municipal Code, 1976, as amended, be and is hereby amended to read as
follows:
.
"19.44.140 Access.
Each required off-street parking space shall open directly upon
an aisle or a driveway of such width and design as to provide safe
and efficient means of vehicular access to such parking space. All
off-street parking facilities for five or more cars shall be provided
with appropriate means of vehicular access on a concrete or asphalt
driveway defined with a barrier curb, as required by this chapter,
to an improved street or alley in a manner which will minimize inter-
ference with traffic movements. Driveways across public property
shall be governed by applicable ordinances of the city. Driveway
construction and curb opening permits must be obtained from the depart-
ment of public works and engineering prior to any such construction."
Section 3. That Section 19.44.150 of Chapter 19.44 of the Elgin
Municipal Code, 1976, as amended, be and is hereby amended by amending
the following:
"19.44.150 Applicability.
D. All substandard parking areas not in compliance with the
applicable standards in effect prior to June 27, 1973, shall comply
with all requirements of this chapter, prior to its use, if the
property served becomes vacant and remains unoccupied for a period
of 180 consecutive days; or there is a change in use. The minimum
number of required spaces shall be constructed providing the space
is available.
E. All substandard parking areas not in compliance with the
applicable standards in effect prior to June 27, 1973, which are
determined by the Land Use Administrator and the City Engineer to
be a public nuisance or when the parking facility is substantially
reconstructed or paved shall be brought into full compliance with
the requirements of this chapter except for landscaping when there
is insufficient area and curbing. A public nuisance shall include
the generation of dust, storm water runoff onto adjoining property,
erosion onto sidewalks, streets or adjoining property, spill-over
of light onto adjoining property, vehicular access which is unsafe
or constructed with inadequate vehicular circulation, or vehicular
encroachment onto adjoining property."
Section 4. That Section 15.44.160 of Chapter 19.44 of the Elgin
Municipal Code, 1976, as amended, be and is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"19.44.160 Variations.
The Land Use Administrator and the City Engineer may consider
and approve of the following variations to requirements of this chapter
where it can be demonstrated that a parking facility cannot be developed
to meet the requirements of this chapter due to unique circumstances
such as size, shape, or topography of the site, or when weather condi-
tions will not permit construction of required improvements until a later
date:
A. Size and location of planting areas;
B. Size of parking stalls and aisles;
C. Location of curbing;
D. Location or elimination of curb islands;
E. Phasing schedule for improvements."
Section 5. That Section 19.44.200 of Chapter 19.44 of the Elgin
Municipal Code, 1976, as amended, be and is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"19.44.200 Curbing.
A. Required parking facilities containing five or more spaces
shall be defined with six-inch by eighteen-inch P.C. Concrete reinforced
curb or an equivalent in design and function approved by the City
Engineer, except as provided for in this chapter. The curb shall be
placed a minimum of eight feet inside lot lines adjoining any street
and a minimum of six feet inside all other lot lines so that no part of
any vehicle parked within the confines of the parking area will in any
manner project over said lot lines into adjoining properties or rights
of way.
B. Within industrial subdivisions, a parking facility or any por-
tion thereof which is located behind the wall of the principle building
closest and facing a street right of way need not be defined by a curb.
C. As a means of preventing deterioration of the pavement, when-
ever a curb is not required the subbase material shall be extended one
foot beyond the edge of the pavement."
Section 6. That Section 19.44.210 of Chapter 19.44 of the Elgin
Municipal Code, 1976, as amended, be and is hereby amended by adding the
following:
"19.44.210 Screening and trees -- Generally.
C. For those parking areas containing five or more spaces, screen-
ing and trees shall be required.
D. Within industrial subdivisions, a parking facility or any por-
tion thereof which is located behind the wall of the principle building
facing a street right of way need not be provided with screening or
trees, except on any side of a parking facility which is adjacent to a
street right of way or a residence or business district."
Section 7. That Section 19.44.220A of .hapter 19.44 of the Elgin
Municipal Code, 1976, as amended, be and is hereby amended to read as
follows:
19.44.220 Trees -- Standards.
A. Trees of an approved type and measuring not less than two
inches in diameter or less than ten feet in height shall be planted
within the required setback. The number of trees required shall be
calculated by dividing the total lineal footage on all sides of the
parking area by fifty feet, but shall be not less than two trees for
each side. Required trees may be clustered."
Section 8. That Section 19.44.230 of Chapter 19.44 of the Elgin
Municipal Code, 1976, as amended, be and is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"19.44.230 Screening -- Standards.
Where required, parking areas shall be effectively screened on
all sides with any combination of plant material, garden wall, earth-
mounded berms or fencing. Screening shall be maintained or constructed
to be not less than two feet nor more than three feet in height
within any required front yard. Planting areas shall be maintained
free of litter and weeds, and all dead and unsightly plant material
shall be replaced. Required screening along front lot lines will not
be required for open sales lots upon approval by the Land Use Administra-
tor."
Section 9. That Section 19.44.240 of Chapter 19.44 of the Elgin
Municipal Code, 1976, as amended, be and is hereby amended to read as
follows:
"19.44.240 Curb Islands.
A. If any parking facility includes more than two parking rows, ''
the additional rows shall be defined at each end with a curb island.
Curb islands shall contain a minimum of one tree, as previously specified,
and suitable groundcover. Required islands shall be defined by a
perimeter six-inch by eighteen-inch P.C. Concrete reinforced curb which
shall be a minimum of six feet in width. Curb islands shall not be
required where a landscaped continuous curb median separates two adja-
cent parking rows.
B. Within industrial subdivisions, a parking facility or any por-
tion thereof which is located behind the wall of a principle building
facing a street right of way need not be defined with interior parking
rows with a curb island or continuous curb media, although islands
marked with striping shall be provided."
Section 10. That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect ten
days after its passage and publication in pamphlet form by authority'of the
City Council.
s/ Richard L. Verbic
Richard L. Verbic, Mayor
Presented: March 11, 1981
Passed: March 1 1 , 1981
Vote: Yeas 7 Nays 0
Recorded:
Published:
Attest:
s/ Marie Yearman
Marie Yearman, City Clerk