Page 203 - Des Moines - Zoning, Planning and Design Ch 134, 135

DRAFT 135-4. PArKiNG

General

135-4.1 General e. Maintenance
Off-street parking spaces required by this zoning
4.1.1 PUrPOSe ordinance must be maintained for the life of the
A. The parking regulations of this article are intended principal use.
to help ensure that off-street parking facilities are F. Damage or Destruction
provided to meet the basic day-to-day needs of When a use that has been damaged or destroyed
shoppers, employees, visitors and residents while is re-established, off-street parking or loading
also avoiding the negative impacts that can result facilities must also be re-established or continued
from requiring excessive quantities of off-street in operation in an amount equal to the number
parking. maintained at the time of such damage or
B. The provisions of this article are also intended to destruction. It is not necessary, however, to restore
help protect the public health, safety and general or maintain parking or loading facilities in excess of
welfare by: those required by this zoning ordinance.
1. Promoting economically viable and beneficial use
of land; and 135-4.2 Motor Vehicle Parking ratios
2. Providing flexible methods of responding to the 4.2.1 DX DiStrictS
transportation and access demands of various A. Minimums. No minimum off-street motor vehicle
land uses in different areas of the city. parking ratios apply in DX districts.
4.1.2 APPlicABilitY 1 B. Maximums. Uses in DX districts may not provide
A. General parking in excess of the minimum motor vehicle
Off-street parking must be provided and maintained parking ratios established in Table 4.2-1, except
in accordance with the provisions of this article. as approved in accordance with the type 1 design
Unless otherwise expressly stated, the regulations exception procedures of section 135-6.2.2.
apply to all zoning districts and uses. 4.2.2 MX-1 AND MX-2 DiStrictS
B. New Uses and Development A. Minimums. Uses in MX1 and MX2 districts must
The parking regulations of this article apply to all new provide parking equal to 60% of the minimum
buildings constructed and all new uses established in parking ratios established in Table 4.2-1.
all zoning districts.
c. change of Use. If a new use of a building or B. Maximums. Uses in MX1 and MX2 districts may not
provide parking in excess of 120% of the minimum
structure requires more off-street parking than the motor vehicle parking ratios established in Table 4.2-
use that most recently occupied the building or 1.
structure, the new use must comply with the parking
requirements of this article. 4.2.3 OtHer DiStrictS
D. enlargements and expansions For uses in districts other than DX, MX-1 or MX-2, off-
1. The parking regulations of this article apply street motor vehicle parking spaces must be provided
in accordance with the minimum ratios established in
whenever an existing building or use is enlarged Table 4.2-1.
or expanded to include additional dwelling
units, floor area, seating capacity or other units
of measurement used in establishing off-street 4.2.4 AlterNAtiVe PArKiNG rAtiOS
parking requirements. The motor vehicle parking ratios of this section (135-
4.2) are not intended to be a barrier to development
2. In the case of enlargements or expansions that or redevelopment or to make development and
trigger requirements for additional parking, redevelopment economically impractical or negatively
additional spaces are required only to serve impact the viability of businesses. In order to allow for
the enlarged or expanded area, not the entire flexibility in addressing the actual expected parking
building or use. There is no requirement to demand of specific uses, alternatives to the motor
address parking deficits associated with existing, vehicle parking requirements of section 135-4.2.1,
lawfully established buildings or uses. 135-4.2.2and 135-4.2.3 may be approved through the
type 1 design exception procedures of section 135-6.2.
1 These provisions, added for clarity, are mostly new. In reviewing requests for authorization of alternative

CITY OF DES MOINES CHAPTER 135: PLANNING AND DESIGN DRAFT 135-4-3