Item 1: Ordinances on Infill Compatibility Standards Code Amendments

Home Browse Search

Tandem parking is where two motor vehicles park nose-to-end in tandem. The first motor vehicle does not have independent access, and the second motor vehicle must move to provide access to the first motor vehicle. Currently, EC 9.6410 on Motor Vehicle Parking Standards does not recognize tandem parking. The appropriate use of tandem parking directly off alleys could be used to more efficiently provide a minimum number of required off-street parking spaces. For a unit with three or more bedrooms, the tenants sharing the dwelling unit can make arrangements to move vehicles when necessary. So a tandem parking space should only be allowed to meet the minimum off-street parking requirements for each unit with 3 or more bedrooms. The depth of a tandem parking space should be such that a compact and a regular vehicle can park in the space without having to protrude into the alley. Tandem parking should be restricted so that it does not impose on the street face and frontage of a parcel, placing more parking on the street. The goal is that building (eyes to the street) not parking be located at the ground floor on the street frontage. So tandem parking should not be allowed a minimum distance from the public street right-of- way. An additional problem with off-street parking occurs on alleys of 15 feet width or less Off-street parking perpendicular (90 degrees) and directly off the alley can result in vehicles protruding into the alley. As infill increases, adjacent alleys become more heavily used by pedestrians, bicyclists, residents for access, and service vehicles. It is also important that alleys are clear for fire and other emergency vehicles for safety. An alley width of 20 feet is normally considered the turn out space required for backing out of a parking space. With an alley of 14' feet in width, this can be a problem if there is a fence, building, or alley parking located across the alley from the alley parking. If the equivalent of a 3-foot backout space was required for alley parking, this would help resolve this issue. Many multifamily developments already provide an equivalent backout space for alley parking. Off-street parking can also be leased from nearby multifamily or commercial developments that have excess parking. However, clear and objective criteria for code compliance of leased parking is not fully specified in the current code. There is also an inability to enforce any leased parking agreements, since the leased parking spaces are not currented marked or signed. Background Information and Current Code on Off-Street Parking Criteria Tandem parking off an alley is not currently recognized as a method to meet the minimum off- street parking requirements for multifamily development. Some recent developments have provided tandem parking, but the Eugene land use code does not recognize these as parking spaces when calculating off-street parking provided. In the past, Eugene code administration used to require a backup or backout space buffer when off-street parking is provided directly off an alley. This no longer is the case. The code requirements in EC 9.6410 on Motor Vehicle Parking Standards do not specify any special criteria for off-street parking directly off an alley. Expected Outcomes of Changes to Off-Street Parking Criteria Multifamily developments will be better able to provide adequate off-street parking directly off of alleys in R-3 and R-4 zones. The changes proposed do not affect the densities that can be achieved. The off-street parking provided on alleys will not result in vehicles protruding into the Multi-Dwelling Infill Committee Parking Recommendations - April 6, 2009 Page 7