§ 18.99

Parking structures are an efficient and economical option to providing parking without acquiring additional land for surface parking. Each parking structure design must consider architectural compatibility, size, scale, and bulk as it relates to both on-site and off-site adjacent properties in conjunction with the overall design of the project. This chapter shall be referenced for the development and design standards of all above and below ground parking structures within the city.

(Ord. No. 2920, § 1, 2-10-09)

Unless stated otherwise within this chapter, the parking structure shall comply will all signage, design and development standards of the Specific Plan or Whittier Municipal Code for the zoning classification of the property that it is developed on subject to the review and approval of a development review application by the planning commission.

(Ord. No. 2920, § 1, 2-10-09)

18.99.030 - Location.

A.

Each parking structure design shall consider architectural compatibility, size, scale, bulk and its relationship to the structures immediately adjacent to it.

B.

Parking structures that are located immediately adjacent to sensitive receptors such as residential uses, elementary/high schools, or parks, shall incorporate appropriate setbacks, massing, and screening mitigation.

(Ord. No. 2920, § 1, 2-10-09)

18.99.040 - Setbacks and development standards.

A.

Parking structures shall comply with the setback and development requirements identified for the zoning classification it is built in.

B.

The approval authority may modify the setback requirements, as deemed necessary, for aesthetic and land use compatibility purposes, subject to the approval of a conditional use permit.

C.

Structures that immediately abut property zoned, used or designated on the General Plan for residential purposes shall provide a fifteen-foot minimum landscape setback adjacent to that use.

(Ord. No. 2920, § 1, 2-10-09)

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The maximum building height shall not exceed the permitted building height for the zoning classification on the property the parking structure is developed on. However, a conditional use permit may be approved by the planning commission for any increase over the maximum building height, up to nine feet, to accommodate decorative mechanical equipment enclosures, elevator shafts, parapet walls/screens, light poles, roof top trellises etc.

Setback parking structures on street sides

(Ord. No. 2920, § 1, 2-10-09)

A.

The internal driveways, ramps and circulation pattern within all parking structures shall comply with the following standards:

1.

The maximum vehicle ramp grade shall not exceed twelve percent, with minimum twelve-foot long transitions (not exceeding five percent) at the top and bottom of the ramp.

2.

The maximum cross slope of a driveway or ramp shall not exceed ten percent when parking on a ramp is provided; the maximum ramp grade shall not exceed five percent.

3.

Grade differentials shall not exceed 9.5 degrees at ramp break-over.

4.

Any deviation from the provisions listed within this section, shall require the prior review and approval of the director of public works.

(Ord. No. 2920, § 1, 2-10-09)

The following standards apply to interior circulation and parking:

A.

All vehicular parking shall be designed with double striped stalls that are a minimum of nine feet wide by eighteen feet deep. However, when a parking stall is adjacent to a solid wall or column, the minimum parking stall width shall be ten feet wide.

B.

All one-way travel lanes within a parking structure shall be a minimum of twelve feet wide, and all two-way travel lane shall be a minimum of twenty-four feet wide. Each travel lane shall maintain a one-foot setback from the edge of all fixed objects over eighteen inches in height in addition to the minimum travel lane width.

C.

The minimum required vehicular back-up distance within a parking structure shall be twenty-five feet.

D.

A minimum two-foot wide concrete finger or barrier shall be constructed immediately between an end parking stall and an adjacent vehicular travel lane.

E.

All parking garages shall have an unobstructed headroom clearance of not less seven feet six inches above the finished floor to any ceiling, beam, pipe or similar obstruction.

F.

All entrances, transition ramps and vertical clearances within a parking structure shall have a uniform, minimum, vertical height clearance of eight fee two inches throughout the entire parking level where accessibility to parking spaces for persons with physical disabilities are provided.

G.

Vehicular circulation within the parking structure shall be continuous and uninterrupted at all levels. Deadend parking aisles or "hammerhead" type parking is prohibited. However, this provision shall not be applicable under the following circumstances:

1)

For any portion of a parking structure that is designed exclusively to accommodate assigned residential parking spaces.

2)

When the parking structure is designed with less than one hundred seventy-five parking spaces.

H.

All vehicular travel lanes shall be designed with an appropriate turning radius (as recommended by the city traffic engineer) so that all vehicular turning movements can be made by a large passenger vehicle without having to steer the vehicle into the on-coming lane of traffic to make a turn.

I.

Pedestrian pathways shall be visible and delineated from vehicle travel lane.

J.

There shall be no "blind spots" within the vehicular ramp or transition area.

K.

Elevator and stair shafts, mechanical rooms and similar visual disruptions located on the interior of each parking level shall be minimized to reduce their visibility.

L.

The number of vehicular access points to public streets shall be minimized. All entrances and exits shall be capable of closure after hours with a decorative wrought iron or roll down security gate.

M.

Each parking structure consisting of over one hundred parking stalls shall contain a separate area designated specifically for motorcycles parking and bicycles storage at the entry level into the parking structure. Bicycle security racks shall be provided to accommodate a minimum of twelve bicycles.

N.

When parking ticket dispensers or gated parking entrances into a parking structure are provided, the minimum vehicular queuing length behind the ticket dispenser or gate shall be determined by the approval authority based upon a recommendation made by an independent California licensed traffic engineer. Vehicular queuing shall not occur within the public right-of-way.

O.

All parking structure pay booth lanes shall provide a minimum vehicular queuing length of sixty feet behind the pay booth. The location of the pay booth shall be designed so as to not obstruct vehicular circulation within the parking structure.

P.

When a parking structure is used for both public and private (residential) parking, the private residential spaces shall be completely segregated from public parking spaces. However, common vehicular entrances and exits may be used for the parking structure so long as a visitor call box is provided prior to entering the residential parking area with a vehicular turnaround.

Q.

A curb or wheel stop, not less than six inches in height, shall be erected two feet from the front of the parking stall and any adjacent wall, structure, guard rail or walkway within a parking structure.

(Ord. No. 2920, § 1, 2-10-09)

18.99.080 - Lighting and illumination.

A.

A minimum of five foot-candles of illumination shall be provided inside the parking. Higher levels are recommended for remote areas subject to security considerations (e.g., stairways, elevators, and other pedestrian access points). Minimum illumination, levels measured from the adjacent finished floor, shall be as follows:

1.

Stairways and exits: five foot-candles

2.

Interior drive aisles, centerline: five foot-candles

3.

Interior parking at barrier railings: one foot-candle

4.

Roof parking areas: one foot-candle

B.

All exterior lighting fixtures on the parking structure shall have light shields to block light and glare from the public right-of-way and adjacent properties.

(Ord. No. 2920, § 1, 2-10-09)

A.

Exterior elevations shall be designed to minimize untreated facades. Long expanses of shear walls are not permitted.

B.

Exterior elevations shall be architecturally compatible with the architectural style, design, and materials of any principle on-site building located on the same property as the parking structure. The design shall also be aesthetically compatible with the adjacent off-site buildings.

(Ord. No. 2920, § 1, 2-10-09)

18.99.100 - Parking structure design—Interior.

A.

Interior walls and ceilings shall be painted a light color to improve illumination.

B.

All interior mechanical equipment and piping/conduits must be painted to match the interior of the structure.

C.

Where possible, elevators and stairs shall be located on the perimeter of the structure to provide natural surveillance from exterior public areas.

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D.

Stairwells must be integrated within the footprint of the parking structure, unless designed specifically as a decorative architectural feature of the building.

E.

All solid stairwell doors shall provide viewing panels. Blind corners in stairwells shall be eliminated through the use of convex mirrors.

Elevators and stairs should be visible from public areas.

F.

To provide maximum visibility, stairwells must be open to the interior and at least partially open at the exterior of the structure.

G.

Stairwells must exit out onto a public street or pedestrian courtyard.

(Ord. No. 2920, § 1, 2-10-09)

18.99.110 - Landscaping, screening and amenities.

A.

All parking structure setbacks shall be densely landscaped. However, such requirements may be modified or eliminated by the approval authority if the parking structure is designed to be integrated as part of a pedestrian plaza area.

B.

Landscaping shall not obstruct ventilation or other required openings on the exterior of the structure.

C.

A plaza/courtyard area is encouraged as part of the parking structure design with amenities that facilitate pedestrian use such as seating areas, objects of art, water features, decorative lighting, and landscape planters providing annual color.

D.

A decorative designed trellis may be incorporated into the building design where blank walls occur on the structure. The trellis material shall be constructed of decorative and durable materials to enable vines to attach themselves for support. The trellis area should cover a minimum of sixty percent of the blank wall.

E.

All appurtenances (i.e., transformers, ventilation shafts, etc.) shall be located outside of all required setbacks and shall be screened from public view.

F.

Trees and plant material shall consist of minimum thirty-six-inch box trees and fifteen-gallon shrubs. When Palm trees are used, a minimum twelve to fifteen feet brown trunk height shall be required. An automatic irrigation system shall be designed to provide deep watering for trees, shrubs and vines along with moisture sensors to monitor and minimize water usage.

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A.

A master sign plan shall be developed for all interior and exterior signage associated with a parking structure, including vehicular and pedestrian directional signage. Such signage and graphics for

The use of trees, shrubs, and vines are encouraged along the perimeter of the structure.

parking structures shall be consistent, harmonious and visually related through the incorporation of common design elements.

B.

Exterior signs shall be consistent with any master sign program on the property.

C.

Directional arrows and signage indicating exits, elevators, and emergency buzzers/telephones must be visibly displayed on walls.

D.

Directional signage shall be provided at the ingress and egress to all parking structures to indicate permitted vehicular turning movements.

E.

Directional signage in stairwells shall be provided to orient the pedestrian to adjacent activities and facilities.

(Ord. No. 2920, § 1, 2-10-09)

A.

Subterranean parking lots shall maintain lighting during all hours of operation. Vandal resistant covers shall protect lighting devices.

B.

For public protection, parking structures shall be designed to facilitate public visibility into the structure to dissuade criminal activity.

C.

Surveillance cameras shall be installed along each level of the parking structure to discourage criminal activity. These cameras shall utilize web-based/DSL/Broadband technology, which can be viewed remotely by the Whittier Police Department. The storage of images shall be kept a minimum of thirty days after being taken and made available, upon request, to the Whittier Police Department.

D.

The parking structure shall be adequately secured when it is closed for parking to prevent unauthorized trespassing and to discourage criminal activity.

E.

"No Loitering" signs shall be placed at the entrance into the parking structure and on each parking level in a conspicuous public place.

F.

Garage stairwells at ground level shall be fully enclosed and designed to provide maximum interior visibility of the stairwell. The enclosure shall be equipped with a control in/free out form of access control when residential parking spaces are to be located within the parking garage.

(Ord. No. 2920, § 1, 2-10-09)

A.

Activities such as shops, offices, or other commercial space can be incorporated along the ground level of the parking structure, where appropriate, or as liner buildings that are designed for retail, office or residential use, if appropriately zoned to do so.

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Parking structure with retail on the ground level can be articulated in a manner to lessen the appearance or mass and bulk.

B.

Trash enclosures shall not be placed adjacent to points of pedestrian or vehicular access. All trash enclosures located within the footprint of the parking structure must be fully enclosed with view obscuring, durable, metal gates.

C.

Each new parking structure is encouraged to incorporate design features that are environmentally friendly (i.e., shade structures, motion light sensors, energy cells, etc.) and aesthetically compatible with the building design.

(Ord. No. 2920, § 1, 2-10-09)