HomeMy WebLinkAbout221 E. MOUNTAIN AVENUE - BASIC DEVELOPMENT REVIEW - BDR160011 - CORRESPONDENCE - BIKE PLANJune 9, 2016
Bicycle Parking Discussion — 221 E. Mountain Avenue
Background
This conversation is applicable to most development projects we are seeing in downtown. Downtown is
targeted for infill and redevelopment with zero -lot -line site plans to match the character of commercial
and retail/restaurant frontage along the pedestrian sidewalk as seen in downtown. This provides a
challenge to the on -site placement of bicycle parking to serve the ground floor retail/restaurant uses.
Historically, bike parking for these uses is provided as bike racks on the sidewalk (ROW). However, we
are seeing a greater demand for sidewalk space. And, for a couple reasons, we are challenged to allow
developers to meet their bike parking requirement with use of the ROW: The ROW is subject to change
and bike parking could thus be removed and take the project out of compliance, and development is
required to absorb their impacts and meet standards on -site.
Land Use Code
Section 3.2.2(C)(4) outlines minimum bike parking requirements based on land use and divided by
"fixed" (traditional rack) and "enclosed". But, it doesn't address location in terms of in front of a
commercial businesses that would intuitively serve their patron or in more "back -of -house" locations for
residential and office uses. This typically works itself out when the project is not a zero -lot -line
development in downtown. Additionally, this section allows for alternative compliance plan with a lower
number of bike parking spaces that needs to be justified as meeting the purpose of the section equally
well or better than a plan that complies.
Options
1. Status Quo: Developer provides bike parking where possible on the site and requests that the
City install additional bike parking in the ROW
2. Alternative compliance: An applicant requests alternative compliance for less bike parking than
is required justified by additional bike parking in the ROW but not counted toward their
provided total. The City would install the bike racks — as is currently the practice.
3. Developer requirement: The developer could be required to provide bike parking in the ROW in
the same manner as other public improvements. Changes to LCUASS would have to be made.
4. Create a bike parking fee -in -lieu: The developer would pay the commensurate amount for bike
parking in the ROW to satisfy their requirement (for bike parking appropriate in the ROW). The
City would then install bike parking in appropriate locations.