Title
Amend City Code - Public Hearing and Ordinance Adoption - Parking Improvements Text Amendment - Z-TA-6-14 (Ordinance G-6304)
Description
Request to hold a public hearing on a proposed Zoning Ordinance text amendment regarding parking improvements for parking restaurant/bar recreational outdoor area standards and to consider adopting the Downtown, Aviation, Economy and Innovation Subcommittee recommendation along with the related Ordinance.
Application: Z-TA-6-14
Request: Parking Improvements Text Amendment
Proposal: Amend Chapter 2, Section 202, Chapter 7, Section 702.C. of the Phoenix Zoning Ordinance to establish parking standards for restaurant/bar outdoor recreation areas and amend Section 702.E. to modify parking reductions within the infill district and add limited parking reductions for commercial developments.
Applicant: City of Phoenix Planning Commission
Representative: Planning and Development Department
Staff: Approval per the Downtown, Aviation, Economy and Innovation Subcommittee recommendation.
Report
Summary
The intent of this proposed text amendment is to establish parking standards for restaurant/bar outdoor recreation areas, modify parking reductions within the infill district and add limited parking reductions for commercial developments to address neighborhood impacts (see Attachment D).
In 2014, neighbors near The Yard restaurant (located at the southwest corner of 7th Street and Montebello Avenue) raised concerns regarding customers parking on residential streets, cut-through traffic and traffic congestion. In response to these concerns, a Parking Standards Study Group was created to collaboratively research how other cities handle this issue and analyze commercial parking for businesses that impact neighborhoods. The members included neighborhood representatives, design professionals, commercial developers and staff from several City departments. The mission of the Parking Standards Study Group was to propose new policy that can assist in minimizing the impacts on the community while also supporting the needs of businesses to serve their customers.
In addition to the text amendment, additional improvements that are being recommended include: 1) updating the language in the Zoning Adjustment Packet, 2) providing standard stipulation language to the Zoning Adjustment Hearing Officers to assist their decision when a use permit or variance involves a reduced parking request and 3) provide a new valet parking policy. These improvements will increase communication and transparency as it relates to parking issues.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
Fourteen Village Planning Committees (VPC) have heard this request and one VPC did not hear this request due to lack of quorum. Ten of the VPCs approved the amendment as proposed by staff and four VPCs denied the request as summarized in Attachment C. The Planning Commission heard this case on Feb. 2, 2017 and recommended approval with the exception of Sections 702.E.9.a and 702.E.10 regarding the on-street parking provisions with direction to staff to continue to work on the on-street parking provisions by a vote of 7-0 as summarized in Attachment B. The Downtown, Aviation, Economy and Innovation Subcommittee heard this request on March 1, 2017 and recommended denial of Z-TA-6-14 as filed and approved modified language removing new on-street parking provisions in Sections 702.E.9.a and 702.E.10. by a 4-0 vote.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Planning and Development Department.