[CMI-CM] Green space/bike parking proposals I'm working on (fwd)

[Molly Stentz]

At tonight's Urbana City Council meeting, there will be discussion on
reducing the amount of car parking mandated by the city and increasing the
amount of bike parking. Everyone is encouraged to come give our 2-wheeled
2 cents.

Monday 7:30pm - Urbana City Building on Vine St @ Green St

See you there,
-Molly

***************************************
Molly Stentz, Coordinator
Computer Learning and Mentoring Center
115 W. Main Street, Second Floor  *  Urbana, IL 
217.278.3933  *  www.clamcenter.org


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 26 Nov 2000 22:16:50 -0800
From: ISEN/Laura Huth <isen at prairienet.org>
To: lhuth at prairienet.org
Subject: Green space/bike parking proposals I'm working on

URBANA TO STUDY GREEN SPACES

By The News-Gazette

Commercial developers in Urbana may soon have the option of creating 
fewer parking spaces in exchange for more green space. Urbana City 
Council member Laura Huth is leading the effort in an attempt to make 
business areas within the city more attractive.

Under the proposed changes, which will be discussed by the city 
council Monday night, a developer can request a 30% reduction in the 
number of parking spaces in exchange for creating and maintaining the 
undeveloped area as open green space. Often the amount of parking 
provided by larger commercial developments is more than is needed. 
Huth points to Schnucks on Vine as an example. The 24-hour grocery 
store could be more inviting to passers-by if it weren't for the "sea 
of parking," she said. The ordinance change would give Schnucks and 
other commercial developers an option.

"Parking lot requirements for shopping centers are not calculated on 
the basis of how many visits would be made on a normal day, but on 
how many visits are made on the busiest days," Paul Lindahl, city 
planning intern, wrote in a memo to the plan commission. Also 
included in the proposed zoning-ordinance changes slated for council 
discussion are options to reduce and increase the number of bicycle 
racks, depending on the situation.

Currently, at least four bicycle spots are required for parking lots 
of 10 or more spaces, regardless of expected demand or land use. The 
minimum does not increase as the lot size or demand increases.

"In practice, this places a possibly unfair burden on the owner of a 
small commercial enterprise who must fund room to provide a bicycle 
rack regardless of lot size or customer base," the memo states. "At 
the same time, a large apartment complex catering to students or 
another use attracting bicycle riders would need to provide parking 
for only four bicycles."

The proposed changes for nonresidential developments include that a 
maximum number of 25 bike parking spots would be needed only where 20 
or more automobile spaces are required. The number of bike spots 
could be reduced to up to 50 percent by the zoning administrator if 
the business showed the need.

Currently, bike racks are required to be located on a paved surface. 
The plan commission and city staff welcomed changing the requirement 
to include crushed rock, wood chips and other materials.

The proposed changes will be discussed by the city council during its 
committee meeting at 7:30 pm tonight (Monday) at the City Building, 
400 S. Vine St.