Shared
Parking Between Occupancies
Where compatible
occupancies within mixed-use buildings and development projects allow
sharing of parking stalls, impervious parking areas and "heat-island"
effects can be reduced.
Mixing compatible
and complementary occupancies within a development can reduce the
number of car trips, because occupants are more likely to find it
convenient to walk to nearby services. Mixes of residential with commercial
or retail occupancies tend to be the most compatible.
Different occupancies
often have parking demands that differ with the time of day or week.
This allows sharing of parking spaces between occupancies, reducing
the site area dedicated to car storage. Potential is often greatest
for visitor parking, and for residential mixed with commercial or
retail occupancies. If parking area can be reduced, there are more
opportunities for natural landscaping and creative site planning.
Provide signage
that clearly identifies when different users may use shared parking
spaces.
Cautions
- Fewer on-site
parking spaces can increase the potential for greater pressure on
street parking. Reducing parking allowances should be reviewed with
City Planning Department early in the design process.
- Sharing parking
facilities requires cooperation between building occupancies and
from planners.
