TheWashCycle

MoCo Zoning Codes Update

Just like DC, Montgomery County is rewriting it's zoning codes, and DCMud reports that they're having a public meetings on April 20th and 21st to allow citizens to weigh in. I highly recommend attending.

Since 2008, the planning staff has been meeting with stakeholders, doing a little self-assessment and working with consultants to identify changes and additions. On April 20th and 21st the community will have the opportunity to participate in the Zoning Code Rewrite project.

The project looks to take a more nuanced approach to bike parking.

The bicycle parking standards are overly simply. Cyclists come in multiple varieties, and their needs are quite different. A bicycle commuter needs a locker and shower, while a biking shopper needs a rack near the front door. Standards should be set that reflect these various users.

So the new regulations should require enclosed bike parking and racks in direct relationship to demand to allow for customer and employee parking.

Currently bike parking is only required in large lots with at least 50 spaces, with 1 space per 20 cars and a maximum of 20 bike parking spaces.

The recommended change in commercial areas is to require bike spaces based on the number of employees AND require 1 bike parking space for every 10 auto spaces. It also recommends expanding the districts that require bike parking to include most commercial districts.

In a multifamily building, the current requirement is for 0.5 bicycle parking spaces per dwelling unit, with a minimum of 4 and maximum of 100 required spaces.

The recommended change is to require 1 bicycle parking space for every 2 auto spaces for any multifamily building of 8 units or more. 

Those are good, simple changes.

Proposed Zoning Change Will Tie Bike Parking to Space, not car parking

DC has changed the parking requirements in their zoning as mentioned here.

The District dumped its parking minimums last year, rewriting the zoning code for the first time in 50 years to set parking space according to demand in a particular neighborhood.

Previously, one bicycle parking space was required every 20 car spaces in new retail and office developments. But now, there will be fewer car spaces, so bike parking will be tied to the size of the structure. The proposed update will require the number of bicycle parking spaces in the table below for every 1000 square feet. Class A is indoor parking for residents and employees and can be bike rooms, lockers or bike cages. Class B is for visitors - bike racks - and must be within 50 feet of the entrance.

Use	Class A	Class B
Residential	1.0	0.05
Office	0.2	0.025
Retail	0.1	0.4
Service	0.1	0.4
Accommodation	0.05	0.025
Food Service	0.1	0.1
Entertainment	0.1	0.1
Arts Prod & Display	0.05	0.05
Institutional	0.05	0.1
Institutional - Education	0.5	0.5
PDR	0.1	0.05
Local Government	0.1	0.1
Local Government - Education	0.5	0.1
Other	0.1	0.1

No bicycle parking is required for a non-residential use with less than 4,000 square feet of gross floor area or a residential use with fewer than 9 units.

Buildings with more than 50,000 square feet will be required to provide showers. And 3 lockers are required for every 10 bike parking spaces.

The proposed update would also ban condominiums and co-ops from banning bikes inside units.

I was recently informed that I can no longer bring my bike into my office for safety reasons. Sigh...

Support Better Bike Parking at DC Zoning Commission

The Zoning Commission is now considering updates to DC's parking regulations, which date back to 1958, and will hold a public hearing on Thursday, July 31, 2008. These changes will ensure our city grows to be even more bikeable, walkable, and green.   The hearing will take place at 441 4th Street NW starting at 6:30.  To sign up to testify contact Sharon Schellin at 202-727-6311.  Take action>>

You may recall that last year the DC Council passed legislation that would dramatically improve bike parking at commercial and residential developments throughout the city.  That legislation must now be incorporated into the zoning code.  Among the changes being proposed are:

1) doubling the amount of bike parking required in commercial garages
2) requiring bike parking in new residential buildings
3) mandate bike parking at schools, rec centers, transit centers and houses of worship To see the proposed changes, please pages 27-29 here:

While most of the proposed changes are very good, a few things have been left out.  WABA is also recommending that the following be added:

1) bike parking should be also added to libraries and outdoor recreation centers
2) car sharing lots should have bike parking and car sharing poles should have hoop racks included
3) the number of bike racks per classroom at schools should be doubled.
4) building managers of commercial spaces should not be allowed to ban bikes from offices if the office manager approves
5) bike parking spaces in commercial buildings should be tied to square footage if car parking requirements are reduced

At the same time the Zoning Commission is also considering a significant revision to vehicle parking requirements that could have a positive impact on bicycling.  These changes would:

•    Make our city more pedestrian and cyclist friendly by reducing the number of parking lots and driveways.
•    Require more bike parking and car sharing spaces.
•    Stop city resources and money from being diverted to parking - underground spots can cost up to $50,000 each.
•    Make some housing more affordable. By not requiring developers to built a minimum amount of parking, the cost of parking won't automatically be rolled into the price of each condo.

For more information from our Friends at the Coalition for Smarter Growth, please click here.

Why Parking Matters to Us

The location and amount of parking has a big effect on driving habits, traffic, air quality, and the urban fabric of our city. But DC's current suburban-style parking regulations have resulted in huge parking lots and garages that encourage more driving and traffic.

WABA urges you to write the zoning commission to support both bike parking changes and the overall changes to DC parking policy.