Summary
Update of Parking Requirements
for Unincorporated Lee County
Parking regulations for unincorporated Lee County were codified in 1986 as part of the Zoning Regulations. Other than occasional minor amendments, this is the first comprehensive review of these regulations. In addition to a review of nationwide parking trends and studies, this update was prompted by:
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Growing national and local interest in sustainable, compact communities
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Environmental benefits of requiring less impervious pavement
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Inclusion of new trends, such as mixed-use development
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Importance of streamlined regulations
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Implementation of the Lee Plan update
What will change?
The changes to the parking regulations will, in many cases, result in a decreased number of required parking spaces and in others, it will remain the same. One major change is to provide incentives for mixed-use developments where the minimum required spaces for each use will, in most cases, decrease.
Some specific highlights include:
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A new "multiple-use" category
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Would replace current, cumbersome shared parking provisions
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Would reduce required spaces based on the theory that parking demand varies with different uses, so spaces can be shared
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Options to further reduce the amount of required parking administratively – including proximity to transit, boat parking, connection to bicycle and pedestrian facilities, golf cart parking, availability and proximity of parking facilities, and parking demand studies
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A maximum parking rate for commercial, industrial and mixed-use parking lots of 80 or more spaces
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Streamlining the codes so they are more user-friendly
How were changes considered?
Proposed changes were presented for Lee County Commissioners during a Management and Planning Meeting and have been reviewed by the Executive Regulatory Oversight Committee, Land Development Code Advisory Committee and Local Planning Agency. Public hearing dates for the adoption of the proposed amendments by the Board of County Commissioners were held on August 28, 2012 and September 11, 2012.
For additional information, contact Mikki Rozdolski by e-mail at MRozdolski@leegov.com or by phone at (239) 533-8317 or Rob Price by e-mail at RPrice@leegov.com or by phone at (239) 533-8355.
Additional Information
Ordinance No. 12-20 (Adopted 9-11-12)
Management & Planning PowerPoint Presentation