Workshop reviews proposed off-street parking amendment; planners recommend walking-distance measurement

Dalton, planning staff, presented a proposed amendment to Gatlinburg's off-street parking regulation at a workshop, explaining planning commission recommendations to modify the distance standard and clarify how walking distance would be measured.

What staff proposed: Dalton said planning recommended changing a 75-foot standard to 100 feet, clarifying the meaning of "adjacent to" and "across the street," and specifying that the measurement be the walking distance along public thoroughfares (excluding private sidewalks). He illustrated multiple hypothetical parcel configurations to show when off-site parking would or would not comply under the proposed standard.

Why it matters: The change would affect whether hotels, tourist rentals and other principal uses may rely on off-site parking lots and garages to meet parking requirements. Staff said the proposed…