Kettering Planning Commission recommends code change to ease rules for standalone parking lots

The Kettering Planning Commission on Nov. 17 voted unanimously to recommend that City Council amend section 11.37.06.18 of the City of Kettering zoning code to introduce greater flexibility for standalone surface parking lots in and near commercial districts.

City Planner Dave Roller told the commission staff was proposing three changes: (1) clarify the locational requirement by defining “adjacent” as within 200 feet of a major street; (2) correct terminology so setback rules align with pattern districts rather than an outdated zoning-district reference; and (3) revise access rules so the commission may approve access points on a case-by-case basis rather than limiting access to major streets only. “Adjacent means it’s within 200 feet of that major street,” Roller said, and staff recommended forwarding the amendment for City Council review.

Roller explained the access-change rationale with practical factors the commission should weigh: the parking lot’s size and number of spaces, typical customer turnover, distances to intersections and other access points, whether an access would direct traffic into residential windows, the risk of creating cut-through traffic, and the city engineer’s recommendation on traffic-safety implications. He cited a recent Blueberry Cafe proposal that sought access onto Glenmore instead of Dorothy because an available alley was one-way; under the prior code the option had effectively been prohibited.

Vice Chair Ray Waskey moved the commission forward a recommendation to City Council incorporating staff’s report; the motion text referenced an application from Thomas Robillard, director of planning and development. The motion carried on a roll-call vote: Waskey yes; Lackey yes; Fisher yes; Rathman yes; Irbis yes.

The commission’s action is a recommendation to City Council; the council will consider the proposed amendment in a future meeting. If adopted by council, the change would make it easier in some cases for businesses to locate off-street parking and for the commission to allow access onto side streets or intersections where doing so meets the commission’s listed factors and the city engineer’s safety guidance.