DEAL TO LIMIT CHANGES IN PARKING SPOTS.Byline: Angela M. Lemire Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - The city has nixed a plan to require larger parking slots to accommodate sport-utility vehicles sport-u·til·i·ty vehicle n. Abbr. SUV A four-wheel-drive vehicle with a roomy body, designed for off-road travel. and at the same time dropped a requirement for compact spaces. The SUV proposal had drawn opposition from builders who would lose extra land to parking. The proposed changes are included in Santa Clarita's updated unified development code, set for City Council consideration. Under the amendment, parking spaces in new commercial developments would be a standard 9 feet by 18 feet. A requirement that 20 percent of slots be compact parking spaces would be dropped. One exception would apply to office buildings, which would be able to set aside the compact spaces, with the city Planning city planning, process of planning for the improvement of urban centers in order to provide healthy and safe living conditions, efficient transport and communication, adequate public facilities, and aesthetic surroundings. Department's approval. Officials reasoned that office buildings typically generate less traffic than other commercial buildings, such as retail shops, banks or libraries. City planners, engineers and building safety staff members had sought larger parking spaces in response to increased sales of sport-utility vehicles. Council members said residents had begun complaining that parking spaces around Santa Clarita were too tight for larger vehicles. But City Planning Manager Vince Bertoni said opposition from the building community, including The Newhall Land and Farming Company The Newhall Land and Farming Company is a land management company based in Valencia, California, United States. The company is responsible for the master community planning of Valencia, as well as the management of farm land elsewhere in the state. , Building Industry Association and Coldwell Banker, brought about the compromise to limit changes to parking spaces. Bigger parking spaces would require builders to reserve more land for parking and less for actual buildings. Ray Pearle, deputy director of the BIA BIA abbr. Bureau of Indian Affairs , has said builders closely monitor such changes at county and state levels, because the cumulative result of larger parking lots increases builders' costs. The parking space amendment, along with roughly 200 changes to the unified development code, will be previewed by the council Feb. 8. The amended a·mend v. a·mend·ed, a·mend·ing, a·mends v.tr. 1. To change for the better; improve: amended the earlier proposal so as to make it more comprehensive. 2. codes largely consist of clarified language and reflect updated state laws. Other significant changes include a permit requirement for auto repair businesses within commercial zones, tighter restrictions on home businesses and the addition of definitions for ``assisted living as·sist·ed living n. A living arrangement in which people with special needs, especially older people with disabilities, reside in a facility that provides help with everyday tasks such as bathing, dressing, and taking medication. facility,'' ``homeless shelter'' and ``extended stay motel.'' Proposed amendments to the unified development code have undergone public hearings before the City Council since November. For parking space sizes, staff members also studied existing regulations in 20 California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). communities. |
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