Joint Use Parking Law Tentatively OKd by Council

In an effort to help business owners and developers solve the increasing problem of providing parking in limited space, the Los Alamitos City Council this week tentatively approved an ordinance that will allow so-called “joint use parking” in non-residential areas.

Although city code currently allows joint or shared use of parking spaces, it does not spell out how it is to be done. The ordinance “lays out everything,” said Community Development Analyst Bruce Barrette.

The council is expected to adopt the ordinance on Feb. 22.

Under the ordinance, the city may relax strict parking requirements if it is shown that adjoining businesses could still provide adequate parking during peak periods. Barrette said this could be easily accomplished because most businesses do not open at the same time.

As an example, he cited the case of a restaurant that wants to expand but cannot because of limited parking. If it’s located close to a doughnut shop, which opens only in the morning, he said the restaurant may be allowed to expand if it opens at noon and can work out a plan to use the parking spots allotted for the doughnut shop customers.

Businesses close to a church can also use the church’s parking spaces in days that the church is not open, he said.

However, Barrette said applicants for joint parking permits must provide a parking management plan that ensures sufficient parking spaces during peak periods.

In addition, requests for shared parking permits must be submitted to the Planning Commission, which will conduct public hearings on the request.