City Council Considering Parking Lot Rules Change

Avon city council is considering an ordinance that would allow fast food restaurants with drive-thru windows to have fewer parking spaces.

Council has heard two readings of the ordinance. The ordinance will have a public hearing at 7:20 p.m June 13, just before the regular meeting of council.

Currently, the requirement is one parking spot for every two seats in a fast food restaurant. The requirement would be cut by 50 percent for fast food businesses with drive-thrus.

The move is business-friendly and reflects the reality of fast food businesses today, said planning coordinator Jim Piazza.

"Industry figures reported that 75 to 80 percent of business at fast food places with drive-thrus is at the window," Piazza said. Traffic engineering reports have backed that up, he added.

But there's a catch.

There still has to be enough land on the lot to expand parking for future needs of the site. And that land can't be dedicated greenspace.

"Businesses change," Piazza said. "This way, if a fast food restaurant leaves and another business like a more sit-down restaurant comes in, they can add the required parking. It means the land is more versatile and valuable. We don't want a bunch of lots that can only be drive-thru businesses and nothing else."