Purpose

The purpose of this section is to ensure that adequate, but not excessive, off-street parking is provided for new developments, including reuse, intensification, or expansion of existing structures. The minimum and maximum off-street parking requirements described in this section were developed in recognition that (a) Central Falls is a densely developed city that includes residential neighborhoods and a mix of commercial, institutional, manufacturing, recreational, and other uses within a compact area characterized by narrow streets and scarce availability of undeveloped land, (b) off-street parking adds to the cost of development and reduces the availability of land for housing, open space, and other desirable uses, (c) there are health and other quality of life benefits associated with urban environments that prioritize people over motor vehicles, (d) using public transit is more affordable than owning a personal vehicle and is beneficial for the environment, (e) many people rely on use of personal vehicles to access employment, critical services, and other locations that are not readily accessible by other means, and (f) vehicles enable customers, employees, and deliveries to reach local businesses.

While it is the intent of this section to require minimum off-street parking and loading facilities to relieve congestion on the city's streets, excessive paving of land that supplies significantly more than the minimum numbers of spaces is discouraged. In furtherance of avoiding excessive paving, parking maximums have been established for some circumstances as described herein.

(Ord. of 12-8-25(1), § 1)