JACKSON, Wyo. — The Jackson Town Council voted on July 17 to direct staff to create an ordinance to amend land development regulations (LDR) related to bike parking for future developments.
The LDR amendments were proposed by the Pathways Department and are aimed at, “promoting biking as a viable transportation option” and to “encourage stopping and spending time and resources at local businesses.”
Existing bike parking requirements state that all nonresidential properties must provide on-site parking for non-motorized vehicles at a ratio of one space for every 10 vehicle spaces. The Pathways department sees this regulation as insufficient to meet the demand.
The current standard also does not apply to any residential use, including multi-unit residential buildings or residential uses within a mixed-use building.
The new regulations will create LDRs for short-term and long-term bike parking and will include regulations for nonresidential and residential units with three or more units per lot.
According to the staff report, long-term parking is typically provided in an enclosed and secure area to protect from weather exposure and theft. Short-term parking would be like traditional bike racks, usually for one to two-hour use and in a visible, publicly accessible area. In some cases, bike racks in the public right of way will be considered for short-term compliance.
Pathways coordinator Brian Schilling clarified that the LDR update will not create a non-compliance issue for existing developments.
The proposed LDR amendment includes details on the type of use and long-term and short-term requirements.
For example, a residential unit with more than three bedrooms will be required to provide one long-term bike parking space per bedroom. Short-term rentals will be required to provide one bike parking spot per bedroom, with 50% of the spaces being short-term and 50% being long-term. A restaurant/bar will be required to create one bike parking space per 20 seats with the first three being short-term and the remaining spots being long-term.
The proposal also introduces engineering guidelines for bicycle rack designs and installation requirements to be added as an exhibit to the Town of Jackson Utility Standards.
According to the staff report, the proposed amendment would also introduce flexibility in applying the bicycle parking requirement, to be approved by the Planning Director, for a reduction of required vehicle spaces in exchange for bicycle parking spaces and for converting existing vehicle parking spaces to bicycle spaces.
The Council voted unanimously to direct staff to update the LDRs. An ordinance will be brought back before the Council for three readings before the LDRs are amended.
