Panel: Fewer spots needed per customer
SOMERS POINT — Somers Point is considering easing parking requirements for restaurants in its commercial districts.
City Council President Janice Johnston reported April 13 that the Parking Committee is recommending changing the ratio of spaces required per restaurant seat.
In a letter to City Administrator Jason Frost, city engineer Greg Schneider stated his office investigated whether changing the number of seats requiring an on-site, off-street parking space from three to five is appropriate and consistent with engineering and planning standards. It would pertain only to the Highway Commercial-1, Highway Commercial-2, General Business and Transient Commercial zones.
Schneider recommends changing the requirement to one parking space for each five seats, an increase of 66 percent.
“Ours is one of the most restrictive and requires the most parking spots per seat,” Schneider said. “After investigating current ordinances, it was found that one to three seats is outdated by today’s standards.”
He said more people are taking Uber and other services, as well as finding alternative ways to get to their destination.
“Due to the increase in ride-sharing services and a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly city, the current on-site parking requirements are outdated and are not consistent with neighboring municipalities,” Schneider said during the City Council meeting.
He said Somers Point’s regulations are stricter than many other local municipalities, including Ocean City, Margate, Cape May and Wildwood.
Ocean City has no requirements, while one spot for every four seats is required in Cape May and Wildwood and one for every five in Margate, which is seen as more of a competitor for business than the others.
“In summary, the proposed change in off-street parking for restaurants to one space for each five seats devoted to service is appropriate and consistent with engineering and planning standards,” Schneider said.
Councilman Sean McGuigan said the change would put city restaurants on a level playing field with those in other towns.
“Present and future restaurants are at a competitive disadvantage,” he said.
Johnston said the Somers Point Business Association supports the change and that she wanted to move forward at the next meeting.
City solicitor Tom Smith said it would have to wait until the city passes its new zoning matrix ordinance, which was introduced April 12 and sets new standards for various zones throughout the city.
Smith said the ordinance would need to be reviewed by the Planning Board to determine if it conforms with the master plan.
Councilman Howard Dill suggested also getting the blessing of the Economic Development Advisory Commission.
City Council hopes to introduced an ordinance with the changes in May.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff