Title
Ordinance - Public Hearing and First and Final Reading to Consider Proposed Amendments of Title XV of the Mansfield, Texas Code of Ordinances, Entitled “Land Usage”, relating to Accessible Parking Regulations of Section 155.091, Entitled “Off-Street Parking and Loading Standards”; by Amending the Regulations of Subsection (D)(9), Entitled “Identification” of Section 155.091; Providing for the Repeal of all Ordinances in Conflict; Providing for a Severability Clause; Providing a Penalty of Fine Not to Exceed the Sum of Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000.00) for Each Offense; and Providing for an Effective Date (OA#24-004)
Requested Action
To consider the draft text amendments
Recommendation
The Planning and Zoning Commission met on April 15, 2024, and voted 4 to 0 (with three absences) to recommend approval of the text amendments as presented.
Vote:
Ayes: 4 - Mainer, Axen, Bennett, and Moses
Nays: 0
Absent: 3 - Thompson, Goodwin, and Shaw
The Department of Planning and Development Services recommends approval of the text amendments as presented.
Description/History
The Department of Planning and Development Services --- in coordination with the Department of Regulatory Compliance and the Department of Public Safety --- recognizes the importance of providing accessible parking spaces for the general public. In response to recent State Legislative actions, these three (3) departments have led the charge to enforce standards for accessible parking and to ensure that accessible parking spaces are appropriately designed and signed.
Towards that end, this amendment is specifically intended to update the provisions set forth in the Mansfield Zoning Ordinance (i.e., Section 155.091, Off-street parking and loading standards) and to ensure that the provisions related to the accessible parking are consistent with State Legislature actions and is consistent with other various codes, ordinances, and regulations enforced by the Department of Regulatory Compliance and the Department of Public Safety, also as set forth in the Mansfield Code of Ordinances.
The ordinance amendment is intended to bring the specific provisions of Section 155.091, Off-street parking and loading standards, into compliance with Section 681.009(b) of the Texas Transportation Code, as amended. The provisions set forth in Section 681.009(b) of the Texas Transportation Code, as amended, regulate the Designation of Parking Spaces by Political Subdivision or Private Property Owner.
As drafted, the ordinance amendment would require property owners to have appropriate and lawful signage and striping for parking spaces designated as accessible parking, and allow the Department of Public Safety as well as the Department of Regulatory Compliance to issue citations as appropriate and applicable.
Although this draft text amendment will impact existing and new businesses, it is important to advise that there will be notifications and other forms of communication leveraged to educate and inform the business community and to assist with compliance with State law and this ordinance as drafted.
Prepared By
Arty Wheaton-Rodriguez
Assistant Director of Planning
817-276-4245