Commercial parking issues

Q. I have a commercial building that has space for doctors’ offices, eateries and retail stores, and I’m wondering about my parking. I got a zoning variance for the number of cars because we didn’t have enough spaces. We got a permit and everything is legal, but can I designate specific spaces with “Reserved for Doctor” signs or do I have to leave it as general parking? The doctors want the spaces closest to their front door. What’s legal?

A. Parking is one of those subjects landlords often avoid, but it’s the first item on the checklist of how big a building can be and what it can be used for. I’ve seen many creative building owners who try to find ways to jam one more space onto the property, including parking on lawns, along driveways, using valet parking, making deals to park on other private properties, etc. Most jurisdictions are also familiar with parking “creativity,” and some municipalities are helpful in aiding businesses to stay in business. They know that it’s good for the community businesses not to chase potential patrons away by limiting parking and will do many things to help, but they do require that proper steps be taken to assure that your method of approved use is fair to the community that the municipality serves.

By making changes to your status, you need to contact your building department with a plan showing the way you want the parking redesignated with an application to amend your zoning board’s decision. It’s important to make sure you show the calculations for all parking required for each use in the building. The eateries you described have sit-down dining calculated as the number of people at each table, the number of people at the bar, the number of employees and even the number of people waiting for a table. The numbers are specific, not projected. For example, you can’t say that nobody ever has to wait for a table. You have to calculate the number based on 1 person for every 5 square feet. Whether the numbers seem realistic, they actually do work.