Off-Street Parking Standards for the -C-: Conservation District in Orlando
In the City of Orlando, the -C-: Conservation District is primarily a "terminal category" for the preservation of environmentally sensitive lands, and its off-street parking requirements are limited by the prohibition of most commercial uses. While specific parking ratios are governed by the city-wide standards in Chapter 61, the -C- district explicitly permits "Parking" as a principal use of land and requires significant building setbacks for any development, including a 30-foot minimum front yard and a 200-foot minimum lot width [Section 58.311, Figure 1C, Figure 2].
Purpose and Nature of the Conservation District
The -C-: Conservation District is established by the City of Orlando to identify, protect, and preserve environmentally sensitive lands. It is intended to ensure that residents can enjoy the benefits of the natural environment and to act as a safeguard against intensive development that would be detrimental to natural systems like flood plains and lake shores [Section 58.310, 58.311]. Consequently, the district allows very few "traffic-generating" uses that would necessitate large-scale parking facilities.
Permitted Uses and Parking Requirements
Because land use in the -C-: Conservation District is restricted, off-street parking is generally only relevant for the following scenarios:
- Residential Projects: The only residential use permitted as a matter of right in this district is a Single Family dwelling [Figure 2]. Parking for these units must follow the standard requirements for one-family dwellings as outlined in Chapter 61 of the City Code [Section 58.924].
- Commercial/Non-Residential Projects: Most commercial activities are prohibited in the Conservation District. However, "Golf Courses" are allowed via a Conditional Use Permit, and their parking facilities would be evaluated during that review process [Figure 2].
- Principal Use Parking: Unique to this district, a property may be utilized specifically for a parking lot as a principal use (permitted "P"), provided it meets the district's stringent environmental and spatial standards [Figure 2].
Spatial and Dimensional Standards for Parking Areas
Any parking area or principal structure in the -C-: Conservation District must adhere to the most restrictive dimensional standards in the City of Orlando's code to minimize environmental impact. These dimensions effectively dictate where off-street parking can be situated on a building site.
| Standard Category | Requirement for -C-: Conservation District |
|---|---|
| Minimum Mean Lot Width | 200 feet |
| Minimum Building Site Frontage | 100 feet |
| Minimum Front Yard Setback | 30 feet |
| Minimum Side Yard Setback | 15 feet |
| Minimum Street Side Yard Setback | 25 feet |
| Minimum Rear Yard Setback | 25 feet |
[Source: Figure 1C]
Design and Landscaping for Parking
Development in the -C-: Conservation District must comply with specific City of Orlando environmental protection and landscaping rules:
Landscaping and Bufferyards
Parking lots must be landscaped to meet the requirements of Chapter 61, Part 3B. When determining necessary bufferyards, the City of Orlando classifies vacant land in the -C- district as "Class I" intensity, the same as a residential district. This ensures that any development adjacent to conservation land provides adequate screening and environmental protection [Section 60.234, Figure 3].
Prohibited Conditions
- Encroachment: No building or structure shall be erected that decreases the space required for yards or open spaces, including those required for parking [Section 58.201].
- Visibility: All fences or walls surrounding parking areas must conform to street corner visibility requirements to ensure they do not obstruct the view of pedestrians or vehicles [Section 58.928].
Sections Cited
- Section 58.201 (Conformance With Zoning Regulations Required)
- Section 58.310 (Relationship to the Growth Management Plan - Conservation)
- Section 58.311 (Purpose of the District - Conservation)
- Section 58.924 (Parking for Caretakers Quarters/Residential)
- Section 58.928 (Street Corner Visibility)
- Section 60.150 (General Requirements and Cross-References)
- Section 60.234 (General Requirements for Parking Lot Landscaping)
- Figure 1C (Table of Zoning District Regulations)
- Figure 2 (Table of Allowable Uses in Zoning Districts)
- Figure 3 (Land Use Intensity Table)