HomeMy WebLinkAboutSenior Parking Considerations and Recommendations
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CITY OF BOZEMAN
DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Alfred M. Stiff Professional Building
20 East Olive Street
P.O. Box 1230
Bozeman, Montana 59771-1230
phone 406-582-2260
fax 406-582-2263
planning@bozeman.net
www.bozeman.net
MEMORANDUM
TO: BOZEMAN CITY COMMISSION
FROM: CHRIS SAUNDERS
RE: REQUEST FOR ENDORSEMENT OF SENIOR PARKING
DATE: MAY 13, 2008
The Bozeman Senior Citizens’ Advisory Board has requested the Commission to endorse a
recommendation regarding senior parking signs. The Board has consulted with the Planning Department in
this matter and there are no apparent conflicts with the City’s adopted land use regulations. The Board’s
suggestion is a voluntary action by the land owner and does not obligate the City to require or enforce
provisions relating to the senior parking signs. No changes to the sign code are required to proceed with this
idea. The Planning Department can include the letter from the Senior Citizens’ Advisory Board on its
website and make it available when persons purchase the printed text of Title 18, BMC.
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Senior Parking Considerations and Recommendations: Intended for Architects,
Builders, Business Owners, Contractors, Developers and Engineers.
Parking lot planning for nonresidential uses should address “Senior Parking Only” spaces with
appropriate signage to indicate that the space is reserved for seniors.
These parking spaces may be of standard size, and their number is recommended to be equal to
the number of handicapped spaces provided.
Senior parking should be located near the building entrance and preferably as close as possible to
handicapped spaces. Signs matching the suggested example sign on the back of this sheet should
qualify as an incidental sign.
This provision of senior parking spaces is not a mandated law, as is handicapped parking. Senior
Parking is simply good business sense and is a morally correct action.
The proportion of senior citizens in the population is presently over 15% and rapidly increasing
as the “baby boomers” reach their 60’s. While many seniors walk or bicycle most utilize their
personal automobile for shopping or business trips within the city. A significant number of these
seniors are “hidden handicapped” who do not have the ability to walk long distances or carry any
items very far. They may not be eligible for or care to declare handicapped status, proudly
manage their lives well, but suffer silently as they conduct their regular shopping and business.
Stores and other facilities in Bozeman are now specifically encouraging senior patrons with
limited abilities by installing “Reserved Parking, Senior Citizens Only” signs alongside the
regular handicapped signs close to the building entrances in their parking area. Senior citizens
often speak of these special accommodations, appreciate, and readily take advantage of these
parking spaces.
Seniors typically purchase all the same products and services as other persons and are recognized
as a major and very long-term economic factor. Bozeman and Gallatin Valley seniors have a
historic experience of patronizing community businesses. They have participated in keeping the
community vital, and have greeted the changes in our shopping areas with high praise and utilize
the more convenient access.
Help keep Bozeman known as "The Most Senior Friendly City in Montana", plan ways to
accommodate senior citizen’s shopping and parking needs.
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