By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

City regulations for parking lots could change after council members cast a split vote Monday to direct the planning and zoning commission to have the regulations reviewed by consulting lawyer Brad Jantz.

Councilman Chris Costello voted against the review, while councilmen Ruth Herbel, Susan Gray, Jerry Kline, and mayor David Mayfield voted in favor.

“We’ve recently had a number of requests questioning our paving regulations,” city administrator Roger Holter said.

With the number of requests that have come in, Holter said he’d like the planning and zoning commission to clarify the city’s rules.

Herbel told council members that under current regulations, a new business at 102 N. Roosevelt would need only one 9-foot-by-18 foot paved parking stall.

Parking lots that were graveled before zoning regulations were enacted are exempt from the rules, but new ones must adhere to them.

Planning and zoning requirements vary depending on what zoning area a property is in. The city’s zoning areas include commercial, residential, low density residential, medium density residential, limited commercial, general commercial, light industrial, and heavy industrial.

The size of the building, not the size of the property, determines how many parking spaces are required, she said.