Space & Dumpsters Behind Small Strip Mall?
I am working on plans for a small strip mall, approx 4000 sq ft. I like to work on the layout myself before going to an architect, it helps me get questions and issues to look at.
This particular building will be near the back of the lot, and 3 feet from one side lot line. So practically speaking, the access to the rear of the building will be from one side only, not a "drive around" type of thing.
My first plan was to allow 28' from the building to the rear lot line. Put a/c units on the ground, plenty of room for small trucks and garbage trucks to go down there, then back out.
Or I could go narrower, maybe 16-18', and get 10 more feet of building (another 840 sq ft!). I would have to keep the dumpsters off to the open side of the lot then, along the rear lot line but away from the building.
Also, I wanted to have each tenant keep their own dumpster. Otherwise with a shared dumpster I figure tenants will argue about the dumpster costs because it will always be "the other tenant" that runs up the dumpster bill for everyone. But separate dumpsters take more space. What are your opinions on that?
Space is tight, and I want to use it on the building and parking as much as possible, but I don't want to make a mistake by getting too clever either. Sometimes I have tried to stuff 10 lbs of crap in a 5 lb lot and and then I had to live with it. But I've never done a strip mall so tell me what you think.
PS: The rear setback regs are not an issue.
Thanks,
Don M
Don,
I don't have experience with strip centers. However, from my experience with the municipal approval process, I wouldn't be surprised if the municipality had regs concerning the back area. Even though the rear setback is not an issue, there may be some requirements in the town's subdivision & land development ordinance dealing with the configuration/width of the paved area in the back--designed to give fire-fighting equipment the ability to maneuver and access all parts of the structure and either be able to turn around or drive around, and not have to back out.