In C2-1, C2-2, C2-3, C2-4, C4-1, C4-2, C4-3, C4-4, C4-5D, C7, C8-1, C8-2, C8-3, M1-1, M1-2, M1-3, M2-1, M2-2 or M3-1 Districts, the City Planning Commission may permit public parking garages or public parking lots with more than 150 spaces, provided that the applicable regulations set forth in Sections 36-53 (Width of Curb Cuts and Location of Access to the Street) or 44-43 (Location of Access to the Street), Sections 36-55 or 44-44 (Surfacing) and Sections 36-56 or 44-45 (Screening) are met. The Commission may permit some of such spaces to be located on the roof of such public parking garage, or may permit floor space on one or more stories and up to a height of 23 feet above curb level to be exempted from the definition of floor area as set forth in Section 12-10 (DEFINITIONS). As a condition of permitting such use, the Commission shall make the following findings:

(a)        that the principal vehicular access for such use is located on an arterial highway, a major street or a secondary street within one-quarter mile of an arterial highway or major street, except that in C5 or C6 Districts such access may be located on a local street;

(b)        that such use is so located as to draw a minimum of vehicular traffic to and through local streets in nearby residential areas;

(c)        that such use has adequate reservoir space at the vehicular entrances to accommodate either 10 automobiles or five percent of the total parking spaces provided by the use, whichever amount is greater, but in no event shall such reservoir space be required for more than 50 automobiles;

(d)        that the streets providing access to such use will be adequate to handle the traffic generated thereby;

(e)        that, where roof parking is permitted, such roof parking is so located as not to impair the essential character or future use or development of adjacent areas; and

(f)        that, where any floor space is exempted from the definition of floor area, such additional floor space is needed in order to prevent excessive on-street parking demand and relieve traffic congestion.

The Commission may prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards to minimize adverse effects on the character of the surrounding area, including limitations on signs or requirements for shielding of floodlights, for locations of entrances and exits, or for setback of any roof parking areas from lot lines.

This Section shall not apply to the Manhattan Core where the regulations set forth in Article I, Chapter 3, shall apply, except as provided in Section 13-06 (Previously Filed or Approved Special Permits or Authorizations).

For existing public parking garages located within a C4-4 District in Community District 4 in the Borough of Queens where such garage facility existed before October 17, 2019, and was previously granted a special permit pursuant to this Section, the finding set forth in paragraph (c) of this Section shall not apply. In lieu thereof, the number of reservoir spaces required shall be consistent with a finding that the permitted parking facility will not create or contribute to serious traffic congestion and will not unduly inhibit vehicular traffic and pedestrian flow in the surrounding area.