The City Planning Commission may, by special permit, subject to the otherwise applicable zoning district regulations, allow on-site or off-site, open or enclosed, accessory off-street parking facilities with any capacity not otherwise allowed under Section 16-10 (PERMITTED OFF-STREET PARKING IN THE LONG ISLAND CITY AREA), provided the Commission finds that:

(a)        such parking spaces are needed for, and will be used by, the occupants, visitors, customers or employees of the use to which they are accessory, except that car sharing vehicles may occupy accessory off-street parking spaces; however, the number of spaces so occupied shall not exceed five spaces or 20 percent of all such parking spaces, whichever is greater;

(b)        within the vicinity of the site, there are insufficient parking spaces available;

(c)        the facility will not create or contribute to serious traffic congestion or unduly inhibit vehicular and pedestrian movement;

(d)        the facility is so located as to draw a minimum of vehicular traffic to and through local residential streets; and

(e)        adequate reservoir space is provided at the vehicular entrance to accommodate vehicles equivalent in number to 20 percent of the total number of parking spaces, up to 50 parking spaces, and five percent of any spaces in excess of 200 parking spaces, but in no event shall such reservoir spaces be required for more than 50 vehicles. However, in the case of a facility with a capacity of 10 vehicles or less, the Commission may waive this finding.

The Commission may prescribe appropriate conditions and safeguards to minimize adverse effects on the character of the surrounding area, including traffic improvements, if necessary, and limitations on signs or requirements for shielding or floodlights or for locations of entrances and exits.