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Council adapts code requirements for call centers

Dec 08, 2016 01:48PM ● By Tori La Rue

Taylorsville City cleaned up its ordinances concerning parking space requirements for call centers. (Pixabay)

By Tori La Rue | [email protected]


With some discussion about call centers moving into Taylorsville, the city cleaned up its ordinances concerning parking space requirements.

“We’re Certainly not proposing to prevent any kind of business from coming to town, but you’ll notice there were some gaps in the code,” Tracy Cowdell, city attorney, said addressing the city council during the Nov. 2 meeting. “These call centers might end up in places where maybe it isn’t the best use.” 

Matthew Taylor, Taylorsville city planner, explained that the city’s code doesn’t differentiate between call centers and other kinds of businesses, which could lead easily lead to parking jams since call centers usually house more employees per square foot of office space than other companies. 

“Call centers are much more intense use than a typical office,” Taylor said. “The rule is to pack them in deep. With that general rule for call centers, our ordinances for parking are deficient.”

Taylor proposed a change in city code, which would create a separate land-use category for call centers, distinguishing it from the land-use categories of office space. He also proposed a definition of “call center” be added to city code. After Taylor explained his reasoning for suggesting the change, the city council unanimously voted in favor of these changes.

Councilwoman Dama Barbour said she wanted to be sure that the new code wouldn’t put any current call center applicants in a bind. Crowdell assured her there weren’t any call center applicants at the time, and Taylor said even if they were, they would have a one-year buffer period before the new code would affect them.  

Council Chair Ernest Burgess said he was impressed with city staff and thanked them for their foresight on the issue.