As someone who has actually designed parking lots I feel obligated to say a few words.

Many cities require those artsy features in parking lots. Most of my clients would rather not have them to get a few more spaces, but the law is the law. Most cities here in the Pacific Northwest (can't speak for anywhere else) require developers to have a certain ratio of asphalt to landscaping. Some require that landscaping to have trees of certain height etc etc. Its all in your cities zoning code.

Drainage is another big issue which affects parking lot design. Too little and you aren't gonna get that building permit. Sometimes in small cities without storm sewers you even get hit up to drain the city streets in front of your property.

Parking lot design is a fine art of balancing building codes, client needs and some degree of aesthetics. Trust me aesthetics almost always come in last on that list.

-Steve G.

Now the door is officially open for Tom and Larry to come in and gripe about zoning and building codes. :)