During a recent government meeting, council members discussed several proposals aimed at addressing parking and housing density issues in the community. One of the primary suggestions was to implement tandem parking, which would allow for two vehicles to be parked in a single driveway, one behind the other. This approach, however, would require the vehicle in front to be moved to access the one in the back.

Additionally, the council considered modifying zoning ordinances to allow on-street parking to count towards the required parking for residential properties, a change currently applicable only to commercial uses. This proposal aims to alleviate parking shortages in residential areas.

The discussion also touched on exemptions from preliminary and site plan conditions that limit density and building types. The board recommended changes to existing regulations to facilitate the construction of duplexes and multiplexes in residential zones, regardless of prior density restrictions. Council staff emphasized the need for data to assess the impact of these changes, particularly in identifying how many existing approvals would be affected and whether the issue is widespread or localized.

Another significant topic was the current standards for residential driveways, which require widths between 10 to 20 feet. Planning staff proposed reducing this requirement to a maximum of 10 feet to minimize impervious surfaces and enhance space for primary structures. However, council members expressed concerns that such a rigid standard could limit flexibility in driveway design, particularly in areas with limited lot frontage.

The meeting concluded with a consensus on the importance of gathering more data to inform future decisions, ensuring that any legislative changes would effectively address the community's needs while balancing environmental concerns and parking requirements. Council members agreed to collaborate with the Department of Permitting Services (DPS) to obtain relevant data and further explore the proposed recommendations.