City Council considers bold changes to downtown parking rules

During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on potential changes to parking requirements in downtown Woodstock, with a focus on fostering development and revitalization in the area. Council members expressed support for the possible elimination of minimum off-street parking requirements, which have been cited by developers as a barrier to new projects.

The city has made significant multimodal improvements and constructed a parking deck, leading to a shift towards a \"park once\" approach for patrons visiting downtown retail, restaurants, and entertainment venues. If the minimum off-street parking requirement is removed, city staff recommend that it be eliminated for commercial projects, while still maintaining requirements for residential units and guest parking.

On-street parking would remain necessary for redevelopment projects that trigger street improvements, and developers would still have the option to provide off-street parking based on market demand. Any projects wishing to exceed the prescribed maximums for parking would need to apply for a variance, ensuring that sustainability features and shared market strategies are considered.

The proposed changes would apply to two specific zoning districts: the downtown central business district and the downtown residential office zone. However, the downtown general commercial zone was not recommended for inclusion due to its distance from the parking deck.

City staff are seeking direction from the council on the next steps, particularly regarding the geographic applicability of the proposed changes and whether they should apply only to new developments or also to existing buildings undergoing renovations. The council is expected to provide feedback to guide the implementation of these potential changes in the coming months.