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Grand Forks council approves lower multifamily parking minimums over objections
Summary
The Grand Forks City Council voted 6–1 to introduce changes to the city code that reduce minimum off‑street parking requirements for multifamily housing, after staff said local surveys and regional comparisons support the change and council members raised concerns about street spillover and long‑term impacts.
The Grand Forks City Council voted 6–1 on Aug. 18 to introduce an ordinance that lowers minimum off‑street parking requirements for multifamily housing, a change city staff said aligns Grand Forks more closely with peer cities and with observed on‑site usage. The amendment to city code 18‑0302 would reduce required stalls for certain unit sizes; councilmember Ocelske cast the lone dissent.
City planning staff framed the change as a response to both a regional comparison and on‑site observations. “We just know our stalls are — we’re over parked in the in our area. And so we’re trying not to pass that cost along to the developer,” said Mick Brooks, planning staff, describing surveys conducted on a Sunday and a Tuesday in April and comparisons with Fargo, Minot and Bismarck.
Opponents on the council warned the new minimums could push vehicles onto neighborhood streets and complicate winter plowing. “I really disagree with changing the parking rules,” said Miss Osowski. She told colleagues she was especially concerned about Near North and university‑edge neighborhoods where on‑street parking already impedes emergency access and snow removal.
Council debate focused on three points: data used by staff, whether affordable housing projects justify lower parking counts, and practical remedies if spillover occurs. Brooks said the recommended numbers were a hybrid of regional standards and local counts — for example, staff proposed 1.75 stalls for two‑bedroom units as closer to peer cities and 2.5 for three‑bedroom units. He also said developers could reserve green space to add stalls later if needed.
The ordinance was introduced under item 5.8 after prior debate during rezoning discussion where one project sought lower parking as part of a PUD amendment. Council President Sandy moved approval; Miss Lunsky seconded. A roll‑call vote approved the ordinance 6–1 with Ocelske dissenting. The council indicated the change keeps Grand Forks on the higher end of regional rules but not as an outlier.
Councilmembers asked staff to monitor outcomes and noted enforcement or other city remedies remain available if on‑street congestion worsens. The ordinance will return for further readings before final adoption.
