Planning commission recommends code changes to off-street parking rules; 6-1 vote advances amendments to City Council

The Alpine City Planning Commission voted Jan. 7 to recommend that the City Council approve amendments to Chapter 3.24 of the Alpine Development Code, which governs required off-street parking and the process for exceptions.

City planner Ryan Robison and the city attorney proposed edits that add objective criteria and procedural clarifications for when a property owner requests an exception to the code's default requirement that all required parking be on-site. Key additions discussed included: a provision that an exception "would not require moving or altering a historically significant structure or natural feature" and a definition of "historic" using Division of Natural Resources standards (50 years or listed on a historic registry); location rules allowing substitute parking on an adjacent lot or within 200 feet measured…