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Commission discusses lowering multifamily parking minimums and boosting green space in zoning ordinance update
Summary
Commissioners compared La Verne’s multifamily parking requirements with neighboring cities and discussed reducing minimum parking from three spaces per unit to levels more in line with nearby municipalities, adding visitor-space standards and including green-space options instead of additional pavement.
Commissioners opened a policy-level discussion of multifamily parking and green-space requirements during the Jan. 28, 2025 La Verne Planning Commission meeting, debating whether the city’s current standard — three parking spaces per unit for multifamily — should be reduced to align with surrounding municipalities.
A commissioner who introduced the item reviewed comparative standards from neighboring jurisdictions: Nolensville, Smyrna and Spring Hill typically require two spaces per unit, with some jurisdictions adding guest/visitor ratios (for example, one visitor space per eight units). Other cities varied by bedroom count (1.5 spaces for one bedroom, two spaces for two bedrooms). The speaker said La Verne’s three-spaces-per-unit standard is “higher on average” and suggested aligning with neighboring communities to reduce impervious surface and free land for retail or green space.
Commissioners discussed options and concerns
- Several commissioners expressed support for lowering the minimum and favored a structure tied to unit size (for example, 1 or 1.5 for one-bedroom units, two for two-bedroom units) and adding a visitor-space requirement such as one guest space per eight units.
- Commissioners and staff discussed potential outcomes if green space is allowed in place of asphalt parking, including the risk of cars parking on unpaved areas without enforcement, and the role of homeowners associations (HOAs) and subdivision regulations in setting and enforcing private standards.
- Staff (Mr. Logan) noted that the new zoning ordinance draft, not yet adopted, includes green-space requirements; the current ordinance does not. He also said any final changes would still be reviewed at site-plan stage and could be considered on a case-by-case basis for large mixed-use developments.
Direction and next steps
Commissioners asked staff to prepare draft language and bring the topic to a workshop for further consideration; one commissioner said they would work with Planning Director Brown on materials for a workshop. Commissioners emphasized the goals of reducing excessive pavement, encouraging trees and green space, and adding clarification for visitor parking to reduce street overflow.
Why it matters: Parking requirements affect how much land developments allocate to pavement versus usable open space or commercial uses. Changing minimums can reduce development costs and impervious surface, but commissioners cautioned about enforcement and the potential for on-grass parking without clear private or HOA controls.
Ending: Staff will draft options for workshop consideration and present possible parking ratios and visitor-space standards at a future meeting.
