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Council grants parking variance for 23-unit Goodson Hills affordable housing project
Summary
The Bristol City Council approved a variance allowing 23 townhouse-style affordable units at Goodson Hills to proceed with 33 off-street parking spaces instead of the 46 required by code, citing low vehicle ownership among intended residents and staff support.
Bristol City Council voted Jan. 13 to grant a variance from the city's off-street parking requirements for a proposed 23-unit affordable housing development at Goodson Hills on Mary Street.
The Bristol Redevelopment and Housing Authority (BRHA) plans 23 townhouse-style units; the zoning code requires two off-street spaces per unit, a total of 46. The submitted plan provided 33 spaces, leaving a shortfall of 13. Rich Pinnell, a BRHA representative, told the council in a letter that "our residents typically have either 1 or no vehicles at all, and it is highly unlikely that any of our residents would have 2 vehicles."
Jay, planning staff who presented the request, said the authority had planned to count 13 underused spaces in a neighboring lot toward the total, but the primary lender, Virginia Housing, would not accept that arrangement in time for the authority's application deadline. Jay said staff circulated the request to other departments and received one substantive comment from Jake Chandler, public works director, who warned on future sidewalk improvements: "this section of Mary Street may lose the on street parking in the future in order to bring these sidewalks up to its standards." Jay added that staff did not receive other negative comments and recommended approval under section 50-582(c) of the city code.
Council members who discussed the item emphasized the project's similarity to other BRHA developments in the neighborhood and its potential to replace previously demolished public housing. After discussion, the council approved the variance by roll call, with no recorded dissents.
The staff report noted that the on-street parking availability is not guaranteed long term if the city later widens sidewalks to meet ADA standards. The variance approval directs the housing authority to proceed with the site plan process; the council did not attach additional conditions during the vote.
