Planning commission recommends removing minimum parking requirements for most multiunit housing

The Wheat Ridge City Planning Commission recommended approval of ZOA-25-4, an ordinance amending Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to remove minimum off-street parking requirements for most multiunit residential developments, during a public hearing on the item. The motion passed 7 to 1 on a recorded voice vote. An amendment asking city council to study eliminating minimum parking requirements for townhouse developments within transit service areas failed on a 4‑4 tie.

Scott Cutler, senior planner for Wheat Ridge City, told the commission the ordinance is staff’s response to recent state legislation — described in the staff report as "House Bill 24 13 o 4," referred to in the meeting as the minimum parking requirements bill — which "prohibits municipalities from enacting and enforcing minimum off street parking requirements for multi unit residential developments within applicable transit service areas." Cutler said the state prohibition applies to both new multiunit development and conversions of existing buildings into multiunit residential use and that the law takes effect June 30.

Cutler said the ordinance preserves requirements that are not affected by the state bill, including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible parking, bicycle parking and loading requirements. He also…