Planning proposes downtown parking rule changes to make parking structures more feasible

Planning staff presented a zoning text amendment to consolidate parking regulations in downtown and gateway mixed‑use districts. Staff said existing standards are split across multiple code sections and have become internally inconsistent: for example, upper‑level parking facades are required in one code section to provide up to 50% glazing, while another parking‑garage standard expects screening and durable facade materials—requirements that are often in conflict with ventilation and structural needs of above‑grade parking.

To address these conflicts, staff proposed reorganizing the standards and removing the strict requirements that upper‑level parking must be wrapped by a non‑parking use and removing the minimum upper‑level glass requirement. Staff stressed the ground‑floor activation and design standards would remain in place. The goal, staff said, is to make structured parking more feasible in downtown so developers avoid constructing surface lots while maintaining pedestrian‑oriented streetscapes.

Councilors asked about the original intent of the more stringent requirements and whether removing them might undermine pedestrian experience. Staff and councilors discussed that the ground‑floor standards for active uses will continue to apply and that the amendment is intended to clarify which standards apply to parking garages and to allow durable screening materials (metal screening, landscaped walls) to count toward the materials standard for parking facades. Staff recommended adoption and noted planning commission had issued a positive recommendation.