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Residents urge council to cut parking minimums, saying requirements raise housing costs
Summary
Multiple public speakers urged Tustin to revise parking minimums (Ordinance 1354) to reduce construction costs, free land for housing, and lower vehicle dependence; council members said the city has recently reduced some minimums and eliminated in‑lieu fees.
Several residents and young local advocates told the Tustin City Council on June 3 that the city’s parking minimums are a barrier to housing affordability and to transit‑oriented development. Ethan Kwang noted the city’s parking rules have not been updated since 2007 and argued structured or underground parking costs ($20,000–$80,000 per space) are passed to renters.
Cody Albuola referenced Ordinance 1354 (adopted in 2008) and said the multifamily requirement for two covered spaces per dwelling (plus guest spaces) should be changed to one space per unit plus one unassigned guest space for every four units; he provided arithmetic showing how removing parking could free land for additional units and reduce costs.
Two remote speakers, including Ryan Fan, cited examples from Buffalo and Seattle where parking minimum reforms were followed by mixed‑use development and reductions in required parking, and argued that lowering minimums can modestly reduce vehicle emissions and promote transit‑oriented development.
Council members acknowledged the concerns: several noted the council had already reduced some minimums and eliminated in‑lieu fees in prior actions and invited commenters to follow up with staff to discuss specific proposals. No formal ordinance change was introduced at the meeting; staff and council indicated willingness to continue the conversation and to meet with stakeholders about possible adjustments to parking standards near transit.
