Planning Director John King presented a proposal to formalize and expand a pilot driveway expansion rebate program citywide to increase off‑street parking.

King said the pilot freed up approximately eight on‑street spaces in the initial neighborhood and staff now propose two tiers for allowable driveway widths (dropping the previous third category to protect front‑yard open space). The program would be limited to R‑1 and R‑2 zones this year; qualifying work requires a minimum of 100 square feet of new paved surface (concrete or decorative pavers; expanded asphalt and decomposed granite are excluded). Staff recommended allowing expansion of driveway aprons in the public right‑of‑way on a case‑by‑case basis depending on funding feasibility.

Funding for the current fiscal year was listed at $36,000 with a $3,000 reimbursement cap per qualifying project, allowing approximately 12 reimbursements this year. King said staff would administer reviews and require invoices for reimbursement. Council received and filed the item for further implementation work and outreach next year.