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Council reverts parking minimums after resident input; ordinance amended and approved
Summary
After public comment from a resident urging preservation of smaller, affordable homes, the council amended Ordinance 10 75 to lower required parking minimums (single-family to 3 spaces, duplex to 2.5, townhouse to 2.5, mobile home to 2) and approved the ordinance on second reading.
The Innovative City Council voted on Dec. 8 to amend and approve Ordinance 10 75, which updates off-street parking requirements. Councilor (Speaker 6) proposed returning standards to prior levels — single-family to 3 spaces, duplex to 2.5, townhouse to 2.5 and mobile homes to 2 — to avoid increasing building costs and concreting that could reduce housing affordability. The council adopted that amendment and approved the ordinance on second reading.
Resident Shannon Anderson urged the council to be cautious about increasing parking minimums, saying such requirements can force larger garages and higher construction costs that reduce housing affordability. "The 3 parking spots per single family residential unit still seems kinda high compared to other cities," Anderson said, adding that the city should solicit public input before moving further on changes she deemed unnecessary.
Council members said the amendment was intended to "right-size" parking requirements to balance demand, environmental considerations and housing affordability. The council passed the amendment by voice vote and approved the ordinance on second reading; staff will implement the updated minimums through the planning process.
The change affects future residential developments and will be reflected in subsequent building permit reviews.
