Subcommittee recommends City Council reduce parking minimums, adjust bicycle‑parking rules

The Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee of the Transportation and Parking Committee voted to recommend that City Council adopt an ordinance that reduces required residential motor‑vehicle parking and revises bicycle‑parking requirements.

Councilor Elkins and staff described the ordinance as cutting the residential vehicle parking minimum from two spaces (where it applies) to one per dwelling unit regardless of unit size, removing several business parking mandates in the Central Business District, and allowing certain bicycle parking that is open on one side to count toward required bicycle parking. A presenter said the change is intended to reduce development costs, free land for housing or green space and advance the city’s climate goals.

"If 2 units are required, but you are 1 person in a 1,100 square foot apartment, you are paying for those 2 units whether or not you need them," a presenter said when explaining how parking requirements add to housing cost. Committee members cited the availability of public parking in the downtown garage and nearby lots as part of the rationale for easing on‑site parking mandates.

Nick Horton, a committee member, moved that the subcommittee "endorse or recommend" approval of the ordinance change; another member seconded. The subcommittee conducted a hybrid roll‑call vote and recorded affirmative votes from Devin, Gary, an attending chair (unidentified in the record), Horton and Donna Lascalle. The motion carried and the committee said it would forward its recommendation to City Council, which is scheduled to consider the ordinance at its next meeting.

Supporters told the subcommittee that reduced vehicle‑parking minimums can lower the cost of building units (especially where structured or garage parking is required) and free space for other uses, while adjustments to bicycle‑parking rules aim to encourage covered, secure bike storage without penalizing developers for that provision. Members also noted ancillary benefits such as reduced impervious surface area and improved stormwater outcomes.

The subcommittee did not adopt specific amendments during the meeting; staff said they would carry forward the record and the committee’s formal recommendation to the City Council packet. The ordinance had already completed earlier public‑hearing steps and was scheduled to return to City Council for final consideration.