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Commission debates parking minimums for multifamily housing; staff to propose draft
Summary
The commission discussed whether to revise multifamily parking requirements (options included a bedroom‑based table and requiring a share of unenclosed spaces). Staff will prepare a draft ordinance amendment for the commission to review.
Brandon’s Planning Commission revisited off‑street parking requirements for multifamily housing at its Feb. 5 meeting, with commissioners weighing a shift from the current standard (1 space for dwellings of two bedrooms or fewer; 2 spaces for three or more) toward a bedroom‑based or graduated standard.
Patrick presented comparative tables from nearby municipalities and noted trends toward townhouses, duplexes and fourplexes rather than single‑family homes. Commissioners suggested options including: studio = 1 space; one‑bedroom = 1.5 spaces; two‑bedroom = 2 spaces; three‑bedroom = 3 spaces; and requiring at least 50% of spaces be unenclosed to support visitor parking and snow‑plow operations.
Commissioner Rob said starting with a bedroom‑based metric makes sense; Commissioner Michael and others raised concerns about developer costs and the practical use of garages (many are used for storage rather than vehicle parking). Committee members asked staff to prepare a draft starting point that balances parking availability and development feasibility for the next meeting.
Next steps: staff will prepare a proposed table and options for commissioners to review, including examples from Sioux Falls, Brookings, Papillion and Gretna; the commission may consider an amendment to the zoning ordinance if it moves forward.
