Westminster planning commissioners debate options to ease neighborhood parking pressures

The Westminster Planning Commission held a discussion about residential parking standards and possible code changes during a regular meeting. Planning staff presented current city standards, state-mandated exemptions for ADUs and similar units, and potential options the commission could consider.

Planning staffer Ken summarized how Westminster applies parking standards to new single‑family projects under the municipal code and said the rules apply only to new projects, not additions or remodels: “These are the parking standards that we use when approving new housing,” he said, and described garage-size and driveway-width limits. He also said state law exempts ADUs, JADUs and SB 9 units from parking requirements if the unit is within 0.25 mile of a transit stop, adding that in Westminster that covers most of the city.

Commissioner Joseph Wynne, who brought the item to the agenda after resident concerns on Willow Street, said on-street crowding is harming neighborhood character and offered two possible approaches: review and simplify hardscape/landscape maximums, or increase the code’s existing 5-foot ADU driveway allowance so it functions as a standard parking stall. “I think the city should consider at least some way to make it easier for property owners to create more parking on their own property,” he said, urging staff to consider changing the five‑foot allowance to a standard 9‑foot stall.

Commissioners and staff discussed how driveway work and approaches are permitted and enforced. Ken said routine flat work such as expanding a driveway generally does not require a building permit, but widening the street approach can require a public works permit and that public‑right‑of‑way work often carries higher costs and contractor requirements. He noted that code enforcement typically responds to complaints and sometimes blankets a neighborhood after one citation: those follow‑up inspections can lead to multiple citations in short order.

Several commissioners urged clear, user‑friendly guidance and visual examples to help residents understand what is allowed and how to comply. One commissioner pointed to the city’s existing ADU “preferred plan” as a template locals can use and suggested staff create mock-ups showing how tandem and side‑by‑side parking could work on typical Westminster lots.

Staff emphasized trade‑offs. Ken warned that increasing parking allowances could alter development incentives: “We’ve recently had two people cancel JADU projects because they found they could get more in rent from an ADU and main house with a garage,” he said. Staff also reported the city issues roughly 200 ADU permits annually and estimated about 180 of those do not have to provide additional parking under current rules.

Given the scope of needed changes, staff recommended incorporating parking adjustments into the Phase 2 zoning code update rather than advancing piecemeal amendments. Ken said the Phase 2 update has been under work for months, will include development‑standard changes and is expected to be brought to the commission later this year in a study session for input prior to any formal code change.

No formal motion or ordinance was proposed or voted on regarding parking tonight. The commission approved routine meeting minutes earlier in the session by roll call, and members directed staff to include parking considerations and potential visuals in the zoning update process. The commission adjourned with its next regular meeting scheduled for August 5 at 6 p.m.