Plan Commission recommends approval of parking‑rule amendments to streamline deviation process

The Garland Plan Commission on July 13 recommended approval of an amendment to the Garland Development Code (GDC) that clarifies parking requirements, establishes maximum residential parking ratios and streamlines a parking deviation process.

Ryan Mulkey, Long Range Planning Administrator, explained the ordinance (GDC Amendment 26‑05) would specify that the land‑use matrix values are minimum required spaces and would reintroduce a maximum ratio for residential units (for example: 1 space for an efficiency, 1.5 for a one‑bedroom and 2 for two+ bedrooms) consistent with state law constraints. The amendment creates a parking deviation request modeled on the alternative compliance process; requests beyond a small administrative allowance would require a parking generation study prepared by a licensed transportation engineer or other director‑approved materials. If extra pavement is allowed, applicants must mitigate through measures such as increased landscaping, stormwater controls or pervious paving; structured parking would be exempt from the maximums.

Mulkey told the commission the rule change is intended to simplify a complex set of existing relief procedures and give staff more administrative flexibility. “So one of the changes would just specify that these parking requirements are the minimum required,” he said. Commissioners asked for examples of pervious parking and how mitigation would be enforced; Mulkey and other staff said the technical details would be elaborated with the engineering department and in the technical standards manual. Commissioner Georgi Cornelius moved to recommend approval per staff recommendations; Commissioner Edgar Miranda seconded and the motion was announced as passing unanimously.