In an attempt to create a more compact, transit-oriented city, reduced minimum parking requirements for multi-unit housing near transit are being considered, in addition to maximum parking spaces.  City Administration has forwarded draft parking regulations to EFCL.

Administration is seeking feedback prior to doing revisions in mid-January. Your early feedback will influence city Administration’s recommendations going to Council at a public hearing targeted for March 14, 2010.  However, your feedback is beneficial at any time prior to the public hearing. 

Please send your comments to Joan.Hearn@edmonton.ca, and cc Bev.Zubot@efcl.org.

You may wish to send your comments to City Council after reviewing the final version of the proposed parking requirements, which will likely be available in late February. 

More info…

A memo from the City Administration concerning proposed parking modifications states:
“This initiative responds to recommendations outlined in the City of Edmonton Zoning Bylaw Parking Study Final Report (March 26, 2010), prepared by Bunt & Associates, and an Information Report pertaining to ‘New Parking Policies’ (Report 2010PCP011), presented to the City’s Executive Committee in July 2010.  It is also aligned with the City’s strategic objectives, as highlighted in the City’s Transportation Master Plan (The Way We Move) and Municipal Development Plan (The Way We Grow), with a focus on sustainability, a compact urban form and a transportation mode shift towards increased transit ridership.

The modifications to parking supply requirements, being considered, are applicable to Apartment Housing, Row Housing and Stacked Row Housing Uses (excluding the Downtown Area) that are located within 800 metres of an LRT station, within 400 metres of a Transit Centre, or within 100 metres of a Transit Avenue.  In such cases, reduced minimum parking requirements are being considered, in addition to maximum parking requirements.”

The proposed amendments reduce minimum parking requirements from 1 to 0.7 parking spaces per Bachelor Suite, from 1 to .8 parking spaces per 1 bedroom Dwelling, from 1.5 to 1 parking space per 2 bedroom Dwelling, and from 1.75 to 1.25 parking spaces per 3 or more bedroom Dwelling. 

Maximum parking spaces are being introduced.    The maximums are 0.9 parking spaces per Bachelor Suite, 1.0 per 1 Bedroom Dwelling, 1.3 per 2 Bedroom Dwelling, and 1.5 per 3 Bedroom.