Supporters of looser parking rules say minimum parking requirements drive up home prices because parking takes up space that could boost the housing supply. When towers come up for debate at Ottawa city council's planning and housing committee, talk often turns to parking.
"It is counter to the trends of reduced car ownership. It is counter to the trends of younger people not getting cars at all. It is counter to … our thrust to try to increase reliance on public transit."Under the current bylaw, the city rules require apartment buildings to offer at least 1.2 parking spots for every housing unit in the outer suburbs such as Barrhaven, Orléans and Kanata.
Downtown, and close to major transit stations such as Hurdman, South Keys and Blair, there are no parking space requirements at all."I know they are looking at whether or not to broaden those areas, and I fully expect that they will," said Leiper. "Across the suburbs and through the general urban area, I wouldn't be surprised if they're looking at the entire thing for a significant reduction in the required minimum parking."City staff have been talking with community associations and developers as they work through their proposals, which are expected to become public in a draft this year.
Brinker does have answers to that question, like community parking garages shared between neighbours in different buildings. The current zoning bylaw makes them tough to build. He wants that to change.Despite his concerns, he shares the same position as Burggraaf on minimum parking rules: eliminate them everywhere."Cars are taking a lot of room," Brinker said. "This room costs money.
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