Langford council has passed second and third readings of a bylaw amendment reducing parking requirements for large apartments for a second time after a previous attempt was rescinded to allow for a second public hearing.
Council unanimously approved the rebooted readings on Oct. 10 with no changes to the bylaw amendment from what was approved on Aug. 21 and rescinded on Sept. 5.
The amendment removes a requirement for two parking spaces for all apartments larger than two bedrooms in City Centre, Mixed Use Employment Centre and Sooke Road Revitalization Development Permit Area zones within the city limits.
While the new requirements will still demand more parking outside of the downtown core, it cuts the requirement back from 3.75 off-street parking spaces per dwelling for more than two units to 2.75. Units within the city centre will now be required to have 1.25 parking spots per dwelling, 0.25 of which has to go to visitor parking.
READ MORE: Colwood exploring feasibility of outdoor public pool
The reduced parking requirements are aimed at encouraging the construction of more affordable family-sized homes after the development community and city staff identified the increased cost and land requirements associated with increased per-unit parking as a barrier to addressing the affordable housing shortage.
Council rescinded the first approvals of second and third readings and directed staff to host a second public hearing in response to concerns raised by residents about the change, which staff told council at the Sept. 5 meeting were based on an incorrect understanding of the changes.
That second public hearing was held ahead of council’s second vote on the readings at the Oct. 10 meeting, and despite staff clarifying the changes apply only to new builds and only in specific areas of the city, the majority of speakers remained opposed to the changes.
“I don’t really think Langford is ready for this,” said Luxton Road resident Wendy Hobbs. “I agree you guys have to look to the future, but I don’t think it is fair to the people living in neighbourhoods to have the cars parked all over. Again, go down Luxton Road, it’s a disaster. They are parking everywhere.”
Some public speakers did speak in favour of the changes, but most of those said they were associated with the development community.
“I’m here on behalf of our membership to lend support to the proposed amendment,” said Ron Coutre, president of the Westshore Developers Association. “This is a step in the right direction and one that will probably result in an increase of three-bedroom units coming to our downtown core.”
Council agreed with Coutre’s comment, saying their motivation for introducing and approving the change in parking requirements was born out of a desire to increase the amount of affordable housing being built to accommodate families.
READ MORE: Langford eyes cutting back some parking requirements to add housing