Langford council is hoping plans to cut back parking requirements for three-bedroom units will free up space for housing.
During its Monday meeting, Langford council passed second and third readings of a bylaw that cuts the requirement for three-bedroom units to have at least two car parking spaces in the city centre or mixed-use employment centre.
The requirement was added in 2018, along with upping requirements for off-street parking outside the downtown core and certain mixed-use areas in the hopes of discouraging urban sprawl, according to a city staff report. While the new requirements will still demand more parking outside of the downtown core, it cuts the requirement back from 3.75 for more than two units to 2.75. In addition, 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.
Citing a staff report, Coun. Keith Yacucha said the city had heard from developers that the requirement discouraged companies from building three-bedroom units, something in Langford’s housing needs report.
“I would much rather see rooms being built for people, than rooms being built for cars,” said Yacucha.
Speaking during the public hearing, resident Nirmal Johal said cutting parking before improving transit and other methods of transportation “doesn’t work.” Lisa Foxall pointed to concerns residents in Belmont Market had flagged about parking rule changes there – the area would be within the impacted mixed-use employment centre zone – leaving some without a spot to park their second car and facing tickets after rule changes came in last week.
Yacucha acknowledged those concerns and Coun. Mary Wagner added this solution was developed by staff in collaboration with developers.
“Parking is always a thorny issue, but this was an identified barrier that we are hoping to remove,” said Wagner.
Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson initially sought to abstain, but then voted in favour along with the six other councillors.
A vote on adopting the bylaw will come forward at a future council meeting.
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