August 28, 2024
City Council’s recent decision to waive minimum parking requirements for new residential developments along major transit corridors would enable two large developments envisioned for the west and east ends of Burlington.
by Zara Paris
In June, Burlington city councillors approved a recommended zoning bylaw amendment to waive minimum parking requirements for new residential developments along major transit corridors, including those along Appleby Line and on Fairview and Plains.
Minimum parking requirements have been a standard component of urban planning in many cities in North America for decades. They were originally intended to ensure sufficient parking availability and reduce the risk of parking spillovers into surrounding neighbourhoods.
However, recent urban planning research has highlighted the many social, economic and environmental benefits of eliminating them:
- Increased Land Use Efficiency: Minimum parking requirements often lead to inefficient land use. Large swathes of urban land are dedicated to parking lots that could otherwise be used for housing, public spaces, and commercial activities. By eliminating these requirements, cities can encourage more compact and efficient land use, which can, in turn, increase property values, tax revenues and most importantly, livability.
- Boost to Local Businesses: With fewer parking mandates, developers can create more pedestrian-friendly environments that attract foot traffic. This change can boost local businesses, as areas become more accessible and attractive to shoppers and diners who prefer walking, biking, or using public transportation.
- Flood Protection: This summer, Burlington has been repeatedly hit by large storms – a trend we can expect to continue every year. Large parking lots contribute to significant runoff during rainstorms, which can overwhelm stormwater management systems and lead to flooding. Reducing the number of parking spaces can mitigate this issue, as more permeable surfaces and green spaces can absorb rainwater, reducing runoff and improving water quality.
- Increased Housing Affordability: Parking requirements often increase the cost of housing, as developers pass on the expense of building parking spaces to homebuyers or renters. By removing these mandates, cities can help reduce the cost of new housing projects, potentially leading to more affordable housing options and reducing housing insecurity.
Minimum parking requirements are already being eliminated in cities such as Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa and Buffalo. Burlington now has a transformative opportunity to improve economic efficiency, environmental sustainability, and urban livability.
As more cities recognize the benefits of this approach, the trend toward eliminating minimum parking requirements will continue to grow, paving the way (pun not intended) for more resilient and adaptable urban environments. Of course, this is only true if it is coupled with investments in proper public transit, biking and walking infrastructure.
The City of Burlington has set a goal to increase the modal share of active transportation and public transit use to 15% respectively by 2051, according to its Integrated Mobility Plan. Eliminating minimum parking requirements for new developments is a major step in the right direction.