By a vote of 61-37, the House of Delegates passed HB 888 (Shin) that mandates specific statewide standards for off-street parking be adopted in local zoning ordinances for “designated areas” defined as … any parcel that is (i) located within one mile of the entrance to a mass transit or public transportation station or facility; (ii) located within an approved small area plan and designated therein as a revitalization area or other designated district established for the purpose of facilitating residential or mixed-use development; (iii) located within a zoning district classification that permits residential, multifamily, or mixed-use development and authorizes a floor area ratio of 1.0 or greater, either by-right or by special exception, special use permit, conditional use permit, or other discretionary approval; or (iv) subject to an affordable dwelling unit ordinance pursuant to § 15.2-2304, 15.2-2305, or 15.2-2305.1. Within such areas localities are prohibited from requiring off-street parking spaces in amounts exceeding (1) one-half of one parking space per dwelling unit for multifamily or mixed-use residential development; and (2) one parking space per dwelling unit for one-family and two-family dwellings and townhouses.
ACTION REQUESTED
- Contact members of the Senate Local Government Committee and urge them to Oppose HB 888.
The legislation also requires localities with a population greater than 20,000 to provide for administrative reduction of minimum off-street parking requirements of not less than 20 percent for residential, multifamily, or mixed-use development proposed on parcels outside of the designated areas defined in the legislation.
KEY POINTS
- Off-street parking requirements should be crafted with the input of local stakeholders.
- Mandatory statewide standards arbitrarily applied to all localities will fail to address the unique needs and circumstances of individual neighborhoods and commercial districts.
KEY CONTACTS
VACo Contact: Joe Lerch, AICP