by Dave Illsey, Director, PBPCA
Proposed changes to parking requirements applicable to new development proposals.
On July 15, 2020, Calgary City Council resolved to eliminate (from the Land Use Bylaw, or LUB) minimal parking requirements applicable to proposed businesses and commercial developments. Currently, parking count for each proposed development is regulated by the Land Use Bylaw (LUB). This change will require a business, property owner, or developer to inform City Administration (Planning) of the number of parking stalls to be provided in their proposed development. Note that provision of barrier-free, bicycle, visitor, and loading-stall parking will remain as requirements under the LUB. For more info, refer to City of Calgary website provided below.
Since some proposed changes were unclear as to application, or extent of changes, the questions below were submitted to the COC, through Councillor J. Farkas. Questions, with COC responses dated September 2, 2020 are included below and bolded:
Existing multi-family residential properties will no longer be encouraged to provide on-site parking for vehicles. As a result, should we expect parking will line both sides of adjacent streets and avenues, creating potentially unsafe and unsightly conditions for those living in close proximity?
The subject amendments to the Land Use Bylaw propose to remove minimum parking requirements for business uses, and do not include the removal of minimum parking requirements for any residential uses. As such, multi-residential development will continue to be subject to the existing minimum parking requirements identified in the Land Use Bylaw.
Will existing or established parking facilities in existing urban communities be subject to modification? For example, small retail outlets, schools, community centres, commercial/retail centres, and multi-family developments? If so, how will this be addressed in the Guidebook for Great Communities?
The proposed changes are for all development, both new and existing. Notwithstanding, as above, the amendments do not propose to change minimum parking requirements for multi-residential development. The present policies identified in the draft Guidebook for Great Communities only require marginal changes to support the proposed Land Use Bylaw amendments.
Has consideration been given to parking serving rezoned urban residential development, such as “R-C1”- Residential Contextual One Dwelling”, which addresses re-development designed to achieve increased population density and possibly resulting in additional motor vehicles per site?
As mentioned, the proposed amendments do not change the parking requirements for any residential uses.
Are the proposed changes to parking more appropriate for future developments in the inner city (downtown core), rather than in urban communities?
At the July 15 Standing Policy Committee meeting of Planning and Urban Development (PUD), members of Council gave direction to Administration to remove minimum parking requirements for commercial uses from the Land Use Bylaw throughout Calgary. There will be an opportunity to provide feedback directly to Council at the November 2 Public Hearing of Council.
Will this change affect existing (assigned) on-street parking serving inner-city residents and tenants?
It will not.
We trust the above clarifications will assist residents of Palliser Bayview Pump Hill in their understanding the City of Calgary approach and reasons for proposed changes to vehicle parking requirements. The City of Calgary link may also provide further information as to city planning for future community redevelopment: https://engage.calgary.ca/parking, click on “Parking Choices for Businesses” and scroll to “What We Heard Report”.
