Parking Reform is on the City’s Mind

After attending the most recent Bloomington Planning Commission on March 6th, I was heartened to see that parking reform passed unanimously.

Several changes to city code effectively reduces parking minimum requirements in downtown for both residential and non-residential uses.

If a new development is within 1000 feet of public parking, they can substitute 3 public parking spaces for every one required off-street parking space. As shown by the map below created by city staff, this essentially reduces parking requirements in downtown and the near neighborhoods.

The commission also increased the transit reduction credit to 1320 feet from transit stations developments can reduce parking by 10%, as well an additional 10% reduction for proximity to pedestrian areas (aka Downtown).

As non-residential uses in D-2 district will have their entire mimimums waived.

I think this is a major step in the right direction, but I still think eliminating all parking minimums should be the end goal. These changes need to be finalized by city council at a later date.