Dallas is considering a controversial proposal that would eliminate minimum off-street parking requirements in an effort to better optimize city land use.
Parking minimums mandate a specific number of spaces per square foot of development. Critics argue these requirements are inflexible, inflate costs and hinder urban planning innovation, the Dallas Morning News reported.
“We consistently build 20 to 30 percent more parking in our projects than is needed,” District 10 City Plan Commission member James Housewright said in a hearing on the matter this week. “This amended ordinance has the potential to do more good for the city in terms of land use and urban design than anything else we’ll do.”
However, other city leaders remain skeptical of the proposal. District 14 Commissioner Melissa Kingston questioned whether eliminating parking minimums entirely would be beneficial, especially in areas like Lowest Greenville, where parking is used to regulate business activity.
“We use parking to manage the balance of uses — it’s really the only way we can do it legally under state law,” Kingston said.
Supporters of the proposal highlight financial benefits and greater development flexibility. A single parking spot can cost developers $10,000 to $50,000, costs often passed on to consumers through higher rents and prices. The changes would not only increase urban density but also improve walkability, an initiative City Council has been behind for years.
However, critics worry about increased overflow parking on residential streets and accessibility challenges for businesses. Southern Dallas poses particular challenges due to its car-reliant infrastructure.
If approved, the proposal would not reduce parking for existing developments, but it would grant developers flexibility for future projects. Larger developments would require submission of transportation demand management plans to incentivize reduction of single-occupant vehicle trips.
— Andrew Terrell
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