What Denver dumping parking requirements means for the city
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Dropping parking requirements is the latest way city elected officials are attempting to address Denver's persistent and alarming housing crisis.
The big picture: Backed by Mayor Mike Johnston's administration, city staff and council members who supported the change say it will spur more housing development, including affordable options.
- City Council approved the changes by a 9-3 overnight vote on Monday.
Why it matters: The change pushes developers to rethink how to use space, which advocates say could promote a more walkable city, signaling a potential paradigm shift in car-centric Denver.
Yes, but: City planning staff say developers will still provide parking despite the lack of requirements.
- Developers often exceeded existing parking requirements, even adding spaces when no parking was required, city staff noted Monday.
The intrigue: Existing requirements were hindering the city's housing potential, with a recent University of Denver study finding that eliminating the minimum could result in 450 additional homes on average.
- The new rule will shift "from a one-size-fits-all regulation to a more resident-focused approach," the study notes.
What they're saying: "We should prioritize shelter for people over shelter for cars," Councilmember Chris Hinds said during the meeting.
- Councilmember Sarah Parady, who backed the measure, said the change could reduce reliance on cars, though her colleagues who supported the change noted some residents rely on cars for their livelihood.
The other side: Councilmember Amanda Sawyer, who voted no, said less parking and less car reliance could be achieved with parking maximums and pressuring RTD to provide more reliable transit.
- Councilmember Kevin Flynn also voted no, adding the measure won't lower housing costs.
The bottom line: Even supporters noted dropping parking requirements isn't a silver bullet — but it could turn into a valuable tool to build more affordable units.