Parking Requirements

Compulsory parking requirements in local zoning codes can hinder developers from establishing new businesses or building infill or mixed-use projects in more densely developed commercial centers, which typically are located within commuting distance of pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders. Municipalities can encourage developers to invest in local downtowns by creatively reducing their parking requirements. Some examples include: allowing on-street parking near a business to "count" to meet municipal parking requirements; reducing the amount of parking required when projects are proposed in mixed-use areas, or areas next to transit; and working with businesses to plan community parking facilities, and then allowing businesses to contribute a set fee per required parking space rather than providing their own parking on-site.

Another interesting approach to parking, which addresses water quality, aesthetics and open green space issues associated with parking lots, is to allow a developer (in certain circumstances) to meet minimum parking requirements by reserving land on the parcel to be developed so that if, in the future more parking is needed, enough land will be available to develop the necessary parking. An example of this may be found in the Village of Lansing's zoning ordinance, which allows developers to request such waivers as part of any Special Permit application.