Akron Considering the End of Parking Minimums as a Downtown Development Incentive

The Akron City Council will this week decide on legislation that could at it to the roster of cities that have reformed parking requirements.

1 minute read

October 24, 2016, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Akron

Henryk Sadura / Shutterstock

"Akron is looking to do away with the minimum parking requirement for new housing developments downtown, hoping that change helps spur residential growth," reports Rick Armon.

"The council is expected to vote Monday on the parking legislation, which also would establish a maximum amount of parking allowed per housing unit," adds Armon.

As Planetizen readers know, parking minimums are almost ubiquitous around the country, though a trend toward reform of these requirements is gaining speed. Parking requirements have been shown to increase housing costs and incentivize driving.

The parking minimums in Akron are currently set at 1.5 parking spots per housing unit. According to Armon, the new "legislation would do away with the minimum requirement, it also would limit developers to a maximum of one space per unit."

Saturday, October 22, 2016 in Akron Beacon Journal

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