Austin Won't Commit to Parking Reductions for Affordable Housing Project

The developer of a proposed affordable housing argues that minimum parking requirements will reduce the number of units or pass costs to tenants, Austin regulators expressed are worried about local parking supplies and access to public transit.

1 minute read

July 18, 2021, 11:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Austin Texas

KENNY TONG / Shutterstock

The city of Austin's Board of Adjustments postponed making a decision on a parking variance for a North Central Austin affordable housing development until they can gather more information, reports Elizabeth Pagano. "[T]he project at 8300 N. Interstate 35 is an 'unusual' conversion of a hotel into multifamily affordable housing" that is "being converted under a restrictive covenant that requires at least half of the units be affordable to those earning 60 percent or below the median family income," making it less likely that residents will own cars at the same rate as more affluent households. "To keep the project affordable, [the developer] was asking for an 18 percent reduction – 44 spaces – from what the city code requires." Board members expressed discomfort with approving the variance, citing concerns about local access to public transportation and street parking. "You have some very strong neighborhood opposition and I don’t think there is any nearby on-street parking," said Board Member Brooke Bailey.

Growing evidence suggests that parking requirements, often based on outdated models that no longer reflect the reality of urban dwellers, stifle affordable housing development in areas that need it most and are usually higher than the actual needs of residents. Cities around the country have begun to reevaluate their parking requirements and create more exemptions for affordable housing developers.

Monday, July 12, 2021 in Austin Monitor

Black and white Rideshare Pick-Up Zone sign

The Slow Death of Ride Sharing

From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.

June 1, 2023 - Human Transit

Red on white 'Room for Rent, Inquire Inside' sign

In Most U.S. Cities, Archaic Laws Limit Roommate Living

Critics argue laws preventing unrelated adults from living in the same home fail to understand the modern American household.

May 24, 2023 - The Atlantic

Vancouver Chuck Wolfe

Ten Signs of a Resurgent Downtown

In GeekWire, Chuck Wolfe continues his exploration of a holistic and practical approach to post-pandemic urban center recovery, anchored in local context and community-driven initiatives that promote livability, safety, and sustainability.

May 24, 2023 - GeekWire

Vacant storefront in historic building on Powell Street in San Francisco, California

Few Landlords Pay San Francisco Vacancy Tax

Less than 3 percent of properties potentially subject to a new vacancy tax were filed as vacant in the last year, but empty storefronts in the city persist.

June 4 - San Francisco Chronicle

Aerial view of manufactured home being dropped off or moved by red truck in mobile home park

In Spite of Affordability Crisis, Richmond Rejects Manufactured Housing Plan

After declaring a housing crisis, the Virginia capital’s city council voted against a proposed manufactured home warehouse that would distribute replacements for aging manufactured housing stock.

June 4 - Greater Greater Washington

Graphic for '1000 Joys of Planning' with The Planning Commission Podcast

A Planning Commission Podcast Journey: The 1,000 Joys of Planning

The Commissioners explore the facets of the planning profession that fill their cups with joy.

June 4 - The Planning Commission Podcast

Project Manager III

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

UDO Transportation Planner

City of Charlotte - Charlotte Area Transit

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.