Proponents of the resolution say the city’s parking mandates encourage drunk driving and drive up construction costs for small businesses.

Austin could remove parking requirements for bars, taking a small step toward abolishing parking mandates citywide, reports James Rambin in Towers. “A resolution amending city code to eliminate non-accessible parking requirements for cocktail lounge land uses is on the agenda for this Thursday’s council meeting, introduced by CM Velásquez and co-sponsored by a downright bipartisan coalition of CMs Vela, Kelly, and Mayor Kirk Watson.”
Critics of parking requirements for bars argue the rules “effectively subsidize drunk driving” and encourage people to drive to bars. Additionally, the cost of building parking spots can be prohibitive for small bar owners. “It’s a small tweak that could subtly become one of the most broadly transformative land use changes Austin’s seen in years — but due to the wide-ranging effect of removing these parking minimums, we can already imagine the opposition.”
For Rambin, creating more opportunities for small neighborhood bars means more Austinites can “drink and socialize within walking distance of their homes, removing cars from the equation entirely.” As Rambin points out, “that ought to be a policy goal in a state where nearly 30 percent of traffic fatalities involve impairment from alcohol.”
FULL STORY: Raise a Glass to Austin’s Planned Abolition of Bar Parking Mandates

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.

Understanding Road Diets
An explainer from Momentum highlights the advantages of reducing vehicle lanes in favor of more bike, transit, and pedestrian infrastructure.

New California Law Regulates Warehouse Pollution
A new law tightens building and emissions regulations for large distribution warehouses to mitigate air pollution and traffic in surrounding communities.

Phoenix Announces Opening Date for Light Rail Extension
The South Central extension will connect South Phoenix to downtown and other major hubs starting on June 7.
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