Changes to parking regulations for new development projects in the City of Victoria may be coming, after committee of the whole unanimously voted to direct staff to look into a number of considerations.
In a report, staff said parking regulations were last considered in 2018 and at the time council indicated that staff should conduct a review every five years.
Staff indicated a number of areas that would be up for consideration for off-street parking in new developments:
- Reduced parking minimums
- Implementing parking maximums
- Alternative measures in lieu of off-street parking
- Expanding standards for bike parking
- Loading staff requirements
- Additional accessibility considerations including mobility device parking
- Charging for electric vehicles
- Shared vehicle parking
- Cash-in-lieu of parking
- Process changes to expedite parking variances.
While presenting to council, staff said that since the 1980s there has been a steady decrease in the number of vehicles entering and leaving the city, due to changes in land use, workplace patterns, and personal preference.
Staff said they expect this trend to continue, especially as there is more investment into alternative transportation options including public transit, walking and cycling.
Coun. Dave Thompson said he was pleased to see the scope of potential changes staff is considering.
“It feels wide-ranging but also, to pick a few examples of things that I was really pleased to see, I was pleased to see a lot more than this, but a review of accessible parking,” Thompson said.
“I was stunned when I first looked at, a couple of years ago, at the Victoria map of accessible parking spots and noticed that it was concentrated downtown and on Dallas road and almost nothing else.”
Thompson said he is happy to see there is consideration for finding alternate ways for people to get around the city.
“There will be a need for cars, it will be ongoing, and we will satisfy that need,” Thompson said. “But it’s not the only requirement. We spaces for people to live, not just for cars to live.”
Laura Brougham
