Members of the Land Use, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the plan on May 20; Denver City Council is expected to hold a public hearing on the proposal on July 7.
"We're doing this to promote the development of more housing, provide flexibility for development to include the number of parking spaces they deem necessary based upon local conditions, and streamline our regulations," Senior City Planner Justin Montgomery said during the May 20 meeting.
But in their comments on the Westword Facebook page, some readers suggest the city should hold its horses. Says Robert:
If you travel to other cities on the East Coast or Europe or Asia, you’ll see that walking and transit can be really good ways to get around.Responds Forrest:
You're supposed to build better public transport first.Comments Jerry:
Screw the nearby residential neighborhood. Those taxpaying homeowners don’t need parking for family get-togethers, faith gatherings or school friends. The displaced new residents will lock the remaining street parking, just like the Speer Boulevard area.Adds Megan:
There's already not enough parking. I work late on weekends. I've driven around for 45 minutes at midnight and had to park two blocks from my apartment and walk home. I just got a parking spot in my building after being on a wait list since March.Says Peter:
I live down by the art museum and they took away our guest parking permits, which was total BS. I live in one of the oldest developments in the Golden Triangle; we should’ve been grandfathered in.Counters Erin:
Good. It’s not the government's place to dictate storage requirements.Adds Kevin:
Good. Denver has way too much space dedicated to ugly surface lots. Blighted-looking heat traps.Responds Jennifer:
I think about going to Washington Park: I am all for walkable neighborhoods, but these blocks were designed many years ago with less population. It is time to build some parking garages near neighborhoods and have a small shuttle bus or somethingWonders Jeff:
So where are we gonna hitch our horses since they’re trying to get rid of cars?Asks Dennis:
What could possibly go wrong?Answers Ben:
Well, that’s a good way to empty out the city.What do you think about the proposal to do away with parking minimums at new Denver developments? Post a comment or share your thoughts at [email protected].
