Jesse Winter, Centretown News
OC Transpo buses roll along Wellington Street in Ottawa.The City of Ottawa is asking residents to join the debate on minimum parking requirements for new developments in the city.
Currently, developments require a designated number of spots, depending on their size. This can create difficulties in older neighbourhoods where space is not always easy to find.
City planner Tim Moerman says a lot of consultation is being done with the community to ensure that all voices and ideas are heard.
“Zoning is challenging enough if you do this for a living. It’s written in nobody’s first language.”
Many view the current requirements as outdated and working against the city’s current goal of increasing use of sustainable transportation options.
According to a city report, current requirements in most cities were introduced after the Second World War, in reaction to the post-war boom of car buying.
“We want complete communities […] where people can access their daily needs without having to get into a car and drive halfway across town,” says Moerman.
Proposed changes to minimums could have a significant impact on new grocery stores, making it easier for more to open by allowing them to offer fewer parking spots.
For example grocery stores under 1,000 square metres, such as McKeen’s Metro in the Glebe, would then be exempt from providing parking.
At a recent planning committee meeting, Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney expressed her desire for a grocery store to be built in the proposed building at the corner of Bay and Slater streets.
Despite support for the reduction of parking minimums, some foresee problems arising.
“Regardless of the goals in terms of reducing the use of automobiles, people are still going to have automobiles,” said Christine Leadman, executive director of the Bank Street BIA, a downtown merchants’ association.
Leadman expressed concern that eliminating parking requirements would force people to park on side streets and could lead them away from main streets where most businesses are located.
“It is certainly a goal to make our area more sustainable and people-friendly, but at the same time there is also pressure put on residential streets.”
Those interested in joining the discussion can contact Moerman by email at minimumparking@ottawa.ca or call 613-580-2424 ext. 13944 by Dec. 18.