Act Now for Smarter Growth and Cleaner Water in North Carolina!
On March 11, North Carolina lawmakers introduced House Bill 369, the Parking Lot Reform and Modernization Act. This legislation aims to address important concerns related to water quality, public health, and affordability by removing mandated parking requirements across the state. As the bill progresses through the legislative process, this is your opportunity to make your voice heard by signing the Catawba Riverkeeper's Petition for Parking Lot Reform & Modernization!
Why is this bill important?
Parking reform will lead to the following:
Improved Walkability and Transit Use:
- Parking minimums can encourage car dependency by requiring large parking facilities, making it difficult to walk or bike to destinations.
- Removing parking minimums can free up space for more pedestrian-friendly streets, bike lanes, and transit hubs, promoting healthier and more sustainable transportation options.
Thriving Small Businesses
- Small businesses have lower development costs and more space for customers and business growth when there are no parking minimums. In some cases, a business may not even be able to open if there is not enough land to meet parking minimums.
- Lower Development Costs – Eliminating mandatory parking minimums reduces construction expenses, making it more affordable for small businesses to open or expand.
- More Space for Customers and Business Growth – Instead of dedicating valuable land to underused parking, businesses can use it for additional retail space, outdoor seating, or landscaping that attracts customers.
- Increased Foot Traffic and Accessibility – Walkable, transit-friendly areas with less excess parking tend to draw more visitors, boosting sales for small businesses while creating a more vibrant local economy.
Reduced Housing Costs:
- Parking minimums elevate development costs, as developers must construct and maintain parking spaces even when demand is low. Mall parking exemplifies this wasted space; 95% of the time, the available parking spaces are far from being utilized.
- These costs are ultimately passed on to residents through higher rents or property values, making housing less affordable.
- By eliminating parking minimums, developers can allocate resources more efficiently, potentially lowering housing costs.
More Efficient Land Use:
- Parking minimums can lead to inefficient use of land, as large parking lots or garages can take up valuable space that could be used for housing, retail, or other amenities.
- By allowing developers to respond to actual parking demand, we can better use urban land and create more vibrant and livable communities.
For example, the Iron District filing to the City of Charlotte says the development would include:
- 489 residential units totaling 562,000 s.f.
- A 145-room hotel totaling 77,000 s.f.
- 152,000 s.f. of retail space
- 161,000 s.f. of office space
- 524,000 s.f. of parking
This will allocate nearly as much space for storing cars as it does for people to live in!
Environmental Benefits:
- Parking minimums can increase traffic congestion and air pollution as more people are encouraged to drive.
- Promoting more compact and walkable communities can reduce car dependency and improve air quality.
Importantly, this bill does NOT prevent parking; rather, it promotes flexibility and common sense!
Sustain Charlotte has been working to update parking requirements in Charlotte for many years, including the original Transit Oriented Development (TOD) zoning updates and, more recently, the Unified Development Ordinance. If passed, this bill will enable a smarter path for Charlotte's growth. Please sign below and share with others!