ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT / MULTI-FAMILY PARKING REDUCTION

To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 6 of the Zoning Bylaw to provide additional options for reducing parking requirements in multi-family residential developments and add a definition and standards for cargo bicycle parking; or take any action related thereto.

Inserted at the request of Vincent Baudoin and 10 registered voters

VOTE: No Action (5-0) 

DISCUSSION
Article 37 proposed to expand the options available to developers of multi-family housing to reduce the amount of required parking without having to seek a special permit. This proposal would create standards for cargo bicycle parking, and it includes a provision that would allow the use of on-street parking spaces located within 1,000 feet of the multi-family development to meet parking requirements. 

 
The Board members support the addition of standards for cargo bicycle parking and including it as a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measure. The Board was concerned about the proposal to allow On-Street Parking to satisfy parking requirements. Although the Select Board recently approved making the overnight parking pilot program permanent, the proposed wording for the parking reduction does not conform to an overnight on-street parking permit program. Also, the Board felt that it was premature to proceed until they had information on how the new overnight parking program is being structured. There is additional concern about the limited number of on-street parking permits available, keeping track of on-street parking permits for subsequent multi-family developments, and the impacts of parking bans during snow emergencies. The Board was hesitant to significantly reduce parking requirements for residential developments until they have more time to discuss the impacts and alignment with the Town-wide overnight parking program provisions, and they agreed to review it in 2026.

That no action be taken on Article 37.