Council to hold hearing July 30 on extending downtown parking interim control through November
Summary
Council placed an ordinance on the July 30 agenda to extend an interim control that halves off‑street parking requirements in the METC zone. Staff said more time is needed to measure the interim control’s effects on business formation and expansions.
Council directed staff to schedule a public hearing July 30 on an ordinance to extend an interim control that reduces off‑street parking requirements by 50% for most commercial uses in the METC mixed‑use town‑center zone.
The interim control was adopted earlier in the year to lower barriers to business openings and expansions in the downtown core. Staff told the council the measure has been in place for five months and that more time is needed to evaluate whether the reduction is achieving the intended outcomes — encouraging new businesses and enabling existing tenants to split or downsize leased spaces without being blocked by parking minimums.
Council agreed to move the draft ordinance (to extend the interim control through November) to the July 30 regular meeting for a public hearing and possible action following the hearing.
Why this matters: Parking requirements affect development feasibility and business recruitment in downtown commercial zones.
Next steps: Staff to publish a public‑hearing notice and present data on interim‑control outcomes at the July 30 meeting.
