The Harvard Crimson reported today that the Cambridge City Council committee unanimously recommended a policy order eliminating minimum requirements for off-street parking spaces for new developments.
Currently, developers must build at least one off-street parking space for each unit in a new residential building, with slightly different requirements for non-residential development.
Brookline’s zoning requirements also calls for a minimum parking spaces to be built for each new construction project, driving construction costs higher and lowering the affordability of Brookline condos.
According to a 2020 report from the Cambridge Community Development Department, the share of both Cambridge residents and non-resident workers who drive to work has fallen significantly since 2000, while the share of people walking, biking, or taking public transportation has risen.
Brookline should also deliberate on this issue, and hopefully relieve developers from a minimum requirement for parking space. As we see more buyers commuting to work by train, foot and bicycle, this might be a good idea to follow suit.
