Will Brookline eliminate parking requirement for new developments like Cambridge has?

Published on: April 6, 2022By: Elad BushariCategory: Brookline Real Estate News

Cambridge is eliminating minimum requirements for off-street parking spaces for new developments, will Brookline follow suit?

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.

About Elad Bushari

Elad Bushari is a Brookline, Massachusetts real estate advisor, Executive Vice President at Compass, and founder of The Bushari Team. With more than 22 years of experience and over $1 billion in career sales, Elad specializes in Brookline real estate, luxury homes, condominiums, multi-family properties, development sales, and strategic representation. Based in Brookline, Elad advises buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, and developers across Coolidge Corner, Washington Square, Chestnut Hill, Fisher Hill, Brookline Village, Longwood, and Greater Boston. His work combines hyperlocal market knowledge, data-driven pricing strategy, high-end marketing, negotiation experience, and deep familiarity with Brookline’s housing stock, condo buildings, schools, zoning, and neighborhood dynamics. Elad writes about Brookline real estate market trends, housing policy, condo due diligence, private listing strategy, older-home risk, luxury property marketing, and local buyer and seller strategy on Bushari.com.

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