Evanston May Eliminate Parking Minimums for Developers

A game of tug-o-war is on over whether Evanston should drop its minimum parking requirements for new developments, with advocates and critics on almost equal footing.

Evanston’s Land Use Commission is exploring a City Council recommendation to revise parking minimums in the city’s upcoming zoning code tweaks — a proposal that drew mixed reactions from city officials and community members during a Wednesday meeting, Evanston Now reported.

The thesis behind eliminating parking restrictions on new developments — as dozens of other communities have — springs from the fact that providing parking is often one of the costliest undertakings of developers, meaning that easing the rules could make housing and construction more affordable for consumers.

Commissioner Darush Mabadi expressed concern that easing parking requirements for new developments could place undue pressure on the government to provide parking. He warned that taxpayers might end up shouldering the burden of increased parking demand.

In response, Melissa Klotz, the city’s zoning administrator, clarified that developers could still be required to lease parking spaces in city garages if they choose not to provide on-site parking. She noted that the city’s three downtown garages currently have excess capacity, often remaining under half-full even during peak hours.

Sarah FioRito, the city’s transportation and mobility coordinator, explained that the proposed changes wouldn’t stop developers from including parking if they believe it would make their properties more appealing. The goal, she said, is to avoid creating unnecessary parking spaces where they’re not in high demand.

The discussion was informed by a report from the Parking Reform Network, which identified 88 communities, primarily in the U.S., that have removed parking minimum requirements. Some of these cities — such as Austin, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Boston and Duluth, Minnesota — have even set maximum parking limits for new developments.

During the meeting, Chair Matt Rodgers said he has observed “a real tension” as to whether Evanston — which neighbors Chicago’s northern border — is an urban area where public transit reduces the need for parking, or a suburban one where cars remain vital.

Commissioner Kiril Mirintchev called for gathering additional data to guide the decision, warning that reduced off-street parking could lead to a larger need for bike lanes and more pressure on street parking.

Public comments reflected a split opinion. Some high-rise condo owners objected to relaxing parking rules, while resident Jennifer Grandy supported the idea due to the cost burden, as she shared her experience of living in a vintage building without parking and being able to more easily afford groceries and student loan payments.

— Andrew Terrell