Nanaimo is looking at eliminating minimum off-street parking requirements for new developments downtown.
According to a report from city staff, presented to council on May 26, the change would allow developers to determine the appropriate amount of parking for individual developments.
“The downtown urban centre serves as Nanaimo’s primary urban centre and functions as the city’s cultural, economic and mobility hub, with the highest population and mix of uses. This urban centre is designated to support greater density and is generally well-served for pedestrians and transit and is improving for cyclists,” the report reads. “Planned improvements, including the downtown transit exchange, will provide increased transportation options for those visiting or residing downtown.”
It notes the demand for on-street parking may increase with growth downtown, but city staff anticipate the impacts of eliminating parking requirements will be mitigated by other mobility options.
“Eliminating parking minimums for all uses in an area that is consistent with the boundaries of the downtown urban centre, as established in City Plan, ensures that local context including envisioned density, building form, and transportation planning are considered,” the report says.
The report says the change is intended to prioritize local context when considering developments, rather than arbitrary designations. It adds the change would support compact, transit-oriented developments.
Council carried first and second reading of the amendments and the next step will be a public hearing. According to city staff, this will be planned in June.
