The legislation, which would ban parking requirements near transit to encourage housing development and bring down housing costs, would be a rare federal preemption of local control.
Following a flurry of parking reform bills at the local and state level, Rep. Robert Garcia (D—California) is introducing a bill that would eliminate minimum parking requirements near transit stations nationwide. As explained by Eliza Relman and Bryan Metzger in Business Insider, “The legislation aims to promote housing density and walkability in urban areas by getting rid of requirements that developers provide a certain amount of off-street parking with every project.”
Garcia hopes at least some Republican lawmakers will support the bill, saying that housing affordability and accessibility are issues that “everyone should be behind.”
An article in Reason by Christian Britschgi further explains the historic nature of federal-level zoning reform, a project traditionally considered the right of local jurisdictions. Although federal legislation affecting zoning and land use is rare, laws such as the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) of 2000 and the Telecommunications Act of 1996 provide past models for federal preemption of local zoning controls.
Austin Eliminates Parking Requirements
After eliminating downtown parking requirements ten years ago, the city will now end minimum parking mandates citywide.
Small Towns Lead in Parking Reform
Small towns and communities around the country are eliminating parking requirements at a faster rate than big cities.
Colorado Lawmakers Renew Zoning Reform Efforts
The state legislature will consider a package of land use laws aimed at increasing the housing supply and reducing housing costs.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service