Stamford approves reduction of parking for new projects

Currently, the city of Stamford, Connecticut is continuously developing multifamily housing projects in all its areas as a measure to try to meet the high demand for housing from its residents.

Although these new projects are working in favor of housing and residents, the Zoning Board recently declared that it will reduce the authorizations and building permits for parking for multifamily housing projects.

This reduction in parking permits is part of a strategy by local officials who seek to promote the construction of more one to three-bedroom apartments and discourage the construction of studio or loft-type housing, so that the real estate market in Stamford can support the high demand from family groups with housing needs that require more than two bedrooms.

However, these reductions in construction permits for parking were not in large proportions; now, housing project developers will only need to provide one parking space per unit instead of two or more as was frequently done.

A clear example of this new strategy can be seen in the current and largest housing project in Stamford, 18 Dock St. This residential development included a large parking area in its construction plan, but with this new zoning, it will now have to reduce approximately 22 parking spaces from its initial plans.

Just as this important construction had to adjust to the new parameters of the city, future housing projects will have to do so as well. The issuance of parking construction permits will also depend on the distance between the construction project and downtown Stamford.

With this new regulation for parking construction, the Zoning Board has eliminated parking requirements for properties of less than 25,000 square feet in downtown Stamford and transit-oriented development areas, as long as the entrance of the future construction is near a public or private parking facility that operates continuously without closing. If the property exceeds the square footage limit, the rule states that the parking requirement would be reduced by half, but only if it is also close to parking options that do not close.

For several years, the Stamford Planning Board has been conducting a study on parking and its capacity within the city. The study revealed that existing housing projects had excessive numbers of parking spaces that occupy significant capacity of the lot, where more affordable housing could perhaps have been built.

Opponents of this new measure argue that this reduction in parking could create many more challenges for residents frequenting downtown, as the limited availability will lead to an increase in demand for parking.

However, the administration assures that the downtown areas of Stamford have sufficient parking spaces, both public and private, and that this reduction will not only meet housing demand but also make the city center a less polluted, more viable, and walkable place.

Available Foreclosure:

Stamford: 45 homes available.

South End: 12 homes available.

Downtown: 20 homes available.

By Elías DaSilva | 12 de Noviembre de 2024.