City of Marysville
Public Workshop
Downtown Parking
Exemption
November 7, 2023
Chapter 18 Downtown Parking
»Current requirement: 1.5 offsite spaces per unit.
Why explore a reduction in required parking?
»Parking is expensive.
»City is trying to increase economic development and
investment in the Downtown Area.
»Increasingly more and more cities are exempting parking in downtown areas in order to support economic development, reduce development costs and increase alternate forms of travel (transit, bicycle and pedestrian activity).
Constraints to Onsite Parking
»Many parcels downtown include buildings that cover the entire parcel.
»Additional Onsite Parking is not possible, or for parcels that aren’t completely built out, would reduce development
potential.
»Developers are expressing concern regarding the standard.
Parking Studies Results
»Perceived Lack of Parking not supported by recent
parking studies
»Ample on-street parking is available within a threeminute or less walk. »There are several impacted areas in front of certain
businesses and within the Medical Arts District adjacent to Rideout Hospital.
Zoning Code
Proposed
Changes
Proposed Changes
»18.60.020 Central business district exceptions.
Within the C-2 and C-3 zoning districts in the central
business district, minimum off-street parking is not
required. required for residential uses, hotels and motels only. (Ord. 1296 § 1 (part), 2005).
Area where Parking would be Exempted
Additional Parking Could be Proposed
»The amendment eliminates the minimum required
parking but will not preclude the provision of
parking. Developers will be allowed to provide
onsite parking to meet their individual demands.
Planning Commission Consideration
The Planning Commission had a robust discussion at its:
»May 31, 2023, June 26, 2023, July 26, 2023, and August 16, 2023, meetings
»Most were supportive of reducing and/or eliminating parking standards to support development.
»Two Commissioners were concerned regarding reducing
standards without the ability to review.
»Planning Commission recommends removing requirements.
Alternatives
Alternatives
1.Recommend elimination of minimum parking requirements or:
» Within the C-2 and C-3 zoning districts in the Central Business District, minimum off-Street parking for new residential or hotel projects of ten (10) units or more should provide .5 onsite spaces per residential unit.
Reduced parking and/or offsite parking may be approved
administratively with approval from the Community Development Director or designee.