In virtually every Canadian municipality, it goes without question that new homes and businesses must provide off-street parking spaces for customers and residents. These minimum parking requirements have a significant impact on the form and function of our communities, and are of increasingly questionable value. On June 23, 2020, Edmonton City Council voted to remove minimum parking requirements from Edmonton’s Zoning Bylaw. Removing parking minimums doesn’t necessarily mean that no parking will be provided. Rather, the amount of parking provided is left to the developers, businesses and homeowners — those who best understand their parking needs.
This presentation details Edmonton’s journey to eliminating parking minimums city-wide, including the public consultation and technical studies we undertook to understand why open option parking is essential to building a better city.
About the Speakers
Anne Stevenson (RPP) has worked in urban design and planning for the past 15 years, both in Canada and abroad. She is passionate about building more equitable cities that serve all residents. Following 7 years at the City of Edmonton, Anne now works in affordable housing with the Right at Home Housing Society.
James Veltkamp (RPP, MCIP) has over 10 years experience working as a Professional Planner in public service. James has a professional interest in improving the effectiveness of local government to meet its long term strategic goals. His current role with the City of Edmonton specializes in Zoning Bylaw text amendments, and he spent the last six years building support for what became the comprehensive parking review, and Charter Bylaw 19275.
Dallas Karhut (P. Eng.) is a Transportation Engineer with a keen interest in how the analysis and design of our transportation systems evolve to better adapt to the needs of people who walk, bike, ride transit and drive. His current role with the City of Edmonton focuses on developing city-wide transportation plans and policies, and he also has experience in site and neighbourhood-level traffic and parking planning.
