A bill before the state legislature currently in session would “prohibit the imposition of mandatory minimum parking requirements for any development in a municipality.”
The proposed legislation has backers and detractors. Proponents argue it would lessen developments costs in a state that needs tens of thousands more affordable housing units. Critics maintain it’s a quality of life issue adversely impacting renters while leaving municipalities to deal with congestion issues due to inadequate off-street parking, as well as one-size-does-not-fit-all given the different landscapes of urban, suburban and rural areas.
In 2021 the state legislature limited, during Covid, off-street parking spaces that municipalities require on any development: one space for studio and one bedroom units and two spaces for two-plus bedroom units.
Legislators approved a municipality opt out with a two thirds vote of local zoning commissions. Bridgeport’s Zoning Commission opted out.
One such high-density, 74-unit housing development without required parking on the East Side has become a flash point for critics.
Retired Superior Court Judge Carmen Lopez addressed the City Council Monday night to rally members to prevail upon Bridgeport’s state legislative delegation to oppose the bill backed by House Majority Leader Jason Rojas. See her remarks in video above.
Apartment buildings have to have adequate parking spaces. No way can you have a full building of apartments all parking on the streets. Go take a drive into NY and see how badly congested and unsafe those streets are with all the cars parked in the streets. Its ridiculous!!!!!!……….LOOKS LIKE COMPLETE HELL