County sets more meetings on parking reduction proposals
Fairfax County has scheduled two more meetings on its “Parking Reimagined” proposals, which would reduce the parking requirements for new developments.
The planning department is hosting virtual sessions Jan. 5 and Jan. 12. Both meetings are 7-8 p.m. Visit the Parking Reimagined website for links to access the meetings on Zoom. There’s also a comment form on the website. Comments are due Jan. 16.
Related story: County to reduce parking requirements
The Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors are scheduled to hold public hearings on the proposals this spring.
Parking Reimagined would reduce the number of parking spaces required in multifamily housing developments and businesses. Developments in urban areas and areas close to transit would need fewer parking spaces than those in other areas.
The parking requirement for townhouse developments in urban areas, for example, would be reduced from 2.7 to two spaces per unit.
Related story: Parking needs to be ‘reimagined,’ but the county plan needs work
For multifamily housing, the requirement for parking would generally be reduced from 1.6 to 1.3 spaces per unit.
Parking requirements would also be reduced for retail, restaurants, and offices. There would be a tiered framework, based on land use density and intensity.
This idea / proposal works for those areas near metro train service. For the vast majority of us in Fairfax it is a pure giveaway to developers, windfall profit. Moreover, for Mason District it is a recipe for mor gridlock, more work trucks parked on our road and more problems for everyone parking. Drive by any multi-family complex in Mason and there is not enough parking now as multi generations are living in many of the units. Heck, many houses now hold multi-generations of a family in one unit. The result is many more cars than available parking all across Mason.
Government disconnect and out touch with reality doesn’t begin to explain what this is. Call Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross and let her know your views. Nothing will chang if you don’t call Gross’ office. Her office is open during regular office hours (8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday), & telephone number to call is 703-256-7717.
Residents can also email Supervisor Gross at [email protected]
This proposed parking amendment will have affect all of us, but will have the worst affect on residents living in multifamily dwellings. These residents will have to pay more for parking and transportation. Unfortunately, many of these residents are low-income residents and should not have to shoulder this additional burden. The basis of economic theory is for those who benefit from a policy to bear the costs of that policy. That is not what is currently proposed in this amendment.
This is a matter of equity. More cars on the street means more cars to be involuntarily reallocated to DC and MD residents. Reduced parking means restorative reparations.
I actually agree with this. Most of the “extra” cars in our neighborhood are residents with registered cars in Maryland and not Virginia. They are residents of Virginia living in multi-generational homes but are evading Virginia property tax. When calling zoning on them and even showing 30 days of pictures there is very little that can be done.
If an enforcement effort was made, either less cars would be on the street or more cars would be registered and increase the tax base. I get that most that are evading taxes are on the lower economical scale, but they chose Virginia for the lower taxes (over MD) but choose Maryland to register their cars – in effect gaming the system.
I don’t think those cars are “extra” cars, I think they are just not registered correctly, probably to avoid taxes, as you stated. I think if you notify FCPD they could help with enforcement.
The proposed parking amendment only reduces the Minimum Parking Requirements that developers need to provide. It does not address enforcement of overflow parking at all.
I have been calling on not properly registered cars for over 20 years (also rentals with too many renters) and you know how many times the code has been enforced by FCPD/Zoning Enforcement? ZERO. Zero Times. It is a joke.
The zoning employees work on a 9-5 schedule 5 days a week. That means the lots are empty if/when FFC inspectors do leave their offices. After 5 and on weekends it’s fair game to park as many cars/Trucks/work vehicles on FF streets as possible. I don’t think the FFP have the authority to enter private property to investigate out of state vehicles. But that’s what Penny Gross should be doing meeting with our Richmond representatives to get a law passed (even if it’s just for FFC) to permit enforcement. But the police will say we are understaffed which seems to be the excuse for everything. (6 months after the loud muffler law was enacted I still hear the thundering of cars racing with noisy mufflers). My complaint to the Police Captain of the Mason District Office go unanswered. Even follow ups are ignored. I called the non urgent number police number and reported at least 25 cars with noisy mufflers were congregating in the Red Robin parking lot at 7 corners. Did the cops come? Nope. Why is it that as soon as you cross the border of FFC and Arlington County on Columbia Pike there’s massive development taking place. Why are real estate investors black listing downtown Annandale? Speaking of investors I’m hoping that the strong winds blow away the ugly development being built on the corner of 236 and John Marr Drive. It’s an eyesore. Let me guess more nail salons and bubble tea joints.