Atlanta considers capping the number of parking spaces for new developments

ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) – There’s new laws earlier than the Atlanta Metropolis Council that will restrict the variety of parking areas allowed for brand spanking new growth initiatives within the metropolis’s downtown and midtown districts. The purpose of the proposal is to shift the town’s emphasis away from automobiles.

Anna Ramsey moved to midtown three months in the past. For her, midtown’s attraction is its walkability.

“Particularly, individuals of their 20′s and 30′s I feel we like the provision of with the ability to stroll slightly than, oh I’ve to drive to a bar,” mentioned Ramsey.

Atlanta’s midtown and downtown districts are thought-about essentially the most walkable and transit accessible. A brand new proposal earlier than the Atlanta Metropolis Council would assist to maintain it that approach and construct on that asset. Atlanta metropolis councilor Jason Dozier is introducing laws aimed toward lowering the variety of parking areas for brand spanking new growth initiatives in midtown and downtown.

“Each parking house that we construct is house that we will’t decide to certainly one of these different makes use of whether or not it’s retail, whether or not it’s business, or workplace that makes our neighborhood vibrant,” mentioned Dozier, metropolis council district 4 consultant.

Dozier says research present the town already has loads of parking. Whereas he feels much less parking will in the end encourage extra growth and make the town safer for pedestrians, opponents like Danny Hughes of Oak Grove fear it’ll hold individuals away from the town’s core. He says the town wants to enhance the MARTA system.

“Whenever you even have trains that may lengthen commuters 15, 20 miles exterior the town core, so once you begin occupied with proscribing parking with the idea that you simply’ll improve pedestrian visitors,” mentioned Hughes. “Nicely, it is going to for people who’ve a mechanism to get right here within the first place.”

Matt Garbett is the co-founder of ThreadATL. The group advocates for decreased parking in Atlanta and a extra walkable, bikeable, and fewer car-dependent metropolis. Garbett says there must be a cultural shift in the best way we take into consideration transferring concerning the metropolis. He says sensible city planning may also help.

“The way in which we construct our metropolis tells individuals tips on how to behave. So, when you put parking in all places it tells individuals to drive. Should you put housing and providers in all places and sidewalks it tells individuals to stroll,” mentioned Garbett.

The laws is to start with phases, however Dozier says he’s assured that it’ll move – and each midtown and downtown might be higher for it.

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