This page outlines one of the three demands in Ecology Ottawa and Walkable Ottawa’s 15-minute neighbourhood petition.
Ottawa's new Zoning By-Law needs a Parking Strategy to increase density and retain permeable surfaces.
Most neighbourhoods in Ottawa lack adequate transit and active transportation infrastructure to transition to a 15-minute neighbourhood; the city needs practical strategies for parking until they do.
Neighbourhoods with great potential for infill housing often don't have enough density/people living in them or enough tax revenue to support needed upgrades, or investments in public transit and active transportation (like biking or walking paths). Adding more homes through infill increases housing in already serviced areas through the development of vacant lots. However, without good transit or active transportation infrastructure, developers largely won't build multi-unit homes because they aren’t able to provide enough parking or at the needed densities.
Street parked car (Pexels).
Cities can’t afford to build the transit systems that would reduce the need for parking until there are more people living in these areas. This situation is a "Catch-22," where one thing depends on the other, but neither can happen first: Car-free residential density and adequate public transit. On-site parking isn't an option because it displaces dwelling units. To reach the desired level of transit-supportive density, the development land must be used for people rather than cars. Transitional parking, including street permit parking, temporary surface parking lots and parkades are necessary for neighbourhoods to support a transition to walkability. Once neighbourhoods become walkable, these parking solutions can be removed, reduced, or retrofitted.
Our Recommendations
- Eliminate On-Site Parking Requirements and Institute Street Permit Parking
Eliminating on-site parking is a very important first step to achieving transit-supportive residential densities. Providing street permit parking compliments this change. The new Zoning By-Law must keep the proposed elimination of on-site parking requirements as the draft is edited.
- Permit Parking Lots in the Neighbourhood or Adjacent Lands
The new Zoning By-Law must permit small temporary surface parking lots with appropriate fencing and landscaping to hide them. Allowing small parking lots could address short to medium term parking needs, with properties transitioning from parking to housing over time. Zoning should require wood board fencing to prevent light pollution, and require tree planting and permeable surfaces to support stormwater management. In neighborhoods close to light industrial areas, parking lots can be utilized within these industrial zones. Parking on neighbourhood parking lots should only be available to residents within 400m of the lot to ensure that they are not being inappropriately used by commuters parking near their workplace, not where they live.
- Permit Parkades
Parkades with retail on the ground floor and parking above on main streets can increase retail foot traffic and enhance street vibrancy in neighbourhoods. The new Zoning By-Law must permit small parkades in neighbourhoods or adjacent lands with appropriate building height.
Parking solutions that balance infill housing parking needs with green space and walkability are crucial to support vibrant, sustainable neighbourhoods.
Sign the petition to urge the City of Ottawa to commit to building 15-minute neighbourhoods. Together, we can create a greener, healthier, and more connected city. Follow us on social media (@ecologyottawa, @walkableottawa, #15MinuteNeighbourhood) for updates!