At Planning Committee on February 3rd, Council gave three readings to the proposed amendments to Richmond’s Zoning Bylaw to clarify vehicle parking, access, and manoeuvring provisions associated with Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH). The amendments seek to simplify parking provisions for ease of use and application, balance housing viability, design flexibility and local character considerations.

The report outlines the following proposed amendments: 

1. Establish the same minimum on-site parking space requirements for all development on RSM zoned lots.
   1. The proposed amendment establishes the same minimum parking requirement for all RSM zoned lots that are greater than 400 m from a prescribed bus stop, regardless of lot width. The proposed minimum parking rate of 0.5 per dwelling unit is an appropriate rate and is based on existing zoning requirements for lots with a width less than 15.0 m.
2. Standardizing driveway widths for all development on RSM zoned lots.
   1. The proposed amendment establishes a single driveway width and driveway parking allowance that applies to all development in the RSM zone. It is based on the existing parking and driveway requirements applicable to a single-family dwelling (or single-family with a secondary suite) and SSMUH development on lots with a width of 12.0 m to 14.9 m. The proposed amendment enables developments, where access is provided by a road other than a lane or arterial road, the use of a front or exterior side yard driveway to meet minimum on-site parking requirements.
3. Enable consideration of reduced manoeuvring aisles for SSMUH development.
   1. The proposed amendment enables staff to consider a reduced manoeuvring aisle width for SSMUH development at the BP stage, where technical analysis to the satisfaction of the Director, Transportation, confirms it would support adequate on-site vehicular manoeuvring. This would support greater lot layout flexibility, while ensuring appropriate development controls are in place to verify on-site parking and manoeuvring viability.
4. Permit all residential development, including SSMUH, to provide up to 50 per cent of required parking as small car spaces.
   1. Staff propose to amend the Zoning Bylaw to permit up to 50 per cent of the required residential parking spaces and up to 50 per cent of the required visitor parking spaces, for all types of residential development, including SSMUH, to be provided as small-sized spaces. This does not apply to accessible parking spaces, which will continue to be required as per the existing standards in the Zoning Bylaw. There is no change to the existing parking space size requirements for non-residential uses. The proposed amendment enables a homeowner, builder or designer with greater flexibility to provide a parking plan that is responsive to market demand.
5. Provide an avenue for the City to permit alternative transportation requirements for SSMUH development on a case-by-case basis.
   1. The proposed amendment includes a provision to permit SSMUH development to achieve Zoning Bylaw compliance with the applicable vehicle access and vehicle maneuvering requirements, where it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the City's Director, Transportation, that an acceptable alternative solution can be achieved and is compliant with all other applicable City Bylaws. This amendment allows for greater site planning and design flexibility on constrained lots. The proposed amendment also enables BPs for SSMUH development to appeal these requirements to the Director of Transportation, on a case-by-case basis, without the need to obtain a Development Variance Pennit.

Additional information can be found in the full report by City staff.