City Council - Planning, Development, & Transportation Committee Hearing on Docket #0809

• Governing Body: Boston City Council Committee on Planning, Development, and Transportation
• Meeting Type: Committee Hearing
• Docket #0809: Order for a text amendment to the Boston zoning code with respect to parking minimums for residential development.
• Date: June 04, 2026
• Time: 10:17 AM
• Chair: Sharon Durkan
• Co-sponsors: Councilor Sharon Durkan, Councilor Henry Santana, Councilor Liz Breadon
• Councilors in Attendance: Sharon Durkan, Henry Santana, Ed Flynn, Enrique Pepén, Liz Breadon, John Fitzgerald, Brian Worrell, Ruthzee Louijeune.

• Councilor Sharon Durkan: Emphasized that the median rent in Boston exceeds $3,000 and median home prices are over $700,000. She clarified that the amendment concerns off-street parking, not on-street parking, and aims to remove 'outdated mandates that are requiring costly parking that we may not need.'
• Councilor Henry Santana: Stated that the city is losing vulnerable residents due to unaffordability and that eliminating parking minimums is a tool to reduce housing production costs.
• Councilor Ed Flynn: Expressed opposition, citing concerns that removing parking will negatively impact working families, seniors, and persons with disabilities who rely on cars. He noted that housing production has dropped significantly and blamed other factors like interest rates and environmental requirements.
• Councilor Enrique Pepén: Supported the order, noting that in his district, projects like the B'nai B'rith proposal in Roslindale Square show that developers will still build parking where needed even without mandates.
• Councilor Liz Breadon: Argued for flexibility, stating that 'one size does not fit all' and that developers in her district often build parking above minimums when there is market demand.

Professor Sarah Bronin, a zoning expert and architect, presented findings from her 2023 report on the Boston Zoning Code:

• Code Critique: Described the current code as 'bloated, outdated, inconsistent, and inequitable,' noting it is thousands of pages long with 90 chapters compared to under 300 pages in cities like Chicago.
• Key Quote: 'The single substantive change to the Boston zoning code that arguably will do the most good for the city is the elimination of minimum parking mandates.'
• Impact of Reform: Cited Hartford's success in eliminating mandates, which led to the redevelopment of vacant lots into housing. She noted that only 3% of Boston's zoned acreage currently lacks parking mandates.
• Recommendations: Suggested expanding the amendment to non-residential uses and streamlining remaining mandates into a single section to reduce regulatory confusion.

• Hasan Faruqi (Boston Climate Action Network): Highlighted climate benefits, noting that reducing concrete surfaces mitigates extreme heat and improves stormwater absorption in environmental justice communities.
• Jesse Kanson-Beninov (Abundant Housing Massachusetts): Stated that mandated parking can raise monthly housing costs by over $200. He cited polling showing 70% of Boston residents support parking flexibility.
• Lizzie Wyant (Metropolitan Area Planning Council): Shared data from the 'Perfect Fit Parking' study, which found that 3 in 10 parking spots in Boston multifamily developments sit vacant overnight.
• Mike DiMaio (Better Parking for Boston): Discussed the technical drafting of the amendment, which modifies Article 23 and various neighborhood civic articles to remove minimum obligations while maintaining design standards.
• Jerry (BU Urbanist): Represented young residents, stating that many students and recent graduates do not want or cannot afford cars and should not be forced to subsidize parking through higher rents.

• Right-Sizing vs. Scarcity: Councilor Fitzgerald questioned who would make the final decision on parking counts. Jesse Kanson-Beninov clarified that developers would decide based on market demand, though the Planning Department maintains design review authority.
• Neighborhood Specificity: Councilor Worrell argued against a 'blanket zoning reform,' suggesting that parking needs vary significantly between transit-rich downtown areas and neighborhoods with less rapid transit. He advocated for a neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach.
• Equity Concerns: Councilor Flynn and Councilor Fitzgerald raised concerns that low-income families and seniors would be 'punished' if they cannot find street parking. Professor Bronin countered that low-income residents are currently penalized by being forced to pay for parking spaces they may not use.
• Planning Department Stance: Chair Durkan read a statement from the Planning Department confirming the proposal is 'technically sound' and does not hinder regulatory obligations.

• Neil (Mattapan): Supported the amendment, noting it removes barriers for homeowners to create ADUs.
• Connie Forbes (Roxbury): Opposed the citywide policy, stating it ignores the needs of multi-generational families and seniors who require cars for groceries and medical appointments.
• Vivian Gerard (Dorchester): Supported the change, citing a project where 8 underground spots added $1 million ($150,000 per unit) to development costs.
• Nate Stell (Roslindale): Questioned the arbitrary nature of current rules, such as requiring 6 spots for a triple-decker in Hyde Park.
• Angela Williams-Mitchell (Boston Jobs Coalition): Requested a 'cumulative neighborhood impact study' to see how this policy interacts with other zoning changes like 'Squares and Streets.'
• Luann O'Connor (South Boston): Opposed the measure, arguing that developers will 'fox in the henhouse' and that residents will suffer from increased competition for street permits.

• Vote Outcome: No vote was taken during this hearing.
• Action: The matter (Docket #0809) remains in the Committee on Planning, Development, and Transportation.
• Next Steps: The Chair announced a future working session to address technical edits regarding numbering and to further discuss the impact of the amendment before moving to a potential vote.