Zoning rules on parking in Fairfax County have existed for years, but a new study proposes increasing the number of spots necessary when new buildings are constructed.
“There’s a shortage of parking, especially when it comes to town houses,” said Ellen O’Brien, a spokeswoman for the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. “We are also looking at single-family homes and apartment complexes as well.”
The current county parking rules set a minimum of two spaces for a single-family home, but there has been discussion of capping the maximum number of spots as well, following the system used in Pittsburgh, Wilmington, N.C., and Cambridge, Mass.
“Cambridge, Mass., uses parking maximums as part of a comprehensive set of strategies to reduce automobile dependence,” said Transportation Department Director Katherine D. Ichter.
Fairfax County leaders have focused on finding ways to remove vehicles from the roadways, introducing alternative transportation methods such as the proposed bicycling initiative, additions to mass transit and pushing for telecommuting.
Parking was first discussed in a 2001 report and more recently by the Board of Supervisors due to the increase in personal vehicles in the county, as well as boats and recreational vehicles. As a result, there has been an increase in the number of applications for community parking districts and residential permit parking districts.
With a final report expected to be completed within the next eight to 10 weeks, a decision on the future of parking in Fairfax County could be made by the fall.
