New developments in 2 Vancouver areas will not have minimum parking requirements starting Jan. 1

New developments in two areas of Vancouver will no longerbe required to have a minimum number of parking spaces as of Jan. 1.

City council voted unanimously on Wednesday to remove parking minimums for new builds in theWest End and the area around the Broadway Plan in an effort to speed up the development process and build more housing.

Accessible spots for people with disabilities, visitor spaces, bike parkingand loading zones will still be required.

In a media release, Mayor Ken Sim described the move as a "smart change,"and suggested it will impact the affordability of non-market housing.

The city suggests that those particular neighbourhoods are walkable and have plenty of transit options, reducing the need for personal vehicles.

The city's statement says the move"signals an important generational change in the city where younger residents are living less car-dependent lives and embracing alternative modes of transportation."

However, Coun.Lenny Zhou said developers still have the option to include as much or as little parking as they want.

"If the developer, they want to build more parking, they can do that," he said. "It's just about removingthe minimumparking requirement."

Developerswill have to submit a Transportation Demand Management plan with their application, outlining how they plan to help encourage people to use alternative modes of transportation.

Zhou said another city report regarding parking requirements is expected in the summer of 2024.

The city's Climate Emergency Action Plan aims to see two-thirds of all trips in the city be on foot, bicycle ortransit by 2030.