Vancouver wants to reduce the number of parking spaces in new multi-family housing projects along SkyTrain’s Expo Line.

City staff have recommended changes to development bylaws in eight sites near the Joyce, 29th Avenue, and Nanaimo stations.

These areas are Kamloops Street and 24th Avenue; Nanaimo Street and 26th Avenue; 2709-2791 East 28th Avenue; Slocan Street and 29th Avenue; Earles Street and 29th Avenue; Kings Avenue and Rupert Street; 28th Avenue and 4400-4402 Kaslo Street; and 3550 Walker Street.

The proposed changes will be subject to a public hearing on Tuesday (November 24).

If approved by council, new high-density housing developments in the sites will be required to provide less than one parking space for each dwelling unit.

“The proposed off-street parking amendments will result in a lower parking requirement and hence lower costs for development should they proceed on these sites,” staff wrote in a report suggesting the amendments. “These sites were zoned to permit multiple-family housing 25 years ago yet development activity has been slow to proceed. It is expected that the proposed amendment may improve the viability of the development on these sites.”

Current bylaws in the eight sites provide for a minimum of one parking stall per residential unit.

“The reduction of off-street parking for new development will aid in encouraging homeowners and renters in these areas to use alternative modes of transportation such as walking and cycling,” staff also reported.