Board of Zoning Appeals: Parking requirement is two spaces per apartment; one-per-bedroom applies to dorms

During the public-comment period the Board of Zoning Appeals clarified how its parking standard is applied, saying the requirement for apartments is two parking spaces per unit while a one-per-bedroom ratio applies to dormitory housing.

A committee member asked whether the requirement was "1 per bedroom" or "2 per apartment." The chair replied, "No. That was for dorms. It's just 2 per apartment," and staff added that when they reviewed older ordinance language the newer ordinance appeared to require the same standard.

The clarification followed the withdrawal of a parking-variance petition for 52 6 54 South Broadway; board members said the petitioner had claimed the building was grandfathered and therefore did not need two parking spaces. Staff's comment that the prior ordinance appeared to require the same counts indicates the board did not reach a formal determination on grandfathering during the meeting.

Board members did not set any new rule or take action to change the code at the meeting; the exchange served to inform members and the public about how the existing parking calculations are applied. Those with questions about specific properties were told to consult board staff and the ordinance text for definitive determinations.