The City of Richmond is investigating the impact of townhouse tandem parking on surrounding streets.
Concerns have been raised by residents with regards to the use or abuse of tandem (end-to-end, as opposed to side-by-side) parking in townhouse complexes.
The issue surrounds the fact that many cars belonging to townhouse complex residents spill out into neighbouring streets.
Residents in surrounding areas believe the problem is townhouse occupants are either using one of their tandem spots for storage or dont want to jockey their cars in and out of the tandem spaces all the time.
Many multi-family complexes also have more cars than their units have spaces and entertain visitors who may also be parking on neighbouring streets.
City staff will be consulting with stakeholders, such as developers and homebuilders, about regulating tandem parking and the minimum dimensions of parking stalls.
Victor Wei, the citys director of transportation, presented a report to city councils planning committee last week, which detailed how a number of townhouse residents surveyed noted that tandem parking arrangements are inconvenient.
It was also noted that townhouse units with tandem parking are priced lower and are slower to sell than those with side-by-side parking stalls.
Further clouding the issue was a common complaint that visitor parking stalls at multi-family residential developments are not clearly marked.
Staff told the committee that illegal conversions of tandem garages to habitable areas is extremely rare, and is unlikely to occur due to vigilant monitoring done by strata corporations.
It was suggested by committee that further consultation is unnecessary, as tandem parking arrangements are suitable if society is to decease its reliance on cars, by using smaller cars, and fewer cars per family.
Staff recommend that tandem parking in new townhouse developments continue to be allowed; but that the city consult with the stakeholders on the possibility of limiting the number of tandem-style units in a complex and examine the compatibility of such units with regard to surrounding streets.
City staff are to report back as soon as possible on the results of the consultation and any proposed measures to address the identified concerns.
