State bill would worsen Bridgeport’s parking problem, council members say
The measure is part of a national movement to reduce the number of parking lots while creating more walkable communities.
More Stories
Bridgeport council members Michelle Lyons and Maria Valle say Connecticut House Bill 7061 – a measure that would eliminate minimum off-street parking requirements in local zoning regulations – will be bad for the city.
"It's going to make our serious parking shortage in Bridgeport much, much worse," Lyons told News 12 Saturday.
The measure is part of a national movement to reduce the number of parking lots while creating more walkable communities.
"That's great in theory, but in practice, it's only going to compound our parking problem here in Bridgeport," Lyons said.
"When a property owner no longer has to provide a certain number of spaces for an employee or a resident, that person is going to want to park on the street, where parking is already scarce," Lyons said.
Lyons joined other council members in sending a letter of opposition to state lawmakers on Saturday.
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, who said he's still reviewing the bill, told News 12 he doesn't want cities and taxpayers subsidizing parking for developers.
If passed, Connecticut would become the first state in the country to ban parking mandates statewide.
