Austin, Texas, made headlines in 2023 by becoming the largest U.S. city to eliminate mandatory off-street parking requirements for businesses, a move that is now gaining traction across the state. This shift in policy reflects broader efforts to modernize urban planning rules that have long hindered economic development and environmental sustainability.
Historically, American cities have enforced regulations that require a minimum number of parking spaces based on property use. These mandates once made sense in an era of abundant land and rising automobile ownership. However, they have become increasingly outdated, often posing barriers to redevelopment. Older commercial properties remain vacant because adding parking spaces is either financially prohibitive or physically impossible without acquiring additional land.
Proponents argue that removing these mandates won't lead to a shortage of parking but rather place the decision-making power in the hands of builders and developers. Tony Jordan, founder of the non-profit Parking Reform Network, describes the mandates as an "artificial constraint" based on outdated guidelines. The organization maintains a Parking Mandates map, showing over 1,400 cities and towns that have adopted some form of parking reform, ranging from city-wide changes to district-specific adjustments.
Several Texas cities have already taken steps to reduce or eliminate parking minimums. Besides Austin, cities like Taylor, Bandera, and Bastrop have implemented reforms. Dallas is also considering changes, with a proposal to remove parking minimums for businesses under review by the City Plan Commission.
Haltom City is seen as a prime candidate for adopting similar reforms. The city's southern and central areas, in particular, need business growth to spur revitalization. Many potential investors have faced hurdles in getting approval for their developments due to stringent off-street parking requirements. The Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) has been vocal in urging the City Council to create an overlay district where parking minimums are eliminated, promoting more business-friendly policies. Additionally, HUBA founder Ron Sturgeon launched the Make Haltom City Thrive Again initiative to raise public awareness and advocate for council members who support these changes.
Sturgeon's own experience underscores the challenges posed by current parking mandates. He purchased a long-vacant skating rink in Azle, Texas, with plans to convert it into a salon and spa. Despite securing an agreement to share parking with an adjacent church, the city's zoning board refused to grant a variance, forcing Sturgeon to put the property back on the market. This example illustrates the broader issue of how rigid parking requirements can stymie redevelopment efforts.
Even the American Planning Association recognizes the benefits of parking reform. In 2022, the organization highlighted a "tidal wave" of zoning reforms across the country, noting that such policies boost small businesses, promote housing development, and prioritize people over parking.
As more Texas cities embrace parking reform, the question remains: What will it take for Haltom City to join this progressive movement?
