Trade Asphalt for Affordable Housing in Waltham

To the Editor,

As Waltham works to address our housing shortage while building a more sustainable future, we must rethink a hidden obstacle: mandatory parking minimums. Last year, Austin, Texas, became the largest U.S. city to eliminate these restrictive requirements. Our Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) should follow suit.

These mandates act as an “asphalt tax,” forcing developers to build car storage even where it isn’t needed—such as near our two Commuter Rail stations or the bus hubs of Moody and Main Streets. A prime example is the 719-723 Main St. renovation, where progress is stalled by questions over mandated parking.

Excessive parking requirements carry a heavy toll:

• Affordability: Structured parking can add several thousands of dollars per space to construction costs, which is passed directly to renters.
• Environmental Impact: Massive surface lots create “heat islands” and increase stormwater runoff into our local waterways.
• Car Dependency: Legally requiring 1.5 to 2 spaces per unit subsidizes traffic congestion rather than encouraging use of our transit and bike networks.

Austin’s reform didn’t “ban” parking; it simply stopped mandating it. This allows developers to decide the right amount of parking based on the project’s location and resident needs. By removing these mandates, we can lower construction costs, encourage “green” infill development, and use our limited land for housing people rather than storing cars.

Waltham can protect ADA-accessible parking while prioritizing neighbors over pavement. If we are serious about affordability, we must stop taxing new residents with the mandatory cost of empty asphalt.

Sincerely,
Brad Onken
25 Virginia Road
Waltham, MA