Planning, Development and Transportation on June 4, 2026

The Boston City Council Committee on Planning, Development, and Transportation held a hearing on June 4, 2026, to discuss a proposed text amendment to the Boston zoning code aimed at eliminating parking minimums for new residential developments citywide. The amendment seeks to reduce construction costs, increase housing affordability, and promote sustainable urban development by removing outdated parking requirements that add significant expense and limit housing typologies. Panelists including experts, advocates, and community members testified in support of the amendment, citing data from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and other research showing overbuilt and underutilized parking in Boston, and highlighting the potential benefits for housing production, environmental justice communities, and climate resilience. Some councilors and residents expressed concerns about parking availability and neighborhood impacts, emphasizing the need for education and complementary policies such as improved transit and parking enforcement. The Planning Department reviewed the proposal as technically sound, and the council acknowledged that the zoning commission holds the ultimate authority to enact the amendment. The hearing included extensive public testimony both supporting and opposing the amendment, reflecting diverse community perspectives on balancing housing needs and parking availability.