Medina should consider rentable public parking to boost housing in business district

Editor:

I would like to propose that the Village of Medina designate a portion of low-demand public parking spaces in the business district to be rentable by building owners. Signed off by the head of DPW to take into account of snow removal.

Our community is facing a critical need for additional housing. However, strict parking requirements per residential unit often pose a significant barrier—especially for property owners looking to renovate and repurpose underutilized upper floors in existing buildings.

To address this, I recommend a policy that allows landlords to rent nearby public parking spaces to satisfy required parking minimums, particularly when adding new residential units on second and third floors.

Proposed Terms:

• Rental Rate: $25 per month per space, payable annually at $300 per year.
• Eligibility Permit: Parking rental permits must be held by the property owner, not the tenant.
• Terms: Non-refundable annual fee with renewal payable annually.

Benefits of This Policy:

• Encourages housing development
• Stimulates revitalization of downtown and mixed-use areas.
• Improves utilization of existing public parking infrastructure.
• Generates revenue for the Village of Medina.

This practical, flexible approach supports both economic development and housing growth, while maintaining transparency and accountability through a clear permit structure.

Tim Elliott

Medina