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AB 2097 (Friedman) This bill would prohibit a public agency from imposing any minimum automobile parking requirement on any residential, commercial, or other development project, as defined, that is located within 1/2 mile of public transit. The bill uses the common definition of "major transit "under Public Resources Code Section 21155, including an existing rail station (such as ACE or BART), and the intersection of major bus routes with 15-minute AM and PM commute headways.4 The bill does provide for some exceptions, including allowing for a jurisdiction to impose or enforce minimum parking requirements on a housing development project if certain findings are made, including that not imposing or enforcing minimum automobile parking requirements on the development would either have a substantially negative impact on the public agency's ability to meet its share of specified housing needs, or on existing residential or commercial parking within 1/2 mile of the housing development. However, this exception does not apply to any of the following: • Projects dedicating a minimum of 20% of units for lower- or moderate-income households, for seniors, or persons with disabilities. • Projects with fewer than 20 units. • Projects subject to parking reductions under other provisions of State law. Notably, the bill states that application shall not reduce, eliminate, or preclude the enforcement of any requirement imposed on a new multi-family or non-residential development to provide Electric Vehicle (EV) charging spaces, or spaces accessible to persons with disabilities. Projects may provide on-site parking voluntarily, but local agencies may impose requirements for spaces to be shared with the public, or for owners to charge for parking. Impacts and next steps. Given that Pleasanton has two BART stations and the downtown ACE station, the implications of AB 2097 are potentially significant. Although it is possible the City may be able to make findings for the exceptions allowed by AB 2097, or impose some parking based on the provision of EV and ADA spaces, it is likely the City will see more projects come forward with limited or no parking proposed on site. The impacts of the legislation are likely to be felt most substantially in downtown where, even if the City is able to make the requisite findings for exceptions, more projects may fall under the "small projects" exception (20 or fewer units) — and where it is more likely that projects will propose limited on-site parking due to site constraints. The City will continue to explore the mechanisms allowed under AB 2097 to require adequate parking to be provided whenever possible and encourage applicants to voluntarily provide parking as they are allowed. Longer term, the City may need to take more proactive steps to manage downtown parking as more pressure is placed on existing public parking supply. 4 Based on an initial analysis by staff, all bus lines in Pleasanton currently have greater than 15 minute headways Page 12 of 15