Planners Back Developers on Parking in L.B.

LONG BEACH-The city Planning Commission has recommended that the City Council slightly modify parking standards for new housing, but far less stringently than a plan earlier considered by the council.

The revised standards are expected to be considered by the City Council May 20.

Following the recommendation of some of the dozen developers and landlords who attended a recent public hearing, the commission approved standards that fall heaviest on buildings with fewer than 21 units, require more spaces for two-bedroom than for one-bedroom units and preserve an exemption for a downtown area that extends roughly from Pacific Avenue to Atlantic Avenue, and from Ocean Boulevard and 10th Street.

Builders of smaller projects outside the downtown area would have to provide one parking space for studio apartments, 1 1/2 spaces for one-bedroom units, and two spaces for two- and three-bedroom units. There is no change from the current standard for studio apartments and three-bedroom units, but there is a quarter-space increase for one bedroom units and a one-half space increase for two-bedroom units.

More on-site guest parking would be required under the new standards, but smaller spaces would also be allowed.

Brian Okuley, who has built more than 20 eight-unit projects in Long Beach, told the commission that he had arrived at the meeting planning to protest, but changed his mind.