Peduto proposes changes to parking rules for restaurants

Fewer people in Pittsburgh are driving their cars to restaurants, with more preferring to walk or bike instead.

With that in mind, Mayor Bill Peduto is proposing sweeping changes to zoning laws requiring minimum parking and other stipulations for restaurant owners. They include requiring any individual or company proposing a drive-thru business to submit a transportation impact study to the city’s Department of Mobility and Infrastructure.

The idea is to make sidewalks safer for pedestrians, cyclists and individuals using wheelchairs, as well as motorists.

The legislation was introduced to the city Planning Commission on Tuesday. The commission will take action on the proposal during its Sept. 28 meeting.

“In Pittsburgh, over 20% of our residents do not own a vehicle, and a growing number of our neighbors choose to commute via a method other than driving alone,” said Peduto. “This commonsense and much needed legislation modernizes our zoning code, updates antiquated parking requirements, and advances my administration’s efforts to build safer streets for all users.”

For fast food restaurants, the legislation would require one off-street parking space for every 500 square feet of space. The Zoning Code currently requires one off-street parking space for every 75 square feet of space. For all other restaurants, the proposed bill would require one off-street parking space for every 500 square feet as opposed to the current 125.

The Peduto administration says the proposed changes simplify the zoning process for restaurant owners and decreases costs associated with opening a business.

“This puts more of an emphasis on developing businesses as opposed to using parts of business districts for parking,” said Peduto spokeswoman Molly Onufer. “It takes the attention off of parking because we realize people are using other modes of transportation.”