Micro housing basically refers to small condos or apartments that put occupants closer to work — often at a reduced price — in exchange for a smaller living space. It’s a trend that’s taking hold across the country, and on January 10 the Tampa City Council may consider changing a parking rule that could lead the construction of more micro housing.
“The proposal would amend the language of a city ordinance that requires each residential unit in downtown Tampa to have an off-street parking space,” according to WUSF.
The Bay area public radio station wrote that Tampa Downtown Partnership chairman Mickey Jacob believes that the current rule makes it harder for developers to build housing because they need space and funds to create parking for every potential resident.
Jacob’s firm — BDG Architects — wants to build more micro housing in downtown Tampa, so he’s backing an amendment that would change the rule so that dwelling units that are 580 square feet or less would only require half a parking spot. Jacob said that the 50-percent reduction would make many of his projects more affordable to build.
Of course, nobody drives half a car, so that means that not everyone living in one of BDG’s micro housing units would own a car. That may sound like heresy to anyone who’s ever fantasized about driving a Humvee over a brick wall, but amending the rule might actually be another good step toward continuing downtown Tampa ‘s evolution as a walkable place to live, work and play.
Ride and car-sharing services already exist, and if the city’s public transit improves, then life without a car could be more than doable.
You’re probably groaning if you’ve ever tried to find parking downtown, but Tampa City Council unanimously approved the proposal during its first reading in December. What’s more, since it’s a text amendment and not a new measure, Jacob told WUSF that the change could go into effect very quickly if approved on January 10.
If you’re interested in reading more, then URBN Tampa Bay is moderating a nice discussion on its Facebook page.
Let Creative Loafing Tampa's newsletter park in your inbox by subscribing here.
This article appears in Jan 3-10, 2019.
