Driving in circles? Gilbert studies parking problems

• Cooley Station%2C Spectrum and Lyons Gate feature design elements that limit parking
• Homes that use garages for storage worsen the situation
• Gilbert will ask for feedback from homebuilders and homeowners before deciding

If you've noticed a lack of visitor parking spots in Gilbert's newer housing developments, you're not alone.

Town officials are taking another look at subdivisions that offer fewer parking spots with pedestrian-friendly layouts that aim to create a greater sense of community.

The town aspires to encourage pedestrian-friendly communities, but the reality is that Gilbert families are often larger than most and rely on vehicles to get around.

Some housing communities built in the past 12-15 years have moved away from the traditional, garage-fronted homes with driveways for visitor parking. Instead, the garages are located off alleyways behind the house.

Other subdivisions have auto courts, which provide entry to a cluster of homes that lead to a minature cul-de-sac or a T-shaped alley.

"That has an effect on guest parking," said Jordan Feld, a senior planner in Gilbert.

Cooley Station, Spectrum, Lyons Gate, Ray Ranch, Willows and Fincher Creek are some of the communities featuring these designs.

The Planning Commission is exploring ways to increase visitor parking spots in future developments, as well as larger parking stalls and striped parking to guide motorists.

Planning Commissioner Jennifer Wittmann said the parking problem is aggravated when homeowners use their garages for storage instead of parking.

"They are parking on the street, which makes the visitor parking situation even more difficult because then the street is lined with cars in both directions in a very short area," Wittmann said at a recent planning meeting.

"I think that that's something that needs to be looked at, too – the number of homes in a particular area in a certain section of the street and how many cars can be parked in that area any one time," she said.

Feld conceded the issue is somewhat contradictory.

"We like smart growth, we like to push the traditional neighborhood design, we like the idea of sustainability and transit ridership and pedestrian-friendly linkages," he told the commission. "But, at the same time, we also have a need to take the kids to a soccer game or whatever and there's no quick way to get to that by transit."

Gilbert is unique in that it has large families and more vehicles per home, he said.

"We need space to park our Tahoe cars and space to store the soccer balls. So we have a condition that is unique to Gilbert in terms of we need the cars and we need parking," he said. "We're trying to weigh how we live versus how we want to live; our aspirational view of the future are among the real issues here."

In the coming months, Town Council is expected to evaluate the suggestions and seek feedback. The final decisions will be added as amendments to the Land Development Code for future developments.