Reduced parking requirements for downtown structures sought

Cebu City Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias proposed to amend the existing zoning ordinance in seeking reduction of parking requirements for those who wish to renovate their dilapidated buildings in the city’s old downtown area, this to encourage owners to make their structures more attractive.

Cabarrubias has learned that many of the owners of dilapidated structures in the city’s old downtown area are hesitant to renovate their buildings because of the requirements for parking space.

In his proposal, Cabarrubias said that these structures are located in places bounded by M. Escaño Street in barangay Ermita, and other streets like Leon Kilat, P. del Rosario, Imus, Sikatuna, Mabini, P. Burgos, Legaspi, Legaspi Extension, Sergio Osmeña Boulevard, Mahiga Creek and Bohol Street.

He proposed that owners of buildings located within these places will no longer be required to put up parking area for vehicles if they will conduct renovation or reconstruction of commercial buildings, offices or establishments if the repair will not involve increase in the area or without change of use.

For those who will construct new commercial buildings, offices and establishments, no parking is required for the first two floors, but for the third and succeeding floors, they are already required to “provide one-vehicle parking slot” for every 50 square meters of the floor area.

Cabarrubias also proposed that no parking space is required from those who will construct schools, regardless of the number of floors or storey.

The existing zoning ordinance requires one vehicle parking for every 50-square meter area for the ground floor and one parking area for every 100 square meters in the second floors and other upper floors.

When the proposed amendment of the existing zoning ordinance was presented to a public hearing last week, the City Council asked those who will be affected by the said move to send their position paper, to have such included in the deliberations. —Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV