Off-street parking availability debated by La Crosse council committee

City leaders in La Crosse are moving closer to changing rules for providing off-street parking.

On Tuesday, the council judiciary committee approved a plan that could reduce the volume of parking lots required in residential areas. Citizens who spoke to the committee argued that a large percentage of La Crosse residents don’t drive or own cars, so the city has parking areas that could be used for new housing instead.

The committee voted 4-to-1 for a revision of city rules, that might make more land available for housing development.

Council member Jennifer Trost told the committee that there’s no evidence of a parking shortage in La Crosse, but there is a housing shortage. Opposing the plan was council member Chris Woodard, who worries that more cars will be parked on the streets if parking lots are reduced.

The proposal will go to the full city council for discussion next week.