Public speaks out on attempts to change off-street parking rules in La Crosse

A possible change in local parking standards could be passed by the La Crosse city council this week. On Tuesday, citizens were asked for their opinions on a need for off-street parking lots during a listening session at the Nature Place.

Many of those attending called for ways of reducing the demand for parking, so less land would be used for those lots. Greg Clark serves on the neighborhood revitalization commission, and he thinks enough study has been done.

“Four years we’ve been working on this?” said Clark. “Four years of reviews, with national organizations, and our own reviews and things that we’ve done locally.”

The council is being asked to change existing city rules mandating how many parking spaces are needed for specific types of housing units.

Steve Geier lives near the old south-side K-Mart, which could be turned into a development called Copper Rocks. Geier worries that the project won’t provide enough parking for users.

“Where do they park if they don’t have off-street parking?” said Geier. “They get to park in front of my house.”

City council member Jennifer Trost led the discussion, attended by others on the council, along with members of city committees. “Instead of having these mandated parking, which everyone pays for in ways that are not always obvious, “said Trost, “this is really an attempt to prioritize and have a pro-housing city code.”

Other speakers urged the city to promote transportation options which would cut down on the need for parking lots. The city council is scheduled to vote on the off-street regulations at its monthly meeting on Thursday.