The proposed parking policy packaged into the city’s ongoing land development code rewrite would require only one parking space per housing unit—a drop from the existing two-parking space minimum.

Some Austin City Council members appeared troubled by this during Tuesday’s work session briefing, reflecting concerns consistently articulated by their constituents on the topic.

The proposed regulations through CodeNEXT—the overhaul of the city’s land development code—would drop minimum on-site parking requirements for housing units from two spaces to one. Alina Carnahan, spokesperson for CodeNEXT, said the move supports a “compact and connected city,” a hallmark of Imagine Austin, the city’s 30-year comprehensive plan.

Mayor Steve Adler said the main worry he has heard from residents regarding the proposed parking regulations dealt with safety. Less required on-site space for cars means more cars parking on the street, a situation that residents say causes more traffic and congestion and an unsafe environment.

However, more street parking supports a safer environment, according to Annick Beaudet, assistant director of the Austin Transportation Department. Beaudet told council members that city planners often use street parking as a design tool to create more friction in the streets and reduce vehicle speeds.

District 1 Council Member Ora Houston disagreed with Beaudet. Houston said the areas of most concern in this situation is where commercial uses and homes are mixed in with each other, as the business’s customers would inundate the neighborhood with street parking.

Houston and District 7 Council Member Leslie Pool said heavy street parking could negatively affect city services, such as adequate street cleaning and trash pickup.

District 4 Council Member Greg Casar said other cities allow for heavy street parking and have no issue picking up trash. Casar said he was confident the city would find a way to relieve the city’s properties of their waste.