One week ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom, signed AB 2097 into law, removing minimum parking requirements for new housing developments and businesses near transit hubs like the Metro A Line (formerly the Blue Line). The legislation will remove a significant hurdle in creating urban housing, and seeks to decrease the need for cars in traffic-dense cities like Long Beach. The law, which takes effect in January, gives developers the ability to choose their own parking arrangements in Downtown and Central Long Beach areas. Parts of West, North and Southeast Long Beach along main transit corridors will also be affected by the law, though the city’s department of Development Services says the impact to any specific area will be limited because they anticipate that most will still opt to provide at least some parking in their buildings. It will also make housing cheaper and easier to build in areas with easy access to daily destinations like jobs, grocery stores and schools, which would make a city more walkable and less car-dependent, advocates say. The city estimates that building parking structures for mid- and high-rise buildings can cost $50,000 or more per space, but the exact cost can vary. Residents, however, may not be thrilled with lower parking requirements for developers. Studies have shown Alamitos Beach is already extremely parking impacted, and though there is parking Downtown, much of it you have to pay for. While it may seem like AB 2097 will make the issue worse, Development Services spokesperson Chelsey Magallon said its purpose is to create a safe and inviting pedestrian, cycling and transit environment. For the full story click the link in our bio, where you can also sign up for our newsletters and become a member to support local journalism #longbeach #news #housing