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2026 Annual Town Meeting, Town of Arlington, MA
Article: 42
Warrant Article Title:
ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT / PARKING AND LOADING
STANDARDS
Warrant Article Text:
To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 6.1.11.C.(3),
Parking and Loading Space Standards, of the Zoning Bylaw, to
reduce the required minimum width of drive aisles in parking and
loa ding areas containing over five spaces; or take any action
related thereto.
Requested By:
the Redevelopment Board
Report Excerpt:
The Board recommends Favorable Action (5-0).
Article 42 proposes to reduce the minimum drive aisle
requirement from 24 to 22 feet. The warrant article was a result of
a discussion by members of the Arlington Redevelopment Board
on December 12, 2025, following approval of an applicant’s
request to reduce the drive aisle width on a proposed
development to 22 feet. In reviewing mixed-use projects, it is
often difficult to balance the desire for larger commercial spaces
and meeting the parking requirements. Narrowing the drive aisle
is a small change, but it creates an opportunity for slightly larger
commercial spaces, which the Board wants to encourage. In
reviewing the bylaws of neighboring communities, the Board
found that the widths vary between 20 to 24 feet, and they believe
the proposed change is in keeping with the requirements of other
municipalities.
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Vote Language:
That the Zoning Bylaw be and hereby is amended as follows:
Amend SECTION 6.1.11.C.(3), Parking and Loading Space
Standards, as follows:
6.1.11 Parking and Loading Space Standards
…
C. All parking and loading areas containing over five
spaces, including automotive and drive-in
establishments of all types, shall be paved and subject
to the following:
…
(3) Each required off-street parking space shall have direct
access to an aisle or driveway having a minimum width
of 24 22 feet in the case of two-way traffic or the
following widths in the case of one-way traffic only:
Angle of parking Minimum aisle width
Parallel 12 ft
30 deg 11 ft
45 deg 13 ft
60 deg 18 ft
90 deg 24 22 ft
Redevelopment Board Report
