The Denver City Council is going to increase parking requirements, raising housing costs and undercutting walkability. The question is: How bad will things get?

The council is considering two different options to require parking on small lots, where parking was not required before.

One option, introduced by Council President Albus Brooks, would compel developers to build more parking on these lots, but smaller projects near good transit could opt out.

The other option, from Council Member Jolon Clark, sets the parking requirements higher. Community Planning and Development has warned that Clark’s amendment would make it harder to build much-needed housing.

After holding back his amendment two weeks ago because he was concerned he lacked the votes (members Debbie Ortega and Kevin Flynn were absent), Clark is expected to introduce the amendment at tonight’s legislative session.

The housing advocates at YIMBY Denver are urging people to contact City Council members ahead of tonight’s meeting and urge them to oppose Clark’s measure.

It costs between $18,000 to $26,000 to build a single parking stall. By mandating the construction of parking, Clark’s amendment will increase construction costs and constrain the development of new housing. In a city with rapid population growth and a severe housing shortage, that’s bad news for affordability.

If you want to build a city for people, not parking spaces, contact your council members before the meeting. At-large Council Member Debbie Ortega could be a swing vote, says YIMBY Denver, so give her a buzz too.

City Council’s monthly comment session is also tonight. You can add your voice to the public record if you sign up ahead of time.