The Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA) is actively encouraging Haltom City leaders to implement straightforward zoning code reforms as a means to rejuvenate the city's economic environment. Highlighting the potential benefits of such changes, HUBA points to the elimination of excessive parking mandates as a key step that could quickly draw in new businesses and facilitate housing projects. This initiative is inspired by insights from a Strong Towns article, advocating for incremental zoning adjustments since 2020 as a practical approach to fostering urban growth without the need for extensive ordinance overhauls.
At the heart of HUBA's proposal is the argument that current parking requirements are a significant barrier to investment. Many properties in Haltom City struggle to comply with these mandates, leading businesses and developers to look elsewhere, exacerbating commercial vacancy rates and urban challenges. The group cites Dubuque, Iowa, as a successful example where tailored zoning reforms, especially in parking regulations, have opened up new development possibilities in specific areas.
Haltom City's current economic and urban issues, including declining business occupancy and increasing homelessness, mirror wider challenges faced by cities nationwide. HUBA believes that by making strategic, cost-effective zoning adjustments, the city can quickly enhance its economic appeal, particularly to small businesses and housing developers. Such reforms, including the relaxation of strict parking rules, are seen as a way to encourage growth while minimizing legal conflicts and opposition from the community.
The proposed changes are designed to foster a more flexible regulatory framework that can accommodate evolving business models and housing demands. As the retail and commercial sectors continue to change, HUBA underscores the necessity for forward-thinking municipal planning. By bolstering local small businesses and offering more adaptable development opportunities, the organization is confident that Haltom City can strengthen its economic base and enhance community resilience in the face of future challenges.
