BRENHAM BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT APPROVES REDUCED PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW BLINN DORMS

Josh Blaschke May 12, 2020

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The Brenham Board of Adjustment has approved a request from Blinn College to allow a reduction in the minimum off-street parking spaces for a planned student dormitory.

Shown here is a concept of the proposed Blinn College dormitories to be located on West Fifth Street. The development will provide 215 parking spaces, and through the campus' available on-campus inventory there will be 88 spaces dedicated to the development by the College.
(courtesy City of Brenham)

The board voted 4-1 at its meeting Monday to approve a 25 percent reduction in the parking requirements for the proposed dormitory, to be located at 911 and 811 West Fifth Street, for a minimum allowance of 295 parking spaces. Board member Danny Goss voted against the special exception request.

The allowance equates to 1.13 parking spaces per sleeping room at the dorm, compared to the city ordinance requirement of 1.5 parking spaces per sleeping room.

However, following a campus parking analysis by Blinn College, it was determined that 60 percent or less of campus residents purchase parking permits, with the College saying the minimum required 1.5 parking spaces far exceeds the need.

The dormitory complex will hold 262 sleeping rooms with a maximum of 504 residents, along with 303 dedicated parking spaces. Additional parking is available in the vicinity and throughout the campus.

Blinn College is working with Servitas Collegiate Real Estate Services to develop the student housing. The west lot of the property will be developed into two structures and a parking area, while the east lot will be developed as an accessory off-street parking lot and dumpster area for the dormitory.

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