New Bedford Residents Voice Concerns Over Reduced Parking Minimums

Proposed changes to apartment parking rules raise worries about neighborhood impacts.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 3:31am

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New Bedford residents spoke out at a City Council meeting, expressing concerns about a proposal to reduce parking minimums for apartment developments. The changes would lower the required parking spots from two per unit to one, though units with three or more bedrooms would still need two spots. Residents fear the reduced requirements will exacerbate parking issues in their neighborhoods, especially around a potential 20-unit development at the former New York Chinese Buffet site.

Why it matters

The debate over parking minimums highlights the tension between the city's need for more affordable housing and residents' concerns about the impact on their quality of life and property values. Reducing parking requirements can make housing development less costly, but opponents argue it will lead to more congestion and make it harder for residents to park near their homes.

The details

The City Council is poised to approve the new apartment code on February 12th, which would reduce parking minimums for most residential and commercial uses, though single-family neighborhoods would be exempt. The biggest change is in multi-family Residential B zones, where the requirement would drop from two spots per unit to one, except for units with three or more bedrooms. Proponents say the changes will spur more housing development, while opponents worry it will worsen already tight parking situations, especially around potential projects like the former New York Chinese Buffet site.

  • The City Council is set to vote on the new apartment code on February 12, 2026.
  • The former New York Chinese Buffet property at 888 Ashley Blvd. was purchased by Whaling City Apartments LLC on July 16, 2025 for $675,000.

The players

Whaling City Apartments LLC

A New Bedford-based real estate company that purchased the former New York Chinese Buffet property, potentially planning to develop it into a 20-unit apartment or condo building.

Shawn Oliver

A New Bedford City Councilor who called the January 28th meeting to allow residents to voice their concerns about the proposed parking changes and the potential development at the former New York Chinese Buffet site.

Ian Abreu

A New Bedford City Councilor who noted that any development proposal for the former New York Chinese Buffet property would have to go through the city's Planning Board review process, where parking and other restrictions could be imposed.

Carol Cesolini

A resident of 912 Ashley Blvd. who spoke at the City Council meeting, criticizing the potential for a "monstrous size apartment house" with limited parking on the former New York Chinese Buffet site.

John Charbonneau

A resident of 142 Illinois St. who has lived in the neighborhood for 37 years and expressed concerns that a multi-unit development would create a "nightmare" with parking spilling onto the streets.

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What they’re saying

“It's hard to believe the hypocrisy of what's happening in our city. For years we have been hearing about quality of life, green spaces, about alternative energy, about planting trees, et cetera, ad infinitum. Yet all of a sudden it's OK to build a monstrous size apartment house on a postage stamp size lot with no backyard, no porches, no balconies, virtually no landscaping and very limited parking.”

— Carol Cesolini, Resident of 912 Ashley Blvd.

“I've been living in that neighborhood for 37 years, a very residential neighborhood. Where are they going to park? They're going to park on the street. People aren't going to be able to get out of their driveway. When we have a big snowstorm, what are they going to do? You've got people in there who can't get out now. To me it's ridiculous to try and put something like that in that neighborhood.”

— John Charbonneau, Resident of 142 Illinois St.

“The big thing with this parking is the potential for negative impact on the taxpayers, on the equity on our homes, specifically to our neighborhood. If there's a 20-unit apartment building at the top of the street and there's cars parked everywhere and I have an open house to sell my house, that's going to dissuade some buyers and probably get lower offers, and the equity in our homes is going to be affected.”

— John Preston, Resident of 250 Jarry St.

What’s next

The City Council is set to vote on the new apartment code, including the reduced parking minimums, on February 12, 2026. Residents have expressed concerns that the changes could negatively impact their neighborhoods, especially around potential developments like the former New York Chinese Buffet site. The Planning Board will also have the opportunity to review and potentially add parking or other restrictions to any specific development proposals.

The takeaway

The debate over New Bedford's proposed parking regulation changes highlights the broader challenge cities face in balancing the need for more affordable housing with the concerns of existing residents about the potential impacts on their quality of life and property values. As cities look to spur new development, managing the tensions between these competing priorities will be crucial.