Haltom City's economic development is being significantly impeded by outdated zoning regulations, according to the Haltom United Business Alliance (HUBA). The organization argues that unnecessary parking mandates and inflexible city codes are creating substantial barriers to housing development and business investment.
The nonprofit Strong Towns has emphasized the importance of incremental zoning reforms, suggesting cities focus on simple, high-impact changes that can quickly encourage growth. In Haltom City, these recommendations are particularly relevant, as the city experiences declining business occupancy and rising homelessness.
HUBA has been advocating for code modifications since 2020, highlighting how restrictive parking requirements discourage potential investors. Many properties cannot accommodate mandated parking spaces, causing businesses to choose alternative locations with more flexible regulations.
The economic implications are significant. Commercial buildings remain vacant, and recent business censuses reveal declining occupancy in main corridors. These trends suggest that Haltom City's current approach is deterring potential economic opportunities.
Strong Towns recommends that cities implement targeted, low-cost reforms that can have immediate impacts without triggering extensive legal challenges. For Haltom City, eliminating unnecessary parking mandates could be a crucial first step in revitalizing its economic landscape.
The proposed changes could attract small local businesses, potentially increasing the city's tax base and enabling improved infrastructure and competitive wages for first responders. Moreover, such reforms could help prevent further urban degradation, particularly in the city's southern and central regions.
As retail and office spaces continue to decline, Haltom City stands at a critical juncture. Embracing flexible, incremental zoning reforms could be the key to attracting new businesses and reversing current economic stagnation.
