When the City of Phoenix dictates to a bar owner how many parking spaces the bar must provide for its customers (currently 1 parking space for every 50 square feet of dining area[1]), it sends a mixed message about drinking and driving[2]. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen. If anything, there should be a MAXIMUM number of parking spaces allowed, to encourage people to carpool and choose a designated driver, and to encourage the owner to locate the bar near good transit such as the light rail line. Any shortage of parking spaces can be prevented through efficient pricing[3].

If we don't want to set a maximum number of parking spaces allowed at a drinking establishment, let's at least eliminate the minimum number required.