Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | The Republic | azcentral.com

Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/The Republic

Chandler says it is poised to become the first city in the U.S. to include autonomous vehicles in its zoning code if the City Council approves a measure on May 10.

City planners this week introduced the proposal that looks to a future in which less parking is needed because of self-driving cars and ride-sharing.

The proposal would encourage new developments to include drop-off and pick-up areas for people using autonomous vehicles or ride-sharing. In exchange, the city could reduce up to 40 percent of the project's required parking.

Or the city could reduce 40 percent of parking if a study shows that autonomous vehicles and ride-sharing reduced the need for parking.

Any reduction greater than 40 percent would require council approval.

Chandler has embraced the self-driving car trend as part of its efforts to grow its high-tech industries. Waymo, Intel and GM are all testing self-driving cars in the city. Uber was testing in Chandler but Gov. Doug Ducey suspended the company's ability to test in Arizona after a fatal collision in neighboring Tempe in March.

If approved, the zoning change would take effect June 9.