In San Francisco, Planning Commission Limits Downtown Parking
In an attempt to reduce car use and traffic congestion, the SF Planning Commission passes legislation to limit residential parking in downtown -- and ban freestanding parking garages.
"Currently, with special permission, developers have no limit on the amount of parking they can build in downtown housing, except in specified areas...The commission on Thursday recommended a maximum of three parking spots for every four units of new housing downtown, while S.F. County Supervisor Chris Daly’s legislation calls for one spot for every two units.
"Tim Colen of the San Francisco Housing Action Coalition said Daly’s legislation is “a pretty draconian jump†that “makes lenders nervous and risks jeopardizing building housing in this area.â€
But Planning Director Dean Macris said, “It’s not some draconian set of off-the-wall recommendations,†but rather a modest step toward reducing car use."
“New residents competing for already scarce spaces in downtown and Mid-Market will deter visitors,†said Patricia Breslin, director of the Hotel Council of San Francisco.
But Tom Radulovich of Transportation for a Livable City, a major supporter of the legislation, said by making the streets more lively and safe, San Francisco would lure more visitors."
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so..
The City govt creates land use/automobile/affordability problems by mandating a minimum # of parking spaces per dwelling unit, and then thinks it can correct that problem by mandating no parking.
I can't think of a quicker way to kill a downtown than by making it harder to live there, and these suggestions would certainly fit that bill.
Mandating Maximum parking
Perry's point is well-taken.
That is why, Tim Colen of the S.F. Housing Action Coalition (see link included in article, as well as his quote)is very concerned about the effects of this legislation. The HAC is a non-profit aiming to produce more affordable housing in "The City".
I must say, tampering with market forces can have very deleterious effects. If one aims to have less driving and more use of enviro-preferred alternatives, it makes far more sense to do so with incentives and disincentives, esp. the $ kind, than mandates.
Irvin Dawid, Palo Alto, CA
Obesity
In an attempt to reduce childhood obesity and related heath problems, the SF Public Health Agency passes legislation to limit childrens' daily food intake -- and ban freestanding restaurants.