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."
Thanks to Tom Radulovich
Read the full story: Planners: Get out of your car; City commission wants downtown dwellers to walk
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
New tax cuts may slash $1.5 billion in funding for Miami transit, public parks
Amendment 3 will save Miami-Dade residents homeowners $2,700 in 2028.
Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania hope to finally advance climate goals post-midterms
The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.
Democrats’ victory may threaten act to expedite energy projects
Democrats may decide to vote against the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act, and negotiate a more favorable bill once the 120th Congress begins.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority