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
FULL STORY: Planners: Get out of your car; City commission wants downtown dwellers to walk
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UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research