Comments on: Almost What We Don’t Build Anymore http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2008/05/03/almost-what-we-dont-build-anymore/ Reducing all human experience into that of the present generation and the passing moment* Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:22:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 by: Chris Stefan http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2008/05/03/almost-what-we-dont-build-anymore/#comment-2019 Sun, 11 May 2008 20:32:51 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2008/05/03/almost-what-we-dont-build-anymore/#comment-2019 See the Pearl district in Portland for an example of the kind of development that can happen without silly suburban style parking requirements. BTW the Seattle parking requirements are based on what was recommended for suburban cities back in the late 80's. They are completely out of step with urban land values, good urban design, transit oriented development and $130/barrel oil. Seattle needs to do a 180 on parking. Let the market dictate the amount of parking any project will have on-site. In some parts of the city where you want to discourage cars and car oriented land use place a tax on parking. Large surface lots should be taxed out of existence within the city limits. See the Pearl district in Portland for an example of the kind of development that can happen without silly suburban style parking requirements.

BTW the Seattle parking requirements are based on what was recommended for suburban cities back in the late 80’s. They are completely out of step with urban land values, good urban design, transit oriented development and $130/barrel oil.

Seattle needs to do a 180 on parking. Let the market dictate the amount of parking any project will have on-site. In some parts of the city where you want to discourage cars and car oriented land use place a tax on parking. Large surface lots should be taxed out of existence within the city limits.

]]> by: Steve http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2008/05/03/almost-what-we-dont-build-anymore/#comment-1905 Mon, 05 May 2008 18:05:47 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2008/05/03/almost-what-we-dont-build-anymore/#comment-1905 I believe there was a recent reform to create some zones where there isn't a parking minimum (Plymouth's low-income project at First and Ceder is taking advantage of this, for instance), but I don't think it extends to low-rise zones anywhere. As an aside, I bet the 4-unit apartment danb used to live in at this site didn't have 4 units of parking on-site and I believe that if someone were currently dividing a similar house now, they'd be required to provide new parking so there was at least one space per unit. I'd much rather fix that (so conversions of existing buildings don't require new parking) than fix the new construction code -- new construction requires loans, and lenders often require parking anyway. I believe there was a recent reform to create some zones where there isn’t a parking minimum (Plymouth’s low-income project at First and Ceder is taking advantage of this, for instance), but I don’t think it extends to low-rise zones anywhere.

As an aside, I bet the 4-unit apartment danb used to live in at this site didn’t have 4 units of parking on-site and I believe that if someone were currently dividing a similar house now, they’d be required to provide new parking so there was at least one space per unit. I’d much rather fix that (so conversions of existing buildings don’t require new parking) than fix the new construction code — new construction requires loans, and lenders often require parking anyway.

]]> by: citruspastels http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2008/05/03/almost-what-we-dont-build-anymore/#comment-1888 Sun, 04 May 2008 21:41:25 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2008/05/03/almost-what-we-dont-build-anymore/#comment-1888 I think the main argument is that by not building parking, instead of attracting residents that don't have cars, they just park their cars elsewhere in the neighborhood. And unfortunately it's not just the cars from the units, but also friends and family who come to visit. Right now I am OK with required parking. For many, many people this is an essential item. However, this setup does discourage the ostentatious 2-3 cars you see out in the 'burbs. Of course, as long as the building is served by excellent mass transit and/or is a mixed-use neighborhood there will be minimal car driving anyway. I think the main argument is that by not building parking, instead of attracting residents that don’t have cars, they just park their cars elsewhere in the neighborhood. And unfortunately it’s not just the cars from the units, but also friends and family who come to visit.

Right now I am OK with required parking. For many, many people this is an essential item. However, this setup does discourage the ostentatious 2-3 cars you see out in the ‘burbs. Of course, as long as the building is served by excellent mass transit and/or is a mixed-use neighborhood there will be minimal car driving anyway.

]]> by: Josh Mahar http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2008/05/03/almost-what-we-dont-build-anymore/#comment-1887 Sun, 04 May 2008 19:17:27 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2008/05/03/almost-what-we-dont-build-anymore/#comment-1887 Has there been any legislation attempts to reform this anachronistic law? Seems like something that Likata or Conlin would be all over. You make an incredibly good argument for affordable housing here. Perhaps you could even get McIver and Rasmussen in on it. Has there been any legislation attempts to reform this anachronistic law?
Seems like something that Likata or Conlin would be all over. You make an incredibly good argument for affordable housing here. Perhaps you could even get McIver and Rasmussen in on it.

]]> by: Dave http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2008/05/03/almost-what-we-dont-build-anymore/#comment-1883 Sun, 04 May 2008 14:28:26 +0000 http://noisetank.com/hugeasscity/2008/05/03/almost-what-we-dont-build-anymore/#comment-1883 Can't we park all these cars on I-5 like LA does on the santa monica highway? Can’t we park all these cars on I-5 like LA does on the santa monica highway?

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