[Carfreeliving] Philadelphia moves to restrict curb cuts for garages

[Jeremy Nelson]

Philadelphia moves to restrict curb cuts for garages:  on blocks where 80%
of the existing development does not have a garage/curb cut, developers must
request a variance to build a residential garage/curb cut.

(I'm assuming that if 80% of the existing development doesn't have a garage,
then the city's nearly 40 year old minimum parking requirements would be
waived, as it wouldn't make sense to both require off-street parking and
then require a variance to build the parking that meet's the city's own
requirement.)

Personally, I think curb cuts should be banned on major transit/bike/ped
streets (or if allowed, a significant impact fee should be assessed), but
the Philadelphia legislation might be a promising start for San Francisco
that would help prevent curb cuts for condo garages that are currently
proliferating up and down streets like Valencia, Mission, and upper Market.

I've heard the "preservation of community character" canard used to oppose
affordable housing, increased density, etc. in San Francisco?  Why not
initiate a zoning change to limit curb cuts on major transit/ped/bike
streets in the name of preserving the community character of these areas?

If the existing character of a neighborhood/corridor is ped-oriented, we
should be preserving that rather than incrementally eroding it with curb
cuts.

Seems like the tree people and historic preservationists would be natural
allies with the transportation advocates on a piece of legislation like
this.


-----Original Message-----

1) New legislation: URBAN DESIGN FOR PEOPLE, NOT CARS
Sep 23 2005 -- The Philadelphia Inquirer
A City Councilman in Philadelphia proposes changes to the zoning code to
protect the city's urban fabric in traditional rowhouse neighborhoods.
Changes to requirements for provision of off-street parking are intended to
encourage development.

Planetizen summary link:
http://www.planetizen.com/node/17476

Direct link to article:
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/states/pennsylvania/counties/p
hiladelphia_county/philadelphia/12717611.htm


2) Earlier article: HOW GARAGES CHANGE THE COMMUNITY
Apr 01 -- Philadelphia City Paper
Why do long-time residents of a traditional rowhouse neighborhood resent
garages?

Planetizen summary link:
http://www.planetizen.com/news/item.php?id=16267&rf=e

Direct link to article:
http://citypaper.net/articles/2005-03-31/canon.shtml