Parking Legislation clears Land Use Committee, Heads to Full Board
From today’s Examiner, “Controversial legislation that aims to minimize car use by reducing parking in downtown housing projects was approved Wednesday by the Board of Supervisors Land Use Committee.”
“Joshua Switzsky, a city planner, told the committee he expected 10,000 new units to be built downtown in the next 20 years, on the heels of 2,900 units built over the past five years. The Planning Department supports the legislation, arguing it will help reduce congestion and promote vibrant streets.”
“Mayor Gavin Newsom suggested in a letter to the board he would veto an earlier and more restrictive version of the legislation. Supervisor Gerardo Sandoval criticized the mayor on Wednesday for the letter, saying “a veto is not the same as showing leadership in this area.”
“Many opponents of the legislation have thrown their support behind competing legislation sponsored by Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier that proposes a more lenient ratio of one space for every unit. Most downtown housing built over the last five years has about one spot for every unit.”
“The legislation was revised Wednesday to allow projects with family-size apartments of two or more bedrooms to be eligible for more parking, a nod to concerns that limiting parking would discourage families from moving downtown.”
