Actually, I agree with Steve. While our plank does say that any new parking should be build underground, I would prefer not to highlight that. I would probably also want to emphasize bikes before parking -- I would reverse the order of categories. Parking would come last. Sue On Sun, 29 May 2005 18:40:57 -0700 (PDT) Stephen Willis <savegoldengatepark@yahoo.com> writes:

John-Marc,

It seems that conversion of existing garages would be better addressed on a case by case basis, rather than as a blanket endorsement of conversion. For example, I imagine that few businesses at 4th Street and Mission would welcome the conversion of that City Garage.

Whereas a garage that sits empty generating losses for the City in the heart of Golden Gate Park may beg for conversion in just a few short years.

I thought that the TWG had already agreed to discourage and oppose parking garages in general due to their impact on global warming, and mass transit scheduling/congestion in our main traffic corridors and enticement/subsidy to drive. There is nothing progressive about a pollution filled underground garage either.

Please, can we omit any reference to preferences for underground garages? Conformance with the City's Transit First Policy, the General Plan and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) are greater considerations in determining support/opposition for a proposed garage, far more so than whether it is above or below ground.

Steve Willis

.

" Increase the tax on parking lots, and encourage conversion of above-ground parking garages and lots to housing. Any new parking should be built underground.

John-Marc Chandonia <jmc@sfgreens.org> wrote: Please send comments; we need a final draft by the middle of this week. I've attached a formatted RTF as well as pasting the text below.

Transit Policy Summary The SF Green Party promotes social, economic, and environmental justice through the expansion of inexpensive and appealing public transit service, improved pedestrian areas, and safer bicycling, especially in underserved and low-income neighborhoods of San Francisco. This is a summary of major points from the Transportation plank of our local platform, adopted in 2004. The full version is at http://sfgreens.org/transpo.pdf.

Transit (really) first! " Immediately roll adult Muni fares back to 2003 levels, and make Muni free to youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Continue to roll fares back towards zero as new funding sources become available. Public transit benefits non-riders also, and should be free to the public just as public parks, libraries, and schools are. " Create a citywide Bus Rapid Transit network with dedicated bus lanes, controlled traffic signals, and timed transfers, to ensure rapid and convenient service. " Pay for these improvements by raising parking costs to market rate, charging developers for transit costs at the time of new development, and taxes on large businesses, especially those that benefit most from transit, such as the SF Giants. " Increase meter rates to a price that opens up several free spaces per block. Ease of finding parking would offset the pain of higher prices for drivers, and encourage them to shop at local businesses rather than driving to a suburban mall. This would raise money for transit both directly and indirectly (more sales tax revenue).

Housing, not Parking " Legalize existing "in-law" units and conversion of garages to living quarters. " Eliminate parking requirements for new housing, and institute maximum parking limits for new development, with lower caps in areas well served by transit. " Increase the tax on parking lots, and encourage conversion of above-ground parking garages and lots to housing. Any new parking should be built underground. " Sell permits to park on the street in front of your own driveway. Ticket other blocked driveways and sidewalk parkers without requiring a citizen complaint.

Bikes, Pedestrians, and Taxis " Cut government bureaucracy that slows the creation of new bike lanes. " Create transit-only streets, allowing bikes, buses, taxis, paratransit, and delivery. " Increase traffic-calming measures such as pedestrian bulbouts, trees, and wider sidewalks. Pleasant streets encourage people to walk to local businesses.

JMC -- John-Marc Chandonia (jmc@sfgreens.org) http://sfgreens.org/ _______________________________________________ Transpo mailing list Transpo@sfgreens.org https://list.sfgreens.org/mailman/listinfo/transpo

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