Friday, June 15, 2012

AB 904 :: An excellent opportunity for a smart debate

I'm interested in curating a public/ virtual debate about how statewide parking policy reform can most effectively help to revitalize the urban core of our cities. Below, is a candydish of input including a rebuttal response to APA California.

Please contact me with your direct input if you're interested in contributing to the discussion.   I will post your remarks to the DESIGN ADVOCATE blog. 

All best,

Will Wright
Director, Government 7 Public Affairs
AIA Los Angeles

The League of Cities and Cal APA are NOT Accurately Representing AB 904

AB 904 Fact CHECK _.pdf Download this file

An interesting post on MARKET URBANISM:

CAL APA's MEMO entitled:  "URGENT: Restrictive Parking Bill Reintroduced"

The following is a link to AB 904, sponsored by the Infill Builder Association and authored again by Assembly Member Skinner.  
The bill is a gut and amend that is now similar to AB 710 (Skinner).  This bill requires restrictive parking standards similar to those included in AB 710, which you'll recall died on the Senate floor at the end of last year.  AB 904, in a different form, already passed the Assembly, and is now awaiting hearing in the Senate.
APA California is not opposed to the concept of lower parking requirements near transit when a community decides it is right for them -- the issue is that a one-sized-fits-all statewide standard is not appropriate.
AB 904, on and after January 1, 2014, would prohibit a city or county (including charter cities) from requiring minimum parking requirements in transit-intensive areas greater than the following:
   One parking space per 1000 square feet for nonresidential projects (including commercial, industrial, institutional, or any other nonresidential projects regardless of type of use).
   One parking space per unit for non-income-restricted residential projects.
   75/100ths parking spaces per unit for projects that include both income restricted and non-income restricted units.
   5/10ths parking spaces per unit for units that are deed restricted at least 55 years to rents or prices affordable to persons and families making less than 60% of area median income.
The definition of "transit-intensive area" means an area that is within 1/2 mile of a major transit stop or within 1/4 mile of the center line of a high-quality transit corridor included in a regional transportation plan, including a major transit stop such as a High Speed Rail transit stop) included in a regional transportation plan but not completed.
There are a few exceptions.  Units with floor ratios below 0.75, deed-restricted rent control/rental replacement units, and units where the owner withdrew the units from rental are all exempt from the parking restrictions. 
Local agencies can impose higher parking standards than are included in the bill if they make written findings, based on substantial evidence and "objective criteria" that all of the following apply to the specific transit-intensive area:
1. There isn't sufficient walkability.
2. There isn't sufficient level of transit service or bike access to provide viable alternatives to the car.
3. The lower standards undermine "existing parking standards that create effective incentives for transit-oriented development or affordable housing production, or both". 
4. The standards conflict with a station area plan in effect as of 1/1/2013 that provides reduced off-street parking compared to standard zoning required outside the transit-intensive area.
The local agency would be required to adopt an ordinance implementing any parking standards above those included in the bill.  But, if the agency does not adopt such an ordinance by January 1, 2014, projects deemed complete after January 1, 2014, but before adoption of the ordinance, would be required to meet the reduced parking requirements in this bill.
The sponsors believe that builders and the market should decide how much parking to provide, and that these reduced parking standards significantly reduce the cost of development and increase the number of transit-accessible and affordable housing units, increase density and development and use of public transit, and reduce green house gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled by removing an incentive to drive.
APA California is interested in receiving your comments on this measure, and are also interested in how you believe the bill would specifically impact your jurisdiction or community. Please send your comments to Sande George, contact info below, within the next two weeks.  
In addition, if you believe that this bill would create problems for you community, we urge you to write a letter to the author, with a copy to Sande, expressing opposition.
Her contact information is below:
Sande George
Lobbyist, APA California
Stefan/George Associates
925 L Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95814

Thank you everyone,
Dave Snow, APA California Vice President of Policy and Legislation
Sande George, APA California Executive Director and Lobbyist
Lauren Silva, APA California Lobbyist

AB 904 (SKINNER)

AB 904 Language from Leg Counsel.pdf Download this file

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