HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-21-20 Public Comment - K. Filipovich - Comment on DRAFT Community Plan - M1.12From:Karen Filipovich
To:Agenda
Subject:Comment on DRAFT Community Plan - M1.12
Date:Tuesday, July 21, 2020 11:42:45 AM
Dear Planning Board Members:
Thank you for taking the time and care and updating the Community Plan.
I have concerns about the parking elimination and reduction expressed in the plan. This is the
draft objective:
M-1.12 Eliminate parking minimum requirements in commercial districts and affordable
housing areas and reduce parking minimums elsewhere, acknowledging that demand for
parking will still result in new supply being built.
Though I think the other objectives in goal M-1 are excellent, and if all implemented, might
take some pressure off parking in commercial districts, having M-1.12 as an objective now is
putting the cart before the horse. I have lived in a city with far lower vehicle ownership and
parking spots, but it also had one of the best public transportation systems in the country.
Without the other objectives (and more) implemented in M-1, I am concerned that the
unintended effects of including M-1.12 will include:
- Reduced use of downtown and other core commercial districts because of parking
problems. Ironically, this could increase sprawl because easier parking could lead to more
patronage of commercial areas on the edge of town or outside the city limits.
-Parking spillover due to commercial district parking limitations for residents in adjoining area
and within the commercial district. According to DataUSA, vehicle ownership averages two
vehicles per household in Gallatin County. Because we are a rural state that has little transport
and long distances, we are not likely to see a major change in this pattern of ownership in the
next ten years. The parking district proposed for the area around the downtown is an attempt
to address this challenge, but it has substantial negatives for residents without commensurate
benefits.
Please consider eliminating this objective in this community plan and focus on setting the
foundation for reduced vehicle use first through implementation of the other objectives in M-
1. We simply do not have the infrastructure to support reductions in parking space yet.
Sincerely,
Karen Filipovich