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Expanded RPP is already in Wards 1 and 6 because they have a concentration of night spots. Ward 2 has multiples of 1 and 6 put together and yet the Dupont ANC and Jack don't get the problem.

1. People coming in to nightlife areas should either take taxis, public transit, or pay market rate parking. When I visit other cities I never expect to find free on-street parking on residential streets when I go out.

2. Residents do have a equitable right to preference in curbside parking by their houses. No less than their front yards, which are also owned by the city in the old city, curbside parking in residential areas was devised so that residents could park their cars. In older days and still in many parts of the city, it was considered insulting to take the parking spot in front of someone's home. Just as insulting as to have a picnic in someone's front yard because it is also public property. Diminution of a homeowner's equitable rights in abutting city-owned property is serious business to homeowners.

3. The effect on the environment and quality of life is devastating when residents are forced to concrete over rear yards for parking because non-residents have taken over the curbside parking. This could be addressed by banning such paving, but it won't be. Especially if there's no place else to park.

4. The image spread that residents with cars are gluttonous SUV-drivers is ridiculous. DC residents use their autos very seldom. But since in today's world there's still usually a need for an auto at one's disposal when the need arises, it's best to give preference to those seldom-used resident-owned autos. In DC an auto is more likely to be owned by a middle-class older female who uses it on weekends to see a relative or grocery shop than a yuppie who drives from bar to bar.

5. It is the residents' city. We own it. We pay for it. We vote the crooked bastards in and out. Residents don't have greater rights ? We'll see how that works out.

by Tom Coumaris on Apr 3, 2012 6:08 pm • link • report