Parking
DDOT releases TDM recommendations for new development
When any new building appears in the city, its residents, office workers and/or shoppers have to travel to and from the building. The traditional planning approach is to require enough parking so that all of the users could drive there. But that's not the ideal outcome, since our roads can't handle more traffic. Instead, many cities now push for other elements that make it easier for people to travel by other modes. These elements are called Transportation Demand Management strategies.
Photo by nicholi57 on Flickr.
At the Board of Zoning Adjustment hearing for the Whitman-Walker project at 14th and S, DDOT planner Chris Ziemann proposed several TDM strategies, including bicycle parking, car sharing spaces, free initial Zipcar or SmartBike memberships, and free SmarTrip cards for new residents. These come from a September DDOT memo on TDM which I was able to obtain.
These are the TDM strategies DDOT considers when looking at a new project:
- Bicycle parking: One space for each 20 car spaces, locked bicycle storage, and shower facilities for workers. That can include facilities for workers at residential buildings as well as office workers.
- Carpools: Reserved spaces in good locations for carpools and vanpools, and discounts against parking rates in pay garages.
- Parking costs: Ensure that the garage charges market rates for parking. If employees or residents get free parking, allow them to take a payment ("cash-out") for the market value of their space instead.
- Car sharing: Free parking spaces(s) for carsharing vehicles, accessible 24-7 to the public. Also, cover the initiation fee and first year membership fees for initial residents.
- Bike sharing: Allocate space for a SmartBike station, or possibly fund the station entirely.
- SmarTrip: Give new residents and building employees complimentary SmarTrip cards. DDOT suggests $20 for residential tenants and $60 for employees of residential buildings.
- Information: Put links on buildings' Web site to CommuterConnections.com and goDCgo.com. Include signs or brochures in lobby kiosks, information in welcome packets, or bulletin boards with information on transportation options.
- Technology: Have a business center in residential buildings with a copier, fax, and Internet access. This makes it easier for people to telecommute.
Keep in mind that this is just a menu of possibilities, not rules. DDOT can decide which are most appropriate for each project. The developers can voluntarily agree to implement some, and if not, BZA or Zoning Commission ultimately decides whether to impose any as conditions of approvals. Some, like bicycle parking, are also part of draft future zoning rules, but these may go beyond the absolute requirements of zoning.
 | David Alpert is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Greater Greater Washington and Greater Greater Education. He worked as a Product Manager for Google for six years and has lived in the Boston, San Francisco, and New York metro areas in addition to Washington, DC. He loves the area which is, in many ways, greater than those others, and wants to see it become even greater.   |
Comments
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by Steve on Feb 17, 2009 1:12 pm • link • report
by SG on Feb 17, 2009 1:42 pm • link • report
by Adam on Feb 17, 2009 1:48 pm • link • report
David, this simply isn't consistent with our parking requirements which are as low as one space for every four apartments or condominiums. That minimum wouldn't even accommodate residents, being far less than car ownership rates, and doesn't accommodate visitors and employees.
And how meaningful is it for a developer who recieves a large increase in zoning to give SmartTrip Cards with a small balance to each family who buys a condominium from him, and can just increase the sale price by $20 or $40?
And your last paragraph is simply inconsistent with the administrative procedures for the BZA and the Zoning Commission.
by JR on Feb 17, 2009 2:20 pm • link • report
A complimentary SmartTrip card, judged purely by monetary value, has little other than symbolic value. However, if it encourages someone to try out Metro when they would otherwise drive, then is has the potential to yield a long-lasting payoff that is significant from the point of view of traffic reduction.
by Laurence Aurbach on Feb 17, 2009 2:35 pm • link • report
SmarTrip: As mentioned, what about people who already have a SmarTrip card?
Bike parking: This needs to be tweaked. It doesn't say anything about parking available to the public vs. just for residents/employees. 5% might be OK as a general minimum, but it needs a floor -- if there are only 20 car parking spots, there shouldn't be merely 1 bike parking spot. The quality of the parking location matters, too. Shoving it in the corner of the 3rd level of the parking garage isn't going to encourage anyone to bike.
Telecommuting: This is the first time I've heard this idea, and it's a good one. I work from home, and it'd be handy to have in-house access to a fax and copier. It's one of the small amenities that I'd remember when shopping for an apartment. I'm not sure about the utility of the suggested "Internet services", though -- I wouldn't camp with my laptop in a common office, and I'm not sure who would.
by Gavin Baker on Feb 17, 2009 10:06 pm • link • report
by Eric Britton on Feb 18, 2009 3:23 am • link • report
by David Alpert on Feb 18, 2009 7:50 am • link • report
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