Land Use
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Photo by jennifer yin licensed under Creative Commons
Greater Greater Washington writes about where we live, work, and play, why we make the location choices we do, and what forces shape these places.
Many people would like to live in safe, diverse, walkable neighborhoods with access to transit, stores, parks, good schools, and other amenities. While our region has more walkable urban places than most, the demand still exceeds available housing, making these places more expensive (and prices keep rising rapidly).
We must ensure that there are enough housing choices so everyone who wants to live in such a neighborhood can choose to do so. We should ensure that housing in desirable areas is available to people at many points along the income spectrum, and take action to fight segregation. And we can improve the vitality of all neighborhoods by encouraging new retail and amenities to improve the quality of life for all residents.
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Breakfast links: Supply and demand edition
Parking parking everywhere and not a drop for bikes: Despite a city law mandating bike parking, there’s just not enough, leaving racks bursting at office buildings from Friendship Heights to the U.S. Senate, writes the City Paper. And as WashCycle found out, Metro won’t even return calls about renting bike lockers at New Carrollton. Meanwhile, Chicago is building… Keep reading…
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Does regulation hamper street fairs?
Want to hold an outdoor festival? You have to get signatures of 90% of the businesses and residents within 500 feet (that’s about two short blocks or one long block). In many other cities, street fairs are a regular sight on warm weather weekends. Vendors take over a few blocks of a major street, selling food, clothing and accessories. It’s fun (and convenient) to serendipitously… Keep reading…
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Parking countdown #5: Minimums deter good projects
This is the sixth of ten daily posts about why the Zoning Commission should approve the Office of Planning recommendations on off-street parking, leading up to the hearing on Thursday, July 31 at 6:30 pm. Please attend and testify if you can, or submit comments to the zoning commission in this thread. Keep reading…
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Zipcar asking members to support parking reform
Several readers forwarded me an action alert Zipcar just sent to DC members asking them to support the parking regulations. Yes, the changes will help them, but their success creates positive externalities for others. They advocate for all aspects of parking reform, with the car sharing component only the last bullet point of their email. Parking requirements force Zipcar users… Keep reading…
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Parking countdown #6: Parking minimums undermine neighborhood retail
This is the fifth of ten daily posts about why the Zoning Commission should approve the Office of Planning recommendations on off-street parking, leading up to the hearing on Thursday, July 31 at 6:30 pm. Please attend and testify if you can, or submit comments to the zoning commission in this thread. Keep reading…
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HPRB landmarks Hilton because it’s kind of like other landmarks
This morning, HPRB reviewed the landmark nomination for the Washington Hilton. I’ve argued before that this building isn’t worthy of being landmarked. Many people have made respectable arguments on both sides, and I respect those who feel this building is in fact iconic. But one thing worries me: the HPRB members who voted in favor spoke less about this building’s… Keep reading…
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Parking countdown #7: On-street management solves “spillover”
This is the fourth of ten daily posts about why the Zoning Commission should approve the Office of Planning recommendations on off-street parking, leading up to the hearing on Thursday, July 31 at 6:30 pm. Please attend and testify if you can, or submit comments to the zoning commission in this thread. Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: suburban changes edition
The official word on the I-66 deck: Infosnack HQ made some calls and found out the detailed scoop on the parking garage. One of five parking decks is free to the public, and fills up with commuters on weekdays (why can’t they charge, again?) while the others are used by Arlington Public Schools. Keep reading…
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Parking countdown #8: Car sharing reduces parking demand
This is the third in a daily series about why the Zoning Commission should approve the Office of Planning recommendations on off-street parking. Keep reading…
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Dinner links: The many faces of government edition
Meet the bubble bus: WMATA released images of their new Metrobuses, slated for service in August. DCist has more. Keep reading…