Gordon Price is one of the most prominent urban thinkers in this city, and I am always interested to see the latest posts on his blog pricetags. Today, it's an item about a recent decision in Seattle to reduce parking requirements for new townhouses in certain neighbourhoods in Seattle, covering about 8% of the city. The goal is to deter the development of 'four packs' and 'six-packs' which is the somewhat derogatory term used to describe higher density townhouses that are often built as infill developments on 50 and 60 foot lots.The homes are usually built in two rows, one fronting the street, and one fronting the lane. In between is an 'auto-court' that leads to garages under the units. Sometimes the units have their principal entrances off the 'auto-court'. While the area between the units can be quite tight, and the 'auto-court' can be bleak, the concept is clever, in that it allows townhouses to be built on small lots in an incremental fashion.
A few weeks ago I went to Seattle to explore neighbourhoods offering this form of development. I took some photos which I shared with a few people around Vancouver. However, Gordon's post has prompted me to post a few photos here. There is no doubt that eliminating the parking requirements will significantly improve the design of these projects; however I can understand why many Vancouver neighbourhoods would not support zero parking....although with suitable design, I think they might support some four-pack and six-pack projects with appropriate design.
Here is another project that is not as attractive from the street, but does have a better courtyard character.
While I have been advocating for years that we should consider making our minimum parking standards the maximum standards, I am the first to admit that completely eliminating parking requirements for townhouse developments may be going a bit too far, too quickly. That being said, I do support eliminating parking (except for visitor requirements) for some very well located apartment projects, if a developer is willing to take on the market challenge. After all, eliminating underground parking in a dense urban centre can save $50,000 from the cost of building a small apartment.Now, as for the four-packs and six-packs, I am actively looking for a Metro Vancouver site where I might be able to design and develop an improved 'Vancouver version' of this form of townhouse infill project as a 'demonstration project'. With improved design, I think it would be an excellent housing choice for those wanting a ground oriented form of development, at a price comparable to an apartment.
So if you know of, or have a 50 or 60 foot lot for sale in an area that might be suitable for rezoning, just let me know. I'll be happy to buy the property, or partner with someone interested in rezoning and redevelopment, and possibly moving into one of the units, and/or keeping one or more as a future investment. I can always be reached at geller@sfu.ca.
24 comments:
some condos in Toronto have zero parking and work quite well....shopping close by and transit stops on the same block
Michael,
Thanks for sharing; I've also recently read about Seattle's revisions to their low-rise multi-unit residential zones and have been pleased to see that they're backing off on the minimum parking requirement.
Could you elaborate more on why you don't think that would work in Vancouver? From what I understand, transit options and traffic are both worse in Seattle than here, and car ownership in general tends to be higher in the States compared with Canada. This suggests to me that if Seattle can do it, surely Vancouver can.
I'd be interested to hear your thoughts, from a developer's perspective on Vancouver's current minimum off-street parking requirements. Do you think that these types of projects are marketable without off-street parking? Do you think that not having the off-street parking could improve design flexibility and offer more affordable options?
At any rate, I'm curious why we don't just leave parking to the market and deal with any spillover problems through parking permits or other charges for curb parking where demand exceeds supply.
Thanks for posting and for your time.
-D
I live in a duplex right now, we have a parking area at the back, but nobody in the home drives and so we're wondering what else we can do with it. Frankly, having a garage might make me less interested in living in a home, in particular if I have to pay for it. It adds up to pretty expensive storage.
There's a lot of people who are in a similar position, I'm sure, and there's already a number of homes in Vancouver without any parking, often apartments dating back to before motordom's dominance.
Relating to Seattle's "six-pack" developments, I've seen a lot of other pictures, though not in person, and found most of them to be extraordinarily ugly. The biggest problem I've seen with them has generally been the auto-courts, but also because they tend to bulk out at the top of the building, and overall tend to look like a big box form of housing. It's not the same as traditional row-houses or townhouses at all, in my experience. This blog has some great pictures and talks about a lot of the problems, if anyone is interested: http://seattleurbanism.blogspot.com/2009/10/townhouses-part-2-problem.html
I'd be curious to see how you would address some of those problems, and hopeful that they would in fact be addressed, if you are going to be bring this type of housing to Vancouver.
Good comments....with respect to parking reductions, while Vancouver Council and staff might be supportive of further reductions, I suspect most neighbours would be concerned. I am certainly finding this in West Vancouver where there is a concern with 12 parking spaces for 9 units.
That being said, I agree with the comment that we should let the marketplace have a greater say in how much parking is provided for buyers/renters, although I do think it is important to genrally provide visitor parking.
Re: 6 packs...yes, they are often quite ugly, but need not be...it's a question of just how much density one is trying to squeeze onto the site. But I like the concept, and think it can be made to work. Michael
Absolutely, I expect they could be done better, as long as they don't have the upper floors bulge outwards like the ones in Seattle so often do, and so long as they're designed well. I just don't know if the codes allow for that and for the project to be still viable. My understanding is that's what Seattle is trying to fix right now, with many more changes that flew under the radar with Gordon Price's post.
In this article , i am going to talk to you about how to use diet pills safely for weight loss. Right now, there is only one diet pill that you can consider it as safe and effective, FDA approved. That diet pill is is Phentermine. phentermine forums drug phentermine 37.5 mg canada It is believed that being overweight or obese causes the fat cells in the body to make hormones that affect cell growth and can lead to cancer. phentermine before and after Irving
Very good information. Lucky me I found your website by accident (stumbleupon).
I've book-marked it for later!
Feel free to visit my homepage - buying a Car with bad credit
Here is my web page : buying a car with bad credit,buy a car with bad credit,how to buy a car with bad credit,buying a car,buy a car,how to buy a car
On Sunday nights Erin Jaimes hosts a blues jam where anyone from Alan Haynes
to Gary Clark, Jr. At the end of each round read out the cumulative scores.
8.
Have a look at my homepage - pub quiz team names
I would appreciate your efforts of sharing that stuff. Gatwick Parking
Nice blog and post. I really appreciate the idea blog theme. Keep on sharing good stuff.
Nice blog and post. I really appreciate the idea blog theme. Keep on sharing good stuff.
thats is fair to have low parking spaces form the 4-pack and 6-pack houses. there should be wide parking areas aside form the residential area spaces. Meet and Greet Gatwick
An ample parking lots should be made for the residentials otherwise meet and greet parking Gatwick helps alot and provides the finest secure parking services.
Perfectly written piece of information. Managed Parking Gatwick aslo makes the airport more attractive and nice.
meet and greet parking
Great content material and great layout. Your website deserves all of the positive feedback it’s been getting. 온라인경마
Really it was an amazing post and engaged the audience with your blog. keep writing more Blog. 바둑이게임
Your blog provided us useful information. I am very joyful that I stumbled throughout this in my search for something relating to this. 바카라사이트
This is a very impressive subject. Thank you for always. I have been reading your article interestingly. If possible, please visit my website to read my posts and leave comments. Have a nice day! 바카라사이트 What you wrote was very helpful to me. Thank you. Actually, I run a site similar to you. If you have time, could you visit my site? Please leave your comments after reading what I wrote. If you do so, I will actively reflect your opinion. I think it will be a great help to run my site. Have a good day.
This was truly a welcoming post. Much appreciated! Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute,Good post. I was very interested in the article, it's quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards . Positive site, where did u come up with the information on this posting?I have read a few of the articles on your website now, and I really like your style. I think this is an enlightening post and it is extremely helpful and educated. in this way, I might want to thank you for the endeavors you have made in composing this article. 토토사이트 총판모집
that could be a sincerely desirable tip particularly to those new to the blogosphere. Quick however very accurate information… many thank you for sharing this one. A need to study article! I honestly like and respect your weblog article. A good deal thank you again. Hold writing. Correct day! I simply would really like to present you a huge thumbs up to your outstanding records you have right here on this publish. I will be coming returned for your web website for greater quickly. Whats up there, youu have executed an great job. I’ll clearly digg it and in my view suggest to my buddies. I don’t even know how i finished up proper here, however i notion this publish turned into as soon as high-quality. I don’t apprehend who you’re however genuinely you’re going to a well-known blogger if you happen to aren't already . Thanks plenty for sharing!
I have been searching to find a comfort or effective procedure to complete this process and I think this is the most suitable way to do it effectively. 엔트리파워볼
howdy, i do believe your internet web site may be having browser compatibility problems. 토토사이트가입
hiya, i think your website is probably having internet browser compatibility troubles. Once i check your weblog in safari, it seems exceptional but when commencing in internet explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I simply desired to provide you a quick heads up! Other than that, outstanding internet site! Hello, i do suppose this is a superb web web site.안전토토사이트
Great read! 👏 The discussion about eliminating minimum parking requirements is so relevant, especially in today's evolving travel landscape. Speaking of innovative parking solutions, have you considered the convenience of Valet Parking At Heathrow Terminal 5 by Express Parking? It's a game-changer, offering a seamless and stress-free experience. Imagine arriving, handing over your keys, and heading straight to your gate! Check out the perks of Valet Parking – it might just revolutionize the way we approach airport parking!
Post a Comment