tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893479544324765391.post4257642629796246207..comments2014-08-22T14:11:49.891-04:00Comments on Brookline Perspective: If We Build it They Will DriveLindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08535172440009374020noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893479544324765391.post-49233266823130290022008-01-31T13:19:00.000-05:002008-01-31T13:19:00.000-05:00Bravo!It's true that the C line is often packed du...Bravo!<BR/><BR/>It's true that the C line is often packed during rush hour. But, it's also true that the stations are in the process of being lengthened from 2 car lengths to 3, which will allow increasing capacity by 50%. Furthermore, not everybody without a car who lives near Beacon St travels downtown during rush hour by T to get to work. Some work off hours. Some are retired, students, work in Coolidge Corner, work outbound, or walk/cycle/carpool to work.<BR/><BR/>Furthermore, developers are generally free to build <I>more</I> parking -- those numbers are minimums. So, why not lower the threshold? If a developer feels that he can build housing without copious amounts of parking, and if tenants/condo owners are interested in living there without the parking, I say God Bless -- you're adding to our property tax rolls and the fabric of our community without adding to our traffic woes. You're also more likely to do more shopping locally, supporting Brookline's indie and national businesses. If a developer feels he can get business tenants to move in without providing oodles of parking, that's even better -- they pay a higher tax rate and don't contribute to the ever growing kindergarten enrollment.<BR/><BR/>It's true that some people will move into housing without parking and then seek to rent a spot somewhere, adding demand to the seeking-overnight-parking market. How many? I don't know... but I don't think it's tremendous, especially around Coolidge Corner.<BR/><BR/>I'd like to see the minimum requirement lowered, particularly if within 0.5 miles of a MBTA streetcar or bus stop. I'd like to see Brookline continue to make cycling a more attractive transportation alternative. I'd like to see Brookline work harder at making sure sidewalks are free of debris and snow, that the curb cuts are installed, correctly angled, and otherwise safe. I'd like to see more Brookline Police enforcement of pedestrian - cycling - driving laws with respect to crosswalks. I'd like to see Brookline somehow work with the MBTA to get our C line stations all lengthened to 3 car lengths sooner rather than later so that the C line congestion will be reduced dramatically during rush hour and Red Sox games, thereby allowing Brookline to reduce parking space requirements even further.<BR/><BR/>My vision for a sustainable Brookline includes numerous incremental changes that will allow people to live happier, healthier lives with fewer cars and fewer miles driven.<BR/><BR/>Tommy Vitolo<BR/>TMM, Pct 1Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com