Too many parking spaces?

Should we reduce parking requirements on some of this high-density development? That's the idea of megadeveloper Chris Pak, who is profiled by The Times' K. Connie Kang. Pak is behind some of the residential towers rising in Koreatown. His critics take a different view:

"But Pak and his denser vision of L.A. have their share of detractors. Neighborhood activists, leery of development encroachment near residential areas abutting major boulevards, such as Olympic, complain that projects like his will change the historic character of neighborhoods, and they worry about the effect of density on the quality of life that residents of these areas have long enjoyed. Critics question whether the new projects will get people out of their cars or simply bring more residents -- and commuters -- to the area's already clogged streets. An environmental impact study says the Solair project is expected to create 1,700 new daily trips. Critics are also leery of some of Pak's other ideas. He would like to see zoning rules changed so that a developer could offer less parking and instead provide more open space for residents. Pak believes it would get people out of their cars and encourage other modes of transportation, but critics say this is a recipe for a street parking nightmare."

Comments

[Greg]

'Neighborhood activists" always think they can tell when a city should stop growing, and it seems to be the day before they moved in. More urban development (I think that Koreatown qualifies without a doubt as being urban) should be cheered; put the people where there already are people and services instead of in some inefficient sprawling tract.

[Sheryl]

If Pak and his fellow developers are SERIOUS about this, then they should:

1--Be partnering with companies like Flexcar, providing limited, securely locked garage space for their cars. People could then pay the monthly fee for the car-sharing service to use for errands like major grocery shopping, etc. and still be able to walk to near by transit for daily commuting, etc.

2--Partner with local taxi companies or co-ops to get waiting-at-the-curb service at a designated taxi-stand, such as you find at some shopping centers. The developer/management company would pay drivers a small differential 'wait time fee' to just sit and wait for fares. People who have an emergency and need to go to the hospital or their child's school or to an unexpected interview don't want to have to wait upwards of 20 minutes for a cab. It's why the keep their cars!

3--Work with small cities and neighborhood councils to design and deploy free "shop-and-hop" services that take shoppers and their packages home for free from any sponsoring merchant, bar/club/restaurant or movie theatre within a designated radius upon presentation of a receipt showing purchases about a certain amount. Ralph's provides this service at some of it's stores if you spend more than $30--developers should work with merchants in their "high density corridors" to sponsor this kind of service within their development areas.

[Shaun]

LA and most CA have ridiculous parking requirements for new developments, which only add to the cost of housing. Lower parking requirements is a good idea; it will make new construction more affordable, and will help encourge more transit use and walking.