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Also blame New Urbanist town planners who want to make driving as hard as possible to force people into public transportation even where it doesn't exist.
Town planners control the parking lot spots at stores and parking garages?
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lunetunelover
This sounds like a silly question, but it does come into play.
Did you measure to the edge of the line or the center? And how wide was the line?
Generally, measurements are taken from center of line to center of line.
Additionally, even though ADA allows an 8' space but then usually requires a 5' space next to it. Typically, for handicap parking you have and 8' parking space, then a 5' space (for access), then an 8' parking space.
To the lines, and those are 2" so I suppose you could say 7'4", but then no space between the cars if over the lines. The Handicap spaces here all have a generous width plus an additional striped area of about 4' before the next space. Our state law requires the one labeled "Van Accessible" to have an additional space of 8' in addition to the parking space for allowing exit via wheelchair.
Town planners control the parking lot spots at stores and parking garages?
By developing the parking requirements that are then adopted in the Planning and Zoning Code by the local government, yes.
And those requirements are whatever the current theories being taught for Urban Planning degrees are.
I'll give you another example. For years the road design for new subdivisions was to have looping, curving roads because the grid system was "outdated and archaic".
Now the new hot lick in subdivision road design is................the grid system because the looping, curving streets inhibit walkability and the sense of community.
And the walkability and sense of community piece is also infused into the theory that if enough parking isn't provided then people will switch to walking or, preferably for other reasons, mass transit.
Town planners control the parking lot spots at stores and parking garages?
Yes. They influence policies that Mayors and city councils establish and utilize or impose on local businesses. Local governments are all influenced by directives and studies from state and federal urban planners, or bound by them if they take state or federal funding.
Stores can't just make it up as they go. To get a permit to construct or modify their establishment, they have to follow local codes and regulations.
City of Knoxville Tennessee
11.5 - DIMENSIONS OF OFF-STREET PARKING FACILITIES
Off-street parking facilities must be laid out in accordance with the following regulations:
Accessible Spaces
1. Accessible vehicle spaces must be at least eight feet wide with an adjacent pedestrian access aisle of at least five feet in width.
2. Van accessible spaces must be either:
a. At least 11 feet wide with an adjacent pedestrian access aisle of at least five feet in width.
b. At least eight feet wide with an adjacent pedestrian access aisle of at least eight feet in width
3. Pedestrian access aisles must be hatched and include a painted "No Parking" designation.
B. Stall and Aisle Dimensions
1. The minimum dimensions for parking stalls and aisles is specified in Table 11-4: Minimum Stall and Aisle Dimensions. Maximum dimensions are the minimum value plus four feet.
Now the new hot lick in subdivision road design is................the grid system because the looping, curving streets inhibit walkability and the sense of community.
And the walkability and sense of community piece is also infused into the theory that if enough parking isn't provided then people will switch to walking or, preferably for other reasons, mass transit.
So they're both inhibiting walkability and then encouraging walking all at the same time.
Yes. They influence policies that Mayors and city councils establish and utilize or impose on local businesses. Local governments are all influenced by directives and studies from state and federal urban planners, or bound by them if they take state or federal funding.
Stores can't just make it up as they go. To get a permit to construct or modify their establishment, they have to follow local codes and regulations.
City of Knoxville Tennessee
11.5 - DIMENSIONS OF OFF-STREET PARKING FACILITIES
Off-street parking facilities must be laid out in accordance with the following regulations:
Accessible Spaces
1. Accessible vehicle spaces must be at least eight feet wide with an adjacent pedestrian access aisle of at least five feet in width.
2. Van accessible spaces must be either:
a. At least 11 feet wide with an adjacent pedestrian access aisle of at least five feet in width.
b. At least eight feet wide with an adjacent pedestrian access aisle of at least eight feet in width
3. Pedestrian access aisles must be hatched and include a painted "No Parking" designation.
B. Stall and Aisle Dimensions
1. The minimum dimensions for parking stalls and aisles is specified in Table 11-4: Minimum Stall and Aisle Dimensions. Maximum dimensions are the minimum value plus four feet.
So what width are the parking spots in your town? Must be all at the bare minimum for you to be arguing this with me and not having noticed. In my town it varies considerably, but hey, my town has 3 stores and not 1.
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