PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jackson Chabot, Director of Advocacy and Organizing at Open Plans
3:03:04
·
122 sec
Jackson Chabot from Open Plans testified in support of the City of Yes proposal, focusing on the negative impacts of parking mandates and car dependence in urban environments. He argued that removing parking requirements would lead to more sustainable, livable cities with better public transportation and reduced car reliance.
- Chabot highlighted research showing parking mandates contribute to car dependence and urban sprawl.
- He noted that cities like Minneapolis, Anchorage, and Austin have already lifted parking requirements.
- Chabot shared a brief testimony from a supporter stating that cars are a major public health and safety crisis in New York City.
Jackson Chabot
3:03:04
Good afternoon, everyone.
3:03:05
My name is Jackson Chabot, and I'm speaking this afternoon on behalf of open plans where I'm the director of advocacy and organizing.
3:03:11
I want to speak to car dependence relative to the city of Yes Perposal.
3:03:16
Research shows parking mandates have detrimental effects on urban environments and contributes significantly to car dependence by requiring developers to provide a specific a specific number of parking spaces as our current zoning does.
3:03:28
These regulations encourage the belief that car ownership is essential, leading to a culture where cars are prioritized over other forms of transportation.
3:03:37
Developers often build larger structures with more parking than Missouri, as the Department of City Planning said yesterday in their presentation with numerous examples in many districts across the city.
3:03:49
This leads to less dense, more car centric neighborhoods.
3:03:53
This sprawl not only increases their reliance on vehicles, but also reduces walkability and access to public transportation.
3:04:00
Additionally, the focus on accommodating cars can divert resources away from essential public services such as transportation systems, pedestrian infrastructure, etcetera.
3:04:10
This creates a vicious cycle as public transportation becomes less viable and more individuals turn to cars further reinforcing the need for parking.
3:04:19
In summary, parking mandates foster car dependence, promote urban sprawl, inflate housing cost, and undermine public transportation.
3:04:27
To create more sustainable, livable cities such as ours, it is crucial to rethink these regulations and prioritize transportation options of reduced car reliance.
3:04:38
Offering the remaining 30 seconds that city is far more car dependent than ours such as Minneapolis, Anchorage, Alaska, and Austin, Texas have already lifted parking requirements.
3:04:49
I'd also like to offer that in organizing for this work, we had people submit testimony as well.
3:04:56
I'll read just one of them.
3:04:57
Cars are the biggest public health and safety crisis in New York City like guns.
3:05:01
We need them to get them off our streets from Allen.
3:05:04
Among others.
3:05:05
Thank you.
