When I read the Strib article about requiring garages, it seemed apparent to me that the motivation behind the ordinance is to provide a hurdle for new, private developments, specifically those that are "low end" housing options. I got that insight from the reference made (I think by Barb Johnson) to the quality (or lack of quality) in some of the new construction.
I believe some of the new construction in the city is little more than a "trailerhouse-on-a-foundation", so the issue of quality is real, but requiring garages is, in my opinion, an end-run on the real issue. A garage increases the cost of construction, and must then also increase the sale price - maybe putting the deal above the monetary means of many first-time homebuyers who are presumably the buyers of said construction. I'm all for good, safe, well constructed housing, so if city housing code increases the cost of housing it should be in the interest of providing that. City code should not be in the business of requiring amenities without legitimate, solid reasons. City code requires indoor plumbing, for example, and that has obvious health benefits in a densly populated area. City code requires windows or doors for each space sufficient to allow escape in the event of fire, etc. I really don't want city code to require that my house have a hot tub on the basis that some arthritic individuals (like my mother) benefit physically from a hot tub - for my mother, it IS a health issue, and doctors even prescribe it, though she doesn't have one. That's the kind of territory this garage issue is in - it may be an important amenity for some individuals, but there is certainly nothing about a garage that should be universally required. Requiring off-street parking for new construction would address those areas with legitimate parking concerns. David Piehl Central __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More http://faith.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
