Parking Vs. Healthy Food

Some cities are change zoning laws to free smaller supermarkets from having to supply parking spaces in order to provide enough nutritious food to low-income residents.

1 minute read

June 22, 2009, 7:00 AM PDT

By Liyuan Huang

Cities are trying new ways to encourage supermarket construction in underserved neighborhoods by relaxing zoning requirements for parking spaces, says Sarah Goodyear.

"The New York Times mentioned that one of the strategies New York City is using to attract more supermarkets into food deserts is to change the city's zoning laws that would "free smaller supermarkets from having to supply parking spaces." Reducing or eliminating parking minimums for new development is good urbanism. But if it can help provide affordable, accessible, and nutritious food to low-income residents of the District -- which is already a District goal -- the planning commission has one more very good reason to wean us off of cars."

FULL STORY: Less Parking, More Healthy Food

Friday, June 19, 2009 in STREETSBLOG.ORG

Land Use Transportation New York Parking Requirements Zoning Changes

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