Poll: Thoughts on Bill That Would Require Bike Parking In Some Cases

St. Louis alderman Scott Olgilvie (I-24) has introduced a new bill that, if passed, would modify our zoning code to require bike parking for some major new construction or renovations:

BOARD BILL NO. 258 INTRODUCED BY ALDERMAN SCOTT OGILVIE, ALDERMAN SHANE COHN, PRESIDENT LEWIS REED, ALDERWOMAN JENNIFER FLORIDA An Ordinance recommended by the City of St. Louis Planning Commission, requiring residential and commercial bicycle parking under the Zoning Code for all new construction or renovations equal to or in excess of one million dollars ($1,000,000);ontaining definitions; bicycle rack construction requirement, bicycle rack site requirements, bicycle parking requirements, exemptions, off-street parking reduction, an administrative waiver provision and a severability clause. (BB258)

From Olgilvie’s blog:

On Wednesday the Planning Commission approved an ordinance that will require bike parking be included in new commercial construction and certain renovations. The bill is a collaborative effort between myself and members of the Mayor’s staff. A lot of assistance was provided by the city’s legal and zoning teams to craft an ordinance that will be effective, yet flexible for existing structures. The idea follows the lead of other cities like Cleveland, Minneapolis, and Portland, to provide secure and convenient bike parking where people will use it: at their work and the stores they visit. The specific amount of parking is determined by the size of the structure, or the number of employees for warehouse, hotel, and industrial uses. The goal is to provide adequate bike parking facilities to accommodate up to 5% of trips – a goal which some other cities have already achieved and surpassed. The rules build upon the bike infrastructure progress made in St. Louis over the last decade, including GRG trails and bike St. Louis on-street routes. (ward24stl.com)

Section Two E of the bill:

The total number of vehicle off-street parking spaces required under the Zoning Code shall be reduced at the ratio of one (1) automobile off-street parking space for each one (1) bicycle space provided. The total number of required automobile off-street parking spaces, however, shall not be reduced by more than ten (10) percent for any newly developed or rehabilitated structure.

The following shows bike rack styles, half allowed and half not allowed:

I have some strong opinions on this bill but I’ll reserve those until I post the poll results on Wednesday February 8th.

– Steve Patterson

One Less Home Game In St. Louis For The Next Three Years

It’s still unknown if the St. Louis Rams NFL franchise will agree to the final ten years of the existing thirty year lease but we do know they will play one home game each of the next three years in London:

The St. Louis Rams took the first step to becoming Britain’s “home” team Friday, agreeing to play a regular-season NFL game in London in each of the next three seasons.

And first up are the New England Patriots, who are two wins from another Super Bowl title.

The Rams and Patriots meet at Wembley on Oct. 28, about two months after the closing ceremony of the London Olympics. That will be followed by games at Wembley against undetermined opponents in 2013 and 2014.

The Rams are owned by Stan Kroenke, who is also the majority shareholder in the English soccer club Arsenal. The team will give up home games in St. Louis for the three seasons they are in London.

“We’ve seen first-hand the increased popularity of the NFL not only in London but throughout Europe,” Kroenke said in a statement. “To play a role in that growth over the next three years will be incredible and is a testament to the many good things happening not only in the NFL but also in the St. Louis Rams organization. (ESPN)

The team only had eight games a year scheduled in St. Louis and now it will be just seven!  So much for the expected revenue. What does the mean about the Rams staying in St. Louis?

In a worst-case lease scenario, the Rams could be free to leave St. Louis following the 2014 season, which also is the year of the last London game. Coincidence? Throw in the fact that Kroenke owns Arsenal soccer club in the English Premier League and owns the stadium they play in. Add to that the fact that the NFL has discussed the possibility of having a franchise based in London. (STLtoday.com)

As the majority shareholder of the Arsenal Football Club (soccer) Stan Kroenke already owns Emirates Stadium (2006) and the NFL wants a London-based franchise. Either the deal is done or Kroenke knows how convince St. louis to build the Rams a shiny new stadium at taxpayer expense.

– Steve Patterson

Readers: Incumbent Larry Williams Least Popular Candidate for Treasurer’s Job

My weekly poll is completely unscientific but it does indicate how a small segment of the city’s voters will vote this year. At this point, very early in the race for treasurer, it looks like it will come down to Brian Wahby, head of the St. Louis Democrats and Tishaura Jones, my current state rep:

Q: Who should be elected Treasuer for the City of St. Louis in 2012?

1. Brian Wahby 77 [39.69%]
2. Tishaura Jones 53 [27.32%]
3. Fred Wessels 22 [11.34%]
4. Unsure/no opinion 17 [8.76%]
5. Larry Williams 11 [5.67%]
6. Other: 9 [4.64%]
7. Another as yet undeclared candidate 5 [2.58%]

Longtime alderman Fred Wessels has his work cut out for him if he hopes to win a citywide election. Thirty-year incumbent Larry Williams would be smart to retire gracefully rather than be subjected to certain defeat. Maybe one of these candidates will run as an independent and challenge the winner of the August Democratic primary during the November general election? Or maybe another person will announce their candidacy?

The “other” answers typed in by readers were interesting:

1. a white person
2. Anyone but Larry Williams
3. Jeff Fisher [new head coach of the St. Louis Rams]
4. Les Sterman [former head of East-West Gateway and now construction supervisor with the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District]
5. Who cares, nothing will change with the city anyway.
6. not larry williams
7. Not that HACK Brian Wahby
8. [Ald Jeffrey] Boyd
9. Anyone other than an establishment candidate

I’m not sure what to make of #1. Why is race important to the position of treasurer? Only after the poll was finished did I learn that  alderman Jeffrey L. Boyd also plans to run for the seat.

My hope is we can get a couple of debates between the candidates so we as voters can learn more about the job, what they think the issues are and how they differ from their opponents. No matter who wins I don’t want them in office for 30+ years.

– Steve Patterson

Readers Support Missouri Requiring Use of Rear Seat Belts

Nearly 60% of readers that voted in the poll last week support Missouri joining more than half the states in requiring rear seat passengers to wear seat belts.

Q: Should Missouri require seatbelt use for back-seat passengers?

1. Yes 43 59.72% [59.72%]
2. No 24 [33.33%]
3. Unsure/no opinion 4 [5.56%]
4. Other: 1 [1.39%] (There should be no seatbelt laws.)

I have no idea if a such a bill has been introduced in the Missouri legislature.

– Steve Patterson

Poll: Who Should Be Elected Treasurer for the City of St. Louis in 2012

Nationally the battle for the GOP presidential nomination is ongoing but locally we will soon see a fight for the county-level office of treasurer. Monday last week I blogged that Larry Williams Should Not Seek Another Term as Treasurer. Williams has been in office over 30 years and so far he’s said he is going to run again.

This election can potentially have a big impact on the future of St. Louis. The candidates will be debating parking policy, related urban policy, financial management and possibly the idea of changing the city’s charter.

The poll question this week asks who should be elected treasurer in 2012. I’ve listed Williams and the three candidates that have announced so far: Ald Fred Wessels, City Democrat head Brian Wahby and State Rep Tishaura Jones. I’ve also included a choice for an “undeclared candidate.”

– Steve Patterson