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Guest Editorial
Parking removal plan for Portola Drive
By Pamela Stone
Last year, I learned that the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency was undertaking an environmental review of the Bicycle Plan, and proposing a substantial number of bicycle improvements for the safe utilization of bicycles and their promotion as an alternative means of transportation. In looking closer, I learned that there are two options for Portola Drive, one that would remove all 240 parking spaces on the northeast side of the street from Sloat Blvd. to O’Shaughnessey, coupled with removal of one driving lane from Evelyn Way to O’Shaugnessey. The second alternative would keep parking on Portola Drive but narrow driving lanes to implement a bicycle lane.
My family has lived on Portola Drive for over 40 years. Some of my neighbors have lived in this area for over 50 years. In discussing the proposal for wholesale removal of parking, none of my neighbors had heard of such a matter. I have also frequented the merchants of West Portal as long as I can remember. However, except for the President of the West Portal Merchants Association, no one that I spoke with had heard of the proposal, although it would impact them as well.
In June, the SFMTA Bicycle Program held an open house to discuss the bicycle plan implementation in the Western Neighborhoods. I attended, and was surprised to see that other than avid cyclists, there were few individuals who would be impacted by the proposed changes present. I inquired as to how notice was given, and I was informed that the fact of the meetings was published, and that the Presidents of the various Homeowners Associations were notified. They did not notify any of the impacted residents of the proposed changes, relying upon associations and the internet to provide actual notice.
Many residents in the area are elderly and not connected with the internet. Additionally, many residents are not avid cyclists and would not realize how the proposed Bicycle Plan would impact them. Thus, the result is that the Bicycle Program only has the input of avid cyclists, and not those who would be impacted daily by the proposed changes.
The removal of parking from the front of my residence would make it easier for me to enter and exit my garage. However, it would have other severe impacts.
Although my parents are dead, I am fortunate enough to have retained the friendship of their friends and peers. As these individuals are quite elderly, unless parking can be had close to my home, I will not be able to enjoy their company, which I treasure. Additionally, some of my friends are disabled and need parking near my home. This would be impossible if all parking is removed from Portola Drive, as it will force those who presently park on Portola to move into the residential areas for parking. Additionally the curbs at the intersections have been upgraded for disabled access; query the good that will do if the disabled are unable to park.
Having a home which is not new necessitates continual repairs. In the last several years, I have had to do all sorts of maintenance and repairs. How are contractors supposed to bring in heavy materials if they cannot park near the location of their jobsites?
Another factor is the speed at which vehicles travel Portola Drive. Over the years, speeding has increased. In reviewing the Pedestrian Summit, also sponsored by SFMTA, I learned that parking has the effect of reducing speeds on our street. The wholesale removal of parking would encourage even more speeding on Portola Drive. I have also seen the parking lanes, when there are no cars occupying it, utilized for passing on the right. This would continue if parking is removed.
In addition to elderly individuals who live in the area, there are a substantial number of families with young children, and the number of children in strollers has increased as young families have moved in the area. The lack of parking and the increase in speed would be dangerous to young children and the elderly as they try to negotiate Portola Drive to go to West Portal.
San Francisco is a “Transit First” city, but due to location and physical impairments, not everyone is able to utilize public transportation for all purposes. It is difficult to find parking in the West Portal area to frequent the merchants in the area. Removal of parking from Portola will only exacerbate the problem. If parking is unavailable, individuals will go to other locales for the purchases and services.
I am not opposed to bicycle lanes. I used to ride my bicycle decades ago to attend the University of San Francisco. I believe that bicycle lanes encourage safety and remind drivers that they must be careful of bicyclists. However, I firmly believe that the needs of all of the residents of San Francisco be taken into account when establishing a comprehensive bicycle plan.
