This Week: Parking Reform, Safer Lafayette Avenue

In 1982, the city established off-street parking maximums in much of Manhattan to reduce traffic congestion. Since then, the maximums have served as an effective check on driving in the densest part of the region, but loopholes enable developers to skirt the rules almost at will. On Wednesday, the Department of City Planning will present the results of a promising study on how the zoning regulations are working, and how they could be adjusted. Simultaneously, Brooklyn Community Board 2 will host a public hearing on DCP's parking reforms for Downtown Brooklyn, which reduce but don't eliminate parking minimums.

Also this week, NYC DOT shows plans for a Lafayette Avenue safety project, including bike improvements, to Brooklyn CB 2. DOT will also bring a slate of safety enhancements to Brooklyn CB 6 and CB 7.

• Tuesday: The City Council Transportation Committee will hold a hearing entitled "Keeping Up With the Boroughs -- Addressing Public Transit Needs Outside Manhattan." 10 a.m.
• Also Tuesday: NYC DOT presents several pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements to Brooklyn Community Board 2. 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: The Department of City Planning will present the results of the Manhattan Core Public Parking Study to the transportation committee of Community Board 4. Results from the study, launched in 2008, will be used to assess zoning regulations established in 1982 to reduce traffic in Manhattan's most congested districts. The committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Piano Room at 351 W. 42nd Street.
• Also Wednesday: Brooklyn CB 2 hosts a public hearing on the Department of City Planning's plan to reduce parking minimums in Downtown Brooklyn. 6:00 p.m. [Note: This hearing is happening at MetroTech, not St. Francis College.]
• Thursday: At a joint meeting of the transportation committees of Brooklyn Community Boards 6 and 7, DOT will present three proposals: east-and westbound bike lanes on 14th and 15th Streets in Park Slope; pedestrian safety improvements at the Bartel-Pritchard Square traffic circle; and safety measures in the Hicks Street corridor. 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday: The week's bike-share demonstration wrap up with a session at Central Park. Noon to 4 p.m.

Keep an eye on the calendar for updated listings. Got an event we should know about? Drop us a line.