RE: Garages
From: Rob Sandelin (Exchange) (RobsanExchange.MICROSOFT.com)
Date: Sun, 7 Jul 1996 19:21:31 -0500
ONe design layout which could offer both garage access and pedestrian
access is to put the garages in the back, along with access. That way,
the important front of the house remains pedestrian, and the back door
access can have a garage out of the way.

I am not convinced that having garages and even drive up access has much
effect on peoples sense of community. In the summer you will be outside
and mingling if you wish, in the cold of winter all your mingling will
be indoors anyway, which is where the commonhouse holds a key role.  I
agree that the bumping into the neighbors on the path to the parking is
one element of social contact, however, when its 10 degrees and snowing,
that contact is gonna be pretty minimal, and  the benefit of having a
nice warm garage to get in and out of is pretty huge in the cold
climates.

Although there are those who beleive cars are the epitome of evil in the
world, not building garages in harsh climes in order to facilitate
occaisional contacts to me is not a good tradeoff.  There are other
places you can create contacts, and you have to face the fact that not
everybody WANTS constant contacts either. Some folks, who are very
wonderful neighbors, like to connect with their families first, then
venture out into the community. Or maybe just want to go home, turn the
rock and roll on and unwind a bit before dealing with any neighbors.

Rob Sandelin
Sharingwood

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