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Sam Alcorn

@samalcorn.bsky.social

1.1K followers 1.1K following 1.8K posts

Housing abundance. Urbanism. Zoning abolitionist. Accessibility Compliance expert. YIMBY. Located in Tovaangar. #OverturnEuclid

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Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 6d

www.etsy.com/listing/4381...

A cotton T-shirt for sale on Etsy with text on the front reading, "THIS CITY IS NOT A MILITARY TRAINING GROUND." Available in many colors and sizes.

A cotton T-shirt for sale on Etsy with text on the front reading, "THIS CITY IS NOT A MILITARY TRAINING GROUND." Available in many colors and sizes.

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 2h

I watch some podcasts on YouTube, but only because they tend to be released before the audio-only versions. But then I’m forced to not put my phone back in my pocket. It sucks. And what’s with the microphones being in the frame of the camera? The worst is when people hold lav mics in their hands.

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 14h

I should probably be using the ACS population numbers rather than the 2020 decennial census numbers. The California Department of Finance has numbers based on the 5-year ACS estimates.

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 14h

Sure, but once Menlo Park meets the threshold (which is quite close; 2020 pop was 33,872), it’ll be bordered by more SB 79 area. A corner of one of the giant lots in Atherton is w/in 1/4 mi of a Caltrain station.

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 16h

Burlingame, for example, is less than 5k from the threshold. It’s got a weird chasm at its border like Emeryville does. Most of the towns along the the Caltrain route are close to the threshold, except for Atherton.

A GIS map of SB 79 area in Burlingame.

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 17h

A photo of a GIS map showing the Manhattan Beach country club, half covered by SB 79 upzoning

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 17h

Incidentally, Emeryville and El Segundo are right next to each other on the alphabetical list of CA towns/cities. Both have much less than 35k population.

A photo of an alphabetical list of California cities with their populations

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 18h

Yes indeed. Perhaps even weirder than Emeryville.

A GIS map of SB 79 areas in El Segundo showing very strange shapes

A GIS map of SB 79 areas in El Segundo showing very strange shapes

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 18h

What a fascinating case! While I’ve been using statewide data, I’ve been more focused on the LA area, where I haven’t run into chasms like that. Weird corners and curves cut out of areas from low-pop towns, unincorporated areas, VHFSZ. But that’s such a cool find!

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 22h

Per the 2010 ADA Standards, accessible routes have to be at least 36”W, but can go down to 32”W for a maximum distance of 24”. Those tree wells look like they’re probably >24”.

403.5.1 Clear Width. Except as provided in
403.5.2 and 403.5.3, the clear width of walking surfaces shall be 36 inches (915 mm) minimum.
EXCEPTION: The clear width shall be permitted to be reduced to 32 inches (815 mm) minimum for a length of 24 inches (610 mm) maximum provided that reduced width segments are separated by segments that are 48 inches (1220 mm) long minimum and 36 inches (915 mm) wide minimum.
Figure 403.5.1
24 max.
610
48 min
1
36 min
915
min
815
24 max
610
32 min
815
smin
Clear Width of an Accessible Route

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 23h

New product for sale: hoodie with "THIS CITY IS NOT A MILITARY TRAINING GROUND" printed on the front. Available in many colors, and a range of sizes from S-2XL. Ships quickly.
www.etsy.com/listing/4386...

New product for sale: hoodie with "THIS CITY IS NOT A MILITARY TRAINING GROUND" printed on the front. Available in many colors, and a range of sizes from S-2XL. Ships quickly.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4386660330/cozy-unisex-hoodie-for-autumn-protests

New product for sale: hoodie with "THIS CITY IS NOT A MILITARY TRAINING GROUND" printed on the front. Available in many colors, and a range of sizes from S-2XL. Ships quickly.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4386660330/cozy-unisex-hoodie-for-autumn-protests

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 1d

Since the MPOs are required to publish authoritative lists of which stops count as Tier 1 and Tier 2 per SB 79, I wonder if “SB79_Tier” could be a field asked for, to make sure they’re formatted the same across MPOs?

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 1d

I could cancel the order with standard shipping and issue a refund for it. The express shipping costs a few more dollars, but they say that shipping should take 2-3 business days, and that it should be produced and ship from closer to the destination, so I think it might be to you by Saturday.

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 1d

No problem!

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 1d

OK. I enabled express shipping on that item. All the colors aside from white were unavailable for that, but I think that's what you wanted anyway. I'll add the other colors back in a few days, but that will take away the express shipping option.

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 1d

Thanks! I wish they shipped quicker, but since each one is printed individually, that takes a little while. Lemme see if I can upgrade the shipping on an order that's already been placed.

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 1d

One thing I struggled with was figuring out which planned stops were part of an RTIP (as opposed to just being in an RTP) or had a preferred route selected. I understand that stuff probably comes straight from the MPOs, so I should really be voicing this to SCAG.

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 1d

One thing I've noticed with the linked MTS data here is that the LA Metro A Line extension stations that are already open are still shown as planned. I've included them in my Tier 2 stops, and the D Line extension stops as well.

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 1d

I hope the MPOs publish their authoritative lists of which stops are Tier 1 and Tier 2 per SB 79 soon. Any word yet on whether CalTrans will put all those together once they're published by the MPOs?

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 1d

New product for sale: coffee mug with map of Southern California, labels pointing to cities and military training grounds, and text reading, "CITIES ARE NOT MILITARY TRAINING GROUNDS."
Goes along with my T-shirt that reads, "THIS CITY IS NOT A MILITARY TRAINING GROUND."
www.etsy.com/listing/4386...

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 2d

I remember how bright the colors were. And the wrist-radios. I really wanted one of those as a 9- or 10-year-old.

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 2d

This picture book made a big impression on me as a kid:

www.ebay.com/itm/19651893...

The cover of the book _It Could Always be Worse_ by Margot Zemach

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 2d

www.etsy.com/listing/4381...

A cotton T-shirt printed with the text, “THIS CITY IS NOT A MILITARY TRAINING GROUND.” Available in many colors and a full range of sizes.

A cotton T-shirt printed with the text, “THIS CITY IS NOT A MILITARY TRAINING GROUND.” Available in many colors and a full range of sizes.

A cotton T-shirt printed with the text, “THIS CITY IS NOT A MILITARY TRAINING GROUND.” Available in many colors and a full range of sizes.

A cotton T-shirt printed with the text, “THIS CITY IS NOT A MILITARY TRAINING GROUND.” Available in many colors and a full range of sizes.

Reposted by Sam Alcorn

Brendan Nyhan @brendannyhan.bsky.social · 3d

Some of the most insane up-is-down, 2+2=5 nonsense yet. Joe Biden took office on *January 20, 2021*. That is 14 days after *January 6, 2021*.

Reminder: This man has the nuclear codes.

Adam Klasfeld @klasfeldreports.com · 3d

Trump knows he was president on Jan. 6. He’s simply lying to rewrite the history of his attempted coup.

Just like Trump knew he lost the 2020 election and lied to fraudulently subvert the results.

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 3d

I had to rewatch Idiocracy the night after the election almost a year ago. Hulk Hogan’s appearance at the RNC that summer had just been too close for comfort to President Camacho’s speech in the movie for me. I’m sure it must be even more painful now.

Sam Alcorn @samalcorn.bsky.social · 3d

I’m overhearing a celebration in the street. Must be about SB 79 being signed. At least it is for me.