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<br />Second, day labor centers exhibit an
<br />uncommon activity schedule relative to other
<br />uses. The number of workers arriving atthe
<br />center peaks around opening time (typically
<br />5:30 or 6 a.m.), and the number of employers
<br />varies but generally drops off by 9 or:lO a.m.
<br />Again, climate can generate some important
<br />differences. In some parts of the Southwest,
<br />where high temperatures can routinely exceed
<br />100 degrees, jobs start and finish earlier in
<br />the day during summer. One center in Arizona
<br />actually closes at 9 a.m. in the hottest
<br />months. Because workers and employers
<br />Dften do not return tD the center at the end of
<br />the work day, the conditions Df day labor
<br />transform the idea of a "work day" itself into a
<br />flexible cDncept, making the traffic and park.
<br />ing impacts of worl(er centers very difficult to
<br />estimate.
<br />In the face of such uncertainty, conven.
<br />tional planning wisdom suggests applying
<br />cDnservatively high estimates of traffic and
<br />parking demand. Before doing so, however,
<br />it would be wise to account fDr the trans.
<br />portation profile of day laborers, whD are
<br />more likely than the overall populatiDn to
<br />carpool, take tra nsit (if available), bike, or
<br />walk to the worker center. In almost all inter-
<br />views with center staff, driving alone was
<br />reported to be the least likely means of get.
<br />ting to and from the worker center. This
<br />implies much lower traffic and parking
<br />impacts than standard 'estimates would pre-
<br />dict. Exactly what proportion of day laborers
<br />still arrive by car will vary with context and
<br />can be best estimated by surveying workers
<br />and any existing organizations that repre-
<br />sent Dr serve them.
<br />The impact of employers Dn parking
<br />and traffic may seem easier to estimate rela-
<br />tive to day laborers, since they almost
<br />always arrive and leave in vehicles, but the
<br />amount of traffic generated and necessary
<br />parking can in fact vary widely depending on
<br />the Dperational structure and physical
<br />design of the worker center. Some centers
<br />allow employers to come in on an appoint.
<br />ment-only basis, in which case they discuss
<br />the nature of the jDb and agree to wages
<br />with day laborers over the phone. Then, at
<br />the designated time, they drive by to pick up
<br />the day laborers. On the other hand, many
<br />worker centers conduct business on a
<br />"drive-through" basis, allowing employers
<br />to show up unannounced any time during
<br />the day. They must then discuss the nature
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<br />of the job and wages with day laborers, and
<br />if they cannot reach an agreement, the
<br />employer may leave without hiri'ng anyone.
<br />This business model involves several min.
<br />utes of time spent by the employer-and the
<br />
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<br />employer's vehicle-parked or standing on
<br />the site or in the street while negotiating
<br />with workers, which can quickly create stack.
<br />ing and parking issues if several employers
<br />arrive at once. 'Centers that wish to operate
<br />on a drive-through basis should locate on a
<br />site with a large, Dpen graveled or paved
<br />area to solve this issue, while those located
<br />in a storefront office with limited parking
<br />should require employers to call ahead;
<br />The only vehicle impact that is rela-
<br />tively straightforward to assess is that of
<br />worker center staff and volunteers, since
<br />they are more likely than workers to own and
<br />drive cars to the 'center and are typically
<br />there from the time the center opens until it
<br />closes. With that said, centers that provide
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<br />additional services m,ay have staff members
<br />who keep different hours, and not all staff
<br />maybe at the .center every day. For example,
<br />a worker center may have a total of 14
<br />employees and volunteers, but only two are
<br />present on any given day.
<br />Because IDcal conditions and the
<br />specifics of each individual center have such
<br />a large influence on parking demand and traf-
<br />fic generatiDn, planners should use caution
<br />when relying on estimates from other commu.
<br />nities. Instead, all of the above issues should
<br />be carefully cDnsidered and discussed with
<br />day laborers, advocates, and frequent day
<br />labor employers to produce a more reason-
<br />able assessment.
<br />
<br />ZD~HNE AND COMPATiBIUTI WiTH
<br />5URROUND~NG USES
<br />While traditional neighborhood and mixed use
<br />distric""LS may be the hot topic in planning at the
<br />moment" compatibility with surrounding uses
<br />may be a contentious issue ,if a proposed center
<br />1& is located near low-density residential
<br />'"
<br />~ dwellings. Some objections are based more on
<br />n fear than substance. \Nhile day labor opponents
<br />in one community went on record insinuating
<br />that day laborers would prey on schoolchildren
<br />if a worker center Dpened in a residential area, a
<br />day care facility in Mount Kisco, New Yorl(, hap-
<br />pily shares building space with a worker center.
<br />However, there are genuine concems that merit
<br />serious consideration. Worker centers open
<br />before most people get out of bed and Dften
<br />operate on Saturdays as well as weekdays,
<br />which is perhaps as appealing as having a CDn-
<br />venience store for a neighbor.
<br />In practice, most existing worker centers
<br />are IDcated on and immediately surrounded by
<br />property that is zoned for commercial or public
<br />institutional uses. Residences may be in the
<br />vicinity, but they are not typically adjacent to the
<br />center, often for the simple fact that the center
<br />is situated along an arterial or other major road.
<br />1n interviews cDnducted for this article, no staff
<br />of any of the cities or centers contacted could
<br />recall hearing any complaints from area resi'
<br />dents related to site impacts. The fad that a siz.
<br />able majority of centers surveyed were sited on
<br />commercial property and few complaints by
<br />
<br />ZONING PP~;CTiCE 9.07
<br />AMERIcAN PLANNING ASSOCIATION I P'1 ,
<br />
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