2007-02-08 ad Hoc Parking Task Force Minutes

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Minutes of Ad Hoc Parking Task Force r s February 8, 2007.M i F glled There being a quorum present, the meeting of the Adhoc P1MADJaMIN"'Odrigues to order by Gil Rodrigues, Chairman, at 7:10 PM. Present (GR), Vice Chairman Jack Russell (JR); and members George Katsoufis (GK), David Talbot (DT), Julie Thurlow (JT), and George Rio (GR). Absent was member Tom Quintal (TQ). Also present were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner (PH), Board of Selectmen Chairman Ben Tafoya (BT), and Selectman Rick Schubert (RS). GR started the meeting with a general plea to find common ground on the parking issue. He noted that this task would be considerably easier following resolution of the 16 Sanborn issue. GR added that we need to come up with concrete recommendations for parking and for parking-alternatives. JR moved to approve the Dec. 20 minutes. GK seconded. Amend minutes to strike second sentence of fourth paragraph. Moved GK/seconded DT. Motion carried 6-0 Amend minutes to reflect that the vote on customer parking, had been unanimous. Moved GK/seconded DT Motion carried 6-0 Motion to approve minutes, with amendments, carried 6-0. There was general discussion that the context and meaning of the numbers is important, and that future motion language should be ironed out prior to voting, to avoid confusion and misunderstanding. There was general discussion for how to plan for potential future growth of parking demand, beyond the estimates already made. GK said we need to look at scenarios including CPDC projections over the next 5 or 10 years, and the impacts of the housing plan. JR asked whether there might be any basis for saying that 10 years from now, we will have a certain number of residents and can plan for that. DT asked why we would need to project for future development, if those developments provided their own parking. PH said zoning allows 3-story mixed use development with no strict model for the exact nature of such development. He said there is an argument for having central parking facilities rather than onsite parking. BT cited the parking shortfall arrived at by the Task Force and made a two-fold suggestion. 1: That the Task Force should suggest the Town immediately start professional-level look at a structured parking solutions, 2: That the Task Force then continue its work by pursuing alternatives. DT suggested that in addition to pushing forward on structured parking, equal attention and investment be paid to alternatives to parking, especially incentives for transportation alternatives. There was general discussion that both approaches would be necessary.