2006-12-20 ad Hoc Parking Task Force Minutes

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Ad Hoc Parking Committee Meeting December 20, 2006 There being a quorum present, the meeting of the Adhoc Parking Committee of the Town of Reading was called to order by Gil Rodrigues, Chairman, at 7:32PM. Present were Chairman Gil Rodrigues(Gil), Mice Chairman Jack Russell (JR); Members George Katsoufis (GK), Tom Quintal (TQ), David Talbot (DT), Julie Thurlow (JT), George Rio (GR), and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner (Peter H). Two Reading residents were present Adele Blunt and Janice Jones to survey the meeting. Also present was an invited guest, James Gallagher, Senior Transportation Planner for the Massachusetts Area Planning Council. Mr. Gallagher distributed his draft report The MAPC Sustainable Parking Toolkit and provided a report on recommended action steps to identify resolutions. He discussed ways to determine what the major problems are in the community and emphasized the benefits of local surveys rather than nationwide metrics as they are generally are used for large scale development without space constraints. Mr. Gallagher identified two areas to research availability of funding; Massachusetts Highway Department of Transportation Funds and Federal Highway Funds. Mr. Talbot asked about other programs to get cars out of the downtown area. Mr. Gallagher reported that the Anderson to Lexington shuttle program was funded from 80% federal funds and 20% local business fiends however, it has been unsuccessful. He reported that the most common successful programs are direct shuttle from commuter rail stations to specific sites. He also indicated that shared parking arrangements such as the one introduced by this committee are the most low cost and potentially successful accommodations available. Mr. Hechenbleikner asked if the MAPC had any experience with sticker programs for which Mr. Gallagher replied that the MAPC involvement with parking programs for communities is in its early stages. Mr. Talbot asked whether there was a price point for fuel where people walk instead of drive for which there was no answer. Mr. Rodrigues will provide Mr. Gallagher's email address for any members seeking additional information from him or MAPC. Ms. Thurlow reported that the Shared Parking Letters had been mailed to all businesses through the Chamber of Commerce and via direct mail to all Real Estate Owners in the Business area had been mailed. Mr. Hechenbleikner and Mr. Russell reported that 2 different property owners are working on a parking solution as a result. George Katsoufis provided a report which identified parking demand for both employees and customers based on both the square footage and current uses of properties in the downtown area. In addition, the customer demand for the same area was measured. Based upon IPE and ULI parking demand guidelines. Mr. Katsoufis reported total employee parking needs of 350 units. The total needs for consumer spaces was