2006-08-16 ad Hoc Parking Task Force Minutes

Home Browse Search

Ad Hoc Downtown Parking Committee Meeting August 16, 2006 3F The meeting convened at 7:45 pm in the Town Hall Berger Room, 16 Lowell Street, Reading MA. Present were Chairman Gil Rodri gues; Vice Chairman Jack Russell; Members George Rio, Tom Quintal, David Talbot; and Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner. Also in attendance was Adele Blunt. The minutes from the meeting of July 19, 2006 were presented and discussed. The attendee list needed to be modified - Sharon McGovern's name should be replaced with Adele Blunt. On motion by Russell, seconded by Talbot the minutes, with this modification, were accepted by a vote of 5-0-0. Tom Quintal circulated a draft of a Mission Statement for this Committee. It reads: Evaluate the current and projected parking supply and demand in the downtown area by first identifying the groups of involved parties and their challenges, issues and concerns. Then develop various options to address these challenges, issues and concerns with sensitivity and balance to perspectives of all including quality of life and economic climate in the town. Analyze each option and determine recommendations, and present complete findings and recommendations to the Board of Selectmen. After a brief discussion, it was concluded that the statement incorporated all of the appropriate points as identified in the Policy Statement that established this Committee and was adopted by the Board of Selectmen on May 16, 2006. On motion by Talbot, seconded by Russell, the Mission Statement was accepted by a vote of 5-0-0. The package of information that was forwarded to all was discussed. All agreed it was helpful to be aware of the type of bylaws and regulations, which might impact the Committee's work as well as providing a perspective on the issues that have been considered in the past. Discussion focused on the recent Parking Survey Results and it was agreed while helpful, some of the numbers for current and future requirements should be used as a guide, rather than an absolute requirement, for parking considerations. A suggestion was made to approach some of the larger private parking lot owners within the downtown area to solicit their interest in renting some of their spaces to employees during weekday working hours where there might be availability. Examples would include churches which typically have greater usage on weekends or apartment complexes where the residents might be gone during the day.