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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-06 Parking Advisory Recommendation Committee Minuteso'NN rq� �� Town of Reading RECEIVED ',�Y Meeting Minutes TOWN CLERK READING, MA. 6�9OMCOPPPPP Board - committee - commission - council: 2022 MAY 19 AM I1: 09 Parking Advisory & Recommendations Committee Date: 2022-04-06 Time: 7:00 PM Building: Location: Address: Session: Open Session Purpose: Version: Draft Attendees: Members - Present: Chair Bernard Horn, Chris Haley, Tom O'Connor, Sarah Brukilacchio, Karen Rose -Gillis, Elizabeth Whitelam, Dan Dewar Members - Not Present: John Weston, Jay Jackson Others Present: Staff: Julie Mercier, Andrew MacNichol, Minutes Respectfully Submitted By: Julie Mercier Topics of Discussion: The meeting was called to order at 7:32 PM. Reauest for Short -Term Parklna In front of Rise47S Qasim Beg of Mathnasium and Andrew Maggiore of Drew's Stews were present to discuss their request for short-term parking in front of their businesses. Mr. Beg noted that if people park for a long-time in front of their stores, it makes it very hard for parents to find a place to drop off their kids, or for patrons to find a space to pick up grab & go from Drew's Stews. Mr. Maggiore noted that Mr. Beg has a more deliberate clientele than he does, but that the vast majority of people will not stop if the three spaces in front of their building are full. He asked if there were a way to keep some turnover in the area, it would benefit them all. Ms. Rose -Gillis stated that she walked around to look at where there are 30 -minute spaces currently, and noted that she saw some in front of QuikStop and there are some on lower Haven and in front of CVS. She opined that it makes a lot of sense to have 30 -minute spaces in that area because most of the businesses could benefit. Mr. Dewar noted that he has to call the Police Department to get the 30 -minute spaces in front of his store enforced, but that the Police are very responsive. Mr. Maggiore noted that he has also called the Police for a similar situation, but in the 2 -hour spaces in front of his store. Mr. Horn asked whether there was any understanding that the parking along the frontage would be specific to the uses in the building. Mr. Maggiore noted that the spaces are public and technically not tied to the uses in the building. He noted that the Rise475 building does include two employee parking spaces that are outside of the gated residential parking garage. Mr. Beg noted that he does not actually have rights to use the employee space that was supposed to be allocated to his business because it was leased to someone else before he moved in. Mr. Maggiore said that residents of the building are struggling for spaces and that there are not enough spaces for the building. Page I 1 Mr. Haley asked how big their retail spaces are and opined that it is ridiculous they have to share 1 parking space. They each have 1,250 square feet. Mr. Haley agreed that it makes sense to have 30 -minute spaces, even if, as Mr. Dewar mentioned, it makes no difference without enforcement. Mr. Dewar recommended that the Police (and PTTTF) be petitioned for at least 1 30 -minute space in that area. Ms. Whitelam and Ms. Mercier explained that PARC can also make a recommendation and that PTTTF will be discussing the request at their next meeting, and if PARC and PTTTF agree, it can be folded into the recommendations presented to the Select Board starting on April 19, 2022. Mr. Horn asked what PARC should do if all businesses start making specific requests, and noted that other businesses have asked for 4 hours for their patrons. Mr. Horn asked why Mr. Maggiore and Mr. Beg's clients cannot use the spaces under the building, and Mr. Maggiore replied that the residential garage is gated and that parking is a hot commodity among residents. Ms. Brukilacchio asked if the 30 -minute marking could be striped on the space as well as signed so that people can see it before they park. She asked for it to be included in the recommendations. Mr. Horn asked whether the spaces across the street are highly utilized. Mr. Maggiore noted that the spaces may be available but he is hesitant to recommend his patrons park in spaces that are needed by the Chocolate Truffle, and to recommend his patrons cross Main Street, which can be difficult. Mr. O'Connor asked if Drew's Stews has sit-down dining, and Mr. Maggiore replied in the negative with the exception of 3 stools that are rarely, if ever, occupied. He commented that generally speaking people are in and out. Ms. Rose -Gillis suggested that all 3 be 30 -minutes so that it is clear and consistent. Ms. Whitelam agreed. Mr. Horn expressed concern with establishing precedent and eroding the 2 -hour parking areas, but ultimately concluded that he's neutral on it. Ms. Rose -Gillis commented that she is glad they came in with the request while PARC is still active. Mr. O'Connor expressed sympathy for the request, but noted that PARC has to look at the bigger picture. He suggested 1 30 -minute space. Ms. Mercier suggested that if they like the idea, they recommend PTTTF consider 1-3 spaces as 30 -minute. Ms. Whitelam agreed with the suggestion. Mr. Horn suggested that 3 would be hard to undo, and that they start with 1. Mr. Horn suggested putting A -Frame signs out asking people to leave the spaces open for customers, in order to change habits. Mr. Haley suggested that signs like that won't make a difference. Mr. Haley noted he is sympathetic to the request but worried that PARC should not get this far into the weeds, for fear of watering down their other recommendations for a few broad policy changes. He suggested this can happen outside of the PARC process. Ms. Brukilacchio said that it is tricky parking on the east side of Main Street and said she thought those spaces would be for the businesses in the building. She noted there are a number of special circumstances in town and this is one of them. Mr. Beg added that the 30 -minute spaces will help with safety for the kids and parents who patronize his business. Ms. Rose -Gillis noted that both business owners are vested in enforcement and can call the Police if needed; she added that signage for 30 -minute spaces will give them leverage to ask people to move. Page 1 2 Mr. Horn suggested that PARC add a footnote to their recommendations noting that business owners have made specific requests and that in certain cases the requests may be warranted. Ms. Whitelam opined that it makes sense to include this in the street segment for Main Street. Ms. Rose -Gillis agreed. Ms. Rose -Gillis moved that PARC propose that 1-3 spaces in front of Rise475 be 30 -minute spaces. Ms. Whitelam seconded and the motion was approved 7-0-0. Kiosk Update Ms. Mercier updated PARC on the work to -date of the so-called "Kiosk Vetting Group" (KVG) which is mostly staff, with one PARC member, Tom O'Connor joining. So far, the KVG has met with two vendors (VenTek and Parkeon/Flowbird) and received one quote. Additional quotes are pending. The VenTek quote came back a lot lower than anticipated; Ms. Mercier is working to understand why. If this vendor is selected, then the low quote may free up funds for additional enforcement devices, regulatory signage, paint for striping, or other features of the modified parking system, should the Select Board vote to go ahead with PARC's recommendations. Any money that is not spent can be returned to the General Fund. PARC discussed this and decided to keep their recommendation to the Select Board as it was - a request to April Town Meeting for $110,000. Mr. Horn requested that Ms. Mercier look closely at the example pricing proposal from Parkeon to make sure that up -front costs, annual costs, and data package costs are fully understood. Ms. Mercier agreed to do this. Mr. O'Connor expressed his appreciation for being involved in the meetings with vendors. He asked Ms. Mercier to confirm with VenTek the details of their validation packages. Ms. Mercier agreed to do this. Mr. Haley asked Ms. Mercier about data retention. Ms. Mercier mentioned that with Parkeon/Flowbird, non -Police Department staff would not have access to license plate Information at all. She offered to circle back with the vendors regarding if and how long their companies retain license plate data. Mr. O'Connor reiterated his desire to have the kiosks generate income after S:OOPM. Public Input Mr. Horn informed all that a number of emails were submitted to the PARC. Residents requested that if paid kiosks are installed in lots that at least the first 2 -hours be allowed for free. They also commented that safety Improvements are needed along areas being proposed as employee parking. Improvements such as lighting, sidewalks and snow removal would be beneficial to employees now parking further out. Ms. Rose -Gillis commented that the purpose of kiosks is to change behavior of parkers. She continued that one-hour free is being misinterpreted as requiring multiple trips to the kiosk. Those parking beyond one hour would not be eligible for free parking. Ms. Whitelam agreed and found the number of medical uses in the area abundant. Ms. Rose -Gillis stated that the medical uses may not always be there as retail can change from time to time. Community Fees Mr. Horn shared information and data he had gathered on other municipal parking permit fees. He stated that MBTA owned land in the municipalities reviewed often charge for parking. The municipalities may also charge near their MBTA transit. However, the data gathered was to determine if and what municipalities charge for other permit parking such as resident only. He summarized each communities' fees. Mr. Horn stated that a previous comment found that Reading fees are in line with other municipalities is not true. Page 1 3 Ms. Rose -Gillis commented that previous meetings found this topic to be out of the PARC scope of work. Mr. Horn stated that a recommendation on reducing employee permit fees has been made. Ms. Rose -Gillis found that employee permits are limited while resident are not. Ms. Whitelam stated that because of such more permits should be up for discussion. Any recommendation would be further studied. Ms. Brukilacchio found revisiting permit fees is warranted as the town evolves and the pandemic changes. She stated an exact cost does not need to be decided but the price can be further reviewed. Ms. Rose -Gillis stated that the employee permit recommendation was also based off of the existing resident permit fee. About double the resident spaces exist than employee spaces after the recommendations. She found that with the Town's evolution comes with a bit of painful parking. Ms. Brukilacchio acknowledged such but found it worth looking Into more. Mr. O'Connor stated that the information should be shared with the Select Board, Ms. Rose - Gillis asked if a formal recommendation would be submitted with such. Mr. Horn stated a recommendation of becoming in line with adjacent community fees should be presented. Ms. Rose -Gillis suggested a number be determined for review and consideration. Mr. Horn found that $25 to be reasonable as it is higher than other municipalities and consistent with the compost permit fee in Reading. Mr. O'Connor suggested a recommendation that the fees be consistent with the others on the chart. Mr. Horn agreed and added that lower fees may help more visitors to come downtown. Ms. Rose -Gillis asked for a breakdown and history of why the resident permit fee was placed at $150. Mr. Horn stated an analysis based on maintenance of spaces, such as plowing, was submitted and used to determine the price. Ms. Brukilacchio stated that downtown is generating more tax revenue than before which may help warrant a reduce resident cost. She agreed that a general recommendation to review the price would be a benefit. Ms. Whitelam found some specifics should be given for review. She suggested all permits (resident, employee and compost) be $25. Ms. Whitelam made a motion to recommend that resident parking, employee parking and compost permits each he $25. Mr. Dewar seconded the motion and It was approved 6-0-1. Minutes of 2/9/22 Mr. Horn asked that the meeting minutes reflect that he stated the committee is comprised of business owners and downtown residents. Ms. Whitelam suggested that the minutes reflect what was stated and not intended. Ms. Rose -Gillis and Mr. Haley agreed. Ms. Whitelam moved to accept the minutes as amended. Ms. Brukilacchio seconded the motion and it was approved 6-1-0. Motion for Extension Ms. Mercier stated that the PARC must vote to recommend an extension beyond April 2022 due to the pre-existing sunset date of the PARC. The Town Manager has suggested July 31�, 2022 as the new sunset date as multiple Select Board hearings may be required and upcoming agendas may be full. The Select Board approved the date. Mr. Haley suggested PARC agree on such at the next meeting as the agenda shows it will be voted upon at an upcoming meeting date. Mr. O'Connor informed all that he had to leave the meeting. Ms. Mercier summarized the public outreach conducted for the upcoming public hearing Mr. Haley made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Whitelam seconded the motion and it was approved 6-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:5813M. Page 1 5