HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-07-22 Board of Selectmen Minutes Board of Selectmen Meeting
July 22,2008
The meeting convened at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, 16 Lowell Street,
Reading, Massachusetts. Present were Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya, Secretary James
Bonazoli, Selectman Camille Anthony and Richard Schubert, Town Manager Peter
Hechenbleikner, and the following list of interested parties: Bill Brown, Meghan Young-
Tafoya, Kathy Spurr, Debbie and George Rio, Priscilla Gottwald, Brant Ballantyne, Jack
Russell, Sharon Petersen, Peter Simms, Ken Rossetti, David Tuttle, Michael Giacalone,
Tina Brezinski.
Discussion/Action Items
Presentation by Consultant for Downtown Parking Study - Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya
opened the meeting and indicated that there was a sole agenda item which was a
presentation by Nelson/Nygaard on their proposed scope for the parking study for
Downtown Reading.
The Town Manager indicated that the process has included a screening committee and
staff support. Four proposals were received and reviewed, and two consultants were
interviewed. The screening committee has recommended the firm of Nelson/Nygaard.
The Town Manager is the contracting authority for the Town but as Town Manager, he
wanted to make sure that the Board of Selectmen would be satisfied with the results of
the study.
Jason Schrieber from Nelson/Nygaard presented their approach to the scope of services.
They fully meet all of the requirements for the request of proposals, and would finish the
work by the end of December or early January.
The following is a summary of major questions/comments made by the Board of
Selectmen:
• Selectman Richard Schubert liked the proposal and range of topics that would be
covered. He felt that it would be helpful to have a transportation planner doing the
study. The program would reflect the dynamics and changes in the Downtown,
and set up the timetable for making the decisions now and in the future.
• Selectman Camille Anthony asked about the process in Belmont, and why the
zoning and parking formulas did not work. She also asked about changes in
behavior for those who are driving and parking in Downtown.
• Selectman James Bonazoli noted that in business, one sizes the infrastructure for
the peak of business use. Don't we want to do the same thing for Downtown
parking? Mr. Schrieber indicated that the peak demand for uses in Downtown
happens at different times; and the intent is to size parking for the peak
overlapping demand.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 22, 2008 —Page 2
® Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that Downtown is not yet the exciting place that
we want it to be. He is concerned that if we charge for parking in Downtown, we
would not be consistent even with other business uses in Reading. Downtown
does not have a traffic problem. We need to create the infrastructure for a
successful Downtown.
Mr. Schrieber noted that the study would give the Board the tools to make the decisions,
and the methodology to determine fixture demand. The consultant will do a lot of
studying and surveying about how parking is used now, and make recommendations on
-how that can be improved so that the community makes the best use of existing parking
infrastructure. The Downtown Improvement Project will limit the applicability of the
surveys depending upon the status of the construction when they go to do these surveys.
In addition to the surveys, they will use ITE, Urban Lane Institute, CPTS planning data,
census tract data and other information from consultant case studies.
Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya opened the meeting to the public. The following is a
summary of comments and questions from the public present:
• Bill Brown noted that the consultant stated that a garage has a life span of 35 years,
and Medford just tore one down after 35 years, Reading would not maintain a
parking structure.
® Jack Russell, a member of the Economic Development Committee, indicated that he
was also on the ad hoc Parking Task Force, and this proposed study is exactly what
the Parking Committee wanted to see and would recommend.
• Priscilla Gottwald, President of the Chamber of Commerce, asked if the consultant
would be talking to the businesses and the response was affirmative.
e Michael Giacalone asked whether the roadway construction project would skew the
data. Mr. Schrieber indicated that it might but they would have to address that as
they go along, and work around that situation. There will always be some changes
going on in the Downtown.
• George Rio, an associate member of the Economic Development Committee and also
a member of the former ad hoc Parking Task Force, noted that Downtown is in
transition with some empty store fronts. He asked whether improved parking begets
improved businesses or vice versa. Mr. Schrieber indicated that one could not
dictate the other entirely.
® Peter Simms, President of the Downtown Steering Committee, spoke and noted that
he is pleased that the study would address the issue of the utilization of current
parking. He also felt that satellite parking would not work for our Downtown at this
time. He indicated that there is not a current parking problem in Downtown but that
there is a fairly large number of store vacancies at this time.
• Tina Brezinski noted that satellite parking would not work. She indicated that there
is a serious parking problem today for employees.
® David Tuttle, Chairman of the CPDC, indicated some potential for Downtown
activity is limited by parking. We also need to make sure that we take into account
40R development which would be limited by parking supply.
Board of Selectmen Meeting—July 22 2008—Page 3
• Brant Ballantyne of the Community Planning and Development Commission
suggested that we not restrict consideration of structured parking to the three sites
noted in Jason Schrieber's presentation. He also noted that we need to work with the
OR planning consultant.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked that the study review the zoning provision that
properties within 300 ft. of a municipal lot not be required to place off-street parking.
Selectman Richard Schubert liked the idea of addressing financing, and noted that the
walking experience is important.
Selectman James Bonazoli indicated that we need to make sure that we get the tools to
continually evaluate the need for additional parking, including parking structures so that
if we do not proceed with a structure at this time, we can look five and ten years from
now and make decisions.
Vice Chairman Ben Tafoya noted that successful downtowns are created by incremental
decisions, and are built "inch by inch" not by one single action. He felt that the RFP is
fine and if the consultant addresses all of the questions in the RFP, then he would be
satisfied.
Selectman Camille Anthony asked that we get back to the Board of Selectmen at discreet
intervals in the study period.
There being no further business before the Board,
On motion by Anthony seconded by Bonazoli, the Board of Selectmen voted to
adiourn their meeting of July 22,2008 at 8:35 p.m. by a vote of 4-0-0.
Respectfully submitted,
Secretary
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