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Home My WebLink About2007-04-18 ad Hoc Parking Task Force MinutesAd Hoe Downtown Parking Committee Meeti TO a ` CLERK April 18, 2007 DI M t ca . 'M JUL - 8 P 3: 0 f The meeting was called to order at 7.30 pm. Attendees Committee members present included Gil Rodrigues, Jack Russell, George Rio, Dave Talbot, Julie Thurlow, George Katsoufis,, Tom Quintal. Also in attendance were Ron D'Addario, and Gina Snyder representing Reading Citizens for Climate Protection (CCP), Ian Durrant, Outreach Coordinator for MassRides, and Stephanie Anderberg a transportation professional in areas including carpooling and municipal ridesharing initiatives currently employed by the City of Cambridge. Stephanie is a Reading resident and Reading CCP member. Ian and Stephanie attended at the request of GeorgeK to provide insights regarding €idesharing. Discussion After introductions by GeorgeK, Stephanie and Ian engaged in discussion with committee and noted that • not a lot of data exists on small community use of ridesharing • growth in auto use and supporting infrastructure has outpaced US population growth + In their opinion, the demand for auto transportation must be reduced, and carpooling great option + carpooling need not be every day, can be flexible + Cambridge has implemented a Transportation Demand !Management program + MassRides www.commute.com implements a free ride-matching service including free emergency rides home for participants. Over 12,,000 persons have registered, 150 from Teradyne in N Reading. Actual usage data not readily available. + Possible security I privacy issues re www.commute.com - discussion re development of similar function for just Reading. Other services exist Vista Commute,. Viva Commute). + Possible 'link to this site from Town of Reading site discussed + For ridesharing / carpooling to work. o Motivations I incentives are key to success Preferred parking spaces Cash-out (don't drive, receive add1 pay) T-shirts, free lunch,, etc.. a Marketing I PR is required = must become part of the corporate culture ■ outreach is key • employer I business community support is key town support is needed o Large challenge to ridesharing I carpooling is lots of free parking o Enforcement - self-policing is effective o Ian will email other ideas and suggestions for distribution to committee + Town of Bedford MA is implementing a program for town employees which may provide additional insights applicable to Reading Gina Snydeer noted that Reading CCP is working with Town Mgr and BOS on a van grant. Feb 2008 is next grant submission date- Look on. http://home.comcast.nett-tsopchak/RNCEC.htm for more detail. Stephanie noted that Mass Rides has program to pay first 2 months of a lease for passenger van (approx $2,400). Ron D'Addario noted that a change in attitude is required by every town resident and every town board ! committee - get the ship pointed in the right direction. Reports & other discussion • Tom walked thru neighbors concerns re parking- Will add bullet re some residents welcome spillover parking into neighborhoods as alternative to additional parking lots. • Gil I Julie discussion re signage regulations are of heightened concern to businesses. A 15 year wait period on enforcement has recently expired, violators being cited:. • Balance of discussion focused on findings and focus on final report o Option #1- Brief discussion re parking structure. George K continuing his draft. Gil comment that structured parking on Town Hall lot may be an option. GeorgeK will include. C'JS option GeorgeK mentioned 75 spaces of which 25 would not be impacted, 50 would be. Ground plus two levels 120 additional spaces.. Gross estimate $4.mittion assum mg aesthetically pleasing (e.g., brick face, etc) otherwise $3mitlion.GeorgeK will circulate his findings on cooperative efforts (privatetpublic) to build parking structure o Option #2 & #3 - George R and Julie distributed and discussed draft findings Parking Management and Shared Parking. Included midday supply and demand observations and hourly customer demand- Program will need to go beyond just enforcement to be successful. Requires monitoring of use and feedback. Recommends formal parking study (professional) and generate a parking plan for downtown Reading- o Option #4 - Jack distributed and discussed draft findings Parking Option 4 Employer funded satellite employee parking plan. Several potential satellite hots- listed and discussed. !reels that success will be challenged if this is not. a mandatory program (Business Improvement District). o Option #5 - Dave discussed Rockport example. He will distribute his draft findings via email. o Option #6 - Gil will distribute his draft findings via email. o Option #7 -George K. zoning. Do not put time into mixed: use I being replaced with smart growth zone. Recommends study. o Tom will summarize fideshare option findings o Committee agreed that GeorgeK will compile detailed findings and Torn will work with GeorgeK to summarize findings into presentation format as Tom distributed earlier in this meeting. Upcoming Meetings Minutes from the March 22, 2007 committee meeting were approved 6-0- Committee is next schedule to meet on May 16, 2007 at 7.30pm. Committee final meeting is scheduled for June 20, 2007 at 7.30pm. Discussion re presenting to BOS on June 26; 2007 - Gil will investigate and report back Adjourn Committee adjourned on a 6-0 vote at 10.15pm.