HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-02-08 ad Hoc Parking Task Force MinutesMinutes of Ad Hoc Parking Task Force r s
February 8, 2007.M i F
glled
There being a quorum present, the meeting of the Adhoc P1MADJaMIN"'Odrigues
to order by Gil Rodrigues, Chairman, at 7:10 PM. Present (GR), Vice Chairman Jack Russell (JR); and members George Katsoufis (GK), David
Talbot (DT), Julie Thurlow (JT), and George Rio (GR). Absent was member Tom
Quintal (TQ). Also present were Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner (PH), Board of
Selectmen Chairman Ben Tafoya (BT), and Selectman Rick Schubert (RS).
GR started the meeting with a general plea to find common ground on the parking issue.
He noted that this task would be considerably easier following resolution of the 16
Sanborn issue. GR added that we need to come up with concrete recommendations for
parking and for parking-alternatives.
JR moved to approve the Dec. 20 minutes. GK seconded.
Amend minutes to strike second sentence of fourth paragraph.
Moved GK/seconded DT. Motion carried 6-0
Amend minutes to reflect that the vote on customer parking, had been unanimous.
Moved GK/seconded DT Motion carried 6-0
Motion to approve minutes, with amendments, carried 6-0. There was general discussion
that the context and meaning of the numbers is important, and that future motion
language should be ironed out prior to voting, to avoid confusion and misunderstanding.
There was general discussion for how to plan for potential future growth of parking
demand, beyond the estimates already made. GK said we need to look at scenarios
including CPDC projections over the next 5 or 10 years, and the impacts of the housing
plan. JR asked whether there might be any basis for saying that 10 years from now, we
will have a certain number of residents and can plan for that.
DT asked why we would need to project for future development, if those developments
provided their own parking. PH said zoning allows 3-story mixed use development with
no strict model for the exact nature of such development. He said there is an argument
for having central parking facilities rather than onsite parking.
BT cited the parking shortfall arrived at by the Task Force and made a two-fold
suggestion. 1: That the Task Force should suggest the Town immediately start
professional-level look at a structured parking solutions, 2: That the Task Force then
continue its work by pursuing alternatives. DT suggested that in addition to pushing
forward on structured parking, equal attention and investment be paid to alternatives to
parking, especially incentives for transportation alternatives. There was general
discussion that both approaches would be necessary.
RS said he would like the Task Force to give the Board of Selectmen real tangible
alternatives to new parking facilities; how alternatives can be implemented, with costs,
timing, and practical matters spelled out.
PH said he does not know of other similar small downtowns where shuttle buses are used,
and that the question of how you encourage people to carpool is an open one. JR said we
should be pursuing an employer-based satellite parking plan.
GR passed around a template for a Power Point serving as the basis for an interim
presentation to the Board of Selectmen. He said it would give a sense of what the Task
Force has been doing. He also asked whether we should be considering a parking-meter
solution for the downtown. PH said most towns aren't paying for meters anymore.
GK presented some information about cost-estimates for parking garage construction.
GK said that all recommendations the group makes should be addressing the majority of
downtown users, not the minority. GR said recommendations should be in the best
interests of all town residents, not small interest groups.
JR said employee parking spaces by depot is not being used. He said that from 8:30 to 5,
the area is three-quarters empty and is a waste of parking spaces. JT said she believed it
was likely that these spaces would soon be filled.
JT said bike racks could be implemented as part of downtown improvement. PH said
they would probably need to be installed on private property.
JR proposed that we parcel out specific assignments to study alternatives: each member
should investigate feasibility, and report back on where alternatives are working in other
towns. After general discussion, the parceling proceeded as follows:
1: Town-run satellite parking (DT).
2: Employee-operated satellite parking (JR and GR)
3: Shared-employee and shared-public parking. Follow-up on the letter. (JT and GR).
4: Examine minimum requirements (GK).
5: Commuter parking adjustments (GR).
6: Carpool/ride-sharing. No assignment. But there was some discussion on asking a
Chamber of Commerce representative to follow up with the Climate Change committee
on their offer to organize such an effort.
JR stated: There is no such thing as free parking, anywhere.
The meeting adjourned at about 9:00 p.m.
