HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-08-16 ad Hoc Parking Task Force MinutesAd 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.
The entities where it was agreed we would start includes the Knights of Columbus,
Baptist Church, EMARC, both Brooks Pharmacy locations, Washington Arms,
Washington/Ash/High street apartments, Schoolhouse Condos, Briarwood Condos, and
Doucette Moving and Storage. George Rio and Dave Talbot agreed to start the process
by contacting the owners/managers of the above entities. Peter Hechenbleikner will
provide names from the Tax Assessors records.
As part of this exercise, it was also agreed that we should get a better count of the number
of spaces that might be available in other portions of the downtown. It was suggested at
some point that members of the Committee might want to consider a site walk to get a
more accurate and current view of constraints and availability. It was also suggested that
any activities we undertake be coordinated with those of the ZBA and CPDC to reduce
the possibility of working at cross-purposes. Peter Hechenbleikner agreed to send a letter
to both notifying them of our existence, purpose and mission.
The next meeting of this Committee is scheduled for September 20, 2006 at 7:30 pm with
future meetings tentatively scheduled for the third Wednesday of each month.
On motion by Rio and seconded by Russell, the Committee voted to adjourn at 9:10
pm by a vote of 5-0-0.
pe submitted,
Secretary