Follow Up (Parking)

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to follow up on the parking petition I know a lot of you signed, as well as the petition that the Somerville Theatre had out in their lobby with separate wording. I just recieved a letter from the city that the Traffic Board had voted 2-0 to deny taking any action on the petitions, for reasons stated in attached letters.

Basically, out of the 55 signatures I collected, 15 weren't actually voters, so I had 40, 50 is the required amount for action to be taken. Out of the "out of towners" petition I submitted, 5 people actually were residents (I give them credit for checking) obviously, 5 is not 50. And out of the almost 100 on the petition from the Somerville Theatre..40 were valid (I'll let you do the math).

I was concerned that out of the 55 signatures, a few might not be valid, I guess the big lesson is to combine your efforts. That was 85 signatures total that would have gotten us a hearing, but they refused to combine the totals, even though they were submitted together, which is only understandable. The point was the same but the wording was different.

I'm sorry that I'm not bringing better news, and that your efforts weren't better rewarded if you did come out and sign the petition. Thank you for trying, hopefully the newly formed parking committee that includes a few local business managers and owners can do more than I could, even though even members of the committee are assuming its formation was more of a "shut up" tactic than anything.

Comments

Why is it understandable that they did not combine them?

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

Isn't that a technicality?

Re: Why is it understandable that they did not combine them?

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

There were two separately worded petitions that while stating similar goals were not the same petition, and could not be counted together. I understand the legality of not combining the numbers, and don't grudge them that. I'm only disappointed that there were so few who signed in the first place, and so many who weren't actually registered voters when they went to look after the fact.

I'm on the task force

[svilletheatre.livejournal.com]

As frustrating as the petition's failure is, I can say as a member of the parking task force that many, if not all of people's concerns are being addressed regardless. I know the city will be putting out an official release soon, so I can't get into details here, but great flexibility has been shown by the city - much more than I and others anticipated.

Basically rather than taking a blanket approach to policy, the city seems committed to adjusting to the myriad needs that each street/neighborhood will need, and they understand that different policies will work on different areas and perhaps not on others. More importantly, to me they clearly feel that this is a long process that is able to change and adapt as they move forward with each issue - a process that can and will involve residents and businesses who are effected, and that will take individual circumstances into consideration.

I don't think EVERYONE is going to be 100% happy, but I don't think that ever happens. I personally witnessed a great deal of authentic discussion and a willingness to listen and bend. It actually kind of restored my faith in the process.

Of course I don't speak for the city, the task force, or really anybody but myself. However I like participating here and wanted to share what I feel is actually a positive development.

-Ian/Somerville Theatre

Re: I'm on the task force

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Ian,
Thanks for your input. I'm glad things are going better with the Task Force, and I'm glad they're going in a neighborhood by neighborhood method, AS THEY SHOULD HAVE before causing unnecessary freaking out on the part of residents. Thanks for the update :)

Re: I'm on the task force

[svilletheatre.livejournal.com]

Actually, I hadn't realized it but the city press release is out already - it's right on the city homepage at the moment! It details everything.

Re: I'm on the task force

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

But won't all this flexibility and non-uniformity result in a ton of fines because people who are not incredibly familiar with the area in which they are parking one day will end up violating one of the many rules? Just asking....

Re: I'm on the task force

[slinkr.livejournal.com]

I don't see why that would be a problem. If each street has a sign explaining its parking regulations (as they do today), there's no need to be familiar with the rules because you can just read the sign.

Re: I'm on the task force

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

as they do today

They do not.

How many streets have a "no parking from here to corner" sign?

How about the streets that have parking restrictions for the entire length, but are not marked on every block, to include the first block after you turn off of another major thoroughfare?

Re: I'm on the task force

[svilletheatre.livejournal.com]

I don't think so... We're not talking about a dozen or a hundred new rules, we're talking about not making EVERY street permit, taking circumstances into consideration like churches or artists studios in residential streets, aka similar to what currently exists but on a smaller scale. People understand it now, I'm sure they will understand it then. As for the length of meters, they will be labeled just like they are now.

As for some kind of conspiracy to raise fines through confusion: I think this is definitely not the case here and find these rules no more confusing than what already exists. The group of people on this task force worked together to help the situation and create a workable solution, and everyone made it clear that being punitive in nature was certainly not a goal.

Re: I'm on the task force

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

OK, thanks. That makes sense.

Re: I'm on the task force

[ron_newman]

I don't understand why the new proposal is to have permit-only parking on major streets until 10 am? That would be bad for any businesses like bakeries that get traffic in the morning.

Re: I'm on the task force

[svilletheatre.livejournal.com]

The 10am-2am rule is so that non-permit visitors (i.e. to businesses throughout the day and evening) can park on those streets and visit stores, artists, etc. They start it at 10am (rather than, say 8am or 6am) so that commuters do not park there all day and take the train/bus into Boston for work (using the approximation that most people work by 9am or so.)

There would still be metered parking in these spots so that one could visit a bakery before that time, for example.

And again, I suggest that any individuals or businesses with concerns speak to their alderman or write the mayor's office with their specific concerns. The city is not looking to hurt, say, a bakery, but they can't help with an issue if they don't know about it. Speaking as both a resident and a business manager in ward 6, I can say wholeheartedly that Rebekah Gewirtz has been tremendously responsive and fought very hard for her constituents at these meetings, but like any alderman or official, they can't read minds or rely solely on internet rumor or our newspapers to know what people are thinking. You'd be surprised at how much face to face civil discussion can accomplish! :)

Re: I'm on the task force

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

But most of the streets in question already have 2 hour parking except by permit from 8 AM to 6 PM. So there's no need to make them permit-only until 10 AM to stop all-day commuters.

Re: I'm on the task force

[echamberlin.livejournal.com]

As boblothrope points out, these new regulations primarily hurt businesses and commuters. Non-residents are now forced to park at a meter (at twice the cost) or get a business permit (Somerville also increased these fees by 20%). Since Somerville has very few (and Davis has none!) pay parking lots, commuters and visitors are forced to feed meters. If you go to a meeting, your meter expires and you get at least one parking ticket. The new regulations also create a new business permit only zone in the Davis lot, meaning there are even fewer meters for non-permit-holders. In a time when businesses are struggling, why penalize their employees?

Re: I'm on the task force

[i-leonardo.livejournal.com]

hey, thanks muchly for the work you did to make this situation more humane. i really appreciate it.

always look on the bright side of life/death

[soft-shoulder.livejournal.com]

Aw. I'm sorry.

All was not lost for me, I got in a walk going to the theater to sign it.. and looks like I'll be getting plenty more walks in that direction if they really do hike up the meters!

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

The Traffic Board was within its legal rights to not schedule a hearing because of the petition technicalities. But it would have been nice if they decided to schedule one anyway, since there are clearly a whole lot of people who are unhappy with the new rules.

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

I entirely agree they were within their legal rights, as well as agreeing that it would have been nice of them to recognize that combining the petitions showed a large amount of concerned citizens. That said, i wasn't complaining really, just making sure I kept everyone in the loop who had made the effort to sign the petition.