Parking task force recommendations

[georgy.livejournal.com]

 As linked to in Rebekah Gewirtz's newsletter:

http://www.somervillema.gov/NewsDetail.cfm?instance_id=1481

Comments

[veek.livejournal.com]

That's a nice thing they're proposing for non-locals employed by local businesses, where they'd get permits for parking 6pm-3:30am. But wouldn't it then make sense to let them park where they will before 10am too? Why only second shift if these folks commute to work in Somerville?

[cos]

Feels weird.

Raising meter rates to $1/hour, fine, I don't think anyone was especially opposed to that.

But why convert 8 streets that aren't resident-only now, to resident-only overnight? It doesn't seem to be based on a call from the residents of those streets that there isn't enough parking in their neighborhoods. Instead, it seems like a move to make it harder to visit people in Somerville - and the report doesn't even say which streets.

Seems like a "lets do something sucky, but so much less sucky than the completely insane and out of line thing we proposed at first, the it'll look okay and people can't complain because it's such a big improvement."

*bitter and upset at Somerville*

[warlord-mit.livejournal.com]

Looking at the full review it DOES look like the task force decided to ignore the P&TO's recommendation to convert all streets to resident-only. Living on a non-major street that is NOT resident only (and LIKE it this way) I applaud you for that.

I believe everything in there is reasonable (except for the 'Sunday' recommendation).

[roozle.livejournal.com]

It's really not clear to me if the task force proposal overrides the P&TO's conversion of all streets to residental-only or if that happens anyway while the analysis and study mentioned in the pilot phase goes on. Does anyone know?

Not bad.

[dent42.livejournal.com]

This seems like a nice balance, and approach. I'm bummed about the 8 streets changing to 2 hour limit during the day; but can definitely live with it.

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

In reference to the comment that these regulations had to balance several things, including the city's need for revenue. In my opinion, parking restrictions should NOT be to provide revenue to the city. If that's the case, then every time the city needs money, they will make parking more difficult to enhance revenue. They will also ticket much more aggressively (as has been happening lately). Parking restrictions should be to enhance the quality of life of the residents, and to help businesses to attract customers, and that's it. I'm sick to death of paying more money every year for the privilege of parking a car on a city street which I have already supported through higher and higher taxes.

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

I don't think we should accept any tax/fee hikes until they do something about out-of-control spending/hiring/pensions, etc. Until they reign in spending, this situation will never change. How many jobs did Patrick create (for friends) in his office? Why? How many did the Turnpike Authority lay off before talking about increasing tolls (none), when will someone take on the unions controlling state and city workers? They have benefits, salaries and pensions not enjoyed by the rest of us, yet they must have more taxes to continue funding this debacle. Patrick said no more taxes/fees before reform, and I think we should hold him to that!

[rethcir.livejournal.com]

I need help seeing what the market is for the ParkCard. Somerville residents will just park on a nearby permit street around the major squares, and out of towners will just put (a lot of) quarters in. I guess these might be kind of useful if you are an out-of-towner who works in one of the squares and can get your card expensed, but still pretty pricey.

Also, has any thought been given towards the adoption of the kind of meter that prints you a ticket?

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

Ah, good idea. You can cut out the middleman by receiving a 'parking ticket' automatically as soon as you park!

*sarcasm*
I do know that's not what you meant!