2008-07-09-PB-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2 Minutes for the Meeting of July 9, 2008 ?? Were there any examples of downtown parking without meters? Mr. Gallagher said most common was with a two-hour limit. ?? Was there any data that showed employee use of parking places? Mr. Gallagher said a lot of employees do take up valuable on street parking places. ?? Ipswich has no parking requirements - how does it work? Mr. Gallagher said the burden is left to the businesses. ?? Does the toolkit show the satisfaction level with regard to the amount of parking available and in relation to the amount of businesses in a community and how does Lexington compare with square footage of the district and the amount of parking? Mr. Gallagher said the study was done in April and aerial photos would be available in approximately one month. ?? Most people want to park at their destination. Mr. Gallagher said an analysis showed that people would be willing to walk a few blocks if there were things to do and it was safe. ?? Are Business Improvement Districts geared to parking and do you know of any? Mr. Gallagher said Hyannis made streetscape improvements, but did not add parking structures and Pasadena improved its downtown by charging for parking. ?? Regarding economic development one community could perceive it as a positive while another as a negative; is there a laundry list regarding these issues? Mr. Gallagher said that parking does play a role. There were people from MAPC to contact for more information if the Board wanted to. ?? Parking maximums would be of interest and would it be better to allow the market to dictate the parking needs; and by keeping the numbers low would that send cars into the neighborhoods? Would it be best to place maximums in the outlying areas instead of the centers? Mr. Gallagher said maximums would be more appropriate in the outlying areas. ?? Looking at commercial development, if maximums were used would there be a need for shuttles? Mr. Gallagher said most minimums are based in ITE standards. Only impose the maximums if the street could handle the additional trips. Set standards by being site specific not by books, one size does not fit all. ?? How much parking should be supplied and how does it affect demand? What were we trying to encourage and what do we not want to encourage? In Lexington, it is cheaper to drive downtown than taking the local bus service. A percentage of parking fees should go to bus and shuttle service. Hearing of precedents and what other towns were doing would be helpful. Was there any other information on funds for transportation? Mr. Gallagher said other states take the parking fees and apply them to other transportation. ?? Were there any studies available showing appropriate rates and figures on availability of parking