The Traffic Council voted on the following items (see Report and watch the video):
Approved:
- Accessible Parking Space at 15 Crystal Street (approved 4-0-1, Councilor Downs abstained)
- Accessible Parking Space at 25 Lincoln Road (Approved 5-0)
- Accessible Parking Space on East Side of Newbury Street (Approved 5-0)
- Stop Sign at Emerson Street and Pearl Street Intersection (Approved 5-0) At a T intersection where an accident recently occurred.
- Inclusion of Phillips Lane into the Newtonville Neighborhood Parking District and Parking Regulation Changes (Approved 5-0): Approval to include Phillips Lane into the parking district and change parking regulations. Phillips Lane is 10 to 12 feet wide, not wide enough to allow parking on the street. Phillips Lane residents will get permits and visitor passes, allowing them to park on nearby streets.
Approved items may be appealed through the close of business on October 2, 2024.
Held:
- Discussion and Possible Change to Parking Regulations on Russell Road (Held 5-0): Held to docket a new Traffic Council item intended to broaden the discussion geographically.
- Discussion and Possible Action to implement parking regulations that are more equitable on Nonantum Place, the section of Charlesbank Road between Saint James Street and Centre Street, and potentially Jefferson Street, Russell Road, and Maple Street. (Held 5-0): Russell Road is overutilized; 83% of the spaces were occupied because there’s no parking restriction. Neighbors spoke in opposition to a one- or two-hour parking time limit.
Options were discussed. The Councilors and neighbors preferred Option 3, which would create the first neighborhood parking district in Newton.
“Option 3 would create a new parking district in the neighborhood and change the parking regulations within the map. Where parking is permitted, the new regulation would be a two-hour limit, 8am to 6pm except Saturday, Sundays and Holidays, or by resident permit. The idea is to create a more consistent regulation across the streets in the neighborhood to better utilize the public way and to provide more opportunities for the different residents to be able to park on the public way. Charlesbank Terrace is a private way, if residents were interested, it would be necessary to hear from all of the abutters that they would like to join a parking district program.
A disadvantage may be that it cannot be held as a trial in advance of implementation. This option would require changing many signs and requiring people to buy permits that don’t currently have arking permits. Advantages may include creating a similar set of parking regulation in the area. It does allow short-term parking opportunities without the need to have a permit. It allows residents who live on streets like Orchard Street to be able to get a permit to park on a nearby street. It uses the space more efficiently where the six meters are located on Charlesbank Road.”