Winchester Moves Closer to Paid Parking [Poll]

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At Monday night’s Board of Selectmen meeting, the town

One of the goals of the plan, according to selectman Thomas Howley, is to increase the vitality of the Town Center.

But it’s also, according to Planning Board chair, Lance Grenzeback, to improve parking in the town.

“Nobody is happy with parking,” Grenzeback said.

One of the issues the plan is supposed to address is commuter parking.

“We are the low-cost parking provider of the Lowell Line,” Grenzeback said. “We’re attracting people to Winchester since they don’t have to pay for parking.”

The board plans on holding a public meeting to discuss the plan further.

Why a parking plan?

According to the draft report, the town needs a parking plan to “ensure the economic vitality of the town’s commercial center.” The town is also losing state and federal aid because of the lack of new development, better parking management, the report said, could “generate new growth, helping to keep property taxes down.”

What’s the problem?

Center employees are using the close spaces “needed to support high-turnover retail customer sales.” Also, the parking regulations are complex and confusing, the commuter lot is underpriced, the sidewalks are dirty and enforcement is limited, according to the report.

What does the plan do?

• Provide free 1-hour parking in the center.
• Provides free 90-minute parking in the municipal center.
• Provides pay-and-display parking areas for those who will park longer.
• Provides free all-day parking permits to Town Center employees. Those spots will away from the Center (Shore Rd, Mt. Vernon).
• Provides commuter parking at Wedgemere and Winchester Center at the same rate as other commuter lots (potentially $4/day).
• Simplifies and standardizes parking regulations.
• Increases enforcement against scofflaws.

Cost?

The plan is expected to cover its cost and could generate revenue for a potential business-improvement district plan.

What are your thoughts of the proposed paid parking system? Let us know by taking our poll or voicing your opinion in the comments section below.