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Council asks for clearer outreach after update on Green Line —G Zone— parking program
Summary
Councilors heard an update on the Green Line Extension (GLX) —G Zone— permit parking program, were told only a small number of formal complaints were filed during the pilot, and asked the administration to provide clearer written communications for residents about how the program works.
Medford City — On April 8 the Committee of the Whole received an update on the Green Line Extension (GLX) —G Zone— parking program and asked the parking director and administration to send clearer information to residents about the zone—s purpose and rules.
Why it matters: The G Zone covers neighborhood streets south of downtown adjacent to the new Green Line stops. Councilors said lingering confusion among residents about permit eligibility, whether nonresidents can buy permits, and whether the program is still a pilot has driven many of the constituency calls to councilors and staff.
Director Sarah McDermott told the committee she reviewed city complaint records and the prior director—s inbox and found one formal complaint specifically tied to the G Zone and a few social-media complaints. She described the zone—s rough borders as the southern portion of Medford bounded by Main Street (excluded), George Street, and the Broadway edge bordering Somerville, and said anyone who purchases a zone permit can park on any street within that zone.
McDermott said the G Zone was recommended in earlier planning because new transit access increases the risk of commuter spillover parking in adjacent neighborhoods and noted a secondary benefit: zoned parking eases displacement during street construction, because residents in a zone can park elsewhere within the same zone without violating meter or time restrictions.
Councilor Scarpelli said residents— distrust of the prior parking office contributed to reluctance to use formal complaint channels and asked the parking director to provide the council with basic usage numbers and a short public information summary. "People don't like to do their homework," she said; she asked for a brief statement the council can distribute with facts about who may buy permits, how many permits have been issued, and how enforcement works.
Councilor Lemming, who said she lives in the G Zone, described the program as a "vast improvement" for residents and urged more visible online information explaining the program's benefits and reasons it was instituted.
The committee approved a motion, made by Councilor Scarpelli and seconded by Councilor Singh, asking the parking director and city administration to provide more information and communications about the G Zone program. The motion passed 7-0 (Councilors Callahan, Lazaro, Lemming, Scarpelli, Singh and President Barris and Vice President Collins voted yes).
Next steps: The parking director said she will update the city website to note that the traffic commission made the G Zone permanent and will provide the council a short communications package the council can share with residents.
