Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Space Preservation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents urge council to protect O'Brien Center basketball courts from added parking tied to library expansion
Summary
Two residents urged the City Council to reduce parking requirements and to prevent parking from replacing a community basketball court at the O'Brien Center during a library expansion; staff agreed to share comments with the Planning Commission.
Two Winooski residents urged the City Council on Monday to preserve the basketball courts at the O’Brien Center and to reduce citywide parking requirements so expansions such as the library project do not displace community play space.
Felipe Hoyos, who said he lives on Hickok Street, told council he supports a broader reduction of parking requirements across the city but singled out the O’Brien Center parcel where the library expansion may trigger a requirement to add parking. “For that specific spot, I do think it serves a vital community function, and I would hate to see it replaced and eliminated,” Hoyos said, describing the courts as a daily gathering place for children and teens.
A second resident, who identified herself as Jen, said she agreed with Hoyos and asked how the council could support saving the courts. City staff offered to pass the comments to the Planning Commission and invited the speakers to follow up and speak directly to the commission. Councilor Thomas said staff would ensure the Planning Commission hears the comments.
No formal action was taken; staff and council said the Planning Commission will consider public input as part of review of parking requirements and related projects.
