Resident urges easier visitor passes; commissioners point to pending digital permit plan

Sylvia De Vasta, a lifelong Chelsea resident, told the Traffic and Parking Commission that obtaining visitor parking passes is burdensome and leaves visiting family members at risk of citations. She said the paper two-day passes and the online application turnaround can be impractical for workers and people who cannot visit the parking office during business hours.

Commission staff described existing options during the meeting: a weekly visitor permit that the department sells for $15 per week and an annual permit described in the meeting as $10 (staff said weekly permits are limited to four per registration per year). Staff also said if a resident applies online the permit is mailed and that someone can pick up a printed application on a resident's behalf. Roberto Jimenez, a city councilor at large, said the city manager has proposed a move to digital parking permits and that instantaneous digital visitor permits could be possible in the future, though staff said the city is not yet ready and that the parking vendor must be involved.

Commission members said the commission lacks the authority to change the vendor or immediately implement citywide digital permits and that the matter would be better addressed at the City Council level. After discussion, a commissioner moved to deny the communication as "not relevant to this commission." The motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Sylvia De Vasta said she appreciated information about weekly permits but urged the city to make it easier for longtime residents to host visiting family without adding hotel or ticket costs.

Commission staff suggested residents apply for weekly permits in advance when visits are likely and use the two-day emergency passes when needed; staff reiterated that a citywide digital permit program is being explored by the city manager and council but has not yet been implemented.