Chelsea commission tables Article 13 parking code changes after residents, councilors press for clearer notice

The Chelsea Traffic and Parking Commission opened a public hearing on proposed amendments to Article 13 of the citywide parking program and voted to table the item to next month so the clerk’s office can provide clearer written revisions and broaden public notice.

The issue centers on updates staff drafted after an internal review and as the city prepares for a potential shift to digital permitting. Lisa, the parking clerk, told the commission the changes were meant to "tighten up some of the language" and to reflect current operations, including revised wording on taxis, liveries and larger vehicles. In explaining exclusions, staff read language from the draft: "any motor vehicle which is a trailer, semi trailer, auto home, camper, house trailer, tow truck, dumpster, box truck, taxi cab, ambulance, hearse, livery vehicle, bus, school bus, or pupil transport vehicle is excluded from the parking program."

Commissioners and residents pressed for clearer definitions and for more accessible public notice. City Councilor Johanna Cooper said, "To who? You advertised that in a computer," arguing the legal ad and online posting were not sufficient outreach for people without internet access. Resident Lehi Angelis Kovas and others asked the city to send mailed notices or multilingual materials, and to publish a plain-language summary describing what would change if the amendments were adopted.

Staff told the commission resident stickers would be the first item to move to digital permitting at the next renewal cycle, while visitor passes would remain physical at first. The clerk also said there is a restriction in the draft that "only 1 vehicle with a commercial license plate that is legally registered in the city of Chelsea shall be eligible for a parking sticker." Commissioners requested that the commercial-vehicle list be moved into the definitions section and that the regulations include a cross-reference to zoning exemptions.

After extended discussion about outreach and whether the public packet provided sufficient detail, a motion to table the amendments to the next meeting — and to return with a version that incorporates comments and clearer public materials — carried with the ayes. The commission asked staff to consult the law department on wording that would refer to zoning-based exclusions and to the city manager’s office on improving advance notice to residents.

The tabling preserves the record for another public hearing and gives staff time to circulate a summary and the exact proposed regulatory text before the item returns.