Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Parking topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Taunton committee backs pursuing 4 Spring Lane acquisition after heated debate on cost, access and contamination
Summary
After hours of testimony and debate, Taunton’s public property committee voted to pursue acquisition of 4 Spring Lane — by negotiation or eminent domain — to create a 97‑space lot intended to address downtown parking shortfalls, while requesting environmental assessments and mitigation commitments to affected businesses.
The Public Property Committee on Aug. 26 voted to move forward with efforts to acquire 4 Spring Lane — by negotiated purchase or, if necessary, eminent domain — as a long‑term downtown parking solution, after a contentious hearing involving staff presentations, councilor questioning and extended public comment.
Rebecca Brown of GPI presented an updated parking study showing the downtown midday deficiency could reach about 55 spaces as proposed residential and retail projects are completed; she said a 4 Spring Lane conversion could accommodate as many as 97 parking spaces. "It could accommodate up to 97 parking spaces in the future," Brown said, describing layout and one‑way access proposals that would use an existing easement for vehicular flow (Rebecca Brown, GPI).
CFO Patrick D'Alessio and staff estimated a basic conversion and paving cost of roughly $600,000, with another $100,000–$150,000 to provide ADA‑compliant pedestrian access to ware/street frontage, yielding a planning figure of approximately $750,000. Councilors repeatedly stressed the need for due diligence: several members insisted a Phase I (and potentially Phase II) environmental assessment should be completed before committing funds. "Let's do our basic due diligence," Councilor Sanders said, urging an LSP‑led assessment before purchase.
Neighbors and business owners — notably owners of the Lighting Gallery and the Pearl restaurant — spoke at public comment. Heather Barney, co‑owner of the Lighting Gallery, said her family had used the back lot for decades and raised concerns about truck access, a 10‑foot easement, and how deliveries would be managed. Pearl owner Odette and others described daily parking difficulty and urged the council to act to support downtown restaurants and employers.
Committee members requested clearer easement analysis, written mitigation commitments to ensure businesses that use the easement remain operational, and environmental testing funded through city or grant sources as appropriate. The committee voted to pursue acquisition and to require that mitigation plans for affected businesses (notably the Lighting Gallery) be developed and presented to the council before any final agreement.
The committee’s vote authorizes staff to negotiate with the owner, to pursue the order of taking if needed, and to begin access and environmental planning with the understanding that mitigation and any final terms will return to the council for approval.
