Committee debates Nobscot Road parking layout as MassDOT seeks more spaces; wetlands and safety constrain options

Marsha (planning assistant) briefed the committee on MassDOT’s review comments for the Phase 3 Nobscot Road parking design. The current concept shows a single row of about 18 head-in spaces with a one-way in/out path. MassDOT raised that the design might need increased capacity; consultants suggested reconfiguring to 90-degree (two-way) parking or angled parking on both sides to increase spaces, but the town and committee expressed concern about wetland impacts and the narrow right-of-way near Route 20.

Committee members weighed tradeoffs: angled parking provides more room for users to load bicycles off racks and improves visibility when bicycles are being loaded, while 90-degree parking typically requires a two-way drive aisle and additional width that the corridor may not have without wetland encroachment. Suggestions included adding parallel parking on the west side where feasible, pursuing agreements with nearby businesses for overflow weekend parking, or accepting a modest capacity increase (Marsha cited a notional 50% increase example: 18→27 spaces if space and wetlands permit).

No final design decision was made. Marsha said she will ask Fuss & O'Neil for parking-count scenarios and will follow up on wetland replication impacts so the committee can give clearer guidance. Committee members emphasized balancing user safety (bike loading) with minimizing impacts to wetlands and the adjacent roadway.