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Commission approves most parking removals near Carter and Fourth after business owner warns of safety and delivery problems
Summary
After a public hearing, the Chelsea Traffic and Parking Commission approved three targeted no‑parking measures requested by a local produce warehouse owner to keep trucks clear of loading docks and preserve emergency access, but left one corner exclusion to be revisited if problems persist.
Jeff Cotton, owner of JW Lopes on Carter Street, told the Chelsea Traffic and Parking Commission that parked cars have blocked his delivery trucks and jeopardized emergency access after recent sidewalks and new apartments reduced street width. "Trucks, both mine and those of our vendors, frequently get stuck and are unable to back into our loading docks," Cotton said, adding that some vendors have refused deliveries because of the risk.
Cotton asked the commission for three specific changes: no‑parking and tow‑zone signs at the corners of Carter & 4th and Carter & Vail; no parking on 4th Street from Carter through the cut‑out spots; and no overnight parking on Carter between Elm and 4th. He framed the request as both an operational necessity for his business and a public‑safety concern: "1st responders would likely struggle to access our neighborhood in the event of an emergency without properly placed no parking signs and enforcement." (Jeff Cotton, SEG 009–048.)
Commissioners and staff discussed corner sight lines, the depth of the no‑parking buffers needed for truck turning, and the difference between "no parking" signage and "no parking — tow zone" enforcement. Several commissioners noted the department has responded quickly to calls for towing and enforcement in the past but also raised the tradeoffs for residents and nearby developments.
After discussion a commissioner moved to approve Cotton's three requested changes but to leave off the corner no‑parking at Carter & Veil for now; that motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioners said they would revisit the corner if enforcement calls or blocked trucks increased, and staff agreed to monitor complaints.
The commission's action modifies on‑street parking in the immediate Carter/4th block to improve truck access and preserve emergency vehicle routing, while keeping one corner under review to avoid unnecessary loss of spaces. The matter is subject to posted signage and enforcement by city parking and police personnel; the commission said it would revisit the excluded corner should operational complaints rise.
