Parking study shows roughly 230-space shortfall at peak times; town examines targeted fixes

Town planning staff presented an executive overview of a downtown parking study by Walker Consultants at the Oct. 13 work session and said the inventory and demand analysis shows a peak-period shortfall that staff estimated at about 230 spaces.

"About 230 spaces," planning staff summarized while reviewing the study's task reports and inventory of on-street and off-street spaces. The study included a building and business inventory tied to parking demand factors and considered private, public and vacant parcels that could be used in the future.

Staff described potential near-term and mid-term responses: pursue shared-use agreements with private lot owners, activate smaller town-owned parcels (including a 21-space site tied to railroad rework and the garden park project), improve pedestrian crossings and lighting to expand the practical walking shed, and evaluate targeted acquisitions or public-private partnerships.

Board members discussed CSX constraints on leasing or converting rail-adjacent land, and compared nearby towns where similar conversions occurred. Staff said CSX has required fencing and buffering in prior negotiations with the town and that each rail parcel will present its own constraints.

The study gives the town a clearer inventory and a menu of options, staff said. No decisions were made at the work session; staff will follow up with stakeholders and return recommendations for short-term pilot measures and longer-term planning.

Why it matters: a parking deficit at peak hours can limit downtown economic activity and affects how the town prioritizes capital or policy responses. The study's recommendations aim to balance short-term relief with longer-term downtown design improvements.

Next step: staff to pursue shared-use talks, refine design for near-term sites and return with proposals and cost estimates.