The meeting’s most substantial discussion revolved around the proposal to amend parking regulations on Mill Street. The proposal sought to implement a no-parking rule on both sides of the street, effective 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A counselor from Ward One, J. McKenna, highlighted the difficulties residents faced due to vehicles parked on both sides, obstructing traffic flow. McKenna explained the existing parking restrictions, which allowed no parking from Beach Street to Hall Street and one-sided parking from Hall Street to River Beach Parkway. He advocated for extending the no-parking rule across the entire length of Mill Street.

Zach B, the Director of Parking, noted inconsistencies in the current ordinance, which listed both no parking and one-sided parking along Mill Street. He acknowledged that while removing parking entirely could ease traffic flow, it might displace parking onto neighboring streets, creating new challenges. He expressed support for either no parking on both sides or one-sided parking, recognizing the complexities involved in the decision-making process.

A resident of Mill Street, Linda D, sought clarification on which side of the street would be designated for parking if the proposal were adopted. She pointed out that the current ordinance’s wording could cause confusion and suggested revising the language for clarity. Linda recommended that the no-parking zone extend from Beach Street to Hall Street, with permitted parking on one side from Hall Street to River Beach Parkway. Following discussions, a motion was made to amend the ordinance to reflect these changes, specifying no parking on both sides from Beach Street to Hall Street and allowing parking on the west side from Hall Street to River Beach Parkway. The motion was seconded and approved.

The commission also addressed parking restrictions on Green Street, where a proposal aimed to establish no parking on the right-hand side when traveling south from River Beach Parkway for the street’s entire length. A speaker emphasized the need to protect current residents from potential parking issues that might arise if a proposed 30-unit building across from Green Street were approved. It was noted that tenants of the new building would not be eligible for city parking stickers, meaning they could not park on Green Street. The speaker highlighted existing overnight parking allowances but called for stricter controls to prevent future complications. A motion to approve the proposed restrictions on Green Street was presented, seconded, and approved.

The commission moved on to a proposal to amend parking regulations at Griswold Park, suggesting a two-hour parking limit from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Sunday, with no overnight parking from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. Zach B mentioned correcting a minor typographical error in the proposal and emphasized ensuring availability for recreational users. He supported the amendments, aligning with public feedback aimed at preventing the new changes from hindering community access to the park for recreational activities.

Further discussions included managing unregistered vehicles in a specific lot used for vehicle storage. The commission reported that three unregistered vehicles had been recently removed to maintain the lot’s structure, which had been problematic. The lack of regulations allowed vehicles to remain parked for extended periods, hindering enforcement. A motion to impose a three-hour parking restriction in that lot was seconded and approved.

A public hearing addressed the proposal to amend the no-parking schedule for Gisell Park, establishing a tow-away zone for vehicles parked from 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. daily, excluding holidays. The chairman noted that this measure would complement earlier parking regulations. A motion to approve this amendment as written was seconded and passed without opposition.

The commission briefly discussed a request concerning handicap parking related to a resident on Centennial Ave, which was tabled due to the absence of representatives to provide input. A request regarding parking restrictions on Wilson Street was brought forth by J. McKenna, addressing concerns from a resident with a severely handicapped child. The resident reported that a school bus could not navigate the street due to cars parked on both sides. The commission agreed to move this request to a public hearing.

Finally, the commission considered a request to amend the residential parking schedule on Dashwood Street for 24-hour enforcement. A local soccer club representative expressed concerns about current enforcement, noting team members received tickets while using the nearby park. The commission hesitated. A motion to deny the request was seconded and passed.