Parking Advisory & Recommendation Committee

Overview

The mission of the PARC is to clarify and simplify Reading's downtown parking system from a user perspective and enforcement standpoint. A consultant will be hired to provide technical assistance and expertise in parking management. The recommendations will be developed in concert with an extensive public process.

In conducting its work, the Parking Advisory and Recommendation Committee (PARC) will be bound by all of the rules and regulations of the Town of Reading and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, including but not limited to the Open Meeting Law and the State Ethics Law. Staff will be assigned by the Town Manager to work with the PARC.

The PARC will sunset within one month from the date of the Select Board vote on the series of recommendations.

PARC Select Board Public Hearing

PARC will presented their series recommendations to the Select Board on Tuesday April 19th, 2022. After discussion the public hearing was continued to Tuesday May 3, 2022.  

The May 3rd public hearing will be held in-person in the Select Board Meeting Room at Town Hall, AND over Zoom at this link:

Join Zoom Meeting 
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81502392515

Meeting ID: 815 0239 2515 
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 Meeting ID: 815 0239 2515 
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PARC Proposed Recommendations

PARC has developed a set of recommended changes to a number of aspects of the downtown parking system, including: On-Street Parking Regulations (Time-Limited, Employee, and Resident), Public Parking Lot Regulations and the Permitting System.

• PARC Employee Permit Parking - Proposed Modifications 
• PARC 2-Hour Parking - Proposed Modifications
• PARC Resident Only Parking - Proposed Modifications
• PARC Parking Regulations - Proposed Modifications
• PARC Map of Proposed Recommendations

PARC Virtual Public Forum Information

PARC held a Virtual Public Forum on Wednesday February 2, 2022 at 7:00PM. The forum was held through Zoom Meeting, and had over 50 attendees. You may watch a recording of the forum and find a copy of the presentation below and PARC's recommended changes are also found above (some of which have changed since the forum) and aspects of the system subject to potential change include: On-Street Parking Regulations (Time-Limited, Employee, and Resident Only), Public Parking Lot Regulations and the Permitting System. 

• PARC Public Forum Presentation
• Recording of PARC Public Forum

PARC Survey Findings

The PARC distributed a town-wide survey in order to solicit input on the existing parking system and desired change. Over 800 residents responded, and you may find a copy of the final results below.

• PARC Survey Findings

PARC Charge

There is hereby established an ad hoc Committee, known as the "Parking Advisory and Recommendations Committee" (PARC) to review Reading's downtown parking system. The PARC will guide the preparation of comprehensive system modifications with the help of staff and a consultant. The PARC will present a series of draft recommendations to the full Parking Traffic Transportation Task Force (PTTTF) at a publicly posted PARC meeting no later than July 2021, with a presentation to the Reading Select Board shortly thereafter in August 2021. The PARC will present at subsequent Select Board meetings as needed.

The current parking system is comprised of over 2 dozen regulations within a half mile area. It is confusing and frustrating for the public, and difficult to administer and enforce. As downtown continues to grow and draw in residents, commuters and new businesses, it is vitally important that the downtown parking supply be managed in a fair, consistent and understandable way so users know what to expect and feel empowered to make choices about where to park based on their needs.

The PARC shall be comprised of nine members and will be a Committee as defined by the Town of Reading Home Rule Charter. In selecting the PARC, the Select Board shall fill the positions as follows:

• One member from the Select Board;
• One member of the Community Planning and Development Commission (CPDC), recommended by the CPDC;
• Seven other members, and the Select Board will consider the following qualifications:
  • Residents of the downtown or greater downtown area;
  • Downtown business owners, managers or representatives of the Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce, who are also Reading residents;
  • Employees of the downtown, who are also Reading residents; and
  • Residents or resident business owners/managers with professional experience or keen personal interest in parking management, economic development, data analysis or service systems design and logistics.