AMHERST – Examining parking rules and regulations in Amherst center and recommending changes that could increase the availability of spaces for visitors and residents, including the possibility of a second parking garage, will be objectives for a new panel.
The Select Board on Monday appointed the seven members of the Downtown Parking Working Group, a concept originating in a parking report completed by Senior Planner Jeffrey Bagg last year that followed three parking forums in 2014 and 2015.
Interim Town Manager Peter Hechenbleikner, who participated in the interviews of applicants to be on the panel, said the working group will look at downtown parking holistically, taking up topics such as whether a second parking garage should be considered and, if so, its size and location.
According to its charge, the working group will also “identify short-, medium- and long-range strategies to maximize the efficiency and availability of the existing downtown parking supply.”
Officials named to the working group are Select Board member Constance Kruger, along with Planning Board member Richard Roznoy and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Christine Gray-Mullen.
Filling out the working group are Sandra Anderson, a former Planning Board member and retired director of campus services at the University of Massachusetts; downtown property owner and resident Wendy Boisseau-Jones; downtown resident and Monkey Bar manager Rabib Rafiq and Johnny’s Tavern business manager Matt Yee.
Kruger said 14 people were interested in the four at-large slots and were interviewed for about 20 minutes apiece. “We had a really talented and interested group of people,” Kruger said.
While 10 will not be part of the group, Kruger said she hopes these others will be able to offer input in a “big-tent approach” when there are discussions about various topics, such as revisions to the winter parking ban or changes to meter rates.
The working group will use information from the parking report as well as what is contained in a transportation plan created by consultant NelsonNygaard of Boston.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
