Next week, the Newton traffic council is expected to review a soon-to-be docketed item that could potentially eliminate free parking along Walnut Street in Newton Highlands.
At present, an estimated 50 cars per day park on the stretch from the fountain on the corner of Forest to the aqueduct near Beacon Street. Residents along the street say the vast majority of those who park there are commuters using the Newton Highlands MBTA stop.
As you’ll see from the photos, the problem isn’t just that parking is allowed but that many drivers frequently ignore parking rules ( including parking within 10 feet of a fire hydrant, parking within 5 feet of a private driveway or alleyway and parking within 20 feet of an intersection).
Some of those in favor of eliminating parking there say it is necessary because the city doesn’t enforce the rules. But is that a reason to stop the practice or demand better enforcement? Others argue that any parked cars there create a visibility problems and thus, pose a safety hazard, especially for children crossing the street to get to the bus stop.
Some opponents worry that removing cars along that stretch will remove a traffic calming benefit and lead to more speeding. Others worry that eliminating the spots will just create new problems along side streets and potentially hurt Highlands businesses.
What do you think? Please share your thoughts here and vote in a poll on the Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council Facebook page.
photos by Paul Gilbert
It’s not clear what those cars have done wrong. An intersection is where two roads cross, not a side street. What’s the rule on a side street? (Clearly if I don’t know, I’m going to violate the rule unless there’s a sign)
METERS. METERs. METERS. METERS.
Once there are marked spaces, the issues with parking in front of driveways and fire hydrants will cease.
The city should take a street by street approach to parking. There are a lot of spaces that are “free” in Newton that should have meters. Washington Street anyone?
Will be interesting to see what is decided here and why. The traffic council is quite fond of pretzel logic when it comes to trying to solve parking problems on streets.
Our own experience is at Nonantum Place in Newton Corner, where commuters would often park their cars for free all day to take the Express bus into Boston, blocking out residents. That was an issue on a residential street with limited spaces, and ample public parking nearby.
We suggested two-hour limits on parking (among more restrictive suggestions like permit-only, which adjoining streets enjoy), but the council thought that would discourage people who would want to park there to use the playground.
Their solution? Permit-only parking 11am-1pm, which means playground visitors can’t park there at that time either (and the local commuters would merely move their cars at lunchtime, then move them back).
Again, pretzel logic, despite well-reasoned arguments from the entire neighborhood. It’s not easy to make everyone happy though, and we’ll see what happens at Highlands/Walnut St
Definitely step up enforcement. I’d hate to see us discouraging people from using the T, but know first hand how bad it is to deal with inconsiderate parkers. And increased enforcement leads to increased revenue – a win-win situation.
It would make a lot of sense to get rid of the parking but put in bike lanes, thereby connecting the lane from city hall through to the T.
personally I’d love a bike lane instead…. the lane is so narrow in that strip I get buzzed all the time. However I get that more people would prefer to have the parking… So I guess meter it up but allow for 12 hour meters for ease of using the T etc. I personally never drive to the T there b/c there isn’t any place to leave my car anyway. Keep your parking- but please don’t buzz the cyclists in the lane…
Parking is one of very few business type functions the city operates effectively. Newton is starving for revenue. While a bike lane would be nicer… put in the darn meters.
This repeated question, to-meter or not-to-meter, is ridiculous. It was ridiculous in Waban as well. When possible, the city should be run like a business, and the objective should be to generate maximum revenue. We sit around bitching that our school buildings are falling apart, while we get caught up in philosophical arguments over the pros and cons of parking meters. And while we’re on the topic, why is it okay to park for free after 6:00pm? That is literally nonsense.
Show me the money!!!
I agree- I have no problem paying for metered parking. I do wish we had kiosks like in brookline so one didn’t need to have so much change. I’ll happily use my credit card to calculate the exact time or amount I need.
No disrespect to Mike Strair, but fees after 6pm does not promote small business. It’s really hard to sell a pizza, burger or coffee around an unfriendly district. If commuters are gone, parking should be free.
The basic issue is availability of parking.
MV – I don’t know anyone in Brookline who likes those kiosks; they’re a pain! And while I agree w/having meters on Walnut and Waban (why does that get to be the only village center without them?), having to pay for parking after 6 is a bad idea for the restaurants which are the main source of parking at that hour.
Okay, so I’m trying to understand the reluctance to charge for parking after 6:00pm. If I agreed that it was any more detrimental to business at night than it is in the daytime, I would change my opinion. But people are patronizing the same shops and restaurants during the day, and putting money in the meter. What’s different after 6:00pm?
Here’s my own experience today… At 4:00pm I called in an order to Coconut Cafe. Got a parking spot right in front of Bill’s Pizza. Put a quarter in the meter. Ran into Murray’s to grab a couple of bottles of wine. Spent $90. Then picked up my food, which cost me $9.90. Got back in my car and drove away.
I spent $99.90 in two places. It cost me 25 cents to park. Seems like a bargain to me. Why should that same parking spot cost nothing after 6:00pm?
Mike Striar — I have not met you but I like many of your opinions around Newton. Most of them actually. Your 4pm experience deserves a Patriot’s hi-5, good on you, but if there is less demand after 6pm what is there for Newton gain? We’re talking nickle profits for honest business owners. And I’m sure know what is meant by honest owners
Actually this side of the street probably has nothing to do with after 6pm issues — so the daytime question is around availability and metering. 20 foot violations not so much
Newton is not just urban (Newton Centre) but suburban (Newton Highlands). Do we improve the quality of life in the city by pushing cars one block away into residential parking? Does one size fit all?
Mike – Nighttime metered parking affects people going out to dinner. It makes them more likely to rush, and therefore spend less, if they have to worry about getting a ticket if they don’t get to the meter in time.
Greg, which Traffic Council item are we talking about? I think one important detail is missing.
Mike, just a wild guess here, but it is possible that the 6pm cutoff is due to the fact that there is no one on staff to patrol the meters past then. The salary and overtime may very well outweigh the meter revenue.
Any aldermen care to confirm or correct me?
@Adam: Perhaps I meant the traffic commission.