Temperatures are expected to return to the near-50s later this week, just in time for this week’s return of Newton’s winter overnight parking ban.
Winter parking ban returns Wednesday
by Village 14 | Nov 13, 2017 | Newton | 61 comments
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Winter begins on 12/21 and spring begins on 3/20. If anything, the City Council should change the name to “the arbitrary parking ban.” Calling this thing the “winter parking ban” is as manipulative as it is unequal.
Why does it exist?
Goody. I can’t wait to have to move my car even when there is no chance of snow or any snow on the ground. Last year in early April I remember waking up early to move my car on a day that hit the high 80s. Asinine. I see this as a poor tax.
Hooray, my favorite nonsense law comes back into effect.
MMCC, I appreciate how onerous this must be. What is the history and why isn’t this an easy fix??
The Parking Ban is certainly a burden to many of us with limited to no driveways in the more densely populated sections of the City.
I was against raising the Parking Violation fee several years ago, and I remain opposed to the ban itself. This is something the Council has not spent enough time on, but will going forward.
The Cote family by virtue of its large size, and holiday visitors, contributes quite a bit each year to the City treasury!!
@JimCotes can you make this you mission to fix this? It doesn’t impact me but I can totally appreciate how burdensome this is. And it just seems stupid!!
This is so ridiculous! With warming temperatures and shorter “snowy seasons” why on earth can’t we wait till at least the first snow falls?? We have the technology with city robo calls to notify us when a parking ban is actually needed. I just don’t understand the rush to begin so soon and end so late.
Waltham got rid of their ban. Most of the parts of Newton affected by the ban are much more similar to Waltham with smaller lots, multi-family homes etc. I think that with texting, emails, and phone calls it will be easy for people to find out when there’s a ban. People without parking could even apply for a permit to limit the amount of cars parking overnight on the street.
Thank you to Councillor Cote. I hope the new city council takes this concern seriously. I appreciate your support, as well as the support of Emily Norton. There has to be a better solution.
Nothing like a good ban to warm the hearts of our City Councilors. Must make them feel like they’ve done something constructive. I am waiting for them to remove the ban only so they can reinstate it.
This is low hanging fruit for our new mayor!! She has bridges to build. This would be a good start
I concur! I think she’s aware that she needs to connect with non-wealthy residents and this could be a good start. (Among other things)
I look forward to working with Mayor-Elect Fuller and my colleagues on the City Council to make this year the *last* year with this arbitrary parking ban.
Why does it have to wait a year if you’re serious about changing something so ridiculous?
I already have a meeting with the DPW Commissioner to discuss this.
I love the ban. Bring it on. We should ban cars on the streets all year long. Let’s make Newton beautiful, not a parking lot!
Anyway who wants the ban, please tell me your address, so I can park my boat outside your house!
What Jim said.
Why was *last* year not the last year of the ban? There seems to be a rare consensus against it.
Why don’t the City Councilors agree to impose a month delay effective immediately while meetings with DPW take place and other fine print is defined?
Last year, Jess Barton compiled comprehensive data on this issue. She kept a detailed blog, which included weekly updates, pictures of street conditions, and more. She also both broke down the statistics in a clear and reasonable way and enumerated alternative options that the city could take.
The City Council should take action on this issue – even if only to order a temporary moratorium on enforcing the Arbitrary Parking Ban – immediately. There is absolutely no good reason to enforce this thing as it stands.
If you are interested in learning more, check out Jess’s blog at http://newtonwinterparking.blogspot.com/2016/11.
I saw ticketed cars this morning…the City didn’t waste any time! I feel like they should at least do a grace period for the first night, barring snow, because it says the ban starts on 11/15. That could be confusing because even though the ban starts on 11/15, most people would need to move their car off the street on 11/14 before they go to sleep.
I agree – put a moratorium on the ban effective NOW. All of the councillors and our mayor-elect should read Jess Barton’s analysis. If you look at her calendars, you can see how many nights residents were forced to move their cars needlessly or be ticketed.
@Mary: Are you sure they were tickets and not warnings?
Yes.
I met with the Commissioner to refresh my memory on this topic. He is 100% on board with either reducing or eliminating the ban. I’ve asked for all the minutes of the prior City Council docketed items on this topic and – since the problem was within the Council we will see if we can do something about this. My memory was also refreshed that there some residents who didn’t want to get rid of the ban. After I’ve read up on the past we will see if the council can move this forward.
Thank you, Susan. You are always so responsive. It seems in this age of robo-calls that a full out parking ban like this is silly, particularly since it negatively impacts so many of our citizens.
@Susan is right on, and in fact the Administration came to Public Safety & Transportation last year to rescind the ban and was rebuffed. The biggest Council hurdle, which we can address, is that the dates of the ban work perfectly to prevent college student parking in the neighborhoods so affected.
This was also the ill-placed logic behind raising the fine to $25.00 from $5.00 which was opposed by a number of Councilors to include myself.
The Council can address the college parking issue separately, allowing the residents that need to park on the street able to do so.
I am grateful for the discussion in this comment spread- especially but not limited to members of the City Council chiming in. This parking ban has been a burden in a number of neighborhoods for the length of its existence, and I hope to see it taken out.
If there needs to be other considerations for some neighborhoods where nonresidents parking on the street are an issue, I can see that. But not being able to park on a public street (outside of snow emergencies) in neighborhoods where off-street parking is scarce or nonexistent continues to baffle me. Thanks again all, this give me some cause for optimism.
Thanks Susan and Jim for the background. It does indeed sound wrongheaded to try to address a student parking issue (if that really is an issue) with this onerous ban. And I dare say that the areas of the city that tend to rely on on-street parking probably aren’t high density areas for college students.
Thank you, Jim and Susan! There has to be a better solution and I’m pleased to see councillors taking this seriously.
@Emily @Susan
The support is great. Any reason it can’t be done this year?
@Paul, the simple answer is yes, there is a reason this won’t happen this year. The Council will chew this to death so by the time it comes to swallow it, another year will have gone by.
@TheWholeTruth I assumed there are posted minutes from the meetings where this was discussed and stopped. Easy enough to find out who opposed and make a push with those CCs.
I will chime in support of the parking ban. I find dense on-street parking to be a blight on residential neighborhoods. I believe that streets clogged with parked cars make it more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists, making it harder to see around the parked obstacles. For cyclists in the street it means a greater chance of getting “doored” and being forced more into the flow of impatient drivers stuck on the clogged streets.
The parking ban has been in effect for a long time and residents should deal with it on their property.
Take a walk across the Newton border into Boston and see how terrible the streetscape is when it is clogged full of parked cars.
Are you biking during the hours of the ban in the winter? I doubt it. Sounds to me like you don’t want residents to park on the street period.
Really Doug. How many people are out biking between 2am an d 6am in the winter?
I’m a cyclist (and a Doug) and am fully aware of how to navigate streets without getting doored. If a car can get down a street with parked cars, so can a bike. I fail to see how that argument is relevant here, especially as it applies to streets where parking is normally legal.
The current parking ban is excessive, but I do see one potential concern with lifting it completely – Without it I’m wondering if we end up in a situation where people decide to take their chances with fines/towing in cases where there’s a legitimate overnight storm. Now the city has to spend time ticketing/towing cars before they can get to actually clearing the streets. Without a full overnight ban there has to enough of an incentive/penalty to make sure people do move their cars when there’s a legitimate need.
They could do something like issuing permits to people who really have no other choice and/or only allowing parking on wider streets. I wouldn’t mind parking further away if I didn’t have to get up early just to move my car. There are so many options they could try! They could even do a trial run to see if it works. I know they’ve discussed it before but nothing happens.
There is definitely strong opinion among residents and some councilors against lifting the ban in any way shape or form, and that is why it hasn’t been done. But I continue to think it’s the right thing to do and will continue to support legislation to get it done. In addition to an inconvenience for residents I think it’s a waste of police resources to be ticketing cars on snowless mornings between 2am-6am.
@Emily, can you help us understand what the objections residents have since I assuming most of them are asleep between 2-6am
so you all want to park on your own street anytime–but the other streets you want to drive on unfettered will retain the parking restrictions? now that’s elitist.
removing the winter over-night parking ban would open the floodgates for cars in Newton both from residents and those that use the City as a parking lot while they take the T into Boston for a weekend/celtics game/bruins/BC. the City would need to institute resident parking stickers like Boston and others that allow overnight parking.
And then, you still have the issue of “oh where do I go!” when you need to plow the streets–only now there will be MORE cars.
I fully support removing the ban. It makes no sense, there are far better ways to deal with snow emergencies.
@David: If you think our streets will become overcrowded from people driving into Boston, why doesn’t that happen during the summer months when doing so is perfectly legal?
And to add to Bryan’s point, are there actually Celtic/Bruin/BC games going on at 2am?
@Bryan, people do park in Newton and take the T into Boston in the summer, particularly for the red sox but in general the summers in Newton are very quiet–people go to their summer homes or wherever–so you hardly notice.
are you okay with people parking on both sides of Beacon St., Walnut, Chestnut, Waverley, Comm Ave, Centre St too? Surely those residents would like unlimited parking as well. Or do you just want parking where it’s convenient for you?
@David M that had nothing to do with the winter overnight parking ban which requires residents who don’t have driveways to get their cars off their street between 2am and 6am
David, your arguments aren’t holding up. If people are going to park here and take the T in, they would be back before the time before the ban starts. The ban wouldn’t deter anyone because they could park here legally.
What I’m sensing from the people opposed to lifting the ban is that they don’t want people parking on the street ever.
I have a really hard time with this argument that people are away in Newton during the summer. Every time someone brings it up it rubs me the wrong way. I’m lucky if I can get away for a week or two per year.
Many people in Newton I know are not so fortunate as to be able to “summer” wherever they want, with no regard for work, school, volunteer, or other responsibilities. It’s great that some people can. But that’s not something to build policy around.
Streets lined with cars are ugly. If you think Watertown is pretty, live there! The ban should be applied all year long.
I bought a house with a garage. I could have used the same amount of money to buy a house with no garage and a bigger yard or a better kitchen. I wanted to be a nice person and not pollute my neighborhood by selfishly parking cars in front of my neighbors’ houses.
@Bryan, I know it’s quiet in the summer because I don’t leave either. it’s not my imagination.
Mary, you want a permit so only you can park on your street? that’s elitist.
it’s the typical my-backyard issue: people want full control of their street at their private drive but use other’s as freeways.
I bought a condo with no garage and a shared yard and a 1960’s kitchen because it was what I could afford. I’d just like to park in front of my own home
Jeffrey and David’s comments are examples of why Newton gets a bad rep in terms of snobbery and classism. I find your comments shamefully out of touch.
Also, Jeffrey, that’s really wonderful that you have a garage. But maybe you should drive through West Newton or Nonantum sometimes. Half the homes don’t have garages or space for a garage or driveway. Many are multi-family homes. In fact, those neighborhoods are much more similar to Watertown than they are to Chestnut Hill or Waban. Get out of your neighborhood once in a while. Also, I hope people park in front of your house every single day from April 16-November 14.
Mary you are quite contrary. I’m saying there should be ONE even rule across the city. If you get unlimited parking on your street then it should be the same citywide. that’s it.
but you wrote you want a permit so only you can park on your street OR you thought it would be great if the city would give you a spot to park in front of someone else’s house? How self-entitled!
I can’t park in front of my own house because the spots are always taken and if I do get a spot it’s only 2 hr parking most days–every month of the year!
So while we’d all like to claim the space in front of our homes as our own, it’s not what’s best for the community.
If you don’t have a garage, what gives you the right to make the street in front of your neighbor’s house your garage? If you decided to buy a house without a toilet, would it be OK to drop a Porta-Potty for your private use in the space in front of your neighbor’s house?
MMQC makes a swipe by throwing out words like “snobbery.” I know people who live in multi-million dollar homes with two car garages, who own 4+ cars, and park all 4 cars on the street. Whether or not you live in a poor or rich neighborhood, if you let people park for free in the street, the street becomes an ugly parking lot.
One more thing. No one needs a car. Let’s respect the environment. We have legs. Bicycles are cheap. We have spent billions of dollars in public transportation. Uber is great. You don’t have a constitutional right to own a car and park it in front of my house.
What if we lifted the ban and made a pinky promise not to park in front of David and Jeffrey’s houses? I could go along with that.
This isn’t about making streets pretty. It’s not even about letting people leave their cars all over Newton or some other nightmare scenario of street usage. It’s about not punishing people who don’t have an easy solution to park their cars when it’s not snowing. I understand that’s not a problem in many neighborhoods, but it’s a big problem in some.
Like Claire says, some of us just want to be able to park in front of our homes. Having to find an option when it snows is far less burdensome.
Jeffrey-The parking ban is a significant equity issue in the city. If your housing doesn’t include parking, then the ban creates a burdensome tax/fee. It’s also particularly difficult for senior citizens, people with mobility issues, and families with small children.
The City Council could spend the next 5 weeks dealing with this situation and actually come up with a solution for those people who are adversely affected by this ban, but (sarcasm alert) alas, they have a dead letter item to deal with for the next 2 0r 3 full council meetings. So too bad. Maybe next year.
Doug you have it backwards, if you lift the ban you can’t park in front of Mary, Bryan or Claire’s house because they already annexed the spaces near their house for their private parking. Maybe they’ll put out space savers to remind you and key your car if you park in “their” spots like in Southie!
Now that my street if car free for a whole 4 hours a day (they’re usually back by 7 am actually) the street sweepers can finally clean the street of leaves and debris which clog storm drains and when it gets colder, the city will be able to salt and sand the road at night.
We have had the same daytime parking issues on our street a times, so I feel you there. But it has absolutely zilch to do with the overnight parking ban.
See, people park in front of my house all the time. Every day. I am walking distance to a village center and a T station so people park here. But I don’t care if people park on my street or even right in front of my house because I’m not a jerk. It doesn’t affect me and my aesthetic sensibilities aren’t so tender that I can’t bear the sight of an automobile parked in front of my home.
Plus, my street is public and maintained by the city. People DO have a right to park there or anywhere else in the City that is a public way. (Aside from the arbitrary parking ban, to quote Tom Davis)
Agreed, Doug H. I think we’re losing sight of the discussion here. Arguing about street parking in general is futile. I don’t know why I’m getting so sucked into this – the arbitrary parking ban is what needs to be focused on!
Late jumping in here.
The arbitrary parking ban is a major concern of mine. There is no way to interpret it other than a law designed to divide the wealthy from the lower income residents. How can we call ourselves a Welcoming City while this law stands?
I have plenty of off-street parking so this law doesn’t affect me and I don’t know anyone affected by it, but every citizen of Newton should be concerned about the residents who are moving their cars at 4 am when temps are predicted to be in the 50’s. These residents are no different from all other other residents. I would move my car if snow was predicted – so would everyone else.
It serves absolutely no purpose other than to penalize those without off-street parking! How could that possibly be right. With this law on the books we are effectively not a Welcoming City at all. While we are building affordable housing, we are neglecting our citizens who currently live in our most affordable housing.
Thanks to Susan Albright for moving forward with DPW to get this arbitrary parking ban off the books. Keep it up.