City of Portsmouth, New Hampshire Parking and Traffic Safety Committee, 16 Mar 2022

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From YouTube: 3.16.2022 Parking & Traffic Safety Neighborhood Parking Program

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3.16.2022 Parking & Traffic Safety Neighborhood Parking Program

A

Okay, I think we're live uh good evening. Portsmouth, it's uh march, 16th a little bit after 6 30.

A

And this is uh informational meeting of the parking traffic and safety committee on the.

A

Neighborhood parking program trial that we've been running in the islington creek neighborhood.

A

Mr fletcher, do you want to give the presentation.

B

Certainly, oh well, that's a very excellent microphone, so let me show my screen real, quick.

C

B

So welcome everyone. uh Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the seven month.

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Results of the islington creek neighborhood parking program pilot launched on august 4, 2021.

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While we did a mid-pilot presentation at the pts meeting on november 16th, it's been our.

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Intention of course, to schedule tonight's meeting to discuss the pilot's relevant data covering its.

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Initial designated life span, uh the presentation on the 16th was inclusive of data through the end.

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Of october for tonight's presentation, I've added data through february 28th for additional context.

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To establish indicators of success aside from anecdotal data, which is important.

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There are two primary indicators as to whether the isn't in creek npp has had its intended.

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Effect of reducing demand, measured by parking occupancy in the neighborhood.

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Which, in layman's terms, manifests itself as additional available parking inventory.

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When desired, the first such measure consists of determining whether or not.

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Demand figures are indeed reduced as a direct result of the program given positive evidence.

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To the first, the second measure would be an indication of where that displaced demand.

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Now, ineligible vehicle users would then choose to engage in their parking.

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This is measured by looking at the demand in the immediately adjacent parking alternatives.

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Again, measured as parking occupancy in those areas, whether they're monetized or not, this evening's.

C

Been pardon me, you have to speak a lot louder. People are having trouble hearing. Oh okay, I've.

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Thought it was being too loud. Sorry, no, no you're, not being through that I'll bring this first. I.

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Was trying to tone my voice down? I know I'm loud, so I'm trying not to be so loud. uh This evening's.

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Presentation seeks to clarify any shifts or changes in demand in both the npp designated area.

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And its surrounding immediate parking alternatives, so, as expected, the mpp program has seen strong.

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Participation recall that the current iteration of the program allows for up to three permits per.

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Household, which must be attributed to a particular vehicle and one transferable guest permit.

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Additionally, residents in other areas of portsmouth are eligible for one permit, which.

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Also must be attributable to a particular vehicle, so since its launch on august 4th, the program has.

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Seen 422 regular passes issued 369 within the neighborhood and 53 from elsewhere in.

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Portsmouth, additionally, there are 218 guest permits in circulation, so this amounts to 640.

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Overall passes equating to 255 percent of the 251 space availability and of parking inventory in the.

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Neighborhood, so the neighborhood itself without outside influence is what we would call upside.

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Down in terms of demand versus supply uh of all the issues brought forward since the discussion.

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Began in earnest in 2017, the most common was the belief that it was downtown employees.

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Of portsmouth businesses that were creating issues by parking in the target, neighborhood.

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And walking into town to work their shifts in 2017. I personally observe this to be the case.

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Since that time, though, consistent with the 2012 parking principles available, public inventory.

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Was increased when the construction of the foundry garage was completed, opening in october 2018 and.

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Subsequently, the downtown employee parking program was introduced, providing for a 70.

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Percent discount off the foundry hourly rate of a dollar per hour for employees of downtown.

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Portsmouth businesses, so, as we emerge from covet a more positive outlook had businesses reopening.

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For the 2021 tourism season, which made for a more normal uh summer, hiring session so between spring.

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2021 and august 3rd, the day before the program launched the downtown empire employee program.

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Saw a 202 percent increase in participation, so this graph seeks to show the relationship between.

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Increased sales in the downtown employee program, particularly the spring and summer of 2021,.

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And any related reduction in occupancy in the npp neighborhood one citizen did opine that employees.

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May have jumped into the program at that rate, to an anticipation of the launch of the program.

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Where you would then expect to see a likewise reduction in occupancy percentages seen in.

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The target neighborhood during the same time, in other words, if new participants of the downtown.

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Program had previously been parking in the npp neighborhood. We should have seen a drop in the.

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Neighborhood occupancy rates as participation in the employee program increased. However, the.

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Neighborhood occupancy rates did not reflect the trend remaining in the high 60 to low 70 range.

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Shown in the red square at the top of the graph, it's also important to note that the increased.

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Employee participation did coincide with the normal increase in hiring historically seen at the.

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Inception of the tourism season in previous years and finally, with a seasonal drop in participation.

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In the downtown employee program shown in blue to the right of the graph, we have not seen higher.

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Occupancies returned to the target neighborhood. All of this suggests that the downtown workforce.

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Is no longer a primary influence on the availability of parking inventory in.

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The target neighborhood prior to the launch of the program, nor is it now.

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So, outside of downtown workers, it's impo, it's possible that shoppers.

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And out-of-town visitors might be engaged in using the target neighborhood out of previous habit.

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So it bears true that downtown shoppers, if it bears true, excuse me that downtown.

B

Shoppers were parking in the npp neighborhood, and a program such as npp has developed and.

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Launched to discourage that practice, then another metric to consider would be any increased use.

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Of neighborhood adjacent parking alternatives. The next two graphs highlight.

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Pre and post launch occupancy rates at both the bridge lot and foundry garage. So, interestingly,.

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There we go. Interestingly, the bridge lot uh transaction and peak occupancy figures held steady.

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After the mpp pilot launched initially dropping from 135.

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Occupancy to 132 and then seeing the typical shoulder season drop off.

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In demand in october, which mirrors what we've seen in the neighborhood and and other rates around the.

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City, meanwhile, the foundry garage peak occupancies also held steady post launch remaining at 41.

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Even as the downtown employee program enjoyed strong participation throughout the summer.

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Additionally, foundry has not seen the same shoulder season drop off in.

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Occupancy that we've experienced in the npp pilot area and throughout portsmouth this data.

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Coupled with the average length of stay at foundry of 8.43 hours suggests that downtown employees.

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Are making use of the foundry garage in large numbers? It's also noteworthy that we have not.

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Experienced increased usage at the masonic lot at located at the intersection of miller and middle.

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Which is leased by the city to provide for additional inventory, nor have I been made.

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Aware that the division has received calls or complaints about rising occupancy rates.

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In neighborhoods immediately adjacent to islington creek, so the division has been keeping regular.

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Morning noon and evening counts of the occupancy in the target neighborhood throughout this process.

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Throughout the summer of 2020 spring of 2021 and the pre-launch of summer 2021, those figures were.

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Consistently averaging in the high 60s to low 70s percentage-wise, typically in the parking.

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Industry, occupancy rates of 85 or higher or when we begin to develop strategies to mitigate demand.

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This tile represents data from the first three months of the program before the shoulder season.

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Began where we looked at occupancy figures as they compared to the previously recorded time.

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Period to get an understanding of any changes to occupancy that might be attributed to the program.

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Directly, comparing post-launch august against summer of 2021, the neighborhood did see a 0.84.

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Reduction in occupancy equivalent to 2.11 spaces of inventory gained, which would be representative.

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Spaces that are now open that were not previously that were previously filled as the program settled.

B

In and more users posted their passes in their vehicles uh september showed an additional 2.32.

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Reduction in demand when compared to august equating to an additional five point. Eight three.

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Spaces gained october versus september showed a one point: nine to seven nine percent uh reduction.

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Equating to additional four point: four eight spaces so through the first three months of the.

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Program prior to the start of the tourism shoulder season, where the entire city sees a drop off.

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The neighborhood enjoyed a cumulative 4.95 reduction in occupancy equivalent to 12.42 spaces.

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Gained of inventory, it's prudent to understand that the majority of these spaces were gained.

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At the west end of the neighborhood, where streets on the east remained very tight.

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But now had populations of vehicles that bore the npa npp credentials. So excuse me.

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This tile graphically displays pre and post launch occupancy percentages, just discussed the biggest.

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Takeaways that we'd not see a precipitous drop in occupancy post launch, as with all.

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Programs of this type, the largest impacts, are generally seen early on as the execution.

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Of the enforcement process encourages eligible eligible users to do the legwork to participate.

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In the program and those not eligible or encouraged to seek alternatives,.

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While we do see a fairly significant drop, starting in late october and into the winter months, this is.

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Consistent with historic demand, figures recorded in this neighborhood for the past several years,.

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uh Citations through uh february 28th, a total of 442 citations have been issued, including 45.

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Warning tickets: early on and 397 to our violations. There are 485.

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485 dollars in collection since the program's in session inception, the.

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Collections are not anticipated to be a major factor, and should the program proceed forward.

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So, just to quickly summarize we're in a situation where we have 255 issuance of.

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Passes versus spaces available with a program that allows for three passes and one guest pass.

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This is indicative of an inherent supply on demand issue within the residential population. Before we.

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Consider outside factors such as shoppers or employees of downtown businesses in an effort.

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To alleviate outside demand, the city has built the foundry garage and offers greatly discounted.

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Parking to the city's downtown workforce, this program has seen a 202 percent increase.

B

During the summer of 2021 tourism ramp-up, we do believe this program is demonstrated to be.

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A viable, viable alternative solution to portsmouth downtown workforce that might otherwise choose to.

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Utilize local neighborhoods for their parking needs. We saw a 4.95 percent total gained.

B

Inventory in the first three months, which equates to 12.42 spaces gained, we did not.

B

See an increase in foundry occupancy, nor did we see an increase in bridge lot occupancy and no.

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Indication of increased demand at the masonic lot or surrounding residential neighborhoods.

B

We have 485 in citation collections and the current cost to date are 72 000 321.01.

B

So, as mentioned, the cost to date are.

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72 000 321.1. This figure includes roughly forty seven hundred and fifty dollars in.

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Startup costs for items such as signage uh supplies and installation and nineteen.

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Hundred dollars and additional early costs uh include uniforms.

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Supplies office supplies, so these items have a shelf life and they do represent costs. We see.

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But they do not represent costs. We see every month rather once or twice a year. The remainder.

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Of the costs are operational, however, and we they do recurred an average of 9 384 dollars.

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Per month, each month of the program, so well you know, eventually it was decided. The pilot program.

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Would carry no fee for participation, a subject of great debate prior to the pilot's approval.

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Centered around what would cost of an mpp parking pass would be if the program will move forward.

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Permanently so using the current figures, you have a hundred nineteen thousand dollars and.

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In an estimated cost for an annual uh program, you have uh citations roughly five thousand.

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Dollars annually, which leaves you with a hundred and fourteen thousand in net costs, annualized.

B

There's presently 640 total passes at the current price of zero uh dividing the projected costs of.

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114 245 to buy 640 passes renders an annual break even figure of 179 dollars per pass per year. If a.

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15 reduction in participation rate can be assumed as a result of the city moving beyond its pilot.

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Price point of zero: the calculation would then equate to 544 passes in the program. This is.

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Just for example, which would suggest an annual break-even price point of 210 dollars per pass.

B

So at this point uh this is this is where the the program has has brought us so.

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These are the results and and we're open for discussion at this point, I'm sure we've got.

B

A lot of folks on uh we have 18 participants, and we've also got some folks here in the galley that.

B

Would probably want to speak uh counselor badly? I would think that you would want to you know.

B

Either call on the one or the other or both or yeah. Let's um start with the people here in person.

A

And then we'll call on the people on zoom. So if you want to approach the program podium, just your.

A

Name and address and then give us your thoughts. Please sure. Can you hear me through this all right.

D

Yes, all right, my name is liam kenny. I live at 50, cornwall street, so I did want to speak out.

D

On the program and talk about some of the negatives about it, if this program were to.

D

Continue there are some changes that do need to be made. First off, there needs to be an expiration.

D

Date on passes, so I'm only renting over there. Actually, this is charlie. My landlord and my lease.

D

Is expiring at the end of the month, upon moving in the last people that lived there had passes and.

D

They had fled to different states and in order for me to get the pass somehow, I was responsible for.

D

Tracking them down, so I think if someone presents a lease at the front, then you should almost have.

D

An expiration on the pass where this is a yearly thing kind of like a registration sticker on a car.

D

Next the amount of passes given so I know we're a unique circumstance, but there are six bedrooms in.

D

Our house, leaving out with six of us so we had to really fight to get enough passes just for us all.

D

To park in our own neighborhood, and we feel as though, if we're paying rent, we should be allowed.

D

To have a car on that street, but not only that you know mo almost all of us are students. I'm.

D

One of the few that aren't student and that isn't a student in the house, we have license plates from.

D

Different states, so when we came to the leasing, we came to the parking office to try to get a pass.

D

We showed the lease, but on top of the lease you wanted a second form like a piece of mail or.

D

Anything like that, the bills are all in my name, so I had no problem picking up a pass.

D

But my roommates, for example, all they have is a lease. A lease should should suffice in order to.

D

Get a parking pass. Lastly, I really want to talk about. Is the 72 hour parking window that you have.

D

In the city of portsmouth, so I know right now, the rule is if you're street parking you're allowed.

D

To park for three days max, if you are in the parameters of the neighborhood parking program,.

D

You should not have to move your car if there was a you know, there was a snowstorm, for example,.

D

Earlier this year, so that was the only way they were able to tell, but my roommates didn't move.

D

Their car for a few days and they got slapped at the 50 ticket on the window of a violation, we're.

D

In our own neighborhood, the point of this program is to protect the residents that are living there.

D

Not target them, so if we are in this bubble, there needs to be an exception now. I know this 72-hour.

D

Rule has been in place in portsmouth for many years, but I think that's something that should.

D

Be reconsidered if you are going to move forward with the program, because if you are a resident, you.

D

Have a resident sticker! Why should I have to get in my car just to say back it up 10 feet into a.

D

Different space every few days to make sure I'm not getting a ticket now from my understanding.

D

The point of this program is to make sure you're keeping um unwanted guests from parking in this.

D

Area so that way, the residents all have spaces, and uh that's all I have great thank you very much.

A

So anybody else in the room that would like to speak just feel free to approach the podium.

E

Robin hustlage 27 rock street, um I've anecdotally, I have definitely noticed a huge improvement.

E

um On rock street and we're on, I guess the eastern section.

E

um Where it tends to have a lot of parking, um I was hoping we get to see. The survey results.

E

um And go but maybe that's later because I want to learn more about um you know the general public.

B

They're also posted online. Oh okay, I didn't. I didn't see that um part of the question.

E

That I have is like during he mentioned the snowstorm I went to park in the parking garage and.

E

I was in a long line that was hardly moving and it turns out the parking garage foundry was full and.

E

So there was no place you know for people to park, they were just you know, one out one in kind of.

E

Situation um and then so that is sort of like something there's a lot of people that need.

E

Parking so the foundry garage- and I know it's been under utilized, but now it's being used more.

E

And then soon we'll have those 69 or whatever parking spaces from kim rogers's development.

E

And all of that going in there and then the 300 spaces from hanover when that gets renovated.

E

Is going to go in there, so I'm looking at the future and the pressure on foundry and what? If.

E

You know these downtown workers that enlist in the program go to park there and because of all these.

E

Other pressures, they can't find a spot. So I'm concerned about the very near future and what's.

E

Going to happen when foundry gets really tight and where are the people going to go, they're.

E

Going to go to our neighborhood if there isn't a program in place, so thank you. Thank you. Robin.

A

And while the next speaker comes up, I will mention that the foundry garage typically fills up before.

A

High and over during snow storms, so just a piece of information for people out there.

A

Mr chairman, before this gentleman speaks um ben, could you pull up the results of the survey so.

B

Before this meeting wraps, we could all hear that. Thank you.

F

Good evening folks, my name is randy wright. I live on sudbury street.

F

I don't know where you might not know where that is, nobody does, but it's right in the middle of.

F

All of this and uh I've been kind of like on the ground floor of this for about 30 something years.

F

I'm trying I've been living lived in that neighborhood a long time. I've watched some.

F

Big changes and uh I love it there. I I you know we all are sitting on a fortune with our homes.

F

You know we can imagine what I paid for my house in 1985.

F

But then I'd just be a rich guy. If I sold it with no place to go.

F

So what I'm trying to say is that there's a lot of nuts and bolts to this, and I have to thank all.

F

Of you, especially tom, I I never could pronounce tom's last name tom c, but coach, but tom. You know.

F

In his little yellow, truck riding around with the light on was just so focused and diligent and.

F

Took probably a lot of the energy away from the police force, so they didn't have to worry about.

F

This, but he he was amazing and you could be sure he gave the program credibility because.

F

I don't know what all these figures mean, but I know this. There was a lot of people parking.

F

In my neighborhood for an awfully long time who didn't pay to park- and we should not have our tail.

F

Between our legs, considering all that we we have provided the worker from out of town in portsmouth.

F

The the the restaurant tour from out of town, the tourists from out of town we've provided them.

F

Marvelous parking, we gave them a 27 million dollar garage and we're going to fix the other.

F

One up for him, so we have nothing to be ashamed of, but what I find that to be the most the most.

F

Joyous thing about this program was: is we got our neighborhood back? We became a neighborhood again.

F

We got people in our neighborhood are moving into it, who are young or having babies. When I moved.

F

Into that neighborhood it was a pretty nasty place, but now we have kids going down the streets with.

F

Their little plastic autumn, automated cars, which I would like to have one of those myself and and.

F

It's become a neighborhood again, the park is being utilized, uh people are out in the streets having.

F

Coffee and talking because we don't have 7 30 8 o'clock and just imagine just imagine where you.

F

Live and you got up in the morning and took your coffee and went out on the front porch, your house.

F

And you're, looking at your neighborhood and within 20 minutes quarter of 8 o'clock anywhere from two.

F

Dozen to five dozen automobiles blast into your neighborhood just descend down on it screaming.

F

Around looking for a place to park, the guy coming around the circle where the parking garage is.

F

Looks over the gate and don't ever move that gate looks over the gate and he sees a parking place.

F

He screams down the road goes around the block just so he can get that place once they get it.

F

They park their cars and those cars are there for eight hours and that I think the point of.

F

The whole thing was to push people out of the neighborhoods and put them in the garage if our.

F

Biggest problem now is the garage is too full. Well done, thank you because now we justify the cost.

F

But it's important that you understand the fact that we have a regular normal defined neighborhood.

F

Again, well, you don't have to worry about your animal, getting run over your kid getting run over.

F

Is a pretty nice thing and I really appreciate- and I would I implore you do not cancel this program.

F

Because I think that if you really all- and I believe a lot of you believe it- this is going to.

F

Be all over this town now, there's some bad things about it. We did push people into other people's.

F

Neighborhoods and I'm sorry about that- and there are some individuals who may have an address.

F

That doesn't qualify for the program, but they park around the corner where that is qualified.

F

We need to fix these things and we need to address these people.

F

Not give them the option where they don't want the program, they do want this program and they.

F

Don't know it maybe, but we do need it and it's going to appear all over the city, and I I can.

F

Envision within the next three to five years, one gigantic downtown area that qualifies for parking.

F

I just want the people who pay for this town to run to have a right to park in it, not a right.

F

To park in it because they don't live here in lieu of paying like everybody else, does.

F

Thank you again for everything you do appreciate it. Thank you. Randy.

C

Good evening miss shellworth 439 hannah receipt. um I wanted to echo some of the things that this.

C

Man said um it has been very, very inconvenient as a taxpayer in the city to not get the same.

C

Benefit for my taxes that everyone else does and not be allowed to park in front of my own house.

C

There are four drivers in my house, we have six cars, we don't have new cars, we have a couple of.

C

Old cars, so I wasn't allowed to park two of my cars in my own neighborhood in front of my house.

C

And that was ridiculous, I mean so. My church of redemption hill church asked me if I could host a.

C

Bible study every other week at my house, and I had to tell them no, I can't do that because I'm not.

C

Allowed to have guests over my house other than once a month. I can't have people over my house.

C

For more than two hours and that's ridiculous, the program is not appropriate to take away my rights.

C

To have people park in front of my house and have a bible study at my house. That's ridiculous! My.

C

Sons I make them park over on state street now, so they have to walk over there with their two cars.

C

But let's just go back to the data. Thank you, mr fletcher. At the beginning of this study,.

C

Their data showed that we did not need a parking program. We didn't need it. We had.

C

You know 65, 70 percent of the space is filled 72 000 later we gained 12 spaces, so we paid 72.

C

000 to gain 12 spaces. Is that really an appropriate way for the city to spend their money.

C

I don't deny that there are places in the city that could benefit from such a program.

C

I have a neighbor who lives on gate street down here may be down near marcy street and hancock.

C

Street and I understand they have a real problem in july and august- that's a real situation, but.

C

Our neighborhood has always had enough parking, it still has enough parking and we do have the lovely.

C

Foundry garage next right in our neighborhood, please don't burden us with extra fees. Please.

C

Don't burden our city with extra fees to, in essence, just make life harder for some of us.

C

Individuals and take away some of our rights in the city- maybe 10 years, maybe 15 years from now.

C

We'll talk about that again, but right now it is not time for this program. Thank you. Thank you.

A

Michelle good evening elizabeth browder, 159 mcdonough street property owner um I've owned that.

G

House in mcdonough street before people wanted to live there at all. I bought that house in 1982 and.

G

There was no parking problem, then I can tell you that for sure, but when the building next to us.

G

Started renting out to larger groups, we had a ballet studio next to us yoga studios.

G

Pilates studios various larger groups, which came with 20 to 25 cars at a time it filled.

G

Up that end of the street quite readily and made it almost indiff most pretty much difficult to.

G

Not able to park in front of your home or close to it, and at that time I had two small children.

G

My daughter lives in that house now and she has teenagers and they need cars, of course, because.

G

That's what teenagers want and they need a place to park and when you only allow three.

G

Permits per um residential unit, then that's where you run into a problem, because people.

G

Like michelle was talking about that, she has, I think she has teenagers too, and they have cars and.

G

They need a place to park, so I think residential people should be able to get as many as there are.

G

Registered to their address, I agree with the 72 hour thing that this young man brought up.

G

When my daughter goes on vacation, she parks her car at my house because I have space for it. There.

G

But if she doesn't have space um for whatever reason because something's going on, then we have.

G

To move her cars every three days and it used to be when I lived there for 35 years. If you went on.

G

Vacation and the police came through and checked the neighborhood which they did occasionally.

G

They we knew all the police officers who did our neighborhood and we would say, oh.

G

That's so-and-so's car and they're on vacation, um but that doesn't happen anymore, because the people.

G

Enforcing the parking are different than the local police that you all knew, although we do know.

G

Mr chikari quite well, we just he just gives out the ticket whether he knows you or not,.

G

He plays no favoritism I'll, have you know so for me, I think the parking program does.

G

Need to be tweaked, I think it should include um registers vehicles to that. I think in the case of.

G

Tenants you need to be aware that sometimes it's really that we need to also be aware of the fact.

G

That the area on the other side going in both directions, 105 bartlett street, is going to.

G

Have a massive increase and they're going to be short parking, although they fit the requirements.

G

If you look at west end, yards west end yards came to a meeting in november and said quote.

G

We don't have enough parking according to our management team, for the 500 square, foot micro.

G

Apartments, we need one space for each one of them. We don't have enough parking for our.

G

750 square foot, micro apartments: we need two spaces for them, so they want to enlarge their.

G

Parking lot, thankfully, because if they don't they'll be rolling into that neighborhood.

G

They want to enlarge their parking lot to accommodate those as well as they want to.

G

Put in more parking for one of the buildings that they had assessed at a lesser value, so.

G

That tells you that these micro apartments that are going in really need one space per unit.

G

And if they're a two bedroom, they need two spaces. So we need to look at our parking assessment.

G

For what we're asking developers to do when you have a commercial building, that's commercial top.

G

To bottom- and they only have 18 spaces in it, but they're going to have 25 businesses in it. We might.

G

Want to think about, where are those people going to park and they're going to want to park for free.

G

In the neighborhoods and so far, we in the south end have been the neighborhood of choice, because.

G

We're close to walk but as we get full and we got full and that's why the program went into place.

G

They push into other neighborhoods, or in this case they pushed into the foundry garage.

G

Because state street was already full, so as a city, we really need to look at parking as more.

G

Than just parking programs, because we do need them to protect neighborhoods such as the south.

G

End and islington creek, but we also need to look at how many parking spaces we're giving cups to.

G

How many parking spaces per unit we're giving out for residential the fact that we don't require.

G

Any for commercial, we really need to look at that, and we also need to be aware of the fact.

G

That commercial spaces have parking, such as the safeway storage area, has a very nice parking lot.

G

But they charge their tenants to park there as my understanding, so they all park on the.

G

Street and they were very happy to be able to be part of the program with their three spaces.

G

Their three permits per business because they needed those to be able to park because otherwise.

G

They would have to pay for parking, so I think the residential parking should be free for residents.

G

But businesses should pay a minimal fee and out and.

G

Anybody else should pay a little bit more than foundry garage to encourage people to use.

G

Our public parking spaces that that are paid. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Elizabeth.

H

Hi, I'm charlie moreno and I'm the owner of the house at 50, cornwall street and I've actually.

H

Spoken at um before your group before and ben fletcher, we've had a number of conversations.

H

Through the time with this- and um I I guess I I just feel very contrary to some of the other.

H

Opinions that have been stated. I don't really think that this is a necessary program and I.

H

Think it starts off with the bottom line of the of the numbers of the figures. Early on ben told.

H

Me that a normal park parking occupancy threshold, where there is a real problem, is 85 percent.

H

And as the numbers bear out, um you're hovering around 69, 70 percent. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I.

H

Just saw it in the presentation tonight, so that's nothing said yes, so you're you're, like 15 below.

H

Or 15 percentage points below the the threshold where you have a difficulty and I I have a feeling.

H

That this whole issue is very nuanced. In that neighborhood you might have areas like hanover.

H

Street you're closer to downtown where, where parking is pre, you know difficult, it doesn't.

H

Seem like the program is even helping it that much, but okay it'll continue to be difficult, but where.

H

We are in cornwall street, it never was a problem before the program ever and I've owned. The house.

H

A long time um in over 10 years so um and and it uh you know, you go there now and.

H

There's empty spaces, so it's not really making a change in our. On the other hand,.

H

um So I guess the bottom line is that I I don't feel that the program is necessary and on the.

H

Other hand it does create difficulties and problems for the residents and for others, as.

H

Liam has uh spoken about and I'm going to talk a little bit more about that in a minute.

H

Another thing that I think the program or anything like this does, and I think.

H

It's important for the city, I I really I've been around this area for like close to 50 years, and I.

H

This is important. It's the image that portsmouth projects- this is a great town. It always has been.

H

But as you know, we all say this there's a lot of changes. I feel like something like this.

H

Projects a negative image to visitors to the community. If, if you come in you want to you know.

H

Go to an event or do something you by accident park in that spot and you get a big ticket. That's.

H

A big negative okay- maybe they deserve it because they shouldn't have been there but say you come.

H

To a dinner party, or you know, you're gathering with friends, you get a ticket. You come out. You.

H

Know two hours later and you got a ticket on your door, it's just such a negative and I I think that.

H

Portsmouth needs to keep this in mind. I think it's important to be always a positive person, positive.

H

In life positive as a community, that's that's important to project that image. I really want to.

H

Kind of underscore that so and I'm not sure that this program is doing that for you at all.

H

I know I get calls from my tenants where they're really upset about getting an unexpected ticket.

H

Or their friends did it's just not good, and others have spoken about that tonight.

H

um Another thing that I want to point out is that the the program is expensive to administer um from.

H

What I saw in the numbers there, 114 000 net costs, are projected and now there's a suggestion that.

H

The residents that purchase parking passes will be paying 200 or so per pass per year. I mean I'll get.

H

Back to that, but that really discriminates against people that can't afford that especially young.

H

People this town is aging as many of the local communities are. You don't want to be doing this.

H

So 100 I just again, I I can think of so many positive alternatives for the money you can.

H

Fund, the library you can fund recreation programs hundred fourteen thousand dollars a lot of money, a.

H

Lot of local towns would say, that's a lot of money, and I I want to say my my favorite suggestion.

H

For this 114 dollar, 114 thousand dollars annually towards planting trees in this city.

H

You'd need this badly um it'd be great for clean air, great for beautification of the town. It's just.

H

Again a positive thing rather than spending it on on giving people parking tickets. Okay, please.

H

So think of that um there may come a day when you do start to bump up neighborhood wide to that 85.

H

Threshold and then yes revisit it, and there are a lot of little problems floating around that need.

H

To be fixed, one of them we immediately ran into. As liam had said, there are six persons living in the.

H

House I feel like we provide affordable housing in the area, 20 25 year olds, mid 20s, that's a very.

H

Important demographic for a community people in their 20s early 30s, you don't want to be aging out.

H

Here you know, and and if they don't have housing opportunities, because everything is so expensive.

H

So um you don't want to be discriminating this. This. This program discriminates against.

H

uh People that are entering the workforce, their students, they these folks, add a lot of vibrancy.

H

To this town and they have, since I was a young person that age as well, I I was a big part of.

H

Of that in portsmouth for many years ago, so.

H

Let's see what else so! um Well, I think that's it, you know just I want you to.

H

Think about who this program might really, you know, hurt the young people.

H

People like the person that said they had their bible study. They couldn't, they can't hold that.

H

At their poem anymore, it just the problems it presents, I think is, is really an important thing.

H

If, if you want to have friends over for for uh for an evening now, where are they going to go.

H

Park you know so or or an afternoon barbecue, you know where are they going to go park so.

H

Another thing I want to say, I'm going to be doing um some extensive renovations on on.

H

My house, and coming up soon and right now, it's my understanding that.

H

That I can, the contractors can apply for a parking pass and and take a space or two.

H

For free for a while, while the house is being renovated- and I think that's very important.

H

You know people want to make improvements to their house. You know I'm going to be doing some.

H

New siding and windows: that's going to make my property look better and improve the neighborhood.

H

Right now it's by doing an application process. It sounds like we can do that without having.

H

Further fees, because all of this is so expensive nowadays.

H

So I wanted to advocate for that please and um one last thing, and this is really minimal. I've.

H

Been able to get by this, but I am a homeowner, we pay taxes, yet we do not qualify for a parking pass.

H

Because I don't actually live in the resident in the neighborhood, I've been able to get by.

H

It's not the end of the world, but I find that ironic. You know we do pay funds towards the city.

H

So that might be a tweak. I wouldn't put that at the top of the list, but.

H

I guess I'll mention that as well. Thank you very much for your attention. Thank you, charlie.

A

Is there anybody else in the room that would like to speak.

A

I think we could go to the people on zoom. If there are any. I know there are 14 participants on zoom.

C

Mr chairman, and perhaps now is the time to.

C

For our producer kevin to recognize any hands that get raised virtually.

C

And also perhaps, while we wait, maybe ben can can work uh work into the program. The results of the.

C

Survey, certainly I'd be happy to read these, um so this has been a part of the program for a while.

B

Now- and um these are the results of of the folks that have responded. So if you look at the first.

B

Sort of question one: are you participating uh in the npp? The answer is of the respondents.

B

The answer is overwhelmingly yes, they are respondents or excuse me, users of the program.

B

uh They're participating in the program in large part as a resident of the npp neighborhood, some.

B

A small, smaller amount, of course, residents outside the neighborhood and tenants and.

B

Businesses at seven and ten point eight percent and then a a small amount of of other types of.

B

Users that have responded to the survey uh the approval is, uh it looks to be about a 60, 30 split.

B

uh Between whether they believe the program of the survey uh takers uh believe that the.

B

Program is working 66 versus 33 versus the folks that felt that it has not been successful in its.

B

Endeavor the reasons that people might like the program uh is one of the clear obvious reasons.

B

For having it is that they can find a space on the street when they need one.

B

The top two answers also include allows me to have a guess when they want.

B

10 percent believe that the contractor pass program is effective, that mr moreno spoke to and.

B

Then, whether it works for the tenants or employees and then a percentage of 15 said that they did not.

B

Have a reason why they like the program, which I assume would feed them way into the reasons.

B

People don't like the program, so it looks like 18 percent felt that three permits plus a guest.

B

Permit were not enough for the situation for their particular situation, uh in particular uh of that.

B

Group, I believe it looks like 32 percent felt, like they needed more guest permits. uh The contractor.

B

Permit being too limited um still see people parking in the neighborhood and walking downtown.

B

And then no reason was 31 percent of the respondents that didn't like the program.

B

How many permits did you receive? The number one result was one permit, so it looks like.

B

The majority of households, at least in this survey, had one permit. 31 percent had two.

B

uh 8.2 percent had three and then 14.6 percent had four or more and then eleven.

B

uh Seven percent had none no no permits in the program which would make them not participants.

B

So, to make the program cost neutral uh balance in the expense to administer and enforce the program.

B

With the revenue from permits issued, annual fee of 225 revised tonight to roughly 220 would be.

B

Required if the program were continued uh or to continue how much you were willing to pay.

B

So 24.7 percent of the respondents felt that 100 percent would be viable and feasible.

B

1.9 percent at 200 5.1 at 225 and 68.4 percent of other. As I understand a large portion of.

B

Those were were zero in their opinion of how much should be paid for a permit.

B

uh Question eight should be different permit prices for those with driveways or those without.

B

It looks like the majority answer is no, the permits should be priced. The same question.

B

Nine should there be different permit prices for tenants versus employees again almost the same.

B

Result that uh prices should be per uh the same for property owners or employees or tenants so.

B

And I believe this is the final question: should islington creek neighborhood be made permanent.

B

It looks like 45 percent of the respondents believed it should 33.5 percent believe it.

B

Should not, and 24 9 did not apparently have an opinion on whether to continue.

A

You come up to the microphone. Please.

C

Again, michelle worth 439 university, I got a link to the survey in my inbox and I didn't.

C

Deal with it the next day I opened up the survey. I got to question four and I had to answer why I.

C

Liked the program: well, I don't like the program, so I skipped question four and went on to five.

C

Six, seven eight and when I click submit, I'm not allowed to submit unless I answer question four.

C

Unless I say I like the program, I was not allowed to submit the survey, and that was ridiculous. Of.

C

Course I exit out of the program and stormed away a few hours later. I took a breath and said nope.

C

How many people in my neighborhood did that same thing? They exited her way and they stormed away.

C

Because you weren't allowed to say no, I called mr fletcher. He got back to me the very next day he.

C

Was gracious? He was polite, recognized the problem and he fixed it. He put a none of the above option.

C

On question four: so from that point later 48 72 hours later people were allowed to choose.

C

No and they were allowed to submit the survey, how many people like me tried to submit the survey.

C

Realized they weren't allowed to say no and just exit out of it and never went back. So as far as.

C

The accuracy, as far as who likes the program and who doesn't, I would submit that this survey is.

C

Not accurate, thank you. Thank you good point. No one boyed. Now, let's can we get to the people on zoom.

A

First and then ask your question: I just I know they've been waiting a while to speak. I think we.

A

Have three speakers first is nicole uh nicole up here, could you hi, nicole up here, 44 rock street.

I

Can you hear me we can yes, oh great. Thank you, okay. So um just a quick note to the landlord charlie.

I

In the pilot program, any resident of portsmouth portsmouth was eligible to get a sticker if they.

I

Went to the parking garage and showed that they were a resident of portsmouth, so it was.

I

It was not limited just to our neighborhood as a side note I don't know if you live in the city.

I

But if you do, you would have been able to get one um and to liam's points.

I

With when you do have a situation with a landlord- and this is a mixed-use neighborhood, there's.

I

Single-Family homes multi-family homes, apart all sorts of kind of living units. I think that instead.

I

Of a sticker, having a hanging sign you attach to your mirror would be much easier and could be.

I

Turned in or maybe even returned to, the landlord and the landlord could reissue it to whoever.

I

Maybe is subleasing that person's spot and I also agree um with people that say.

I

uh There should people should be allowed to have more spaces, so like michelle, if you own.

I

Six cars, which is not the norm, I mean it's fine. If people have different things, they.

I

Like and if you like cars, and if you have six cars and they're registered to a resident of.

I

The neighborhood: yes, why shouldn't you be able to have those extra passes? Because if we gain spots.

I

That would allow those people that do need extra spots to use those spots for their vehicles.

I

So the way I see it and I've been following this a good decade- is that we absolutely had a problem.

I

And you have solved the problem, so I really don't want to turn back the.

I

Hands of time and end up right back where we were because tamira robin's statement.

I

There is a continued massive. There are continued massive amounts of development.

I

In our surrounding area and within our neighborhood there's even more houses going up so.

I

The problem is only going to get worse and if you take away the parking program, then.

I

The previous problem we had is going to be an even bigger problem and we will be I on my life.

I

We will be right back where we are now so um regarding having friends over and parties or.

I

Whatever, etc, um this portsmouth is a city now and it's it's become a much busier place in the almost.

I

20 years I've lived here, it's just the reality and I feel like for some people there's this.

I

Continued sense of denial about the development we live in and continue will continue to live with.

I

It just it just is, we are, we are a busy city now and busy cities require parking programs.

I

I also agree with randy that it it does feel again more like a neighborhood and not a race to park.

I

Because, on the on the off days that I was home during the day, I mean just watching.

I

People compete for spots on hanover early in the morning before work would make your.

I

Head spin, so I think really, the the next step is not ending the program, but rather.

I

Dealing with the cost of it in an equitable and reasonable way, I don't see the issue being.

I

Having a program anymore, the issue now is to move on to dealing with costs.

I

So, thank you so much for your time. I appreciate you listening. Thank you. So the next person with.

B

Their hand up is brittany, wayson or wasan. Forgive me for mispronounced, her name.

J

Hi, brittany, wassen. I live at 314 hanover. Can you hear me? Okay? Yes, awesome! Wonderful! I.

J

So I live at hanover between bridge and pearl so that very first block of this program.

J

I work at a non-profit downtown. I walk into town, I'm very thankful for this like opportunity.

J

To have that ability um and very lucky to have grown up and live in portsmouth still.

J

I have had a lot of trouble with this program.

J

I have not seen any more spots available. I am still rushing to find a spot on the street. My.

J

Roommate, who was the only one eligible to apply for the permit program in our household? We live.

J

In a three-unit apartment building had to provide four pieces of evidence that she lives here.

J

Thank god, the bills are in her name and that she has everything registered appropriately.

J

um The parking attendant who gave her the permit said that they were treated like.

J

Gold and she hoped that she was issuing them correctly um and it took months to get this.

J

These pieces of information in place, I felt like that. We were extremely limited in that and we were.

J

Struggling and I got ticketed and it felt very limiting, and I think if this program is to.

J

Continue that accessibility and affordability are appropriate here, the city talks so much about how.

J

It's unaffordable to live here about how rent is going up, how there's no parking and there's.

J

Nobody who wants to work downtown anymore- and I don't think this is helping the issue. I think.

J

That a lot of things can be relaxed. I think a lease should be sufficient or a mortgage.

J

And not registration license bills, and all of that it shouldn't require four pieces of proof.

J

And I know that that wasn't actually on the list when we filled out the application. But that's what.

J

It ended up being day of I again have not seen any difference. We're still hunting for parking.

J

And to still have the right to hunt for parking doesn't seem to be fulfilling.

J

The problem of it um to some earlier points, I think that it seems more like a neighborhood.

J

Because this program was voted into place in 2018 correct and we have had a pandemic since.

J

Then I think a lot more people are going outside and walking and moving into the neighborhood.

J

So I don't know how much of that is anecdotal or how much of it is related to a pandemic. The hours.

J

Of operations are extremely. Restricting, I think, waiting until 8 pm to find parking is ridiculous.

J

um And I am I'm truly thankful for this attempt and I majoritively feel that it is unnecessary.

J

But I'm thankful for everybody who's, trying to make it work and for everyone speaking tonight.

J

Thank you. Thank you. Brittany and the last person with their hand raised is iris. Esther brooke.

K

Okay, unmuted hi, I live at 198, islington street and uh also we were one of the last pieces of.

K

The neighborhood added to the program- and I want to again thank you all for doing that.

K

But we've run into a lot of the same problems that others have around the issues of having.

K

More than one person over at the same time and other inconveniences of the program.

K

We also ran into a glitch that I don't think anybody else has spoken to yet.

K

We are um retired folks who split our time and live part-time in portsmouth.

K

With driver's licenses elsewhere, and so in order to get my permit, I had to go and.

K

Talk with the person on duty, who was very helpful and understood that my property tax bill.

K

Showed that I paid full property taxes in portsmouth and my other bills showed our continued.

K

Residence there- and I got my permit. My husband, on the other hand, was given a very hard time.

K

When presenting the same documentation, so I think the rules need if the program goes forward, the.

K

Rules need to be clarified so that a property tax pay owner of a property in the neighborhood.

K

Who pays full taxes has at least the same rights as someone renting in the neighborhood.

K

uh I thought that was a little absurd that that didn't get included in the original rules.

K

The other thing that's concerned to me, as I'm listening to this is there seems to be very.

K

Little benefit gained from the expense and that if the program does go forward, that expense is going.

K

To be borne by the people who are required to buy permits if they want to continue to park in their.

K

Own neighborhood, and from what I'm hearing that cost is going to be in the neighborhood of 200.

K

Per permit, so that means that even in a family where there are only two cars.

K

And you want a guest permit, you're going to be paying 600 a year on top of your property taxes.

K

For the privilege of parking in your own neighborhood, it seems that the benefits.

K

Certainly do not exceed the detrimental effects of this program, and so I hope that the committee.

K

Will recommend to the council that the program no longer be continued? I think it was a noble effort.

K

And it was great to see that the statistics you know showed that the program is necessary.

K

And to hear from the people who are severely inconvenienced by it, so thank you very much for.

K

The effort- and uh please take note of that glitch in the rules thanks. Thank you, iris. That's the.

B

Last one that we have uh with their hand raised in the zoom pool. Okay. Thank you, mr fletcher is.

A

There anybody else in the room that would like to speak again, and I appreciate your patience.

E

I just had a quick question on the survey data. I think it required you to put in your address. Did.

E

You look at the data results based on where people lived to see, like maybe closer to downtown people.

E

Were in favor were more in favor of it because it really helped them, whereas people further.

E

Away to the west were less favorable because it was more of an inconvenience. Wasn't you know.

E

Worth it for them, I was just curious as to whether you looked at the data based on where people lived.

B

So the data that we showed tonight is basically participant in the neighborhood versus.

B

Non-Neighborhood participant, um I can certainly see if there's a way for us to check into that and.

B

See if the the greater degree of folks on the east end were in favor of it, as opposed to the western.

E

Yeah, I just thought of you know if there is a benefit, a large benefit, maybe for a.

E

Certain part of the neighborhood, but people that aren't as impacted by.

E

You know the lack of parking, you know it would just be an inconvenience for them. So I was just.

E

You know, and maybe if you were looking at the program and thinking well, you know is.

E

It a go or not that maybe you could explore. Well, maybe it's a go, but in this smaller.

E

Section of town, just a thought. Thank you. Thank you. Is there anybody else that would like to speak.

L

uh Good evening uh dave ram, I live at 81 langdon street, which is uh within the uh neighborhood.

L

Parking zone, um I think by and large this is probably going to come down to a dollars and cents.

L

Comparison as a couple of the folks have said, it really is value versus cost, that's being put into.

L

It many of the other complaints that folks have had. I think a lot of them can be resolved with.

L

Some changes to the program, I think they're valid concerns, but they think that they are.

L

Ultimately solvable problems, the question is: is this a value to the city and to the neighborhood.

L

That is worth making the investment into, and I guess towards that, and I would hope that the.

L

Parking and traffic safety commission would take a look and challenge the city to do like a pretty.

L

Detailed analysis of the cost of the program and understand, like time frames like how often were we.

L

Sending folks around I'm presuming labor costs are probably one of the larger considerations.

L

So how often did we send people through the neighborhood to look for non-compliant vehicles.

L

And what was the return rate on it I.e? Is there any time in particular that we were.

L

Finding a higher number of vehicles that were not in compliance with the neighborhood parking.

L

Program that could maybe allow us to streamline it and still get most of the benefit from it.

L

Ideally, what would be a significantly reduced cost and then, in terms of.

L

And ultimately, there's a perception that it's a neighborhood desired uh program. So therefore, the.

L

Neighborhood should be the only ones um that are, you know, perhaps charged for it, but I would also.

L

Challenge the committee to just think a little bit more broadly and that many of these parking.

L

Issues- and I know that some of the statistics may not bear it out, but I do agree with a lot of the.

L

Concerns that continue development and we we know, there's going to be a new.

L

Office building, that's gonna, be located right on hanover street. That's gonna have a lot of.

L

Number of folks there, uh some other new uh businesses in the downtown area that aren't.

L

Required to have parking, so what is the future projection for the needs for the.

L

The parking garage um both parking garages, which one of which uh it's a temporary inconvenience but.

L

Over the course of the next several years is going to be losing some of its parking spots, just making.

L

Sure that we're making a full detailed analysis of what the future looks like, um as has been pointed.

L

Out we that much of this um pilot program did take place during a pandemic time frame.

L

Some of the data is, there could be uh skewed by that fact, so just trying to make sure that we're.

L

Looking at all those details, thank you very much. Thank you dude, so I can provide an answer to his.

B

One of his questions and that's every two hours we ran our uh enforcement staff through.

B

Over two hours, because there's a two-hour limit on the available parking uh for for.

B

Non-Mvp participants so there's that we can obviously look up the rest so.

A

Okay, well, I guess I want to thank everybody for coming out and speaking.

A

Tonight or speaking on zoom, in addition to people that called me or sent in emails.

A

As everybody here knows, there's lots of opinions on this, so it's always helpful to.

A

Get as much data and opinions about a program like this, so we know what the next steps are.

C

So, mr chairman, I think it would be appropriate for the april uh parking and traffic safety committee.

C

Meeting to take this up, uh given that um the city council has given us a charge through.

C

To the beginning of april, so I would imagine it would it could be on the agenda for the.

C

April pts meeting to to then go forward to the council at their second april meeting for a.

C

With a recommendation, thank you, I think that's a good suggestion, we're not going to take any action.

A

Tonight, it's just a chance to hear your feedback and then we're going to analyze your feedback.

A

And then come up with suggestions for the april parking traffic safety meeting that those happen.

A

At 8 30 in the morning, the reason we had this at night was to give the people that can't speak.

A

At 8 30 in the morning a chance to participate. But if you want to participate in that meeting.

A

As well it you know, do you know the date off hand? I believe it's april 7th and there will be.

C

A zoom component, so if you're able to be there in person great and if you would wish to participate.

C

Remotely that's fine as well. That's correct! If please a chair, I've got one for well. Okay, I had.

B

One more raised hand, but it's not raised any longer, so all right all right! Well, I guess.

A

Just want to thank everybody for coming out tonight and uh we'll see you in april. Thank you.