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TABLE
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ONTENTS
1.OA INTRODUCTION x
1.1A PLAN PROCESS AND GOALS II
1.013 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY x
2.OA EXISTING CONDITIONS: Watertown Square x
2.1 A STUDY AREA 11
2.2A PARKING INVENTORY II
2.3A PARKING UTILIZATION & DEMAND EVALUATION II
2.5A MULTIMODAL CONDITIONS II
.013 EXISTING CONDITIONS: Coolidge Square x
•e 2.113 STUDY AREA 11
�. 2.213 PARKING INVENTORY II
2.313 PARKING UTILIZATION & DEMAND EVALUATION II
2.413 MULTIMODAL CONDITIONS II
3.0 PARKING MANAGEMENT & ZONING REVIEW X
3.1 WATERTOWN SQUARE AND COOLIDGE
SQUARE PARKING PERMITS II
�_- 3.2 PAYMENT TECHNOLOGY II
3.2 PARKING MANAGEMENTAND ENFORCEMENT II
3.2 ZONING REVIEW II
4.0 PUBLIC PROCESS X
" 4.1 PUBLIC & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT
PROCESS & KEY FINDINGS II
4.2 PUBLIC SURVEY KEY FINDINGS II
5.0 PARKING POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS X
5.1 RECOMMENDATIONS II
5.2 PRIORITIZED IMPLEMENTATION PROCESS II
7 =
DRAFT
a 5
ALLI
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INTROID
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I
DRAFT
1. 1 INTRODUCTION
Parking is a critical element of a commercial center's health and growth. The expectation that parking is available and accessible is
important for all users, as they shop, dine, work, visit, or conduct their daily business. All customers should be able to easily comprehend
their parking and transportation options and the costs and rules associated with them.
The common perception in Watertown is that a parking shortage exists in Watertown Square and Coolidge Square. To address this, the
Town commissioned the Parking Management Plan to analyze parking supply, demand, location, pricing, and management in Watertown
Square and Coolidge Square. Based on this analysis, the Plan has developed strategies to alleviate real and perceived parking problems in
the Watertown Square and Coolidge Square commercial districts.
Watertown Square and Coolidge Square are the two main commercial centers in the Town of Watertown, located about 1.5 miles apart. Most
of the existing metered parking in Watertown exists in these two squares. Each Square has numerous commercial, civic and transportation
uses, all with competing and overlapping parking demands. While recommendations are specific to each locale, they also inform a larger
Town-wide approach to parking management.
The Plan helps support Watertown's commercial centers and makes them more user friendly and welcoming. It describes current parking
needs, supply, and use. Recommendations focused on supporting new and existing businesses and customers, while using existing parking
resources more efficiently.
The two main inputs into the Plan included an extensive data collection effort and a robust public engagement strategy. The mechanisms
for each were described in this report, but combined they helped Watertown understand both the parking use on the ground and the lived
experience and perception of the parking system, through the input of Watertown residents, shoppers, employees and visitors.
Early in the parking management plan process, the Town and working group identified several key goals for the plan. During the public
engagement process, the public gave input on the established goals. These goals are critical in guiding the plan process and development of
strategies. Project goals for the Watertown Parking Management Plan include:
• Create a baseline understanding of parking demand and its role in Watertown Square and Coolidge Square
• Manage existing parking better for various users, including customers, employees, and Square visitors
• Support businesses and institutions
• Reduce parking demand where possible
• Encourage facilities that support all transportation modes
• Creatively develop solutions that can be implemented and managed cost effectively
Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan 5
DRAFT
w" � IS TING
f
CONII) l IONS
Watertown Square
� 1
2. OA EXISTING CONDITIONS
Study Area: Watertown Square
This section documents the existing parking and
associated transportation conditions within Watertown
Square, with a focus on:
• Parking Inventory
• Overview of parking spaces
It a
• Supply
• Regulation
,T -
• Price •
• Public vs Private `
• On-street vs Off-street
• Parking Utilization
• Observed use of parking spaces
• Typical weekday
• Typical weekend
• Multiple time periods
• By category and/or geography
• Additional Parking & Transportation Considerations
• Permit program
• Multimodal conditions Parking Management Plan 7
DRAFT
2. 1A EXISTING CONDITIONS
F—Study Area: Watertown Squar?
The study area for Watertown Square was The study area also incorporates the
established with a focus on the business roadway network, pedestrian and bicycle
district and its immediate environs. The access, and other features that may impact
Town's Working Group defined the general parking and transportation choices by
boundaries based on areas that had Watertown Square users.
metered parking, proximity to businesses,
and generally perceived high usage. These
are also based around the main commercial
corridors of Main Street, Mt Auburn Street,
and North Beacon Street.
As shown on the map to the right, the '
Watertown Square study area further �.
extended to adjacent streets ending at
Pleasant Street, Green Street, Patten # _
Street, and Summer Street. This expanded
area allowed the Study to capture all nearby - •
on-street and off-street parking facilities. "
Whites Avenue, Main Street, Thaxter Street, -
Spring Street and Mt Auburn Street are also
included as they all have metered or permit
only parking. VIt
Within the boundaries shown, the Parking
Plan captured all parking spaces, including -
on-street curbside spaces and parking lots
11
and garages, whether public or privately •
owned. As shown throughout this report, a Y
full inventory of spaces by regulation and
NORTH
type was completed along with observations
ARSENAL STREET
of how these spaces were used at various ON
times. CALIFORNIA STREETINNIEP" N
•
0 125 250 375 500
8 Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan Feet
:'
DRAFT
2. JjJMkXC T
The Project team completed a • Regulation
-
comprehensive parking inventory for Metered Parking, 2-hr time limit, 7am-6pm excluding Sundays & Holidays, $0.50/hr 40%
Watertown Square. The inventory
documented the overall number of public Unregulated, 2-ho m om 7am,Vpm (no meters or signage) 36%
and private parking spaces by type and 2 Hour Parking, Unmetered, No day limits 6%
regulation.All information was mapped ��arkin nmetered, No day limits
and verified with Town staff, and shown to
the public for further review and comment. 1 Hour Parking, Unmetered, No day limits 1
Parking supply by type is summarized 0 mins Town Hall Par n , No day limits 2%
in the tables on this page and displayed 20 mins Town Hall or Library parking Only(Coin Meter) 1%
geographically on the following pages.
Permit Parking Only, 7am-7pm, excluding Saturday& Sunday i 5%
• Watertown Square has 1,507 parking Permit Parking Only, No time limits 2%
spaces
No Parking 1%
• Only 18% of spaces are on-street, and
there are 10 separate regulations • Regulation Percent• •
covering these spaces Metered Parking, 2-hr time limit, 7am-6pm excluding Sundays& Holidays, $0.50/hr 17%
• There are 337 public off-street spaces Met 8-hr time limit, 7am-6pm excluding nda lolidays, $0.50—/% 6%
in Watertown Square, more than the Handicap 3%
total number of on-street spaces
limit, 7am-6pm excluding Sundays & Holidays, $0.50/hr , 2°/4M
• More than 50% of all parking spaces Private Parking 56%
in Watertown Square are private, off-
street spaces No time limits
Private Unregulated Parking�ffking'W7amleMbecluding Saturday & Sunday 3W
Private Residential Parking 3%
Emergency Vehicles Only # AWII 0%
Watertown Sauare ON- - iprS7REET Type Legend: PUBLIC PRIVATE
Parking , Private,on-street
On-Street 255 22 277 parking consists of no
ffiLff-Street i&893 1,2� parking zones, and
permit parking only
Total 592 915 1,507 spaces
Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan 9
Watertown-
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On-Street Regulations
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Private Parking `��o� r.,`�
Off-Street Regulations WATERTOWN STREET
- Public Parking H +o�gti,G�
Handicap W �� �oqo ;.•�o'
a 0 125 250 500
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UMeWW&J.2-how lime RAY!Irom Torn 7pm jr;o rnerers<*%ij)r''ogel G
DRAFT
2. 3A EXISTING CONDITION
PARKING UTILIZATION In addition, the utilization data allows the
PROCESS Team to examine how parking demand may
be impacted by time, price, regulation, or
The diverse commercial and business adjacent land use. Parking utilization data
activities in Watertown Square play a vital can be evaluated in comparison to public
role in the way parking is used. People feedback, and or observations of multimodal
who work, shop, go to restaurants, or run conditions, which often reveal otherwise
errands in Watertown Square place different hidden factors impacting parking behavior in
demands on parking by time of day and Watertown Square.
location. The following pages include maps and
In order to understand the full picture of tables showing a representative sample of
how parking is currently used in Watertown the most critical time periods, with further
Square, the Team completed observations breakdowns by public vs. private or on-
of parking use for a typical weekday and street vs off-street utilization.
weekend day. The team worked with the
Town to identify a typical active weekday Parkina Utilization Rates
and weekend, and completed counts in
I l md'II IY
November 2018, on a Wednesday in two- 14mr,.;I LITEIFIT. iaKc?r,
hour intervals between Sam & 8pm and a N ■ dM
Saturday from 9am to 9pm.
s s �#
Data was gathered using field staff, who
counted the number of parked vehicles on
each on-street segment and in every off- A& Parking utilization rates are
street public and private facility in the stud categorized in three groups,
p p Y Y where 0-60%occupancy
area. Using the color scale shown to the reflects low utilization, 60-80%
right the mapped results can be quickly is slightly busier, 80-90% is
optimal, and 90%+ is at or over
scanned to identify patterns of high and low capacity
demand and how they change by time of
day.
12 Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan
F T
/
/ i / �" ■OCCUPIED VACANT
100% r
678 600 620 660
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soy
959 844
N
floe 40%
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901 HllION `
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la
Charles River ; 0 129 250 500
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�` i i ' ��a ■ OCCUPIED VACANT
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/ so% 906 761 806
868
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er
oy
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r 60%
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millil 40',
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■OCCUPIED ■VACANT .
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k Y IL 60%
a ILL 40%
f. i ��I� ' �'4 •�•�ill 30%
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BAM 10AM 1— PM 4PM 6PM
■OCCUPIED ■VACANT
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° 100°%
F - 564 443 446 430 473
90%
7 ° 651
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11
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BAM LOAM 12PM 2PM 4PM 6PM
■OCCUPIED ■VACANT •
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.°PIED VACANT .o_o .VAC_ ■
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DRAFT
2. 3A EXISTING CONDITION
ALL PARKING ON-STREET PUBLIC Municipal Lot: Weekdav
PARKING ■OCCUPIED VACANT
• Overall weekday parking demand in
Watertown Square peaks at 12 pm and On-street spaces on Mt Auburn Street 100% 34 28
is consistent between 12 pm and 4 pm are the most used, with utilization rates OW
with an average of 880 vehicles parked 7
(-50% of all private and public parking) above 80% midday during the week 80� ' 1 76
• On the weekend, Watertown Square's On-street spaces on North Beacon 60% 172
peak is at lunchtime (11 am) with 746 Street experience higher demand on a 40% :
parked vehicles(-58% of all private and typical weekend morning •
public parking) 20% �
OFF-STREET PRIVATE °% m
ALL PUBLIC PARKING PARKING 8AM 10AM 12PM 2PM 4PM 6PM
• Peak utilization of public parking° . The private parking lot at the Academy Municipal Lot: Weekend
occurs at 12 pm on weekdays (75/0 of Martial Arts off of North Beacon
occupancy) and 1 pm on weekends Street is in demand on a typical weekend
(75% occupancy) evening ■OCCUPIED VACANT
• Public parking spaces are consistently 0 private off-street lots are less than 100% In 29
utilized through 60%out the day during the 40% utilized throughout the day and 80% 79
weekend, with: during the weekend 136
-
• On-street spaces utilized at 60% 40%
occupancy
Priced Parking Zones
$0.501hour,
• Off-street spaces utilized < 50% z,8,810--hourlimits 20% Willie
occupancy ,r'
ALL PRIVATE PARKING o 9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM 5PM 7PM
' cf A On-and off-street priced parking zones
\, ��`
• Peak utilization of private parkin �� _e='�t , ���� within Watertown Square.As seen
og w �� / '' in the charts above, the municipal lot
occurs at 2 pm on weekdays (50/0 --�ti
~ ���► v consistently experiences occupancy
occupancy) and 11 am on weekends - P` ' levels of over 60%almost all day
(35% occupancy) 01
during the week and weekend
,-
On-Street Regulations
-Public Parking i ,raEer
Private g
_
16 Watertown, MA Parking Management Plan Off-StreetRe Regulations
Public Parking y ; j
_Pnavabte PPrkin9 a • \' ? =ee Id 250 •pOF et
DRAFT
2. 3A EXISTING CONDITIONS
OFF-STREET PUBLIC Municiaal Lot (2-Hour Time Limit): Weekday, Municiaal Lot (8-Hour Time Limit): Weekday
PARKING ■OCCUPIED ■VACANT ■OCCUPIED VACANT
• The Watertown Municipal Lot 100% � 9 23 23 10 100% 14 5
experiences high demand midday on
the weekend, with utilization rates of over 80% 44 80' 36 34
60% 45
60% 92 60, 61
• The Watertown Square Lot is 90% full
during the week at dinnertime (6PM) 40% 40%The time limits of meters in the 20% 20amunicipal lot (2-hour, 8-hour, and 10- 0% M11111 0, O
hour) have minimal impact on parking 8AM 10AM 12PM 2PM 4PM 6PM 8AM 10AM 12PM 2PM 4PM 6PM
behavior
Municiaal Lot (2-Hour Time Limit): Weekend Municiaal Lot (8-Hour Time Limit): Weekend
• The Baptist Walk lot is consistently at
90% occupancy during the week ■ OCCUPIED VACANT ■OCCUPIED VACANT
• During the weekend, on-street and 100% � 100% 10
off-street parking west of Church
Street is at 30-660/6 occupancy, while 80% 30 44 31 80% 28 23
the Baptist Walk lot, Spring Street 38
through North Beacon street, as well 60% 6o% 49
as the municipal lot are over 80%
occupied 40% 111ill
40% • 1• Public off-street parking reaches 90% 20i 20%
occupancy midday on the weekends,
where private lots are only at 30% o% 0%
occupancy 9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM 5PM 7PM 9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM 513M 7PM
• The 2-hour time limit metered area
in the municipal lot experiences high
utilization (+80%) all week
• The 8-hour time limit metered area
in the municipal lot experiences high
utilization (+80%) during lunch and
dinner times, and is less occupied in Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan 17
the afternoon (< 60%)
DRAFT
2. 4A EXISTING CONDITIONS
M U LTI M O DAL Public Parking Lots in Watertown Square Lighting can be inconsistent or
CONDITIONS are the most used spaces insufficient, especially off the main
streets, which often leads to perceived
• Pedestrian connections within and safety issues
Everyone who parks in Watertown Square between the lots and Watertown Square
is a pedestrian at some point, and most who destinations are minimal The Square has multi-use paths and
drive to Watertown Square may have other Several streets and intersections, though lanes along Charles River Road,
options on how best to travel here. signalized, can be difficult to cross and Highway 20/North Beacon Street, and
effective)parking de serve as barriers, limiting through Saltonstall Park
mand to only parts of the
Either way, the walking, bicycling and transit Square depending on final destinations.
environment in Watertown Square has deep These include: The Town has a dockless bikeshare
impacts on overall parking demand and program for flexible bikeshare options.
even where drivers prefer to park. Intersections at the center of Bikes tend to be parked around the
Watertown Square Square
The Plan has provided a high-level Mt Auburn Street In the Square, bicycle racks exist in the
overview of the multimodal infrastructure following locations:
and conditions in Watertown Square. The North Beacon Street
graphic on the following page (pg. 19) Watertown Square Bus Delta
displays a range of multimodal information in Many of the connecting streets have
and around the Study Area. In addition, the poor pedestrian conditions, including: Merchants Row
Team has made the following observations, Taylor Street Public Library
about the overall conditions, and their
potential impacts on parking demand and Baptist Walk Along Main Street
utilization:
• Riverside Street The Town is currently planning an
• Watertown Square is served by MBTA expansion of the community path
routes 59, 70, 70A, and 71, with 11 bus Winter Street connection to enhance the bicycle
stops in the Study Area. network in Watertown Square
• Bus ridership is highest at the stops
directly adjacent to Watertown Square
• Most streets in the Study Area have
adequate sidewalks
18 Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan
Multimodal Connections : Watertown Square
Or
,f � ' ♦ \ems
I T •T'I H H � LT T L L ``'s��sti�
(15)
_ -♦ sty`�_ '�' ��� r f�� � _
(3 -
dFl
(100
II j
ti
o� (102)
P\easantstir t - •rA�rsr�e
(211)
r
(260)
NORTH BEACON STREET
OPEN StREEt JCY __
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W
1 California Street rJ9 'ATE T
1 1 11 �i r
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Ed
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ISTING
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Coolidge Square -�
�-7
DRAFT
2. 1A EXISTING CONDITIONS
Area: . . . . -
The Coolidge Square study area is centered
around Mt. Auburn Street, west of Arlington -
Street. Metered parking in this area extends II ••�
down Bigelow Avenue to the municipal lot - -
on Nichols Avenue.
For the overall study, the Coolidge Square .
area was drawn in order to show where •
parking demand was concentrated and •
the level to which it extended to adjacent
streets, many of which are primarily
residential. As shown on the map to M
the right, this expanded area goes to f_
Maplewood Street in the North, and Nichols
Avenue to the South, while including all of
the streets connecting them to Mt. Auburn -
F
Street.
Within the boundaries shown, the Parking
Plan captured all parking spaces, including
on-street curbside spaces and parking lots
and garages, whether public or privately
owned. As shown throughout this report, a
full inventory of spaces by regulation and
type was completed along with observations
of how these spaces were used at various N
times. - 0 125 250 375 500
Feet
The study area also incorporates the fi
roadway network, pedestrian and bicycle
access, and other features that may impact
parking and transportation choices by
Coolidge Square users.
Watertown, MA larking Management Plan 21
DRAFT
2. 2A EXISTING CONDITIONS
larking Inventory: . . . . - -
The Project team completed a On-Street Regulation Percentage
comprehensive parking inventory for Unregulated,2-hour time limit from 7am-7pm(no meters or signage) 62%
Coolidge Square. The inventory documented Metered Parking,2-hr time limit,7am-6pm excluding Sundays&Holidays,$0.50/hr 25%
the overall number of public and private
parking spaces by type and regulation. All 1 Hour Parking, Unmetered,No day limits 3%
information was mapped and verified with 1 Hour ,Unmetered-7pm,Unmetered, No day limits
Town staff, and shown to the public for 30 Minute Parking,Unmetered,No day limits 1%
further review and comment. Parking supply
by type is summarized in the tables on this Handica
page and displayed geographically on the Residential Parking"Private Road Resident Parking Only"signage 3%
following pages. Loading Zone 1%
Coolidge Square has 1,282 parking Private Parking 0.3%
• spaces
Off Street Regulation Percentage
• 50% of spaces are on-street, and there
are 9 separate regulations covering Metered Parking,2-hrtime limit,7am-6pm excluding Sundays&Holidays,$0.50/hr 6%
these spaces
Metered Parking, 10-hr time limit,7am-6pm excluding Sundays&Holidays,$0.50/hr 4%
• There are only 83 public off-street Handicap 3% _
spaces in Coolidge Square Private Parkin 65%
• More than 85% of all off-street parking Private Residential Parking 9%
spaces in Coolidge Square are private Private Unregulated Parkin
Under Construction(Temporary)
• More than 60% of on-street spaces -
have no meters or signage Permit Parking OnI?No day limits
Legend: PUBLIC PRIVATE
Coolidae Sauare
rkina omm , Public, all street parking
ParkinarPR I VPAT E includes all residential streets.
Private,on-street parking
• • On-Street 617 24 641 consists of designated
residential parking, loading
' Off-Street 83 558 641 d zones, and customer only on-
street spaces such as"Funeral
Total 700 582 1,282 Home Parking Only"
22 Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan
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a
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On-Street Re g ulations1�� - z
'� 1 O
Public Parking
Handicap
Private Parkin
Off-Street Regulations
�TFFFT pvp4��, ` NICHOLS AVENUE
- Public Parking 0`� ���� �-
Handicap
0 5 250 500
Private Parking : 1I Feet
L4
Coolidge
Square
�G
Parking
nventory
1 r 'r sT #�•
M1 ��
2 A
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F
6, � rt'• I �
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-31re 4 Reg ulafions t 1111
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- n LrL'"Ihikhg Llnw{arr+In dao
u
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r 41 130 '2W 5?o
WeekdayIverall Peak • Overall Peak Weekend Parking
Litilization (12PM): Coolidge Square tilization (11AM) : Coolidge Square
i 1 -
ED _ Y w EDGECLIFF ROAD 9 W
I = [ElON TFRRACf a W7'''6 i 81
`♦ ¢ _ [EION TERRACE< �O pZ�d ♦♦,
/ ♦, 1
I UPLAND ROAD p / I ROAD
Od � � I UPLAND pod I
� _ 111 ' MOUNiq UR UR / ` I • ; ; / �� MOUN`URN SlREE!
N STREET MERRIfIEID AVENUE �� eeeooi•inne
LIVER ROAD '•■ '+ I I LIVER ROAp ARlSAKX STREET; I 'ARTHUR 1ERRgC Y ARTSAKH STREET QI _ ARTHUR TERRq CE¢ OI
I \ I
f I� I o ♦, F I� 1
z
0
. I
• � I ► �' � law
NICHOLS AVENUE NICHOLS AVENUE ,_ COOLIDGE HIILR! S ' i-- . .. , COOLIDG.HHLRN�
i E 062.5125 r 50 375 500 ; I 0 62.5125 250 375 500
reef Feet
kLL PARKING (WEEKDAY) IM6L.
■ OCCUPIED ■ VACANT ■ OCCUPIED ■VACANT ,P i Ar
n 100% IF
. The project tea
80% 80% � � conducted Cooli
906 792 723 724 794 920 815 697 739 811 810 712 Sarehe same(lization methodology
using
r no/ 60% as Watertown
Square.To review this
40% 40% methodology, see page
12 or Appendix X
n% M0191h, 20%
JE DRAFT
8AM 10AM 12PM 2PM 4PM 6PM 9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM 5PM 7PM
) RA
- - - ■OCCUPIED ■VACANT
90%
x � A
90%
e0% �
lox 362 i 414
� t � s �
♦ 50%
e
■OCCUPIED ■VACANT 30%
' r1• o
41 r• � � � 411 r r ��'��" 11 lax '
8AM 10AM 12PM 2PM OM 6PM
° a—
� - 'r ���► 'e� ° ■OCCUPIED ■VACANT •
i ' 4Ml111 0 190% ,
1
% A. 10AM 1— 2PM 4PM apM 80%
N.
' 0%
k
� + 50%
40%
t� 30%
3
20%
0%
4'n SAM 10AM 12PM 2PM 4PM 6PM
PRIVATE
- - ��� � ■OCCUPIED ■VACANT
y y 100%
90%
y 80%
1
]0%
%
1 A 50%
+ • 40%
.2' N ■OCCUPIED ■VACANT
° 30%
$ 20%r 390 3 l f %
0%
0x 8AM 10AM 12PM 2PM 4PM 6PM
■OCCUPIED ■VACANT
� ao%
100%
9Uk
10AM I— 2PM 4pM IPM
' Ox 9Uk •
70%
' 60%
a44 30%
#rAJm mil"
9k O N ■
4 - --� CL'>F1 V— t• 0% 9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM 5PM 7PM * * 4P
IRA
- ■OCCUPIED ■VACANT
f
` f f 100%
y ]0%
� 60%
50%
1 40%
■OCCUPIED ■VACANT 30%
g00% 1 1
sox ..
1 ao% 10%
1 o% 410 331 360 390 382 341 0%
9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM 5PM ]PM
o0,%
° ■OCCUPIED VACANT '
° 90%
70% i
53 57
'+ 1
ti 60%
50%
��—
t —� 31,
1 � 1
L
3 1 20% 1
# I
p C IL r-1 Y_J17 Yi.— 0%
0
9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM 5PM ]PM
f *lb ■OCCUPIED VACANT
r f x 90%
80%
+ {.0 Orr 70% 319 299 303
r xILL <1
+ 50x
16
f 4°%
■OCCUPIED VACANT 30%
10%
4 °%
1 r 7 1 ` 405 366 379 371
°
% 8AM 10AM 1- 2PM 4PM GPM
1 6°%
1 ° ■OCCUPIED VACANT
A 1 °
° 100%
1
0 • 90% ,
1 °%
PM 30%
�� 1 .9AM °% 361 366 360
k ' 60%
} � 50%
�� ■y+` 30%
-- _aa__—sJ I1—PI'I•
2°% w.n, �
ll
10% m
c L'r1 3[ M ,o
0% MMM � Jr Ar .
L' —„d 9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM 5PM ]PM * * 4
DRAFT
2. 3A EXISTING CONDITIONS
109MMMI17179MO . . • • - • -
ALL PARKING ON-STREET PUBLIC On-street Priced Parkina Zone (weekdav)
PARKING ■OCCUPIED ■VACANT
• Overall weekday parking demand in 100%
Coolidge Square peaks mid-day and
is consistent between 12 pm and 4 pm On-street public spaces along Mt 90% 82
with approximately 560 vehicles parked. Auburn Street are the most used, with 80% 87
This represents approximately 40% of utilization rates above 60- 80/o during 70% 102 90
all public and private spaces In Coolidge most time periods. On weekends, Mt.
Square. Auburn Street parking is more heavily 60%
q used than on weekday during all time 50%
• On the weekend, Coolidge Square's periods. 40%
peak is at lunchtime (11 am - 1 pm) 30%
with 585 parked vehicles, only a slight On weekdays, the central part of 20% .
increase over the weekday peak This Coolidge Square, around the Post 10%
represents approximately 45% of all Office, appears to be the busiest
section of Mt Auburn Street. On 8AM 10AM 12PM 2PM 4PM 6PM
public and private spaces in Coolidge weekends, demand appears to shift
Square. slightly east on Mt Auburn Street. On-street Priced Parkina Zone (weekend)
ALL PUBLIC PARKING On-street unregulated parking in the ■OCCUPIED VACANT
outer residential zone such as Langdon 100% 25
• Peak utilization of public parking Avenue, Hillside Road, and Nichols 90%
occurs between 12 pm-2 pm on Avenue, are typically lightly used, 38 54 58 41
weekdays (40% occupancy) and 11 am especially the farther you get from $°° 69
on weekends (50% occupancy) Mt Auburn Street, though with some 70%
exceptions. 60%
• Publicly available parking is typically 50%
slightly busier than private parking at Metered public parking along Nichols 40%
most time periods except for public off- g Avenue is lightly used, with over 70% 30%.
street parking midday during the week availability midday during the week 20%
and weekend
10%
ALL PRIVATI PARKING • During weekend peak (mid-day Elton 0%
111111
Avenue, Irma Avenue and Lloyd oad 9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM SPM 7PM
• Peak utilization of private parkin have little to no vacancy On-street priced parking zones within Coolidge Square.
p p These spaces are fairly occupied all day on a typical
occurs at 1 pm on weekdays (40 . weekend(consistently above 60%occupied)
occupancy) and 11 am on weekends Nichols Avenue metered parking
(35% occupancy) across from the Nichols Avenue Parking
Lot shows availability all day until 4 pm
during the week (-80-90% utilized).
During the weekend, it shows availability
28 Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan until 3 pm (-80-90% utilized)
DRAFT
2. 3A EXISTING CONDITION
M-alereTill "21111 11- aw -
0n-an off-street priced parking
OFF-STREET P R I VAT E _ __ �� �/`P -;�—� zones within Coolidge Square. The
PARKING — charts iz pages el and 31 reflect
jQ ��� � � the utilization levels of the on-street
�� priced parking spaces(excluding
;I I \ the Nichols Avenue lots aces
j Priced Parking Zone � � spaces),
• Off-street spaces in private lots which include all spaces in the
are never apove 40° utlllzed on the $0.501hour,2-hour limit ' �` orange priced parking zone. Clearly,
► these spaces are heavily utilized,
weekend \j is,' where off-street spaces are very
► � i t underutilized and empty(consistently
• During weekend peak (mid-day), private - �L I around 30%full)
lots such as the CVS, Citizens Bank, .
and Hellenic Cultural Center lots are I1
less than 50% occupied
• Private and residential lots off of °°6 -----
lower Bigelow Avenue and Nichols
Avenue (near Donohue's Bar& Grill and n-Street Regulations�'�,�\
Abaka Dance Company) have parking Public Parking , 4
availability midday during the week and Handicap �t
weekend Private Parking \ '� �'--'-'t
Off-Street Regulations �`'�-��
OFF-STREET PUBLIC Illy Public Parking F ► _,_,_,_, _,_,_,_,
Handicap N^
PARKING a 125 25° 5�
Private Parkin 1,_ �eer
The Wells Avenue Lot is lightly Public off-street: Wells Avenue Lot (weekendl� Private off-street (weekend)
• occupied during weekdays (<30%
full), but is consistently occupied on ■ OCCUPIED ■VACANT ■ OCCUPIED ■VACANT
weekends (+60% full).
,00% 5 3 W 100% sm
• The Nichols Avenue Lot is mostly vacant 80% 10 80,
almost all day during a typical weekday
(-10-50% utilized from 8 am - 4 pm) 60% 6o% 419 379 384 429 437 378
■OCCUPIED ■VACANT
100% 40% 40%
00%
sox 20% 20% ® • � • • •
60% 0% ' 0% • I • , '
sox 9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM 5PM 7PM 9AM 11AM 1PM 3PM 5PM 7PM
aox ,
ao%
2P% Public off-street: Nichols Avenue Lot (weekdavj
^% Watertown, MA I larking Management Plan 29
6AM 10AM 12PM 2PM <PM 6PM
DRAFT
" AA EXISTING CONDITIONS
M U LTI M O DAL Coolidge Square is served by MBTA Bicycle racks exist along Mt Auburn
Route 71, which connects Coolidge Street at:
CONDITIONS Square to Harvard Square.
• Arlington Street
As with Watertown Square, everyone who There are five (5) bus stops in the Study
parks in Coolidge Square is a pedestrian Area, most with significant ridership Melendy Avenue
at some point. Coolidge Square generally
serves a more local clientele than Pedestrian crossings of Mt Auburn Bigelow Avenue
Street can be long, but will be improved,
Watertown Square, as there are fewer with pedestrian bumpouts, as part of the Wayfinding signage for public lots and
businesses and civic institutions in the area. reconstruction process businesses along Nichols and lower
Because customers are coming from shorter Bigelow Avenue are limited, likely
distances, the walking, bicycling and transit Sidewalks on Mt Auburn Street are affecting parking utilization in this area
generally in good condition, whereas
environment could be a significant factor sidewalk conditions on side streets are
in changing overall behavior to minimize inconsistent and with lighting that is not
driving and thus overall parking demand. always conducive to pedestrian comfort
The planned re-construction of Mt. The layout of Coolidge Square, while
�—
Auburn Street will further change overall compact, requires circuitous walkingpaths due to the lack of pedestrian •,
transportation conditions and character as it connections
makes the street more friendly for all users.
These changes will have an impact on how Public parking in the Wells Ave lot is
travel to Coolidge Square, and how not well connected to many Coolidge
people g q Square destinations
they get around within it.
• Storefronts in Coolidge Square are Affil
Overall, this Study provides a high-level disconnected from most of the off-street
overview of the multimodal infrastructure parking available _
and conditions in Coolidge Square as they _
affect parking. The graphic on the following Coolidge Square currently lacks anyy
dedicated bicycle facilities, but the Mt
page (pg. 31) displays a range of multimodal Auburn Street reconstruction plan, j
information in and around the Study Area. In includes bicycle lanes on the South side
addition, the Team has made the following eastbound) and sharrows on the North Currently, there is limited public parking signage
g westbound) side at the Wells Avenue Lot
initial observations, about the overall
conditions, and their potential impacts on
parking demand and utilization:
30 Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan
Multimodal Connections: Coolidge Square
Legend -
. .
HighestV40
•e • MBTA Bus Stops ,I MPQ�E� L LI E • -- •
c• ♦ • - - - -
Ridership by • • (Average Alightings and C.. • • l 0�,.. • ••. •
s
Coolidge Square MBTA Bus Route Ok. r - •_ _
Q41
�. f s2 APpLET O *' 1341)
-15 o NtFRRACIF
a' f
■ o ,� ' ' `
Zf
-7f
' j • a• t�
N
•' 1• '+} a ., i�i
WEhS AV
ENU }
JTP�¢. (1 00) STATION
�aVRStrft
NJ
4 � �I t H MERRIF�AUE
H (125) �• I I H EL
C UL TTURAURA
L
1+ i p - POST ppCENTER
�•' F Q f 'OFFICE
•,� ARiHURTERRgCE ER A0 ? ARTSAKH$TREETk
L QidO
W m r
I
Ujrp#� f.l."
T NICHOL VENUg . •
m m + •.�- —
MW
all
4 Mid
low
loop
ING
M N G M NT NID
ONING VI W
z `
I
DRAFT
3. 1 PARKING MANAGEMENT AND ZONING REVIEW
WAT E RTOW N SQUARE 2-hour limit zones in the lot, and the permit
PARKING PERMITS does not apply to on-street meters. Over
1,000 senior parking permits have been ,' .' Designated municipal
issued in Watertown. employee spaces
Three types of permits are available for use -�°``� _
in Watertown Square. Combined, these All permit parking holders must follow the
provide access to approximately 440 parking rules of the parking lots, including adhering
spaces. The chart to the right provides a hovernightrkin n.
tot epa parking
summary description of each type, with �� ��� \ ,, j � � Permit Zones
permits available for: Resources for permit information, such as � '�\
• Senior Citizens sale dates, can be found online, however ` _ �� °`; L�\x..�,.�
most permit parking purchasers learn about ""'`��•_�
• Local Business Owners and Employees the program through word of mouth. With
a general lack of signage around permitilli
'
Municipal Employees spaces or rules, the permit program can
• On-Street RegulationsBSRN
often be invisible to many potential users. —PablicParkng �mq
The Treasurer's office has responsibility —PrvatePar \ N
p y Off-Sheet Regulations
\ulations
over the business and municipal employee More details on permits and a map of permit Public Parking =
-Private Parking sq+gA 0 I25 20Oe
parking permits. Municipal employee permits spaces can be found below and to the right. -
provide access only to certain designated Is the permit Issued Permits/
spaces as shown on the map to the right. exemptWatertown Parking holder
These are the only designated permit Square Permits Locations from paying on-0 street meters?- • • - designated (2018 final
spaces in Watertown Square. space?
Local Business Permits Businesses within 1/4
Businesses located within 1/4 mile of Dashboard Paper $120/ Watertown Square mile from the Watertown No,park in the 2-hour
the Watertown Square Municipal Lot can quarter Municipal Lot Square Municipal Lot time limit metered No 40/40
apply for local business permits. Permit (maximum of 2 permits spaces only
parking holders can only park at the two- per business)Town-wide Senior Watertown Square No,parkin the 2-hour
hour metered spaces, but are exempt from Citizen Permits $2/yr and Wells Avenue Individuals aged 65 or time limit metered
paying, and from the time limit. A maximum Dashboard Paper No ,,os2/soo
p $3/2yrs Municipal Parking Lots, older spaces(must feed the
of 40 permit spaces are issued, and there and Public Library Lot meter after 2 hours)
are usually 2-3 people turned away. Town-wide Municipal Lots behind the
Employee Parking Free, Library,Town Hall,
Permits expire On-street spaces on Municipal employees Yes,behind the
The Watertown Council on Aging with Department Head No Town Hall and 300/275
administers the Town-wide senior citizen Hanging Placard every4 Whites Avenue,and off approval Library
years Church Street/Whooley
permits. Senior citizen permit parking Way Extension
holders are limited to parking within the
DRAFT
3. 1 PARKING MANAGEMENT AND ZONING REVIEW
_ k 4 E& ��
COOLIDGE SQUARE The Watertown Council on Aging
PARKING PERMITS administers the Town-wide senior citizen
permits. Senior citizen permit parking
holders must park within the 2-hour limit
Two types are available for use in Yp of permits zones in the Wells Avenue Municipal Lot, i �•�•-• r„ - �� �'• ��
Coolidge Square. Combined, these provide and the permit does not apply to on-street Permit Zones
access to approximately 75 parking spaces. meters. °h
The chart to the right provides a summary
description of each type, with permits All permit parking holders must follow the
available for: Mo ,ge
rules of the parking lots, including adhering , rL ,
• to the overnight parking ban.
Senior Citizens
• Local Business Owners and Employees More details on permits and a map of permit
II ;
spaces can be found below and to the right a On-Street Regulations
Public On-Sreet Parking \ I
The Treasurer's office is responsible for the Handicap Private On-Street Parking
local business owner and employee parking -�,, � � �! '■�_ -•'
Off-Street Regulations =•�
permits. There are no specific designated Public Off_Street Parking
Handicap
permit spaces in Coolidge Square. Senior P vofeOff-Street Parking i,- ,-,-; 0 125M 5o
citizen permit holders can park in the Wells
Avenue Lot. Local business permit holders
can park in the Nichols Avenue Municipal Is this permit Issued Permits/
Lot. Coolidge Square Parking holder exempt Is there a Number . .
designated (2018 final
Businesses located within 1/4 mile of the LocationsPermits • • • •- • •nstreet meters? space?
Nichols Avenue Municipal Lot can apply quarter)
for local business permits. Permit parking Local Business Permits Businesses within p
P p g Nichols Avenue 1/4 mile from the No,I can onlyark in
Dashboard Paper $120/quarter
holders can only park at the two-hour Municipal Lot Nichols Avenue the 2-hour time limit No 20/4
metered spaces, but are exempt from Municipal Lot metered spaces
paying, and from the time limit. A maximum Town-wide Senior Watertown Square No,I can only park in 7
als aged 65$2/vr
Citizen Permits $a/2yrs F
and Wells Avenue the 2-hour time limit
of 20 permit spaces are issued, and only 4
Dashboard Paper Municipal Parking metered spaces(must No 1,082/800
were sold in the final quarter of 2018.
Lots,and Public feed the meter after 2
Library Lot hours)
34 Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan
DRAFT
3. 2 PARKING MANAGEMENT AND ZONING REVIEW
Technology
All metered parking in Watertown is
controlled by individual meters. These
meters are used for all on-street and off-
street applications where paid parking is -
in effect.As they exist, parking meters A: Watertown Square
municipal lot, 8-hour limit
are limited in their operations, and are meters;
outdated compared to many comparable
communities. Parkin meters can be aid in Watertown Square
g p individual coin meter,'
using nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar +
t credit cards or an c: Coin meter on Main Street
coins, but do not accept Y � in Watertown Square �
form of electronic payment. A breakdown of
metered times and payment is in the table i+ c Coolidge Square on-street
coin meters
below:
6 mins $0.05
12 mins $0.10
30 mins $0.25 _
2 hours $1.00 M
In the Watertown Square Municipal Lot,
many of the meter poles are color coded to
denote the governing time limits. As defined,
maroon poles are 2-hour spaces, light
blue are 8-hour spaces, and yellow poles 0
are 10-hour spaces. However, in practice s
many of these are indistinguishable as
limited signage exists, and the painting onk.
most meters is extremely faded.
As seen in the next section, public feedback
leaned heavily towards the development of
a more user-friendly and modern payment
system that incorporates other forms of
payment, easier to read displays, and
overall improved operability.
Watertown, MA Parking Management Plan 35
DRAFT
P AND ZONING REVIEW
1
The Watertown Town Council is _ 01/2018 - 09/2018 Town of Watertown
responsible for establishing parking Meter Violation Parkina Violation Tickets
regulations throughout the Town. The Meter Overtime/Feeding 128 126 102 102
Police Department is in charge of enforcing Overtime Parking
compliance with public parking regulations. Wheels Over 12 Inches from Curb 3
The Traffic Commission is authorized to All Night Parking
Not Within Designated Parking Space
establish and/or modify parking meter $15 Wrong Direction Parking
spaces within the metered zones. The On Bridge and the Approach
Restricted Area
Town Treasurer is responsible for collecting Within 20'of Intersection
parking meter revenue. All meter revenue Parking on Sidewalk or Crosswalk
is deposited into the "Watertown Parking Obstructing Private Way
Meter Account". All other parking related Within an Intersection
revenue is directed into the Town's General Double Parking
Funds. In 2018, the Town received $20 Improper Plate Display
5638
$367, 384 in revenue from parking Parking/obstructing a Hydrant(within 10')
Obstructing Driveway
meters, which is approximately a 5% $25 10'Lane for Traffic
increase from 2017. Snow Emergency
• Obstructing Traffic
Parking Violations Parking in Fire Lanes,Tow Zone
Watertown's fine structure can impact $50 No Valid Inspection ■Meter Violation
Grass/Planting Strip
parking behavior as can the level of MV Unregistered Motor-vehicle 1 ■All Night Parking
enforcement. The table to the right provides $100 Parking in a Bus Stop ■Overtime Parking
a breakdown of the fine structure for parking 72 Hour Abandonment
- ■No Valid Inspection
related violations in Watertown. ■Restricted Area
From January to September of 2018, the ■Parking on Sidewalk
Town received $285,371 in revenue from ■Handicapped
17, 242 Town-wide parking ticket violations; ■Not Within Designated Parking
with the majority of that coming from meter
violations (46%) and all night parking Within 20FT of Intersection
(33%). ■Other
36 Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan
DRAFT
3. 4 K G MANAGEMENT AND ZONING REVIEW
Watertown National
Zoning regulation is a critical component in The Town uses mode shift as a tool Requirement
ensuring that parking systems serve local to reduce parking requirements, as (per 1,000 (per 1,000 Above/
land use goals and support the businesses developments that promote "alternate
modes of transportation" can receive sf unless sf unless Below
and residents of Watertown. Excessive a special permit to decrease parking otherwise otherwise
parking requirements can inflate the cost spaces by up to 25% noted) noted)
of development and inhibit redevelopment, Commercial
and can be detrimental to a commercial Article VI, Section 6.07 states that
there must be one bicycle parking Business District 1 (unit)' 1.2(unit) 16% Below
environment. More flexible parking space for every 15 vehicle spaces Residential
requirements can encourage redevelopment in a commercial/office mixed use
and multimobility for all users. Zoning development, and one for eve ryy 5 Multi-family 2 °
re uirements and Institute of Trans ortation parking spaces in a residential/mixed Residential 1.35(unit)(avg) 1.2 12.5/°Above
q p use development
Engineers (ITE) standards recommend a
specified number of parking spaces either Shared parking by Special Permit is Retail Sales 2.5 (ground floor) 2.55 1.9 Above
.5
allowed, however there are no clear 2 (floors above) 19% Below
per residential unit, per seat in a restaurant, � r—
or per 1,000 square feet. The section below guidelines and acquiring a Special Restaurant R 0.25(seat) 0.35(seat) 29% Below
provides a high-level review of key elements Permit requires Board Review
of Watertown's transportation and parking Service and 2.9(ground floor) 17%Above
p p g Loading requirements are rounded up Office 2.5(floors above) 2.47 1.2%Above
standards. Key highlights include: when the required number of spaces Is -
equal to or greater than one-half Museum/Other
Watertown's parking requirements are Institution 1.7 3 43% Below
similar to ITE standards for peak parking Loading spaces can share a common lot 1
demand rates (see table to right). if the spaces serve all uses Off-Street (2,000-15,000 1 (10,000 +8,000 sq ft
Certain current requirements for uses Loading (Retail)3 sq ft) sq ft)4 difference
such as apartments or office spaces
may require developers to provide more 1
arking than is necessary. However, the Off-Street 2 000-15,000 1 (10,000 +8,000 sq ft
own allows existing developments to Loading (Office)3 sq ft)4 difference
increase use intensity without providing J q ft) L
more parking Apartments in mixed use buildings in the Central Business District are
required to provide only 1 parking space
• Article VI of Watertown's Zoning 2Multi-family has a range of 0.75-2.25 spaces depending on number of
ordinance supports shared parking bedrooms/unit
through the reduction of parking spaces
if a building demonstrates that fhe 15,000Number ofloading bays required by gross floor area of structures(2,000-
combined peak parking needs of all uses 1500o sq ft)
sharing a lot are less than Watertown's 'No national standards exist for loading bay requirements.A comparison was
standard requirements created using loading bay requirements from the City of Cambridge,MA.
These numbers reflect the number of loading bays required by gross floor area
of structures(10,000 sq ft)in Cambridge
Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan 37
- -' Jp RA ,1,6f
P-U]3 IC PROC SS
-rat'. d
r f /�
DRAFT
4. 1 PUBLIC PROCES
0 . 0 0 . . . 0 0
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Open House Activities Project Goals Feedback
OVERVIEW -Parking Management Plan goals Attendees favored supporting
-Study area map businesses and institutions, as well as
The public outreach process provided the -Parking inventory map facilities that support all transportation
project team with insights into how and why Comment -Parking utilization boards(weekday and modes.
cises
certain parking is utilized in both Watertown weekend data for on-and off-street,public and
• Watertown Square should have easy
and Coolidge Squares. A project webpage private parking) access and support bicycles and
(httDS://www.watertown-ma.aov/950/ -Public engagement survey preliminary results pedestrian use
Parking_) was setup and project materials -Participate in the public engagement survey
posted to it. Primary engagement included Interactive -Public vs private lot nomenclature In Coolidge Square, support for
businesses by maximizing on-street
an online parking survey, which was Activities -Draw your walking route(from parking space to parking is very important
available for several months, and two public destination)
open house meetings, one focused on each -Parking technologies(existing and potential Attendees want to improve pedestrian,
Voting bicyclist, and transit accommodations
Square. future technologies) y
Exercises throughout the Town so that it is easier
�arking�rstem and management priorities to park and get around without a vehicle
PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE
R F-R111 TS Participants liked learning about
OPEN HOUSE parking demand, and generally
ACTIVITIES port developing cost effective
ro On January 23rd and 24th, 2019, the pject > > solutions, Investing In Innovative and
team hosted public open houses focused on AND TAKEAWAYS efficient technology, and Increasing
Watertown Square and Coolidge Square. communication
Attendees had the opportunity to view Attendees gave preferences on existing and Participants think that private lots should
parking supply and utilization data while future parking technologies, commented be available to the public after work-
also taking part in the public engagement on project goals, drew their typical walking hours
survey. A variety of parking related exercises routes in each Square, and ranked their"top
challenged meeting attendees to think about parking priorities". The following provides a A common point made that to
reduce parking demand, there needs
their parking preferences, provide feedback summarized list of key findings: to be improved connections to public
on potential improvements, and interact with transportation or shuttles
project and Town staff. All activities from the
open houses are included in the table to the
right.
Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan 39
F
UBLIC PROCESS I
DRAFT
• • 'Indings
Walking Routes remotely
Attendees had the opportunity to draw Although participants heavily favored Watertown S uare �WSLand Coolidge
individual meters, others voiced their R
"walking routes" from their usual preferred Square (CS Walking oute Activit
preferences for implementing technology Parkina Locations Al and Destinations (B1
parking space to their destinations. Based that uses less equipment to make
on this exercise, Watertown Square room for beautification improvements
participants walked 460 feet, where such as green infrastructure
■MAC%di lot bmmd •°s[�'Erra��
Coolidge Square participants walked 960 A � ���] B �
feet. Most participants parked in a public lot � �e 00 ICS� # �1 ■M�„o¢.I h�i4d,nq
in Watertown Square and walked to stores 4 - -
or errand locations like the doctor's office or 0Puuk lot fwsl ffkuVLrrt'Faod
bank and municipal buildings such as the m" .f
Library or Town Hall. Results are shown in ArM01'ot1=15-11�nf _
the charts and figures to the right and on the 5
next page. � psrk'PS Rtipdm�
fi
6Y
Parking Technology Preferences
• Most attendees preferred individual WHICH PARKING TECHNOLOGY DO YOUR PREFER IN
meters that can support coins, credit WAT ERTOWN?
cards, and license plate payment
methods
Prfe a L�I-b;Rv�'
• An on-street pay and display kiosk
was the least preferred technology INDIVIDUAL 141Ei1=f � N- TR�ETM
for attendees. Those who voted on this
technology stated that they dislike its CDiN METE RIERISTINGTECHN40LGOV
inability to accept cash, having to search I� I E FW F
for the kiosk, remember their license
plate, and walk to their vehicle to display PAY BY SPACE. �O1411-$iliEEfp
their ticket
SMART METER �OIV-6TRIEEr6
• Participants want to see a technology VAY AND C 1 S PLAY �01N-STREEfl
system that allows them to view real nFC Al 1 RFREITtPI AT F R FC i?G N ITInN
time parking availability and pay
TRANSPONDER
PAY BY PLATE �-ON-$TluuI �
40 Watertown, MA Parking Management Plan PAY AT Ex11' j of L-STf4EET ONLY) ���
Walking Route Activity Results: Watertown and Coolidge Squares
Legend
�. i.
�• : i o Library
yWalking Routes
• ,OL R •
r fi � 4 a "I�S '•+
_ f�• +
�� ' it • L�� M
Municipal
• Lot {
"' f r � � •
�• K
• !'Watertown Demos Restaurant
y Savings
Watertown
Bank
UPS Store
LW CW
P* %g, 1
• •• •• o "• CVS
.r� 16 + W +Lw
ti
T ' '
_ * # Watertown
Savings
6 - _ Bank i
Lt
V Hellenic
• 'F t';, Cultural * r L-rt "•
L Center
t ' P - ' + •
ice f�
all
ice-
�- i _-,e *
r ,
DRAFT
UBLIC PROCESS
Public • • - ment Ke# 'indings
i W
1 Vr11ULC1 LllfE CT 71D BE EA31E911S AFE9 TO W%LR EV
VeATERTOWN -EQL?ARE `
Watertown Square Parking Priorities
I +Y:rs.ILD Lt+Cf 70 111F'gDYE F'ARdSriFC C'A1'BE'rTTEnNi[]L[]GI51-r
• Improving walking and safety 1 W-G11L4 0KE TQ SEE II4DRE AC74VFrY I WATERT4IflilI
accommodations within Watertown 94L ARE
Square is of top priority for open
house attendees, along with upgrading k 120N'T 5I0111 PARR1IIK A LITTLEFAFLTgER ANVY Gf [T■EAIS
parking technology. This illustrates that I .131IN.T +UNIlf- TO SEARCH FOR FARK411116 Watertown Sauare
attendees value walkability and safety
when visiting their Town Square r W13aFL a 11-11KE CLEARER IN FOR EATl-Dk OM IMARIK RG bit Parkina Priorities
WATER TOWN SQLFA KE
• Although almost 60% of Watertown
�
Square survey respondents would '� MT S�i[E LQN9 TERM P MUM lN G. aaTroM s
prefer to park once and walk to their I VCFVL5 LIAE TO PARR -01CC E AM11 RAtIL TU SILL OF■1
destinations, only three open house
attendees marked this as a parking �� i><w�>
priority WOLLD L4Kr T71e11.e Tfl ME l-DRCffldGTDLI` FdREriE AmD
INF0RIIfAT1UN 4N If-13V PAR911-9 111 FAET&B1CY!;LE SAFETY
Coolidge Square Parking Priorities
a 11i3t1i1] tLILt 14 ILt[W h�tMlllN YAILRWS NAD52StS
• Participants value upgrading parking
technology, Increasing Coolidge I LYOULo LIKE TO1rAWOVE 11114RK1+1-r PANMENT TE{H4f]iOEIE&
Square's activity, and prioritizing
employee parking I ffQVI-D LINE TO sEr moor AG-r IWrTh LIB fLaoL Ial:r aaumki
1 W 0 V L D LIKE IR4iE CE5FF�iI67E31 E 0 P L G Y E E V ARV iWr.
• The public's interest in prioritization of
employee parking reflects the 68% of 1 D-Pit T •I4E P t+lI4li LITTLE rART"e� 4,tr A' ' 'T ■>r+45 '
em employee
who do not have designated UL 0 T " 74 F of CINCE AN WALK TO
y g E M'�UL d LINE TO D tRK oY�'E MN[] V4'J4LK TO ALL LFF �4
parking ME S1TRAT40M6
WOULD LIKE C 1-4EA1['E'it mropimAT id N oN ti}ik1titiNo IN a aaubDr- Coolidae Sauare
• Other improvements attendees want to Parkina Priorities
see in Coolidge Square include tapping I WXk7 649E LDMP--TE4V Rhin:V In 0:11TInIr9
into shared parking of private lots, 1 Rig dtN LPFLr TO sic ■DI'VE r:lfaPlccaENY aink rwLCA rCrM � fir°
increasing different modes to access P�►W+r4WE dN 4F19110GlxirElD11 NTPirrTI
Coolidge Square, and enhancing r a1R 1 111 srr AQV1■rJ% VN 0A-9t ■LIirr nr 1« rrr41m a i rw �
enforcement IRA tt INAARrMs L[F I s VVERRrcir I WI 1 n Mr-S OrN 41
L W*LrL D LAKE To Drt AUV,4lkC-ro raDlLrTr AN11 Rf MN.I.4 t
Trca 11FQI_-D4IE3 LIKE CAMIJvARiM$. 3i+wrrL C a. AMC it* 1ME:rrmD
4 liri ■u 1 bra 16 I j L7 jy[ersir r at r ir. Ii LL111I Jur:r MU1.1 ai11` 11 0
I*11Yi lit&I i VaR11a41m GDIL&&t ULM dlit■ralr I41i, RL4L•it
F WIDULID LIKE T4 t4AVE .4711ALL ■ULTI-LEVELFA:99IN■
54Rkdr
i iWr,Ia1 H I IRr I IT IMILOtt 13rt ■1;rl17.41d Lr qjAoto6 mr, bi+Ll-t# rnot a
42 Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan WT kIQrR a A '"' KgI16%'
1 WCkJLC7 1-I149 THE TOWN T* VIFE *IL42FECG T4 C42L4.ECT
0ATAfDEY'LL-DP LP 7 P I-1 KAT 1UN C0LINTI TOClItr+Irr A LEI*4rA_a
FUBLIC PROCESS DRAFT
'In• • • - • •
I- �A
Watertown Square Issues . Observations Watertown Square Issues and Observations
Study Area Boundary Pedestrian&Multimodal Accommodations
Parking Lot Nomenclature MBTA Station/Streets across Charles River&Watertown Square Poor pedestrian connectivity and lighting on Baptist Walk
need to be analyzed(as commuters and Watertown Square Need a community path through the CVS lot(currently in planning phase)
As seen in maps in Appendix X, attendees visitors park in this area) Need pedestrian crossing on Church Street&Winter Street
used different names for specific public and Parking Requirements ' Public Parking Prices
private parking lots in both Watertown and Low utilization levels for private off-street weekday charts $0.50/hr price seems inexpensive
Coolidge Squares. Through this activity, Parking Supply Others believe the price to park should stay the same
the study team observed public awareness Continued growth in parking spaces/garages availability on Pricing Technologies
about public and private lots as well as Arsenal Street with new development There is a public perception that the current parking technology is outdated
any potential inconsistencies. Creating Need to increase metered on-street parking along major streets Senior parking permit is user-friendly
official parking lot nomenclature would Businesses are concerned about the lack of parking for customers Need a resident permit system
create better visibility and consistency in Perception that there is a lot of parking The meter colors are unnoticeable
each Square's parking system. The results People want to park in the Starbucks parking lot,however its Enforcement
infrastructure needs to be updated Town Hall permitted parking only lots not always enforced
right. The activity and maps can be found in
of this activity are listed the table to the Difficult for customers to park during events(customers usually get IIIIL Lot fills up for Town meetings and sports games
ticketed)
Appendix X. Lot Nomenclature Results
Shared Parking Agreements
• Private off-street lots at churches are empty in after-hours Lot Location • ••
OPENHOUSE People park in Watertown Savings Bank private parking lot after-9 Watertown Square
FEEDBACK: KEY hours Lot behind Public Library Library Lot
ISSUESEmployee Parking Lot behind Watertown Savings Bank Watertown Savings Bank Lot
• There is a public perception that Town employees occupy many of Public lot behind CVS/Bank of America/
For each open house, attendees voiced the public off-street spaces No common name(participants aware
Main Street employees park in the CVS lot Lot near Supercuts and Verizon
their parking concerns and gave feedback �Transit � that it is under private ownership)
on parking inventories and study areas. There is a public perception that a transit a exists between Main No common name(participants
P P P gap Lot near commercial complex with
The tables below are a consolidation of the Street at Church Street to Arsenal Street at North Beacon Court used storefronts for names,such
� Dunkin Donuts,Subway,and Belmont
comments and observations from attendees parkin Perception as"Dunkin Donuts"or"Across from
9 P Savings Bank
for each Square. Library lot seems full all day 6 Starbucks"Lot)
• Parking at Town Hall full during Town meetings Coolidge Square
Pedestrian&Multimodal Accommodations No common name(participants used
Sidewalks are dangerous during winter Wells Avenue Municipal Lot "Behind Citizen's Bank","Public',and
On Baptist Walk,there are sidewalks only on the northern side "Wells Avenue'Lot
• Unsafe pedestrian crossing at Galen Street and Main Street
Lot near the Hellenic Cultural Center Hellenic Center Lot
(from western side of Watertown Veteran's Memorial to middle of
Lot near Uncommon Grounds Uncommon Grounds Lot
Watertown Square Park)
• Need better pedestrian lighting at Saltonstall Park `restaurant
Ahl.
Lot near Medical Complex No common name
Armenian Cultural Lot
FUBLIC PROCESS DRAFT
• • • - 'Indings
Coolidge Square Issues and Observations Coolidge Square Issues and Observations
Transit Enforcement
• Concerns of moving bus stops with dedicated bus lane Stronger enforcement should occur for those who park in the crosswalk on Mt Auburn Street and
• Possible loss of parking on Mt Auburn Street with new transit improvements Kimball Road
Shared Parking Cars parked on Hillside Road at Mt Auburn Street have to move in the morning(parkers will be
• Public&private lots at CVS owned by the same developer ticketed at night)
• Public lot originated from an informal shared parking agreement(pre-current developer) Parkers in CVS public lot need to leave by 8AM
• CVS lot never seems full Uncommon Grounds tows their private lot during after-hours(even when empty)
• Private lots available during peak hours Parking meters seem to never be enforced
• 11AM—Uncommon Ground lot Winter parking ban does not consider parking supply crunch
• 5PM—Residential lot west of Melendy Avenue Parking Perceptions
• Lack of parking spaces for Dunkin Donuts in private parking lot Eating establishments around Nichols Avenue take up on-street parking in the evening
• Watertown Savings Bank allows parking in lot after business hours On-street parking completely full during funeral events
• Private parking lot at Hellenic Cultural Center is underutilized Kimball Road on-street parking is usually full
Wayfinding&Signage Respondents had mixed experiences in the Uncommon Grounds Lot,with some saying they tow
• People are not aware that the lot behind CVS has public parking after-hours and other stating they were allowed to use it after-hours,unless plowing was needed
• Signage is confusing for private spaces in CVS/Citizen's Bank lot Pedestrian&Multimodal Accommodations
Illegal&Event Parking Habits Little to no bicycle infrastructure
Double parking occurs at the following locations: On-street parking becomes severely compromised with snow
Armenian markets Poor pedestrian lighting at the Mt Auburn Street,Elton Avenue,and Lloyd Road intersection
• Dunkin Donuts on Mt.Auburn Street Poor lighting at crosswalks near the Post Office
• Clustered illegal and double parking at on-street spaces near funeral homes Pedestrian safety issues around 520 Mt.Auburn Street lot/bus stop
• Funeral Home parking occurs along Mt Auburn Street from Adams Street to Melendy Avenue, Pricing Technologies
north up Upland Road and south down Dexter Avenue Need to establish more permits
• Parkers in the public/private parking lots behind CVS use the back door in Dunkin Donuts to Local business permits can be used on angled on-street parking on Nichols Avenue
access Mt.Auburn Street Not enough turnover at Post Office
• Church parking along Mt Auburn Street past Boylston Street occurs on Sundays
• Overflow parking on Windsor Avenue
44 Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan
DRAFT
4. 2 PUBLIC PROCESS
• • • - • •
PUBLIC SURVEY KEY - 42% of those who shop and run errands What is vour Dr�r�a�v connection to
FINDINGS usually hunt for a parking space Watertown Sauare?
• 44% of those who shop and run errands I live in/near the square 38%
From December 3rd to February 18th, the are highly influenced by proximity to Igo to Town Hall,Library,and/or Post Office 23%
public had the opportunity to participate destination I shop,go to appointments,and/or run errands 15%
in an online survey to voice parking 18% of those who shop and run errands Igo to the restaurants and food vendors �8%
comments, concerns, and improvement in the Square are least influenced by the
preferences. Survey questions were type of parking (on-street vs off-street lam avisifor to the square 6%
spaces in a public or private lot I work in the square �607
designed to elicit feedback on user p p
experience and ideas for new parking Over 60% of respondents who shop, I go to access public transit ■2°J,
management solutions. The survey had run errands, and go to restaurants I own a business in the square j 17,
around 1,100 responses. in the Square will park farther away I go to visit the museum, IU%
from their destination for less
Key survey findings include: expensive or free parking 07. 5% '°% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45%
• 92% of respondents who eat in the What oarkina technoloav would You prefer to see
Watertown Square Square park in the municipal lot behind in Watertown Sauare?
CvS
• 38% of respondents live in or near the
Square Only 25% of respondents have an Individual Meters that take coins and credit cards
employee parking permit, and 63% of
• 78% of respondents drive alone those employees usually park in an Pay by Phone app
off-street municipal lot
• 59% of employees would rather Sficker/Permit
park once and walk or bike between 45% of residents who live in or near
destinations than drive and park at each the Square highly prefer to use
destination individual meters that take coins and Individual Meters that take coins
credit cards
• +70% of residents, employees, and Multi-space Kiosks that take coins and credit
Square visitors prefer to park in The top three improvements requested cards
for commercial areas are: Better parking
public, off-street spaces meters/technolo ex °% '°% 20%mHi 30" 40" 50" `°" '°" 80" '°%'�"
Pay by phone app��60. Credit cards,%); More parking -Cowes}Preference .2 .3 .a •Hi9hesf Preference
• Almost 50% of respondents who eat in (54%); Improvements to the walking
tphekSquare know where they're going to environment (52%)
Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan 45
DRAFT
4. 2 PUBLIC PROCESS
cim'sirm . . . - j
&N
Coolidge Square What is vour ariTry connection to
• 54% of respondents park in an on-street oolidae Sauare?
• 37% of respondents live in or near parking space In front of or near their
Coolidge place of work I live in/near the square 37%
• 73% of respondents drive alone 57% of employee respondents stated a I go to the restaurants and food vendors 297.
preference for parking on-street
• 68% of those who live in or near I shop,go to appointments,and/or run errands 22%
Coolidge would rather park once and The top three improvements requested
walk or bike between destinations than for commercial areas are: More parking I am a visitor to the square 7%
drive and park at each destination (57%); Improvements to the walking
environment (54/°); Better parking I own a business in the square 02%
• Almost 60% of those who eat, shop, and meters/technology (ex. Credit cards,
Pay by phone app) (50 )run errands in Coolidge are willing to I work in the square 02%
park farther away from their destination . 61% of residents who live in or near the
for less expensive or free parking Square prefer to use individual meters I go to take public transit 10%
•
Midday on a typical weekend is the that take coins and credit cards 0% e% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%
most difficult time to find parking for If the Town were to invest in imorovemerts in the coT[nercial areas.
around 55% of those who shop and which of the followina would be vour too three choices?
run errands in Coolidge Square
• Almost 30% of respondents are not More parking 57%
aware that Coolidge Square has public Improvements to the walking environment 547o
parking
Better parking meters/technology(ex.Credit 49%
cards,Pay by phone app)
• 51% of respondents who eat in Coolidge More bicycle infrastructure(ex.Racks,bike
have left because they were unable to lanes) 257
find a parking space Lighting 25%
• 11% of respondents have a senior More signage 18%
parking permit Better parking enforcement 15%
Parking payment kiosks instead of meters 13%
Increase carshare area(loading areas or -�%
Uber/Lyff drop-off locations)
More bikeshare(services providing bicycles for -�%
shared use on a short-term basis)and
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
46 Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan
DRAFT
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Watertown, MA I Parking Management Plan 47