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APPROVED
Chilmark Planning Board Subcommittee Meeting
Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016
Present: Janet Weidner, Chair, John Eisner, Joan Malkin, Stanley Larsen, Karsten Larsen, Kara Merry, Betsy Larsen, Everett Poole, Donald Poole, Marshall Carroll, Katie Carroll, Jane Slater, Deb Hancock, Alec Gale, Frank Fenner, John Larsen
Not Present: Peter Cook
Public:
Staff: Jennifer L. Christy
Meeting called to order at 8:30AM:
- Menemsha Master Plan: Menemsha Business Owners
- Ms. Weidner summarized the progress to date of the Planning Board subcommittee on the Menemsha Master Plan and opened up the discussion to those who had attended.
- Ms. Larsen stated her concern with the “three 30 minute parking spaces” and wanted to know how many tickets are written for violations of the parking in that area.
- Ms. Larsen also noted that she has concerns with the trailer in front of the FishHouse. She stated she did not have concerns with the refrigerated truck. Ms. Larsen inquired at what point does a temporary trailer become a permanent structure.
- Mr. Eisner asked Ms. Larsen for clarification regarding her desire for changes or alterations to parking.
- Ms. Larsen noted the shuttle from the transfer station parking seems to be working.
- Ms. Weidner stated more public advisories re the usefulness and accessibility of the off-site parking is a common refrain throughout the planning process.
- Ms. Weidner asked about whether Ms. Larsen was aware of the early times of the shuttles specifically arranged for employees in Menemsha to allow them to park off-site. Ms. Larsen stated she was not aware of the availability of early buses to Menemsha from the off-site parking area on Tabor House Road.
- Ms. Merry inquired about the white van parked between Pandora’s Box and Menemsha Blues and whether that was a permanently parked vehicle. It was not known and it appeared to be a storage unit since it was not moved often.
- Mr. Stanley Larsen noted there appeared to be a reluctance to use off-site parking and there appears to be misinformation about the transfer station off-site parking. He further noted that he had heard that sometimes drivers would travel up to the off-site parking area and not be clear about where it was and end up driving down to Menemsha again to park. He also noted that employees of the Homeport often park over by the comfort station. He further noted that the Beach Plum Inn had directed their customers to go to the Homeport restaurant creating more congestion. Mr. Larsen noted there could be a limit of spaces per business.
- Mr. Carroll stated that there appears to be a number of cars that have been parked overnight in Menemsha. He further noted that this overnight parking is not an issue late at night or early morning, but is an issue at all other times of the day. He noted that the parking violations do not seem to be heavily enforced. He noted that the sunset time has become so congested that he has considered shutting down the gas station tanks.
- Mr. Eisner inquired what the group felt about compulsory off-site parking for certain times of the day. Ms. Larsen stated no due to the fact that shopping for fish cannot easily happen through off-site parking. Mr. Eisner suggested a combination of 30 minute parking for business patrons and the rest be off-site parking at sunset.
- Mr. Carroll stated that the issue is pedestrian/car/bus traffic flow. He noted that steps taken to increase flow would be greatly beneficial.
- Mr. Carroll stated that his deliveries often are delivered to his home rather than Menemsha due to the fact that the congestion in Menemsha is heavy at the times that the deliveries may be made.
- Mr. Stanley Larsen noted that attention should be given to the angle of parking places in certain areas of Menemsha.
- Mr. Fenner noted that Ms. Packer (owner of Menemsha Market) obtained the permission of the BOS to designate the parking spaces directly in front of her store for the Menemsha Market customers for fifteen minutes. He noted this has been a great benefit to the area.
- Mr. Fenner noted he would be in favor of more 15 minute spaces due to the fact that many of the customers at his shop (the Galley) and others appear to only need that amount of time. He noted that the Homeport put cones up in their parking lot even during the day when the restaurant is not open this year and he would suggest that the parking area be again opened up for daytime parking.
- Mr. Karsten Larsen inquired about the north side parking proposed for the comfort station area. Mr. Eisner stated that it was proposed but was put aside while the planning process proceeded.
- Ms. Larsen suggested an idea for the Town’s own shuttle bus. Ms. Malkin noted that it may be more expensive for the Town to fund their own bus. Mr. Fenner also noted that there is an infrastructure around the bus system that would not easily be replicated by the Town on its own.
- Mr. Fenner also inquired about the possibility of widening the roads in Menemsha. Ms. Weidner and Ms. Malkin noted this is an idea that has been broached and also noted the ideas for “drop-off” areas and smaller spaces for electric and energy conscious cars.
- It was noted that smaller buses would be beneficial.
- Mr. Carroll noted that the parking areas need to be more clearly defined and utilized to make the traffic and parking flow optimized. Turn-outs to use as drop off and pick up areas would perhaps increase flow.
- Ms. Malkin inquired what the group felt about enforcing parking violations. There appeared to be general agreement that the police department should enforce the parking regulations.
- Mr. Stanley Larsen suggested possibly the use of smaller vans for the shuttle to the off-site parking.
- Pedestrians, it was noted, do not keep to the sides of the road either.
- Mr. Eisner inquired what the group felt about paid parking in Menemsha. Mr. Karsten Larsen stated that a meter in Menemsha would not be good for fishermen. Others stated their dislike for the idea. It was suggested that the restrooms be a facility that is by payment.
- Ms. Hancock noted that a sidewalk had been suggested earlier in the year. Ms. Weidner stated that the idea still exists and is incorporated into the thinking during the planning. Material, width, pedestrian and bus/truck/car traffic and easement issues are all being considered in this topic. She noted also that clear delineation of where pedestrians should be would be preferable. Mr. Carroll suggested that the Town act now on obtaining the easement before plans are finalized.
- Mr. Carroll noted that the boardwalk walkway is a huge improvement, but the Town needs to identify the maintenance plan for the walkway. He also noted that the walkway should be made more comfortable if possible. Mr. Carroll noted that the walkway area has realized a great amount of space in Menemsha.
- Mr. Carroll noted that the maintenance of other elements in Menemsha is a problem as well: trash (after the contract ends at the end of the season) and the comfort station cleaning (in the off-season). Mr. Carroll noted that a comprehensive maintenance plan that is year-round needs to be established for Menemsha.
- More discussion occurred about the enforcement of parking violations in Menemsha.
- Mr. Karsten Larsen noted the parking flow at the comfort station is a key area of concern.
- Mr. Karsten Larsen noted he did not want Menemsha to look like Nantucket with buildings tightly spaced and no view to the water.
- Mr. Carroll noted a top priority is to maintain the commercial viability of Menemsha. He noted he tells his employees, for example, that safety, profit and enjoyment are the top goals for him and his employees.
- Mr. Eisner inquired about the balance between business and recreational interests. Mr. Carroll noted that the balance, to him, appears to be good.
- Mr. Fenner noted that for the most part the maintenance of the character of Menemsha is an important goal.
- Mr. Stanley Larsen stated that Menemsha is busy and that global warming is happening. He noted that long-term planning is necessary. Thinking ahead, he suggested various extended dock and jetty areas and fisheries as ideas.
- Mr. Gale noted his different kind of business and noted that he does not have much contact with the tourism in Menemsha. His key concern, he stated, is space. He briefly described the space needs and pressures of his business. He allowed that there is waste and mess in the area of his business. He noted he is very open to dialogue about the proper and efficient use of his space so that he can accommodate as much as possible the mixed used of the area. Ms. Weidner clarified that the increase in space that Mr. Gale will need is refrigerated. M. Gale confirmed that the space needs are largely refrigerated and that there is noise impacts to refrigerated space. He noted he needs assistance from the Town to identify strategies by which he may work with as many fishermen as possible while maintaining relationships with
his neighbors in Menemsha. Mr. Gale clarified that he would not be seeking more storage space in Menemsha and noted that he is grateful to the Town for their assistance and their neighbors for their accommodation of their needs.
- Mr. Eisner asked if it is necessary to be on the waterfront. Mr. Gale stated it is necessary.
- Ms. Malkin inquired about the space along the bulkhead that appears to be empty.
- Mr. Karsten Larsen stated he has an area near the Fish House, but also has problems with parking.
- Ms. Slater stated that the Park and Recreation committee will be discussing these areas at their meeting on October 5th. She asked that the committee be allowed to meet with leaseholders to try to iron out issues.
- Mr. Larsen stated he has worked to share his lot and accommodate the varying needs, but he does have concerns with liability at times.
- Ms. Hancock stated it is hugely important that Menemsha stays looking like Menemsha. She suggested, thinking broadly, that there might be text alerts, for example, sent regarding when things are ready to be picked up at the fish stores.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Jennifer L. Christy
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