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APPROVED
Chilmark Planning Board Subcommittee Meeting
Monday, January 23, 2017
Present: Janet Weidner, Chair, Joan Malkin, Peter Cook, John Eisner
Not Present:
Public:
Staff: Jennifer L. Christy, Tim Carroll
Meeting called to order at 2:30PM:
- The subcommittee members reviewed the maps that Tim Carroll printed out to view the possible off-site parking area near the Menemsha Inn Road that had been for sale years ago.
- Brief discussion occurred. The subcommittee members and Mr. Carroll discussed a turn-off from North Road where the VTA bus could pull over and discussed the fact that a pull-off off the road would be preferable.
- The benefits of this idea is the fact that the parking area is nearer to Menemsha than the current off-site parking area off Tabor House Road and is passed by all traffic into and out of Menemsha. It was also noted that the parking area is within walking distance of Menemsha.
- Lengthy discussion occurred about guest houses being rented. More discussion occurred about the rental of houses in Chilmark for employees of businesses in Town. Brainstorming occurred regarding workforce housing and the model established by inns such as Menemsha Inn and Beach Plum Inn.
- The subcommittee, without knowledge of the availability of the lot, suggested it may not be fiscally prudent for just off-site parking. But, it may be a prudent buy for the Town if it also included an affordable apartment rental scenario.
- 2017 Summer Menemsha Public Safety and Off-Site Parking Improvements:
- Mr. Carroll stated the Board of Selectmen are working to get the improvements ready for the summer. He stated he had met Selectman Rossi at the off-site parking site. Reid Silva has been asked to also draw up a plan and then the plan will be placed on a Selectmen’s agenda.
- Mr. Carroll also addressed the waiting area at the off-site parking area. He stated he is attempting to replicate the VH park-n-ride waiting kiosk area. He suggested that this waiting area would be more safe and would address the need for a perception of safety.
- Mr. Carroll reported that the stop sign installation at the top of Basin Road has met some road blocks. The traffic person who Mr. Carroll has been speaking with stated that there is not enough volume for a multi-stop intersection.
- Mr. Carroll stated there is a traffic engineer here on the island and he is hoping that he may contact this person to see if he is available. Ms. Malkin stated that the traffic study person at the MVC, Priscilla LeCLerc, should be contacted first to see if she can assist. Mr. Carroll stated he would contact Priscilla LeClerc.
- The topic of reducing the speed limit during the summer arose and it was stated by Mr. Carroll that the state law on this issue has recently changed and he would look into the possibility again.
- Mr. Eisner inquired if the Town is allowed to close the road into Menemsha. It was supposed that the closure of the road to Menemsha would only be allowed for a safety issue.
- Ms. Weidner inquired about signage and whether the Town needs to gain support for particular kinds of signage. Mr. Carroll stated that two good signs need to be made; one going into Menemsha that says welcome and other important positive information. Then, a second sign at the comfort station with more information.
- Ms. Weidner inquired about signs in the center of Chilmark and on Middle Road that show where the off-site parking lot is located. Ms. Malkin noted that the signs should be the same design as the park-n-ride signs that are used island-wide. Mr. Carroll stated that if the subcommittee members would like to come up with a sign for Beetlebung corner he would welcome it and would facilitate it getting approved by the state agency.
- Ms. Malkin suggested a hand-drawn design of Menemsha that could be posted and suggested a person that she knows that could draw the map.
- Mr. Carroll stated that a month is a proper lead time for standard signs but he may need longer for more creative signage.
- Mr. Carroll stated that the signage in Menemsha and at the off-site parking area need to be reproducible in smaller sizes so that the branding is consistent, found at places in town where users are congregating such as the Chilmark Store and Community Center, and allows travelers to “read” the signs quickly and accurately.
- Ms. Weidner asked why the determination of 5 hour parking and other limits to the parking areas are set. Mr. Carroll stated that there is no overnight parking because the Town does not want people sleeping on the beach or taking off on a fishing trip and then leaving the car for longer than one night. Mr. Carroll noted that an active policing of the parking area would be necessary in order to enforce different hour lengths of parking.
- Discussion occurred regarding the usefulness of a management position for Menemsha in order to coordinate the various initiatives and requirements of Boards and Committees that have jurisdiction in Menemsha. It was discussed that a manager for Menemsha would be particularly useful in the budgeting process so that the various departments had coordinated budgets. It was also noted the success of traffic officers walking, or riding bikes, among visitors and others in Menemsha due to the opportunities for communication and approachability. Last, it was discussed how a management position would be useful in increasing communication between the entities and stakeholders in Menemsha. It was noted that the Park & Recreation Committee is tasked with enforcing the regulations of Menemsha bulkhead, but the committee does
not have an employee who can address complaints or rules and regulations.
- The subcommittee briefly discussed the issues that are before the Commission in the coming weeks.
- The subcommittee members discussed various issues related to housing in Chilmark.
- Review of the Menemsha Master Plan Public Safety spreadsheet of issues:
- The subcommittee members reviewed the spreadsheet. The subcommittee members placed the issues that were suggested during input sessions into certain areas for action and/or inclusion in the summary memo.
- Development of Survey for Menemsha Master Plan:
- Correspondence:
- Minutes:
- These minutes were reviewed:
- January 18, 2017: Approved as written.
Adjourned at 10:46AM.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Jennifer L. Christy
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