A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number #22-84, regarding report on working with the residents at 931 Massachusetts Avenue to identify and provide a short-term parking spot in front of 931 Massachusetts Avenue

Page1 of 2 MEMORANDUM To: Yi-an Huang, City Manager From: Brooke McKenna Acting Chief, Traffic, Parking, + Transportation Department Date: February 9, 2023 Subject: POR 2022 # 84: Report on working with the residents at 931 Massachusetts Avenue to identify and provide a short-term parking spot in front of 931 Massachusetts Avenue. ___________________________________________________________________________ In response to the Council Order requesting a report on working with the residents at 931 Massachusetts Avenue to identify and provide a short-term parking spot in front of their building, we report the following: The installation of separated bike lanes in recent years has changed curb uses in many locations across the City. As a rule, most locations have reasonable alternative locations for short-term deliveries and curbside access, such as a nearby cross streets or off- street space. In addition to changes from the installation of separated bike lanes, there have always been locations across Cambridge without curbside access for vehicles, such as on streets where a travel lane is immediately adjacent to the curb and sidewalk. The Cycling Safety Ordinance requires that bike lanes be separated from vehicular traffic, with two exceptions: provision for accessible parking spaces and bus stops. While bike lanes are designed to provide as much “floating parking/loading” as possible, where the bike lane is adjacent to the curb and parking/loading is located between the bike lane and the travel lane, it is typically only on one side of the street due to street width limitations. In the vicinity of 931 Massachusetts Avenue, the “floating parking/loading” is located on the opposite side of the street. The location of the parking was determined during the public outreach process for the installation of the Mid Mass Ave bike lanes. We understand that the removal of curb access in front of 931 Massachusetts Avenue was a significant change and inconvenience for residents. A limited number of similar complaints have been raised at other locations. We have evaluated the specifics of each location and determined whether nearby areas provided sufficient alternatives for deliveries and other curb activities or whether an exception needed to be made to allow for very limited closures of the bike lane to accommodate specific deliveries or moves. We are cognizant of the negative safety impacts that closing a bike lane has on people biking, and it is always our intent to limit the closures of bike lanes for loading activities.

Page 2 of 2 Such exceptions to date have included locations where there are no feasible alternative locations for large loading events such as a move, or when the nature of an activity requires that equipment must be adjacent to a building, such as for blown-in insulation or oil deliveries. We have investigated the vicinity of 931 Massachusetts Avenue and reviewed the request to establish a short-term parking space at this location. We determined that this location does not warrant an exception that would allow for regular closure of the bike lane for such a short-term parking or loading space. At 931 Massachusetts Avenue, there is curb access relatively close by on Hancock Street, which is flat and usable for loading. The distance to this cross street is typical of what we have along bike lanes across the City. Additionally, 931 Massachusetts Avenue has some level, off-street space on the property that could be used for short term needs without significantly inconveniencing the building’s residents.