Policy Order for Garden Street Accommodations

O-3 FIRST IN COUNCIL March 20, 2023 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR TONER COUNCILLOR NOLAN COUNCILLOR SIMMONS COUNCILLOR CARLONE WHEREAS: The recent changes of part of Garden Street from a two-way to a one-way for automobile traffic has caused concerns in the community about overflow traffic and safety on neighboring side streets: and WHEREAS: On November 14th 2022 the Council voted 9-0 to have the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department continue to monitor the situation via traffic counting and other methods and to conduct additional listening sessions in December, 2022 and January, 2023 and return with recommendations to the City Council by March 27, 2023; and WHEREAS: Many residents throughout the winter months at the feedback meetings and through emails have continued to express concerns to the City Council about the Garden Street installation and the negative impact it has had on neighboring side streets, but have also offered reasonable solutions including, but not limited to: • restoring the section of Garden Street from Linnaean to Huron as two ways for automobile traffic • making a bidirectional bike lane on the north/Harvard side from Huron Avenue to Chauncy Street • moving all parking to the north/Harvard side of Garden Street from Linnean to Chauncy Street • install street signs on the corner of Raymond Street restricting traffic to abutters only between 7-9 and 4-6 along with other traffic calming measures • continue to make adjustments to Walker Street to address the concerns of residents regarding cut- through traffic, excessive noise, and dangerous buses, trucks/large vehicles by improving traffic calming and signage; and WHEREAS: These changes will maintain separated bike lanes as required by the Cambridge Cycling Safety Ordinance, will improve safety and navigation for all, reduce cut- through traffic in the neighborhood, and would make neighborhood residents feel heard and understood; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department and the Department of Public Works to implement the above listed recommendations as soon as possible but no later than May 30, 2023.