That the City Manager is requested to work with the School Department, the Department of Public Works, and other relevant departments to ensure that all city owned parking lots, with a focus on school complexes, including the still under construction parking at Tobin/Darby Vassal school complex, could be made available for after-hours use by residents

O-2 FIRST IN COUNCIL May 12, 2025 City of Cambridge COUNCILLOR NOLAN COUNCILLOR TONER COUNCILLOR SIDDIQUI COUNCILLOR ZUSY COUNCILLOR WILSON WHEREAS: The City’s transportation program goals cover many areas and seek to address climate change through encouraging and enabling sustainable modes of travel, while also encouraging economic vitality and livability throughout the city, in neighborhoods and in commercial squares; and WHEREAS: Parking and access to cars is an issue for many residents as the city allocates more curb space to bike lanes and travel lanes instead of parking, causing challenges for many residents including mobility impaired; and WHEREAS: Since 2022 the City has engaged in discussions on how to best implement the Cycling Safety Ordinance to achieve the Vision Zero goals and support multimodal transportation and to be creative about supporting the businesses and the community concerned about parking reductions especially in business districts; and WHEREAS: In December 2024, the Parking and Transportation Demand Management (PTDM) Ordinance, Zoning Ordinance, and Commercial Parking Space Permits Ordinance were updated to make it easier for property owners along Flexible Parking Corridors to share parking spaces; and WHEREAS: The City is committed to optimizing underused parking and, by amending our ordinances and simplifying the process of sharing off-street parking along key corridors, is working to make the transition smoother for businesses and residents impacted by on-street parking changes; and WHEREAS: The City taxpayers have funded the construction of many school building projects over the last 15 years, spending more than $700 million on projects and the public has asked how public ownership of all those properties could be used for the benefit of residents whenever possible; now therefore be it ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the School Department, the Department of Public Works, and other relevant departments to ensure that all city owned parking lots, with a focus on school complexes, including the still under construction parking at Tobin/Darby Vassal school complex, could be made available for after-hours use by residents; and be it further ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council by the summer meeting.