A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-55, regarding a report on visitor parking in permit Area 14

MEMORANDUM To: Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager From: Joseph E. Barr, Director Date: November 2, 2020 Subject: Awaiting Report 20-55 – Visitor Parking in Permit Area 14 This memo is in response to Order 10 from the September 14, 2020 City Council Meeting (Awaiting Report 20-55) to report on alternative parking options for residents with visitors in Visitor Parking Permit Area 14. Visitor Parking Permit Area 14 covers the area more commonly known as North Point. On-street parking in North Point is limited because many of the roads are private ways and not public streets. At the time North Point was being redeveloped from an industrial site and a former railroad yard into a mixed use neighborhood, the decision was made to add a new, separate Visitor Parking Permit Area (Area 14) and not extend the adjacent Visitor Parking Permit Area (Area 1) to include North Point. Unlike many parts of Cambridge, the buildings within North Point typically have off-street parking for residents and visitors, significantly reducing the need to accommodate resident parking demand on public streets. In addition, most of these buildings have transportation demand management programs in place, which will encourage the use of sustainable transportation and reduce the demand for parking. Given the Visitor Parking Permit rules that are in effect and apply to all residents, Traffic, Parking, and Transportation does not intend to extend the designated parking area of Visitor Parking Permit Area 14 or allow residents with visitors in Parking Permit Area 14 to park in another designated area. However, in recognition of the fact that there are limited resident parking spaces within the North Point area and the additional challenges that many resident are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared to work with residents in Visitor Parking Permit Area 14 to explore parking options at the nearby First Street Garage that can accommodate the needs of their visitors.

Background on Visitor Parking Permits • There are 14 Visitor Parking Permit Areas in Cambridge and each household is assigned to a Visitor Parking Permit area based on their address. • Visitor Parking Permits may only be used within the area designated by the map boundaries on the back of the Visitor Parking Permit. • Each eligible household is issued one Visitor Parking Permit and the first person to apply from a household will receive the Visitor Parking Permit. • Residents may not use a Visitor Parking Permit on their own vehicle. • A Visitor Parking Permits allows non-residents to park in “Parking by Permit Only” areas while visiting a resident’s home. The permit must be returned to the resident at the end of the visit and the permit may not be used for commuter parking or any other purpose. • Visitors using a Visitor Parking Permit must move their vehicle every 24 hours and may not be parked within the same designated area for more than three days within a week.