York Town News
Remedies sought for parking problems
By Larry Favinger
YORK - Addressing the parking problems in York in general and York Beach in particular is the charge of the town's Parking Committee, under the leadership Chairman Joe Lipton.As a York Beach businessman, and the owner of the Inn on the Blues, Lipton is acutely aware of the problems that exist there during the busy summer months and the possible impact of the projected revitalization of the area into a year-round destination.
Several projects, including the redevelopment of the Atlantic House and the construction of a function hall, are already under way, and voters in November approved a Tax Incremental Finance zone in the beach, the funds from which could support other redevelopment and revitalization projects.
Lipton told the Board of Selectmen recently the task of serving on the committee was an enjoyable experience and provided a list of recommendations. He also suggested the membership of the committee be expanded in the future to include representatives of other town departments. He said the added expertise in crucial areas this would provide is essential as the study moves ahead.
Lipton said part of the collection of data was to determine how many parking spaces are currently available and where they are. As part of that exercise, the committee has estimated there are at least 8,000 cars a day in the beach during the height of the season - and that far exceeds the number of available parking spots.
He noted there are 295 spaces at Ellis Park and those are supplemented by limited on-street metered parking, some private off-street parking and a number of spaces at York's Wild Kingdom.
Other estimates included 40 spaces each at the Ocean House and the Old York Historical Society and 42 at the Star of the Sea Church.
Nick Papin, who runs York Trolley Company, recently reported on some recommendations by the group. These included more metered parking on Ridge Road, places designated for the parking of buses and trolleys, bike racks for the large number of bicyclists who visit the beach and change machines throughout the beach to make feeding the meters more convenient.
He said a study of the town's use of two-way traffic in the off-season and one-way in the busy season should also be done. The York Police Department has recommended the one-way be kept in place year round.
Other police recommendations include having the meters in place for a longer period of time, early May through mid-October.
Police enforce parking regulations on the street and in Ellis Park. Funds from the meters in Ellis Park remain with the park trustees and are used for improvements there. Funds from the other meters go into the town's general fund.
Other suggestions included replacing the sidewalks and, as Lipton put it, "getting all minds together to come up with big plans for the area. We've got to see we're moving forward."
Other committee members focused on the need for directional signs - not only in the beach but in the town in general, directing visitors to available parking spots, and possible uses for the York Beach Ball Field.
Another possible remedy to some of the parking problems could be the use of the parking lots at York High School, which is very close to Long Sands Beach. There have been discussions about using that parking and establishing shuttle bus runs to and from the beach business district.
One of the problems that could present is the lot is used by students later in the summer months as they prepare for the fall sports season. The fall teams - cross country, field hockey, soccer and football, among others - have a large number of participants who need places to park when they come to the school for practice.
Making sure parking is available is part of the town's land use ordinances, as reflected by recent decisions by the Planning Board on York Beach projects, including the demolition of the York Beach Cinema to make way for a function hall facility as part of the Union Bluff Hotel. Part of the approval of that project was the establishment of off-site parking near the York Beach Post Office. Work is under way on both aspects of that project.
Parking was a major stumbling block during the approval process to redevelop the Atlantic House, another project that is now ongoing.
The price for metered parking in the beach is $1 an hour, wherever there are meters. York Police Capt. Kevin LeConte said all meters were brought into conformity three years ago.
Lipton said his personal opinion was that the rates as they stand are fair.
Lipton said there is nothing the committee is pushing forward on its own, and the selectmen have noted that any proposed changes would be posted for pubic input before decisions are made.
The committee's meetings, too, are posted and open to the public.
"Obviously we're not done yet," Selectmen Chairman David Marshall said after hearing the committee's report at a recent meeting, adding a work session would be scheduled on the issue in the near future. "It needs to be as soon as we can."
He said some of the issues discussed could be handled quickly, while others will take more time and study. He supported the idea of directional signs, saying they are important and would help the town. He also supported the expansion of the committee.
"It helps the whole town when it helps the beach," he said.
Selectmen have since approved the concept of an expanded committee to include representatives from various departments to add to the expertise of the group.
The Parking Committee's next meeting is this Thursday, Dec. 21, at 10:15 a.m. at the Inn on the Blues in York Beach.
