Does Somersworth need parking meters? Mayor raises idea as business owners cite problems

SOMERSWORTH — Mayor Matt Gerding is proposing the city look into adding parking meters as a way to deal with a downtown parking crunch.

Currently there are no parking meters or other dedicated parking spaces in the downtown area. Gerding, who raised the issue during Monday's City Council meeting, said there is a two-hour time limit, but he is being told that's not working.

"We have a part-time enforcement officer, but maybe we need more," he said. "Meters and enforcement could be a two-pronged approach."

Gerding noted business owners have encountered a lack of spaces for customers.

"I sponsored this because I have been hearing concerns from residents and business owners who say it can be difficult to park downtown during business hours," Gerding said. "People feel parking spaces are being taken advantage of. I considered whether we should create parking lots, or even look into a parking garage. I think those are all good ideas but each have their own roadblocks. So, this seemed a good idea to look into first."

John Burns, executive director of SOS Recovery, which operates Fold'd Community Diner at 69 High St., said parking is a definite issue.

"This is an issue we’ve communicated to several city councilors so it’s good to hear it’s being addressed," he said. "On weekends there is no enforcement of the posted two-hour parking and the vast majority of street parking is taken by residents in area housing units and apartments. This is challenging on Saturdays and grows more difficult on Sundays. We open Fold’d at 7:30 a.m. and there is often only 1-2 spots available for customers on Sunday mornings on High Street in front. Most of those spots never open up throughout the day and remain occupied by the same vehicles that were there from overnight prior."

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Part of Gerding's proposal is to create a dedicated parking fund. He said the meters could create a revenue stream to address future city needs.

A resolution to have City Manager Bob Belmore research the idea of a mix of metered and free parking spots will be referred to the Finance Committee and then to the Economic Development Committee before coming back to the City Council. The resolution would authorize Belmore to study the feasibility of adding parking meters downtown. The study would include a traffic study, likely done in cooperation with Southern Regional Planning Commission.

"The study could look at which streets would benefit from meters, and which streets should have free spaces," Gerding said. "We could look at a residential permit parking program and what actions here would be in the best interest of the city."

Burns is pleased to see city leaders looking into the issue.

"I don’t know if parking meters would resolve it, but there does need to be some enforcement and balance in making parking available for customers patronizing small businesses downtown," Burns said. "Likewise, it's important the local downtown tenants are supported, and the city finds ways to ensure tenants have accessible free parking available somewhere nearby. Somersworth downtown is growing and has some opportunities to become a more vibrant walking area, but it needs to be accessible for residents, as well as customers who all build the community by supporting the growing number of businesses and restaurants."

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Somersworth considers parking meters downtown