MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
held Wednesday, August 12, 1998
for the purpose of reviewing Green Ridge House Parking Alternatives.

The meeting began at 8:05 p.m. It was held in the Multi-Purpose Room of the Greenbelt Community Center.

PRESENT WERE: Council members Edward V.J. Putens, Rodney M. Roberts, Alan Turnbull Thomas X. White and Mayor Judith F. Davis.

STAFF PRESENT WERE: Michael P. McLaughlin, City Manager; David E. Moran, City Clerk; W. Bowman Ferguson, Senior Management Analyst and Terri Hruby, Community Planner

ALSO PRESENT WERE: Sheldon Goldberg, James Cassels, Bob Auerbach, John Taylor, Claudia Breen, Bonnie Brant, Ruth Mathes, Julia Eichorst, Brian York, Ron Jewel, Karl Hille, Gazette, Sue Krofchik, News Review

Ms. Hruby presented a new staff proposal for expansion of the front lot with perpendicular parking along Ridge Road. She noted that this proposal would add 21 spaces. Ms. Hruby raised a concern about the safety of perpendicular spaces. Mr. McLaughlin noted that the spaces blocking the dumpster area would not be available at all times.

Mr. Roberts asked if the buffer between the existing lot and 20 Court would be impacted. Ms. Hruby responded yes. Mr. White asked if the perpendicular spaces would be public spaces. Ms. Hruby responded that the spaces could be public or a portion could be made permit.

Mr. Roberts believed that there was ample visitor parking along Ridge Road. Mr. Turnbull believed that ample daytime parking was available for GRH staff to park along Ridge Road.

There was discussion regarding visibility for cars exiting the Green Ridge House Parking Lot. Mr. York expressed support for angled parking on the other side of Ridge Road. Mr. Auerbach noted that perpendicular parking exists along other locations along Ridge Road.

Ms. Hruby indicated that the approximate cost would be $110,000. Ms. Mathes believed perpendicular parking would uglify this area and be a visual disaster. Mr. Roberts wanted to implement the plan and gain the 14 spaces along with a management plan that would encourage people who don=t use cars. Ms. Breen agreed with Mr. Roberts.

Mr. Jewel asked who would pay for this. Mr. McLaughlin responded that he believed CDA would pick up the cost. Ms. Brant expressed concern about the perpendicular parking and favored experimenting with management options such as permit parking. She believed there were ample parking on Gardenway for visitors.

Ms. Davis asked about implementation of a permit system. Ms. Hruby responded that she would have to investigate that option. Mr. White believed there would need to be neighborhood support for such an option. Mr. Turnbull believed a permit system would only serve to benefit residents.

There was considerable discussion regarding the existing parking situation in GHI. Mr. Turnbull stated that he disliked this proposal less than the others. He believed the magnitude of the problem did not require paving the landscape.

Mr. Roberts stated that this was by far the best option he had seen so far. Mr. White believed this option was worthy of further consideration. Mayor Davis believed they needed Green Ridge House's response to this proposal.

Mr. Roberts stated he was only in favor of the new option and all others should be thrown out. Mr. Turnbull was opposed to all options except parking management.

Council reviewed each of the parking design options and alternatives and a majority of Council favored further consideration of: design option 6 (in front of GRH), alternative III (angled parking on Ridge Road), and the new option presented earlier in the meeting (expansion of front lot and perpendicular parking on Ridge Road)

Council reviewed each of the parking management options and a majority of Council favored elimination of "prohibition of reserved spaces." Mr. Turnbull expressed concern about the existing system of "anointing" certain residents to have special privileges. He also favored a more creative distribution of spaces such as a raffle or bidding procedure. Ms. Davis noted that visitors and employees needed consideration as well.

Mr. White believed it was unreasonable to apply this social theory to Green Ridge House. Ms. Brant expressed concern that the city had not invested the resources and hired consultants to do the analysis on management options. Ms. Hruby responded that the management options were a compilation of checking with other facilities and consultants.

Council continued to review the parking management options and eliminated "satellite parking program" and "not allowed to own a car". Three additional management options were added, "modified reserved parking spaces (only certain time periods would be reserved)", "lottery/co-op" and "numbered spaces which would be assigned and paid for"

Mr. McLaughlin requested that Council not delete management options because their use would depend on which lot solution was chosen. Mr. Turnbull urged that management options receive a more thorough consideration.

Mr. McLaughlin asked Council for an agenda for the Aug. 24 work session. He indicated that staff would need more time than this to analyze the remaining options and put together management packages. Mr. Turnbull believed that the GHI meeting should go forward. Council believed it would be more productive to have staff further analyze the selected options and put together "packages" of management options before meeting with GHI.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
David E. Moran
City Clerk

City of Greenbelt, Maryland
City Offices, 25 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, MD 20770
Phone: 301-474-8000 FAX: 301-441-8248