Minutes - Approved

Town of Ridgefield
Parking Authority Regular Meeting
October 19, 2023 – 8:00 a.m.
Town Hall Lower Level Small Conference Room, 400 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT

MEETING MINUTES - APPROVED

Members present: J. Wilmot, E. Burns, M. Recck
Members absent: None
Also Present: L. Yarrish, Parking Enforcement Officer

Chairman Recck called the meeting to order at 8:06 a.m.

1. Approval of minutes from September 21, 2023. Mr. Recck moved, and Ms. Wilmot seconded, approval of minutes for 9/21/23. Motion passed 3 – 0.

2. Parking enforcement officer’s report. Mr. Yarrish reported that the planters in front of The Lantern are blocking the use of some of the Main Street parking spaces because the passenger side door cannot fully open. He has asked them to move them and they complied, but then they are moved back. Mr. Recck will write to the owner, Rafael Gallo, to request that they keep the planters far enough away from the street to avoid parking problems. Mr. Yarrish also reported about problems in the area of the Village Deli where there are spaces in the rear that get blocked by parking in the front of the building. It was suggested that the handicap space be relocated to allow access to the rear parking. He also suggested that, during the ongoing reconstruction of the CVS lot, that the town install one-way signs on the south side of the building and to paint a white bar to improve safe movement of vehicles in the lot. He will follow up on both issues with the highway department.

3. CVS/USPS lot discussion

a. Ms. Burns emailed Glori Norwitt (ECDC chairperson) to inquire about any updates from Sen. Blumenthal’s office. Ms. Norwitt had heard nothing further from his office following his unsatisfactory meeting with USPS officials. She suggested that First Selectman Marconi needs to contact him and follow up.

b. License agreement amendment. Waiting on the completion of the lot before drafting the amendment.

4. Governor Street lot to Bailey Avenue sidewalk discussion. There continues to be no progress on this issue at town hall. Ms. Burns will draft a letter to the RVNA Executive Director to introduce the concept, explain the benefits to all downtown employees as well as to the RVNA, and request a meeting to discuss further with the PA and Mr. Marconi.

5. Donnelly lot - Ancona’s Wines & Liquors. The PA proposed a resolution to the parking issues that Ancona’s is having during the hours that the Thrift Shop is operating (changing the time limit in front of Ancona’s to 15 minutes from Ancona’s to Ridgefield Cleaners, which is already 15 minutes), but Mr. Donnelly and Mr. Gustafson declined to approve that change. Mr. Recck will follow up with Mr. Gustafson regarding the violation of the license agreement resulting from the Ancona’s signs.

6. Regency Centers potential lot enforcement. The potential enforcement of the 12 spaces behind 426 Main Street were discussed. It was agreed that the PA would propose 2 spaces with 15 minute limits (for the nearby restaurants with take-out customers) and the remainder 2 hour limits. Ms. Burns will contact the Regency Centers representative to propose this, pending the renegotiation of the existing agreement.

7. Big Shop Lane discussion. This (after-the-fact) P&Z application is ongoing, and was continued to because the AAC did not have a quorum for their meeting. Mr. Marcus submitted comments to the P&Z as requested; Ms. Wilmot was recused from any discussion of this matter. Mr. Yarrish reported that the Terrasole laundry bins that had been placed in the Willett Properties lot have been removed.

8. Citations: No major changes from the prior month were noted.

Adjournment. Ms. Burns moved, and Mr. Recck seconded a motion to adjourn at 9:06 a.m. Motion approved 3 – 0.

Respectfully submitted,
Ellen Burns