The Town of Kennebunk has instituted a change to its parking rules in the downtown area, to help keep parking spaces available to customers visiting the businesses.
Last week, officials announced the change would be going into effect. Now, parking along a section of High Street will have a two-hour limit between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
This changes makes sense, and despite the inconvenience for renters who have become accustomed to using the spaces without limits, it’s important that people have access to the businesses in that area.
Local business owner Paul Flaherty, who is the proprietor of Cherie’s Sweet Treats, which is located on High Street, pointed out that he had to purchase parking spaces for his business. He added that the parking changes should have positive results.
We agree. Putting a time limit on parking spaces makes people more aware of how long they are monopolizing the space, and hopefully, encourages them to pay attention or park in an area without restrictions and walk the extra distance so they can spend their time freely without checking the time.
In addition to the business access issue, town officials said the cars along the section of road on High Street were causing maintenance and safety issues in cold-weather months, as snow plows could not navigate the roadway easily, nor clear the areas where cars were camped. Selectman Richard Morin said he’s seen plow trucks “zig-zagging around the cars down there, and it’s a nightmare.”
People in southern Maine have become accustomed to free parking. Since a lot of people own their homes or have parking provided as part of their rental agreements, it’s not an issue in the majority of the county. But those who either live or own a business in an area where parking is scarce know how lucky others are not to have the same problem.
In cities like Boston, New York and even Portland, paying for parking is a way of life ”“ as is possibly walking a distance to enjoy no-cost parking, when it’s available.
For renters in this area of Kennebunk, they need to work with their landlords to secure permanent parking solutions. As the Kennebunk selectmen pointed out, it is a landlord’s responsibility to provide parking for his or her tenants. And if they don’t, residents will likely know upfront. Since many people in the area are probably in the middle of a lease agreement, landlords would be well served to figure out a solution for their tenants, so they continue to rent their apartments rather than move on once their leases are up.
It’s difficult to please everyone in this kind of situation, but the town did its best to ensure that businesses can be accessed by paying customers who want to visit those establishments, while still making those spaces available overnight for area residents who are willing to abide by the hours of limited parking. As long as they move their cars by 8 a.m. and don’t return until after 6 p.m., they can continue to use the parking spaces near their apartments.
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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham Rousseau on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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