Walsh: Parking plan will open spaces

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/local_politics/2015/10/walsh_parking_plan_will_open_spaces

Walsh: Parking plan will open spaces
Erin Smith Sunday, October 25, 2015

Mayor Martin J. Walsh yesterday defended his parking-space lease program after angry North End residents slammed his administration for failing to hold public hearings before taking away prime curbside spots.

“We’re talking 31 spaces citywide,” Walsh said. “The way that we’re doing this is to cut down actually on people having to own cars and driving cars and in the long run, it’ll actually save cars coming into the North End. People will be able to take a car and share community cars.”

The Herald reported yesterday that residents are angry that City Hall leased four North End residential street spots to private corporations without holding public hearings under its DriveBoston program, which leases spaces to Zipcar and Enterprise Carshare.

The neighborhood council told the Herald that 3,200 North End residents with parking permits are already fighting over just 1,500 street spots.