After a vote by the Eagle Hill Civic Association to approve Resident Permit Parking on the hill, the City of Boston this week has officially adopted the plan, but some are unhappy.
“At the request of neighborhood residents, the Eagle Hill Civic Association and State Representative Adrian Madaro, the Boston Transportation Department is expanding the East Boston Resident Parking Program to include all of Eagle Hill,” said the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) in a statement. “‘Resident Parking Only’ regulations will be in effect throughout streets on Eagle Hill 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in an effort to ensure that residents are given preference to the limited number of parking spaces in the area.”
BTD said designated “Visitor Parking” spaces will be established as well and the new parking regulation signs are expected to be posted in mid-March, followed up with two weeks of courtesy notice distribution by Parking Enforcement Officers.
“Actual enforcement of the new Resident Parking Regulations will begin on Monday, April 4, 2016, and vehicles parked in violation will be subject to a $40 parking ticket fine,” said the statement.
However, business owners like Anna DICenso, who owns Rino’s Place along with her husband Tony, have concerns over the new regulation.
DiCenso, whose restaurant is nationally known and an anchor business on Eagle Hill, said the restaurant relies on on street parking for customers. DiCenso fears making all of Eagle Hill Resident Permit Parking would scare off customers who already have a hard enough time parking in the congested neighborhood.
DiCenso recently took to social media to plead her case.
“I would like to know who started this, I would like to know when and where were these meetings taking place, I would to know who voted, I would like to know who approved it, I would like to know if every person who lives in the area considered “Eagle Hill” were notified, I would like to know why wasn’t my business as well as others notified?”. she wrote on Facebook. “Yes, I would like to know a lot of things.”
Although both born and raised in Eastie, the DiCensos and some of their employees do not live in Eastie.
“I would like to know where my husband is going to park, I would like to know where my employees are gonna park, I would like to know where are my customers gonna park?,” she said. “Yes, those are more things I would like to know.”
While the city confirmed there would be ‘vistors’ parking spaces, DiCenso does not think that would help one bit.
“I was told that there will be at least two parking spots on each corner of each street at my intersection that would be a “two hour visitors parking spot”, the funny thing is, is that any person with a resident permit could park there,” she said. ” Well that defeats the purpose.”
City Councilor Sal LaMattina is looking to expand the two hour parking in tandem with the program several blocks in either direction from businesses that rely on ‘on street’ parking.
“Our business community are the lifeblood of the neighborhood,” said LaMattina. “We need to find a balance of what works for residents and businesses. I think having two hour parking in severas directions for several blocks around places like Rino’s may work.”
When the new program goes into effect, it will be necessary for an Eastie Resident Parking Permit to be properly affixed to the passenger side, rear windshield of the vehicle to legally park in spaces on Eagle Hill that are designated as Resident Parking Only.
Residents are encouraged to apply early for an East Boston Resident Parking Permit online at www.cityofboston.gov/parking, click on “Resident Parking” and then “New Permit” or by visiting the Office of the Parking Clerk in Room 224, Boston City Hall, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
“In addition, to make the permit application process as convenient as possible for Eagle Hill residents, the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services is making arrangements for the City Hall to Go Truck to be stationed in East Boston for extended periods of time in the coming weeks,” said the BTD. “Truck staff will be available to provide assistance with applications, and the truck will serve as a “Drop Off” location for completed applications, with permits being mailed to residents shortly thereafter.”
The trucks will be at East Boston High School on March 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the East Boston Social Centers on March 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., East Boston High School on March 14 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., on March 17 at the Marty Pino Center from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and finally on March 19 at the East Boston Social Centers from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
To obtain an East Boston Resident Parking Permit, residents or their representatives must present the following documents: Their vehicle registration showing their name and current East Boston address; and a current proof of residency, dated within 30 to 45 days, in the form of a utility bill, bank statement or credit card bill, with the same name and address as on the registration.
Residents should also be aware that all overdue City of Boston parking tickets must be paid before a permit will be issued. To determine if you have any Boston parking tickets outstanding, please visit cityofboston.gov/parking.
View Comments (6)
Resident permit parking is nothing more than an ENTITLEMENT program for a select minority. The public streets should be totally accessible to the PUBLIC, and that includes parking.
These types of programs reflect government at its worst and should be abolished.
I've had multiple cars parked outside my house for weeks and a month plus for one just recently. Our streets are being used for airport parking and non residents on their way to work in the city.
On another note. I had no idea this was even happening. Where was the notice this "vote" was happening?
So what happens to the elderly Eastie residents who depend on home health aides or their adult children who live outside the city to visit or help them?
I'm happy that I can find parking when I get home from work now, however I was not notified an even though I've been at the same address for 4 years I never got a sticker because I did not need one on my street. I have no problem getting one now however with my work schedule I am told it will take 5 to 10 business days to get my sticker. I hope they won't hold me accountable for tickets if I get one. I will fight.
East Boston has changed too much and is trying to become the next southie. I'm sorry but leave Eastie alone. Go touch other areas that need Parking rules. I live on Saratoga Street right near Rinos and I always see Tony from Rino's trying to find parking space. There's just never enough.
Resident Parking should be something that is timed between hours like 6pm and 8am MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY ONLY. Most people who leave to go to work between 6am and 8am provide ample spaces for people to park. Clearly the DEMS needed to get some extra money to up the budget. I'm sure next, they'll remove parking spacers and then force you to renew your handicap decal every 6 months to get the $. So disappointing. Thank God I'm not staying very long in Eastie as it's changing in a blink of the eye.
Resident parking is total bullshit. They just amped up parking in maverick. Sucks ass. I have a parking permit but my girlfriend who stays over a couple of times a week can't find a place to park.