The greater Parsons Avenue Vision Plan, created in 2005/06, by the firm of Burns,      Bertsch and Harris, found a need for the following regarding parking on Parsons Avenue.

    Increased available parking.
    Traffic calming.
    25 mph speed limit the entire length.
    Left turns at signalized intersections.
    Parking safety.
    Pedestrian safety.

The plan currently being presented positively addresses only one of these issues, the need for left turns at signalized intersections. In fact, it negatively impacts two of the other issues.

    Usable on-street parking will be decreased by as many as 154 parking spaces, almost half the currently available space.
    Pedestrian safety will be diminished, as there will no longer be a buffer of parked cars between them and traffic.

Two other adverse effects of this plan that can seriously hurt business and residential property owners along Parsons Ave are:

    The detrimental effect on business income and property values caused by the loss of parking in front of the affected properties.
    The effect on homeowners living within a block of Parsons when cars are forced to park in front of their homes due to the lack of parking on Parsons.

We the undersigned therefore request that your respective organizations withhold judgment on any traffic plan for Parsons Avenue until such time as a complete plan that addresses all of the aforementioned issues, can be presented at a series of public hearings to which all business and property owners are invited and permitted input. We also ask that you are proactive in ensuring that your constituencies are aware of these hearings, and the importance in attending them.