On April 9 at 7 p.m., the Planning Board will hold a crucial public hearing regarding two proposed zoning articles: Article 37 (Joint Parking) and Article 44 (Commercial and Districts Parking Requirements). These articles threaten economic vitality and sustainability rather than promote them, posing significant risks to Concord’s village character, parking availability, and responsible development.
Article 37 expands joint parking agreements, prioritizing developers by reducing their parking obligations. It assumes businesses and residents can share parking without conflicts, which is unrealistic. This change increases the likelihood of parking shortages and more cars searching for spaces, further straining already limited parking resources. Additionally, the article lacks enforcement mechanisms to ensure parking remains sufficient over time, creating long-term challenges for both businesses and residents.
Article 44 reduces parking requirements for business changes, allowing businesses to convert commercial spaces into mixed-use residential without adding parking. It ignores that different businesses have vastly different parking demands, creating a one-size-fits-all approach that does not account for real-world needs. This policy risks worsening congestion in already busy village centers and fails to address overnight parking concerns for new residential units, particularly given Concord’s seasonal street parking bans.
These changes are just the beginning of a broader push for dense, mixed-use development across all Concord villages. Rather than fostering a thriving local economy, these policies threaten long-term economic sustainability by reducing accessibility for businesses, residents, and visitors alike. Without thoughtful planning, these measures could lead to chronic parking and congestion issues that degrade Concord’s historic charm and economic stability.
Your voice matters. Please attend the April 9 public hearing at 7 p.m. at the Concord Town House and urge the Planning Board to reject these articles. Our community’s future depends on informed and engaged residents.
Carol Savoy
Belknap Street
