We have answered tough questions

Q: What are the issues around overnight parking? See Parking Issues

Q: I plan to vote yes, can you change my mind?
Q: I Don't Have Parking. Why Should I Vote No?
Q: How do you justify keeping the ban rather than repealing it?

What is the Newton Ballot QUESTION? What does a NO Vote mean?

A NO vote maintains our winter overnight parking ban until a comprehensive parking plan is designed for solutions in all of the varied parts of Newton.

A NO vote keeps our ban, and ensures our streets remain safe and accessible for all. It preserves on-street parking for visitors and customers of local businesses and prevents a permanent increase in vehicles blocking residential homes.

A NO vote protects our quality of life and ensures our streets aren't permanent parking lots. Residents needing overnight parking can already get permits to park in municipal lots.

A NO vote is a vote for public safety and responsible use of our shared community spaces.  Reducing risk of parked cars narrowing streets further with snowbanks but also reducing the dangers of parked cars in early morning dark hours of the winter when kids go to school and people are commuting to work. 

Voting "yes" would repeal the winter overnight parking ban, allowing unlimited overnight parking on our streets, including vehicles from large apartment complexes and dormitories.

A "yes" vote would lead to traffic congestion and make it difficult for emergency vehicles, trash collection, and snowplows to navigate our narrow streets after a storm. Repealing the ban would make it harder for residents to find a parking spot on their own streets and would cause public safety hazards. 

Why vote no on the ballot question:

We think more can be done To Help Those with Inaqeaute Parking

• The city already allows overnight parking by contacting the police, their All-Night Parking Hotline 617-796-2142 - https://www.newtonma.gov/government/police-department/traffic

• We think more can be done, and overnight parking can be allowed in some area of the city.  Repeal is not the way - please read the answers to tough questions.

approving the repeal of the overnight parking ban:

• Residential areas will begin to petition for bans in neighborhoods.  Complicated parking signs will appear in more parts of the city, restricting parking.  Each parking sign represents a cost of hundreds of dollars when factoring in the administrative work of the Traffic Committee, City Council, and DPW to determine where parking restrictions should apply, along with the expenses of manufacturing, installing, and maintaining the signs and their posts  

• Large occupancy buildings with inadequate or expensive parking will have residents parking on neighborhood streets.  The "needed parking" by existing permits will be lowered due to available street parking.

•  People will be able to park cars from 6PM - 8AM weekdays, and all weekend in most areas of the city that are not zoned to prohibit it.

A Responsible Approach to Newton's Parking 

The CURRENT winter parking ban prevents developers from further reducing minimum parking requirements — or eliminating them.  Without a ban a developer can argue that alternative parking on the street is available so they don't need to provide for adequate onsite parking.