To the Editor:

Another parking study on how to solve Princeton’s downtown area parking issues? I don’t think so after attending a so-called workshop eliciting public input. The purpose was supposedly to make more parking available, decide how much to charge, and in which locations. A map showing the streets to be included is the first indication of the false premise for the study. Neither Spruce nor Library are in the downtown business district. Spruce is not a through street since it ends at Moore on one end and a park on the other past Linden and has very light traffic and no business establishments. These and the tree streets in that neighborhood are all zoned residential. They all have reasonable parking restrictions. To suppose the study could make more parking available assumes more parking is needed, required, and therefore in demand, but offers no proof in support of this assumption. The decision on how much to charge implies parking meters might be installed. That could be quite expensive and require a cost/benefit analysis beforehand for advance technology meters. In fact, there was a salesperson present who said his company had such meters to offer Princeton. Courts have regarded parking meters primarily as a revenue-raising measure for a municipality and meter installation requires a zoning ordnance. That could be the first step to permit mixed use allowing business entry into residential streets. Finally, no parking study ought to be undertaken without consideration and reference to transportation planning for the town and surrounding areas. There is ample parking in downtown Princeton. The real problem is too much traffic on the main streets. Expanded parking does not relieve traffic congestion.

Louis Slee

Spruce Street