Parking, traffic congestion consume PZC and Chamber’s deliberations

KENT, Conn.—The Planning and Zoning Commission and the Chamber of Commerce largely spun their wheels last Thursday evening when they discussed issues of traffic congestion and parking surrounding the town’s popular Farmers Market and its hugely successful Sidewalk Sales Days.

At the heart of the issue is that the town has little control over parking in its center and not enough space to accommodate the large weekend crowds that seek it out as a day trip destination, particularly during the summer and fall.

The Aug. 13 discussion between Chamber members and the PZC stemmed from complaints lodged by the public about signage erected for the Farmers Market, confusion about parking, and a lack of traffic control during its three hours of operation each Friday afternoon.

When the PZC approved moving the market from its previous location on the Kent Land Trust field south of the village to the area around the Welcome Center on North Main Street, it dictated that traffic be directed by some person, that signage be promptly removed following each week’s market, and that traffic cones be set up to prevent parked cars from blocking the sightline of cars pulling out of Kent Green and Webster Bank. Vendors were to unload their equipment and wares and then park their vehicles at town hall.

The new location quickly revived the market, bringing a festival-like air to North Main Street, but its very popularity, congestion and the blizzard of temporary signs erected began to provoke complaints. A complication arose when the Chamber found it could not direct traffic on state roads, which included both busy Route 7 and the little lane behind the railroad station.

“It’s quite clear it’s been a success,” said PZC Chairman Karen Casey, “but the lingering issues are the signs and congestion. The signs definitely need to be taken down after the market closes. They are being left up during the week and when you drive by it almost makes you dizzy. It’s too cluttered, it’s confusing.”

Chamber member Gary Kidd argued that the signs are taken down after each market but “we cannot direct traffic because we would face liability issues in all directions [if there were an accident.] 

Casey suggested a State Police presence, but Chamber administrative assistant Jennifer Feifer said she approached Resident State Trooper Vickie Donohoe who said “‘absolutely not.’ The trooper will not be present and we don’t have the authority to have her be present.”

Zoning Enforcement Officer Tai Kern said hiring an off-duty trooper would be a considerable expense for the Chamber, possibly wiping out any economic benefit. She added that there have also been complaints about jaywalking and vehicles blocking fire hydrants. She suggested that if the regular state police patrols “did what they always do,” their very presence might resolve some of the problems. 

Kern spoke to First Selectman Eric Epstein, who reportedly said he had not received complaints from the public and who didn’t see any safety concerns. “But it’s outrageously congested on Friday afternoons,” she said. “Whether the signs [directing shoppers where to park] are sufficient, it’s hard to tell because it’s always very busy Friday afternoons.”

Kidd said the traffic cones required by the PZC permit “are making things worse rather than better. It looks like we’re closing off the road. People are confused and think they can’t park there [in Kent Green].”

It appears only 30 to 40 percent of the market patrons come to town specifically for the vendors and the rest are drawn from shoppers visiting shops in the rest of the town, Kidd reported.

The market was not the only focus of discontent at the meeting. Motoriot, the Bridge Street car dealership that specializes in restoring classic cars, again provoked controversy during the hectic Sidewalk Sales by parking vehicles on Main Street away from its business location.

PZC member Chris Harrington reported the presence of what appeared to be unregistered cars parked in a fire lane beside Kent Kitchen and at other locations on Main Street. Harrington’s wife, Lynn, a selectman, talked to business owners who were disgruntled about the cars taking up scarce public parking during the hugely successful sales event.

The issue of whether the cars should have been displayed off-site is complicated by the fact that the PZC’s Sidewalk Sales regulations allows “the temporary use of parking areas and/or driveways for no more than four days in any calendar quarter for the display and/or sale of items by Kent businesses when part of a sidewalk sale or similar event.”

Parking any vehicle in a fire lane should be a clear violation, but Kent has yet to pass a local ordinance enabling Fire Marshal Tim Limbos to enforce it. 

Kern also observed cars with the Motoriot logo, but no apparent DMV registration plates parked on each side of North Main Street on Friday, Aug. 7. “What appeared to be traffic/parking violations were reported to the first selectman, who advised [the ZEO] that Harrington could contact him directly regarding police enforcement of the matter.”

Kern suggested that the PZC establish standards limiting parking on the roads or parking areas during Sidewalk Sales to businesses whose property is located on the street where the event is being held. A second possible addition would prohibit display of “motor vehicles, large appliance, etc.” in driveways and parking areas, limiting displays to “items on racks and tables.”

Chamber President Phil Fox suggested that Motoriot could put up a tent on Main Street to tell visitors about its business and direct them to its Bridge Street location. It was also suggested that next year, when the Chamber sends out information about Sidewalk Sales Days, that it be stated that  participants must conduct business on their own properties. 

PZC member Sarah Chase said the PZC should be cautious about interfering in temporary partnerships between businesses who want to aid each other in promotional marketing. 

Businessman John Casey, owner of Kent Green, said he monitor sparking on his property to ensure cars are not in fire lanes.

“I am the law inside Kent Green,” he said. “When I look at what goes on on Main Street, people park wherever they want. No one is monitoring it and taking responsibility. If someone came and said, ‘I am going to park in this parking spot for three days,’ there are no signs, no guidelines. We have a larger issue than a little congestion around any part of town. It’s time to act like a municipality and look after parking restrictions.”