A New Approach to End Sound View's Parking Wars

In hopes of bringing an end to the so-called "parking wars" at Sound View beach in Old Lyme, the Sound View Commission voted to establish a subcommittee on parking that would include at least one private parking lot owner, a local business owner, a local resident, a town representative and a member of the Commission. 

At the September 24 meeting, Commission member Michaelle Pearson said she felt the town's fluctuating parking prices this past summer were more a hindrance than a help.

"I think the town lot should have the highest price," she said. "I think that is the way to go."

This suggestion, in part, addresses the many complaints from local residents who run private parking lots at Sound View who said they felt underbid by the town this summer. The town, however, has always varied parking rates depending on the weather, reducing rates on inclement weather days to encourage people to come down to the beach.

Old Lyme First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder said the biggest complaint she heard from businesses along Hartford Road was that setting all-day prices rather than hourly prices for previously free street parking at the same rate as the town lot put a serious dent in pedestrian street traffic.

"I think there's some validity to that," she said.

As the Board of Selectmen have repeatedly stated, this year was a transition year for Sound View as the town attempted to create new parking policies without having the parking kiosks they have in mind for next year in place. There was simply no way to institute an hourly parking plan this past summer because of the staffing levels that would be required to oversee it.   

What next summer's rates will be and how the kiosks should be programmed in the coming year are all up for debate. Seats on the parking subcommittee are open to anyone interested in applying. Applications will be posted on town's web site but if you want any additional information, please call Old Lyme Memorial Town Hall at (860) 434-1605 ext. 212.