City Hall – DR assigned this issue to Traffic - KC (Permits)

Hi Donald. We are aware of your suggestion to relocate these food trucks. While Fort Washington Park might not be the best alternative location for a variety of reasons, please know that we are still exploring other options. In the short-term, the food trucks will remain at this location on Erie St.

It would also be beneficial if in the interim you would kindly diligently enforce the restrictions at the current site, until a move can be effected. For example, yesterday, the truck nearest to Sidney Street was at least 5-6 feet into the No Stopping zone and the furthest most truck was encroaching on one of the only remaining metered spaces on that block, as shown by the attached picture.

Thank you. Your concerns have been forwarded to our contact who manages the Food Truck Program.

Hi Donald. As a clarification, we are exploring additional locations for Food Trucks in Cambridge. The location on Erie St is not under consideration for relocation. Thank you.

It appears that you have changed your position over the course of 4 hours from "we are still exploring other options... in the short term, the food trust will remain at this location on Erie St" to "The location on Erie St is not under consideration for relocation". Clearly the two are inconsistent, and it is frustrating that you appear to be caving to pressure rather than engineering what is best from a public safety standpoint.

There is a related problem - posted under another issue too - Rather than enforcing the food truck parking in the four (4) spaces which were already designated, you have expanded the food truck parking zone to six (6) spaces which poses a problem for neighborhood businesses, including mine, which depend on street parking. This was done without notice to abutters, is unnecessary, and could have been resolved if you managed to enforce the existing regulations. Furthermore, this morning, the Bon-Me food truck is parked outside of the expanded zone. By expanding the zone to Waverly street, you have created an unsafe condition because food trucks parked near the Erie Street entrance of 200 Sidney Street block the pedestrians from seeing approaching traffic around the oversized trucks - and there is a constant stream of pedestrian traffic at that location since the garage is across Erie Street. Your cooperation in contacting the food truck parking to the original designated zone and enforcing parking of the vendors, until the Erie Street location can be moved, is anticipated, and will be sincerely appreciated.

Issue 5262631 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue.

The Food Truck parking zone was expanded to ensure there is enough space for the permitted trucks to park without extending into the no stopping zone at Sydney Street. We do not believe the use of the last meter between before the loading zone closest to the 200 Sidney Street entrance poses a any safety hazard.

Thanks for the response. However, you did not address the matter of taking additional on-street parking from neighboring businesses which is problematic. Why do three trucks require six spaces? There was plenty of space for the three trucks to park without encroaching on the no stopping zone at Sidney (not Sydney) Street if there had been appropriate enforcement. Is there a process for removing street parking, or can you simply do this unilaterally with adverse impact on abutters? And the issue is not of the loading zone per se, it is people crossing with no sight lines around the parked trucks. Hopefully you are right in your assessment of the safety hazard - if not, the consequences could be dire for someone crossing and getting hit.

Brooke, apropos enforcement, the Bon Me truck is encroaching 5-6 feet into loading zone beyond the already expanded parking zone. The problem does not appear to be the size of the zone, but the lack of enforcement. Please rectify.

Brooke, comment from a month ago on 2/7 remains unanswered. Please respond.

This location continues to be problematic with food trucks parking well into the no stopping zone, creating an ongoing hazard - in addition to the sidewalk being obstructed. Further, parking spaces needed by local businesses remain usurped. Please advise in writing what you are going to do to rectify this, and please update on plans to relocate the zone.

I support the current Food Truck parking zone.

Not entirely sure of the benefit of seeing and clicking on things if there is neither a fix or a response.

Another month has passed without a response. There is also no mid-block crossing so risk created by food trucks is exacerbated. Not sure why moving to Fort Washington is an issue.

Brooke, you have not had the courtesy of responding since 7 February. Your cooperation in responding is anticipated.

This remains a problem. Trucks are still parking in the no stopping zone and creating a hazard. Photo from yesterday attached. Suffice it to say I am losing patience with the stonewalling. You are paid to do a job. Not responding is not doing your job.

This was first reported more than 2/3 of a year ago, and there has not been a response for more than half a year. Please escalate this if you are unable or unwilling to respond.

Another week has passed without a response. Please escalate.

Ongoing lack of response. Seriously.

There has not been the courtesy of a response in nearly seven (7) months since a perfunctory response by Brooke McKenna. This is unreasonable and irresponsible. Please escalate this to Joseph Barr for a response, else I will.

Ten (10) months is more than enough time to address this issue, yet it has been no response.

I directly emailed Joe Barr, head of Traffic, on 3 November, with a follow up note almost a week ago, both of which have gone unanswered. I would prefer a response, but if need be, will escalate this further.

This is essentially the one year anniversary of reporting this matter. Frankly, I am appalled at the lack of response.

One year and two months. Seems like Traffic + Parking is dysfunctional.

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This issue has been reviewed and is now closed.

Brooke, neither you nor your department have substantively addressed the concern since 2/7/2019, nearly two full years ago. Also, although the food trucks have not been in operation for nearly a year, on street parking is still restricted and should not be. Please rectify both matters.

We have reviewed this location and determined it is appropriate for the food trucks. The program will resume when possible so the signage will remain in place.

Brooke, your response is completely non-substantive, does not address the safety concerns, and is simply a proclamation from on high. You and your department spend two years being non-responsive and then today somehow are compelled to get this off your plate? This is inadequate.

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Still waiting for a meaningful response.

Still waiting for a meaningful response.

Seems like a great time to relocate since there has been a substantial hiatus.

Again, please reconsider relocating so that street parking can be restored.

Seems like a good time to restore street parking rather than waste it.

Still seems like a good time to allow on-street parking and take down the vestigial signs.

Ditto.

Thank you for taking the time to share your concerns with us. We have passed this information along to the appropriate staff person for consideration. If you would like to follow-up, you may email tpt@cambridgema.gov; please include the number for this case.

Please note, this system is best used for things like potholes, broken streetlights, damaged street signs, or other service requests related to routine maintenance. For things related to policies, programs, traffic regulations, or other items that require further examination or planning, contact the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department at tpt@cambridgema.gov

Brooke, this was a contact to TPT... Most recent response besides trying to sweep it under the sidewalk was nearly three years ago, and it has been the better part of the last two years that parking spaces have been usurped and not available to neighbors or businesses from10 am to 3 pm. Not exactly good management of a scarce resource.

Incredibly, the spaces are still blocked off and there has not been a food truck there for close to 2 years, nor does it remain a reasonable location.

Still makes little sense to reserve spaces that should be available for local businesses.

This issue has been outstanding for 1171 Days. 6 meters for 5 hours a day for $1 per meter per hour for 5 of 7 days a week = 1171 * 6 * 5 * 5/7 = potentially $25,093 in lost revenue for Cambridge.

Another 60 days of revenue forgone, 6 meters for 5 hours a day for $1 per meter per hour for 5 of 7 days = 60 * 6 * 5 * 5/7 = $1,286 in lost opportunity for Cambridge.

Another 30 days... Time to reopen Erie Street for parking and remove the vestigial signage...

No food trucks. Kindly restore parking. Another $1,286 in lost opportunity for Cambridge...

Food truck summer season is waning. Parking spaces should be restored. This continued abuse by providing access to a scarce resource - on street parking - that would benefit the neighborhood - is negligent.

Another 60 days of revenue forgone, 6 meters for 5 hours a day for $1 per meter per hour for 5 of 7 days = 60 * 6 * 5 * 5/7 = $1,286 in lost opportunity for Cambridge.

Winter weather coming. Time to restore on-street parking and remove the signs which reference food trucks which have not been here in years.

Winter weather here. Past time to restore on-street parking and remove the signs. Another $1,286 in lost revenue opportunity.

Approaching four years - past time to make street parking available.

Wow! 4 years and on street parking is still unavailable from 10 am to 3 pm. Seriously?

This issue has been outstanding for 1471 Days. 6 meters for 5 hours a day for $1 per meter per hour for 5 of 7 days a week = 1471 * 6 * 5 * 5/7 = potentially $31,521 in lost revenue for Cambridge.

While food trucks can bring variety and convenience to street food options, it's important to consider the potential negative impacts of street parking, such as increased traffic congestion, blocked sidewalks and access for emergency vehicles, and potential strain on local businesses. It's important to strike a balance between supporting food trucks and ensuring the safety and convenience of all members of the community. Time to recover the street parking.

This issue has been outstanding for 1531 Days. 6 meters for 5 hours a day for $1 per meter per hour for 5 of 7 days a week = 1531 * 6 * 5 * 5/7 = potentially $32,807 in lost revenue for Cambridge.

Please remedy. Thanks.

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Thanks for fixing this request!