Gilford to pursue parking restrictions on Route 11B near Bank of NH Pavilion

By THOMAS P. CALDWELL, LACONIA DAILY SUN

GILFORD — Concerns about roadside parking in front of Yacht Club Vista condominiums and adjacent properties have prompted members of the Gilford Board of Selectmen to ask that signs be posted on both sides of Route 11B between the condominium association and 121 and 123 Weirs Road.

Mark Lariviere, president of the Yacht Club Vista Condo Association, brought his concerns to the selectmen Wednesday night, saying it is only a matter of time until someone is killed because those crossing the street are unable to see traffic past the parked vehicles.

“This time of year, it’s very dangerous,” he said. “There are a lot of accidents and near misses.”

The problem, he said, has been exacerbated by nearby Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion’s decision in 2013 to charge for parking during concerts. Describing it as “a zoo,” Lariviere said people are looking for anywhere to park to avoid having to pay, and they’re leaving their vehicles alongside the road, going through the woods, and throwing trash on the ground.

“Every time something happens at Meadowbrook (the former name of the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion), there’s a secondary problem here, and it’s a serious safety issue for the neighbors,” Lariviere said.

Lariviere said he had approached Bill Rollins of the state Highway Department about putting up no-parking signs, but Rollins told him the Department of Transportation first has to receive a request from the town.

Town Administrator Scott Dunn confirmed that, although 11B is a state highway, the town would have to submit a petition to have signs erected.

When Selectman Gus Benavides suggested posting signs in front of Yacht Club Vista and the other two properties where the owners had supported no-parking signs, Selectman Richard Grenier suggested extending the no-parking zone all the way from Misty Harbor to Dockham Shore Road.

“I think it’s an important safety issue,” he said.

Benavides said that while he supports that idea, he would not want to take action on something affecting other people without having them involved in the discussion, and that the selectmen could address the larger issue later.

Dunn said, “We can do one and then another, but it seems piecemeal; but whatever you want.”

Benavides subsequently made the motion to include just the condo association and 121 and 123 Weirs Road, and the motion passed unanimously.

Lt. Kristian Kelley, who had been asked about the ability to make people move their vehicles from the side of the road without no-parking signs in place, said he could look into the use of emergency no-parking signs during concerts.

Residents of Yacht Club Vista condominiums are finding their street crowded with cars when the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion has an event. (Courtesy Google Maps)