Residential parking permits could be required on some city streets under new proposal

LACONIA — Street parking could soon require a residential parking permit if a new proposal before the city council moves forward.

The council will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 22, at City Hall downtown.

The Government Operations and Ordinance Subcommittee is recommending a system of resident-only parking be created, first for Simpson Avenue at the Weirs, and along other streets in the future.

Under the proposal, residential parking permits would be good for a calendar year and signaled by window decals. Guest permits would also be available.

Only certain streets would be eligible for resident-only parking, including narrow, dead-end streets with certain housing density.

According to the staff packet for the meeting, the entire cost of the program would be funded by the parking permit fees, including the installation of signage.

The city council will also gather community input on adding social districts to the November ballot at their Monday meeting.

A provision in state law recently green-lit the creation of social districts in New Hampshire towns and cities, with voter approval. If added to the November ballot, citizens would decide whether such outdoor spaces for alcoholic beverages would be allowed in the city. Appropriate approval by city boards would still be required.

In other business, councilors will also hold public hearings about a proposed language change to a zoning ordinance meant to spur downtown housing development, as well as about emergency lane designations for Plantation and Colonial roads.

Councilors are also slated to consider a lease for a new hangar at Laconia Municipal Airport, accepting a grant from the state Department of Safety, violations for depositing snow and ice on streets sidewalks, using impact fees for a facilities study, and spending money from the Downtown Tax Increment Financing District account for Laconia Pumpkin Festival.

To see the full agenda packet, read this article at laconiadailysun.com.