Parking solution remains a mystery for library

By NEAL RENTZ 

Less than a week after town officials threatened to close the Pound Ridge Library because of overflow parking, the board of trustees discussed potentially adding up to 24 spaces to the spaces to its lot.

On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, with local students off from school, parked cars from library visitors who could not obtain spaces in the library’s 23-space parking lot spilled off the property.

“The police were called,” Library Board President Richard Esman told his colleagues at the Nov. 17 meeting.

The police called town Building Inspector James Perry who told Library Director Jennifer Coulter if the improperly parked cars were not moved, “we’re shutting down the library.” Coulter told patrons to move their cars if they were parked improperly and the situation was cleared up in about 10 minutes.

The library’s parking squeeze has been a longstanding problem.

Esman told his colleagues they should again consider adding parking spaces considering the difficulties of Nov. 11.

Esman, who is also chair of the board’s Parking Improvement Committee, said his proposal to expand the library’s rear driveway by 25 feet on two sides. Esman suggested that the board should consider adding 10 to 12 spaces on each side. The new spaces should be gravel, not pavement, and each new space would be marked with a rubber cone, he said. Esman advocated making the new parking spaces perpendicular. 

Esman said the Pound Ridge-based Luppino Landscaping has submitted a bid to the library for the potential parking expansion. Elements of the Luppino Landscaping proposal include tree work ($15,950), excavation ($30,600), installing gravel for the new parking spaces ($20,750) and landscaping ($22,350). The tree work would include removing 30 trees from along the driveway that are in the 25-foot mark out.

Esman said the library would seek other bids for the potential project. 

Esman proposed hiring a land use attorney who works in the local area and an engineer who would represent the library before the Pound Ridge Planning Board.

Trustee Anne Benefico expressed concern about the safety of cars backing out of the new perpendicular spaces. But Esman said the layout of the proposed new parking spaces would provide adequate room for backing out.

Resident Mike Peirce provided information about his relatives’ role in creating the Pound Ridge Library and presented the trustees with a proposal for additional parking spaces, which he said would be willing to discuss with library officials. 

In follow-up comments made this week, Esman said, “The library remains committed to ensuring that any future decisions regarding parking or facility improvements align with our mission, regulatory requirements and the best interests of our patrons and the community.”

No changes to the library’s parking arrangements have been approved and the library is seeking residents’ comments, Esman said. 

“We value the input of our neighbors and encourage continued dialogue as we explore ways to enhance accessibility and convenience for all visitors,” he said. Esman said the trustees would continue their discussion of parking at the next meeting, Monday, Dec. 22.