Belknap Neighborhood

We are experiencing a phenomenon on Lowell Avenue that has been accelerating in recent years--concrete ''parking pods'' installed where the grass median between the street and sidewalk used to be.

I realize that people own more and bigger cars today than they did when our neighborhood was designed. But I can't help worrying where this trend is leading--to the complete paving of our neighborhood?

It is my understanding that the area between the sidewalk and street is city park property.

We have asked our alderman to investigate the issue, but he has never gotten back to us on it in a definitive way, other than to say that ''it is a problem.''

How do others feel about this? And what can we do?

Thanks!

Parking pods

Owen, I know it's illegal to create parking pods on city property. Tom Owen talked about this issue at a recent Belknap Association meeting. You are certainly invited to discuss parking pods at our next meeting. Tom or his assistant Karen are always in attendance. If you'd like, we could put you on the agenda. Just let us know. I don't think you're in the exact Belknap neighborhood, but this is a problem every neighborhood is experiencing. Thanks for your input.

By Cathy, Webmaster

Parking Pods

Hi Cathy:

I live at 1929 Lowell Ave. The southern boundary for the Belknap Neighborhood Assn. is Emerson and Dundee, according to the web site. So wouldn't that put me in?

Meanwhile, I appreciate your respose. I'd love to talk to Tom Owen and others about parking pods at the next meeting. Thanks for inviting me!

Yours,

Owen Hardy

Parking pods

Yes, Owen, that part of Lowell is in Belknap. I drove by after dropping my son at Atherton and saw all the parking pods. There does seem to be an awful lot of them. Hope to see you at the meeting on Sept. 9th!

By Cathy, Webmaster