Billy MacLeod

Town Rejects Proposed Trial Run for Valet Stand on Forest Street

By |

Saying they’d heard some voices of opposition from neighbors, members of the Police Commission at their most recent meeting voted unanimously against a proposal to allow a trial-run valet stand on Forest Street. Residents of the Heritage Square condominiums wrote letters opposing a proposal from New Canaan Valet Services to operate a three-space valet stand on the west side of the street, between numbers 20 and 26 Forest St., according to members of the Commission. “I am uncomfortable giving up public property on a public street to a private enterprise,” Chair Paul Foley said during the appointed body’s Nov. 17 meeting. He joined Commissioner Shekaiba Bennett and Secretary Jim McLaughlin in voting 3-0 against a proposal from New Canaan resident Billy MacLeod.

Billy MacLeod

Local Couple Seeks To Establish ‘New Canaan Valet Services’ Downtown

By |

Municipal officials said last week that they need more information in order to green-light a proposal to set aside some parking spaces in downtown New Canaan for valet services on Friday and Saturday nights. Town resident Billy MacLeod told members of the Police Commission during their regular meeting Sept. 15 that he conceived of New Canaan Valet Services when his disabled 82-year-old mother during two separate visits was unable to find parking in the business district. Stations set up on Main, Elm and Forest Streets would offer to valet-park vehicles with certified disabled placards for free, while also making it more convenient for seniors to enjoy the downtown and improving traffic flow at areas that see frequent double-parking due to a lack of available spaces, MacLeod said during the meeting, held via videoconference. 

“We are just trying to solve problem and willing work with town any way you need us to to make sure that it works for you and it works for the residents,” said MacLeod, a U.S. Navy veteran who has managed valet companies in the past. He added that the local restaurateurs he talked to have said they would validate the $10 valet parking fee for customers—essentially covering the cost for patrons of New Canaan businesses.