‘It’s Never Been Like This’: Vanishing Waitlist for Once-Coveted ‘Lumberyard Lot’ Parking Permits

For the first time in at least two decades, town officials are expecting to see zero waitlist for what traditionally has been the most coveted commuter parking permit in New Canaan. As of last week, there were just 25 people left on the waitlist for the “Lumberyard Lot,” according to Parking Manager Stacy Miltenberg. The 298-space lot abuts the train station on Elm Street downtown, a far more desirable location for commuters than “outer” municipal lots such as Center School and Locust Avenue. “It’s so surprising, it’s never been like this,” Miltenberg told members of the Parking Commission during their regular meeting, held March 5 at Town Hall and via videoconference. 

On recent afternoons, Miltenberg said, parking officials counted 40 to 60 open spaces in the Lumberyard. 

There’s “a very  good chance” that the waitlist vanishes entirely, she said. “I will let all those 25 people know and see how many people take it and then after that, I don’t know,” Miltenberg said.

Town Voids Ticket Issued to Local Woman for Parking in Town Hall Lot

The New Canaanite 2024 Summer Internship Program is sponsored by Karp Associates. In what was deemed a misread of the situation, town officials this month voided a ticket issued to a local woman for parking in the Town Hall lot. Members of the Parking Commission during their July 10 meeting voted 3-0 to void a ticket that had been issued to Marnie Miller for parking in the lot behind the municipal building while appearing to have no Town Hall business. During her appeal hearing, held at Town Hall and via videoconference, Miller said she had come to register her dogs at Town Hall but stopped in Greenology for a drink beforehand. During that small timeframe, she had been issued the ticket, with the officer believing she was using the lot for other business. 

“I came to register my dogs and it was hot so I popped across the street,” Miller said.

Commission Forgives $75 Ticket Issued to Man for Parking in Front of Fire Hydrant

Town officials this month voided a $75 ticket that had been issued to a delivery driver who parked in front of a fire hydrant. The Parking Commission voted 4-0 during its Jan. 3 meeting to void the ticket issued to Claudio Pila of Danbury. During an appeal hearing held at Town Hall and via videoconference, Pila told the appointed body that he was dropping off some boxes at That Personal Touch on Main Street when he was issued the ticket at 10:18 a.m. on Nov. 28 (a Tuesday).

Public Works To Extend Setback for Problematic Parking Space at Main and Maple

Town officials are extending the setback between a parking space and corner downtown, in hopes that it improves sightlines for motorists. Flagged recently by the Parking Commission, cars approaching Main Street from Maple Street often have an obstructed view of northbound traffic. 

As a result, Parking Manager Stacy Miltenberg recently asked Public Works officials to review the area, she told members of the Commission during an update at their Sept. 6 meeting. “They did find that the setback was only 15 feet instead of the 25 foot setback that it should be, so they are going out and they will make it a 25-foot setback,” Miltenberg said at the meeting, held at Town Hall and via videoconference. “We will unfortunately lose a parking spot,” Miltenberg continued.

The car pictured here

Town Voids $30 Ticket Issued to Local Man Who Parked in No-Parking Zone

Saying the space wasn’t sufficiently marked, parking officials this month voided a $30 ticket issued to a New Canaan man who’d pulled into a no-parking zone downtown. Members of the Parking Commission during their Aug. 2 meeting voted 4-0 to void a ticket that had been issued to Edward Neugeboren for pulling into a space in front of the Mobil station on South Avenue that had been a legal spot in the past. During his appeal hearing, held at Town Hall and via videoconference, Neugeboren said he’s lived in town for 25 years and didn’t realize that the striping had changed in the spot between the South Avenue curb cuts to the gas station. “There was no sign and I’ve been parking in that spot obviously previously for upwards of 25 years,” he told the Commission.