By Gazette Staff
The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council (JPNC) once again took up the matter of pedestrian safety at Jamaica Pond, with members reiterating that the city and DCR need to improve signage to make it clear to bicyclists that they are not permitted on the pedestrian pathways.
The discussion took place during the presentation of the monthly report of the JPNC’s Parks+ Committee at the JPNC’s meeting on April 22. On hand for the session were chair Renee Stacey Welch and fellow members Michael Reiskind, Bernie Doherty, Sarah Freeman, Caliga, Peter DeCotis, Purple Reign, Lorenzo Bartoloni, Nick Chaves, Willie Mitchell, Esther Beillard, Danielle Somer-Kieta, Gert Thorn, and David Baron.
Also in attendance were Caroline Peters, the liaison to Jamaica Plain from Mayor Wu’s office, and Melissa Beltran, the Director of Constituent Services for District 6 Councilor Ben Weber.
Nick Chaves, the Parks+ Committee’s co-chair, presented his committee’s report in which he informed the council members that markings on the pathways at Jamaica Pond have been re-stenciled, though he conceded that the signage is not clear enough for cyclists to inform them of where they should go. “I brought a few friends from out of town to the pond and they could not figure out the signage,” said Chaves.
However, he said that signage around the pond is subject to approval by the city’s Landmarks Commission. “There are a few more approvals needed before more work can get done,” said Chaves.
However, Thorn, who has been the most vocal among the JPNC members in calling for better signage that demarcates the pathways for pedestrians and bicycles in the aftermath of a friend being seriously injured by a bicyclist, said that the supposed restrictions about signage are a “myth.”
“When the city wants to put up a sign, they put up any sign they want,” Thorn said.
One issue that Chaves pointed out is that the demarcation between the paths for pedestrians and bicyclists is clearer on the Boston side of the pond, but for those entering from Brookine at Perkins St., the pathways are not as distinct and obvious.
Thorn noted that Perkins St. is a state road, so the process for placing additional signage should be less restrictive.
“Jamaica Pond is used by so many different people, especially the elderly,” said Doherty, “and I don’t want to see them forced out of the pond because of fear. There also are a lot of moms with strollers. This should be an area that is reserved for the elderly and we need to point out to people that bikes need to be kept off the pedestrian paths. The number one issue is safety, safety, safety.”
“The issue very simply is to make people stop, which a barrier would do, and make them think about where they should be going,” added Thorn.
“The biggest problem stems from the entrance at Perkins,” said Peters. “We really need to focus on that entrance. This has been ongoing for a year and I promise that we’ll work to get progress on this.”
Purple Reign gave the update for the Housing and Development Committee. She noted that the committee heard from the developers of the project at 3458 Washington St. who are seeking to construct a five-story, residential building of 36-units, with a mix of studios,1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, of which eight would be affordable, with one commercial space on the first floor. There will be seven parking spaces, 36 long-term bicycle parking spots, and a place for a shared electric vehicle.
She said that questions were raised by committee members and others in attendance about the impact on the community, the height of the building, and the need for more family housing.
Reign said the committee also discussed the impacts of the renovations on the residents of the Doris Bunte Apartments in Egleston Square.
Somer-Kieta informed the members that city officials, including Reuben Kantor, a Senior Policy Advisor in the city’s Planning Department, will be meeting with the Housing & Development Committee and the Zoning Committee on May 20 at 7:00 to discuss the impacts of the eight year-old JP/ROX program and to what extent it has been achieving the goals that had been set out when it was established.
According to the city’s web site, “The JP/ROX document provides recommendations and strategies around affordable housing, jobs and businesses, guidelines for urban design, and suggestions for improvements to transportation, connections, open space, sustainability, and the public realm.”
In other committee reports, Reiskind presented the report of the Outreach Committee. He reminded the members that the JPNC’s biennial election is set for June 21. He noted that the election packet for prospective candidates is now available on-line and that nomination papers with the required signatures have to be submitted by May 17.
Reiskind also noted that volunteers are needed for the election to serve as ombudspersons and as poll workers.
Reiskind said that the committee held a discussion about the feasibility of organizing quarterly meetings of all JP community groups to “break down silos of different groups working separately when they could work together.”
Reiskind also presented the report of the Public Service Committee. He said that the committee recommended approval of a request for an all-alcohol beverages license for A & G Liquor Store at 170 South St. with a closing hour of 9:00.
Reiskind noted that A&G initially had requested a closing hour of 11:00, but agreed to a 9:00 closing at the request of committee members.
Doherty pointed out that there are other liquor stores in the immediate vicinity. “How many is too many in one area?” Doherty asked. “There already are enough liquor stores and bars in this area and I’m opposed to this.”
Mtchell pointed out however, that the owners were “very accommodating” to the requests from the public, as evidenced by their willingness to shorten their closing hours and their pledge not to sell nips.
“I thought they gave a very good presentation,” said Purple Reign, who also voiced her approval for the owners’ business model for an on-line delivery service.
Caliga suggested that while she would prefer to see a different kind of business in that location, the environment for a bricks-and-mortar business is very difficult, as evidenced by how long that storefront had been vacant.
“These two young people (who are the owners) were very impressive,” added Thorn.
The members voted 12-2 to give a favorable recommendation to the application. The owners now must go before the city’s Licensing Commission to obtain their license.
Reiskind said the Public Service Committee voted to send a letter to the city’s Transportation Dept. (BTD) asking for a meeting to discuss speed humps and other transportation issues at Robinwood Ave. and Asticou Rd.
“The traffic is unbelievable on those streets,” said Doherty. “Asticou Rd. is a cut-through for commuters who speed along that street where there are very young children. We have traffic issues on our streets and nothing is being done about it.”
“Robinwood is a very narrow street with no sidewalks,” added Thorn, “and people routinely drive the wrong way and park illegally.”
The JPNC unanimously approved sending the letter to the BTD.
Caroline Peters, the liaison to JP from the mayor’s office, spoke about the issue of speed humps, noting that speed humps are among the most-requested items by citizens and neighborhood groups throughout the city. She also noted that Robinwood Ave. and adjacent streets already are scheduled for the installation of speed humps.
Resikind concluded his report by noting that the Public Service Comm. has sent a list to the city’s DPW of streets and sidewalks in the JP business district that are in need of restriping and other improvements.