Special to the Regional Review
Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata (District 1) introduced an ordinance to raise parking violation fines for non-residents in the North End during TD Garden events. Coletta Zapata’s proposal comes in response to the North End’s unique challenges as one of Boston’s most densely populated neighborhoods with limited on-street parking. During TD Garden events, residents frequently face difficulty finding parking in the neighborhood due to visitors parking in resident-only zones without permits. By increasing fines, Coletta Zapata aims to deter these parking violations and ensure North End residents have access to on-street parking in the neighborhood.
“North End residents shouldn’t have to compete for parking in their own neighborhood every time there’s a TD Garden event. By increasing fines for unauthorized parking, we’re dissuading people from using on-street neighborhood parking and protecting quality of life for North End residents who rely on limited parking.” said Councilor Coletta Zapata.
Currently, the fine for parking in a resident-only space without a permit is $60, while event parking at nearby garages like the North Station Garage can cost up to $65. Because the cost difference is so small, many drivers choose to risk the fine instead of paying for legal parking. Raising the fine would help make illegal parking a less appealing financial choice.
Under Coletta Zapata’s ordinance parking in the North End during TD Garden events without a valid North End resident parking sticker would result in a $100 ticket with an additional $33 penalty if the ticket is not paid within 21 days. The Councilor’s proposal comes following success in 2015 when the City of Boston implemented a $100 fine for illegal parking in resident-only areas during Fenway Park events, which dissuaded unauthorized parking.
A hearing for the ordinance will be scheduled in the upcoming months and posted on the Councilor’s social media.