Chatham Parking and Circulation Study

Start Date: 2023

Project Overview

The Cape Cod Commission, under the Unified Planning Work Program, collaborated with the Town of Chatham to conduct a parking and circulation study. This study identified existing parking trends to better understand motorist and non-motorist circulation in the downtown Chatham area and potential solutions and strategies for the Town to consider for parking management.

Findings

Key takeaways from this study suggest that while Downtown Chatham has sufficient parking capacity to accommodate current levels of business activity throughout the day and evening during the peak summer season, however, the use of existing lots could be better managed. The study suggests addressing these spot congestion areas with better signage, parking management strategies (paid parking or time restrictions) and by redesigning key lots to improve parking operations in Downtown Chatham. Additionally, recommendations include sidewalk and crosswalk upgrades at key locations throughout downtown to improve safety and encourage more walkable trips from outside the downtown core. These improvements aim to benefit all modes of transportation and strengthen the Downtown village area.

Final Report

A summary of the study and the list of potential parking management and circulation concepts for town consideration are available to view in the final report.

Chatham Parking and Circulation Final Report

Chatham Parking and Circulation Final Appendix

Public Participation:

Public participation was sought throughout the project. The Commission presented project updates to the Chatham Parking Solutions Working Group periodically during the duration of the project. A public meeting was held in July 2024 which provided an overview of the existing data collection efforts and a presentation of potential parking and circulation improvement solutions. The public meeting allowed for the public to provide feedback on potential solutions. A list of the meetings held to date are as follows:

Chatham Parking Solutions Working Group Meeting 1: November 3, 2023 |
Meeting Recording: https://play.champds.com/chathamma/event/1497.
Chatham Merchant's Association Meeting: January 23, 2024
Public meeting & Chatham Parking Solutions Working Group Meeting 2: Tuesday, July 30, 2024 |
Meeting Recording: https://play.champds.com/chathamma/event/1862 | Meeting Summary
Chatham Parking Solutions Working Group Meeting 3: October 18, 2024 | Meeting Recording: https://play.champds.com/chathamma/event/1966