Petaluma weighing riverfront parking changes

<p>Petaluma bike and pedestrian advocates will take public comment tonight at a meeting to discuss reopening part of Water Street along the Petaluma River that has been closed to traffic for nine years.</p><p>In 2003, the city completed a redevelopment project along the waterfront that revamped the area with benches, a cobblestone promenade at Western Avenue and removed a chunk of parking spaces behind the businesses that front Petaluma Boulevard.</p><p>Now the city is planning a “road diet” on the boulevard and some merchants want the parking behind their buildings returned.</p><p>The road diet will reduce the number of lanes, but widen them and add a two-way turn lane in the middle. A few parking spaces will be lost downtown, but gained further south.</p><p>At the same time, those who enjoy the pedestrian area have grown accustomed to the car-free zone near the Balshaw Bridge. Some residents would like to see all of Water Street become a car-free zone.</p><p>The pedestrian and bicycle committee will discuss the issue and make recommendations to the City Council, which will consider the change in September.</p><p>Tonight's meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Lucchesi Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd.</p><p>— Lori A. Carter</p>