By David Harry

Staff Writer

With the advice to keep as much shade as possible and emphasize pedestrian safety, planning board members gave a favorable opinion Monday to plans to expand Scarborough Public Library’s parking lot.

“The library needs more parking,” board member Jeffrey Thomas said about a plan to more than double existing spaces from 28 to 60 as part of a $255,000 project that may go out to bid next month.

A second parking area with 12 spaces will become part of the new configuration if money is available or will be considered a second phase to the plan, said Scott Decker, the president of SYTDesign Consultants. The firm created the plans presented to the board.

The board was asked for a nonbinding advisory opinion because it is a municipal project and part of the fiscal year 2011 capital improvements bond. Town Manager Tom Hall said construction could begin in the fall.

The expansion plans also include a new drop-off zone for patrons, repairs to the sidewalk in the entrance area and a fire lane beside the library for emergency vehicles to use.

Nancy Kelleher, current president of the library board of trustees, said the board and library staff have discussed expansion and renovation plans for at least three years because of safety issues related to the condition and shape of the lot.

According to its website, the library opened in 1990 at its current location near Route 114, Wentworth Intermediate School and Scarborough Middle School. Kelleher said it is clear to the board and library staff current needs have outpaced parking accommodations.

Library operations are 90 percent town-funded, Kelleher said. The fiscal year 2011 budget appropriates nearly $800,000 for library operations. The money does not include the parking lot project, which is part of a separate $4.4 million bond approved by the council in May as part of the municipal budget.

Lot conditions have deteriorated as well with potholes developing and metal rebar prongs poking from concrete curbs. The compact nature of the semi-circular parking lot has also led to some close calls, Kelleher said.

“We have had some very serious near-misses,” between vehicles, she said.

Library services are in high demand, Kelleher said. Enhanced lending services allowing patrons to borrow books from libraries throughout the state using a delivery service, Internet service that keeps computer terminals busy and decisions to borrow books instead of buying them are reasons more people are visiting.

The area can be congested, as planning board member Ronald Mazer noted when he spoke of trying to get out of the parking lot while contending with vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

While Mazer wanted to be certain more parking spaces would not mean increased traffic problems, board member Susan Auglis said expanding the lot into a stand of trees bordering Quentin Drive would eliminate shaded areas and asked that new plantings in islands in the parking lot be nondeciduous trees providing foliage throughout the year.

Board members said they would also prefer the plan to include raised sidewalks throughout the lot even if it means slightly fewer spaces to park. As the discussion about the plan concluded, Auglis also suggested board members be kept aware of whether their suggestions are implemented after they give advisory opinions.

With new windows and energy saving lights installed in the library over the last few years, Kelleher said the parking lot expansion, drop off zone and fire lane will bring the exterior up to par and give better access, especially to patrons with limited mobility.

Discussions to expand the library interior are still informal, Kelleher said, because focus groups are needed to discuss what future needs should be met and asking for money to expand now might not have much popular support.

Staff writer David Harry can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 219