Larchmont nursery owner urges board to fix parking rules and park plantings

Joanne Grossman, who identified herself as from Larchmont Nurseries and Larchmont Construction on Westwood, told the board that changes to parking rules and the addition of meters have reduced customer parking in front of her business and hurt sales. She said the block in front of the nursery is now designated as 8‑hour parking, which allows employees from nearby mechanic shops to occupy spaces all day and leaves no short-term customer parking.

Grossman described photographing bleached and unclear signage and said she was told by code enforcement that the area is 8‑hour parking despite visible signs indicating 4‑hour limits farther up the street. ‘‘My business has dropped substantially in the last 3 years,’’ she said, urging the board to revisit signage, parking-zone designations and enforcement.

She also raised landscaping and irrigation problems in Constitution Park, noting dead azaleas and compacted soil, and offered to donate labor or plants to improve planting strips along sidewalks. Mayor Brennan thanked Grossman, said the board would take her remarks under advisement, and committed to follow up with Trustee Post, the traffic liaison, and to review state roadway renovation plans and signage.

"I'll talk to Trustee Post who's really assigned to traffic, and we can take a look at this area," the mayor said.