Frustrated with the parking situation in Onset? An upcoming study will examine the village's parking issues and help town officials come up with solutions.

The Community and Economic Development Authority (CEDA) has received a $10,000 grant from the state Department of Housing and Development to get the study underway, and on Monday, June 3, the CEDA board OK'd the use of up to $10,000 of the department's own funds to expand the project.

Parking in the village has long been a hot topic. Many of the village's homes were converted to year-round residences and do not have driveways or garages. There is a yearly crunch of spaces in the summertime when seasonal residents and tourists arrive -- and especially during Onset's many events.

Nelson\Nygaard Consulting will study the parking situation during events, on busy beach days, and even during the off-season.

The firm will inventory all existing parking and determine whether the village’s parking supply meets parking demand

When the study is complete, the town will have recommendations for how to handle in-season and off-season parking, event and "overflow" parking, on-street parking, and parking for residents, said Community and Economic Development Authority Director Salvador Pina.

The only location in the village in which the town currently charges for parking is on the Onset Pier. Pina suggests that perhaps the town could bring in more revenue from the parking lots on Union Street and Shell Point, and potentially free up space on the pier for other uses.

Hynes and Lopes fields, located just outside the village, are currently used for overflow parking during events. Pina isn't convinced that's the best use for those fields or the best place for overflow parking.

"My hope is that we can come up with a solution that provides us with an opportunity to develop our assets," said Pina. "We have to create an economy that can be year-round."

Pina said that Community and Economic Development Authority and the consultant will schedule public hearings so residents can weigh in on the issues.