WEST LEBANON — A city committee exploring ways to revitalize downtown West Lebanon has turned its attention to parking, and the idea of building a large, off-street lot on the east side of Main Street is gaining some traction within the group.

The West Lebanon Revitalization Advisory Committee last month reviewed a proposal that would create 81 new spaces behind Main Street storefronts. But the parking spaces could also replace some greenspace or trees near the backyards of a couple of homes as well.

A draft plan shows parking spots that would stretch from Mascoma Bank to Church Street West, running behind businesses such as Le Salon 34 and the offices of real estate agent Patrick Flanagan.

While the committee hasn’t yet endorsed the plan, parking — or lack thereof — is a priority for merchants and property owners hoping to draw more people and businesses to the neighborhood, according to Lebanon Planning Director David Brooks.

He’s long heard calls to beautify Main Street, which is also Route 10, with more trees, park benches and green space. However, the narrow roadway and existing parking spaces that line it could make any transformation difficult.

“We’ve heard over the years that people seem to feel that there’s not enough parking already,” Brooks said, adding that removing on-street spots before offering an alternative might anger some people.

“Providing parking spaces, potentially in the back, frees up spaces in the public right-of-way out front to do more streetscaping,” he said.

Brooks added that the parking proposal was a first attempt to solve some of those issues, and it would take outreach and planning with each of the six landowners who would be affected before more concrete plans could be drawn up.

A sketch of the proposal says, “The concept is subject to easements and/or other mutually agreeable arrangements with property owners.”

City Councilor Jim Winny, the West Lebanon committee’s chairman, said the group intends to reach out to owners “but it isn’t clear yet when that will be.” The owners of Chiplin Enterprises, a real estate company that would be affected, also said they hadn’t heard of the plan as of Monday afternoon.

Traffic and parking in West Lebanon were among several issues identified in a 2019 study of the neighborhood that solicited input from visitors and residents.

About 42% of those surveyed said traffic and congestion are the most important mobility issue facing the neighborhood, while 71% said they would support the relocation of on-street parking to elsewhere.

“The city should work closely with local property owners to investigate opportunities to locate additional parking behind existing properties, especially along the easterly side of Main Street,” consultants said in their report.

A coordinated plan to “connect parking areas behind buildings” would not only make finding a spot easier, it also would free up room on the street for improvements, they said.

The West Lebanon Revitalization Advisory Committee meets at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. They plan on discussing the creation of a West Lebanon website and a survey of business owners about their ideas for the neighborhood.

Login information for the meeting can be found at LebanonNH.gov/Live.

Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.