PLATTSBURGH -- A plan for a new entrance to public parking at the Cumberland Head ferry dock will not immediately mean people will have to pay to park there.

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Lake Champlain Transportation Company Marine Superintendent Russell Fox said, "At this point, we have no intention to charge for parking."

He said the ferry company plans to build a new entrance to the parking lot and build an automatic exit gate at the present entrance. That is being done to stop people who aren't riding the ferry from using the lot as a car-pool lot, a practice that has been increasing as fuel costs rise, he said.

Fox said on one recent morning, there were 20 cars that parked in the parking lot whose drivers and passengers didn't use the ferry.

Under the new plan, drivers will have to pass through the ticket booth lanes in order to drive into the new entrance. They will then park and walk down to the ferry.

The controlled access wasn't included in the redesign of the ferry dock last year because company officials didn't foresee the problem.

Fox said a facility-control plan is also required by the United States Coast Guard, with Cumberland Head covered by the Northern New England Region. It requires that an access-control system needs to be in place to help employees track who is on the dock at any time.

Several members of the audience at Wednesday's meeting of the Town of Plattsburgh Zoning Board of Appeals felt the move was certain to lead to paid parking in the future.

Wayne Evans of Plattsburgh has used the ferry to commute on a daily basis for seven years, at a cost of $110 a month. While he appreciates the service the company provides, he doesn't want to be burdened with additional costs.

"To be quite honest with you, I wouldn't be so sure that won't happen in the future," he said.

Fox said it would be up to the owner of the company if it decides to do so in the future. Zoning Board member Jay White said it is not up to the board to determine how a private company conducts its business.

The Zoning Board of Appeals decided that since there is no change of use, the matter didn't require a special-use permit.

The plan needs approval from the Town of Plattsburgh Planning Board. Fox said the company will present its plan for approval at its next meeting, which is at 5 p.m. June 10 at Plattsburgh Town Hall, 151 Banker Road.

dheath@pressrepublican.com