I was there yesterday w/ the line about that long and it took only about 15 minutes to enter the building. Perhaps shopping earlier/later will work better for you.

@V@, your comment is not helpful. I didn't open this ticket for the selfish reason that I alone was inconvenienced. I have enough faith in my community to believe that we have all already altered our shopping habits to reduce our physical interactions in shopping environments by spreading out in space and time.

I specifically brought this up to Cambridge through SeeClickFix because Cambridge's planning laws required TJs to build a sea of black-top asphalt parking around its store. The façade-to-façade pavement has terrible impacts that we already know about (rainwater, toxic runoff, heat island, encouragement of driving trips/car use, to name a few). I am pointing out that this poor planning requirement is having yet another unintended consequence on users, particularly the most vulnerable users. I am not a vulnerable user, but I am exercising empathy - 15 minutes is a long time to wait in an inhospitable environment. Cambridge can and should intervene by identifying safer queueing habits, or for example, by allowing TJs to rip up asphalt and make a shaded solution. Cambridge's planning department has ample talent to solve this problem and should use the new circumstances to reflect on how their own rules have contributed.

Agree with d about TJ (etc.) parking lot. See Porter Square parking lot, with trees and bushes in soil for an alternative, similarly located in a dense residential neighborhood. Summer's coming: TJ parking lot will soon be impossible for the infirm or elderly. People with orthopedic problems already excluded.

City Hall – DR assigned this issue to Inspectional Services - AT (Admin)

d - Oh, so that's your agenda - replacing a parking lot with some green space. Ok, but a bit unrealistic. If it’s too hot, bring a shade umbrella. Lines are commonplace nowadays. Just check the nearby WF. They often have a line down to Putnam st. Both stores offer exclusive shopping hours for the elderly and disabled. That’s a practical solution that should work for most people.

@V@ you don't have to replace the parking lot with a green space (though it would be nice!) As I said, check out the greener, shadier, less oppressive Porter Sq. parking lot. It's not perfect, but the older the trees get the better, and they're already casting shade. Those who need or want to drive there can. It fills up a bit faster, but that's been good for my health--I walk there now. Many people can't stand for long in the sun, for medical reasons. They shouldn't be excluded..

LOL, @V@, thanks for reminding me of this great comic:
https://miro.medium.com/max/1800/1*oC_nqpmMDs5_Blw8WgasRQ.jpeg

We don't have to live in communities that are inadequate for our needs. Massachusetts has among the lowest number of grocery stores per capita in the nation (http://thefoodtrust.org/uploads/media_items/mass-recommfinal.original.pdf). You should ask why are we waiting in line at all?

I only said "for example, making a green space." Another innovative example would be looking at how Oakland, CA addressed their food deserts by working with corner stores to make sure they were selling staples and essentials, reducing the need for longer trips to larger grocers.

Well, Cambridge is hardly food desert. I could be wrong about this, but wasn't the Microcenter building once a grocery store? Wasn't there a large grocer in Central Sq many years ago? The University Park Star location wasn't picked up by another chain b/c of location and large number of nearby options - Target, H-Mart, WHx2

We're waiting b/c store capacity has been reduced to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. There was no issue prior to the virus.

Inspectional services enforced that all retail establishments were in compliance with social distancing and Covid 19 city and state policies . Trader Joe's is in compliance.

This is such a wack request. Don’t you realize people stand outside for hours in direct sunlight to watch a band play far louder than 75db. Your mad they didn’t react fast enough for a pandemic and your hot in line. Next time grab a pair of head phones and keep it to yourself.

@V@, I'm glad for you that the status quo has been so kind to you.

@TheLaw, I found some links for you:
https://www.nytimes.com/guides/year-of-living-better/how-to-be-more-empathetic
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/you-re