Councilors discuss on‑street two‑hour parking, overnight rules and unpermitted upstairs apartments downtown

Council and chamber members discussed complaints about long‑term on‑street parking downtown, enforcement options and an existing resolution on overnight parking that has not yet been implemented.

Committee members said limited on‑street two‑hour parking was proposed to prevent employees or long‑term parkers from occupying customer spaces, while a separate rule already restricts overnight parking in the rear public lots (with a permit exception for approved upstairs residents). One participant said a resolution adopted several years ago addressing overnight parking was never implemented because construction activity delayed enforcement.

Officials said enforcement remains a challenge and suggested several next steps: gather data, hold a meeting with downtown businesses and property owners, improve signage, encourage employers to park employees in rear lots, and consider limited, phased implementation rather than sweeping changes. Staff also reported an inventory of upstairs apartments that lack building approvals; the city said owners will be asked to bring units into code compliance or forfeit permitted residential use.

City staff noted state Main Street program grants for interior revitalization and converting spaces to apartments may be available to help property owners bring units up to code.