Council adopts downtown parking regulation ordinance over resident objections; vote 5–1

The council on Tuesday approved Ordinance 25‑55, amending the city’s downtown parking regulations and establishing time limits and fee structures intended to increase turnover in the new downtown parking garage. Why it matters: The ordinance establishes short‑term free parking thresholds and paid event or extended‑stay rates intended to keep spaces available for daytime visitors and customers while reserving spaces for building tenants and residents through monthly passes. Deputy Mayor Danielle Kerry Tolan and city staff explained the ordinance and a related study of a comparable garage (the Levinson garage) that found roughly 10% of parkers exceed a proposed three‑hour limit. Staff said the downtown garage will have 300 spaces; approximately 196 apartment units nearby will be eligible for parking passes, and staff’s calculation says about 64 spaces will remain for general use after accounting for resident permits. Council questions and public discussion focused on how reserved spaces and monthly parking passes will function, how visitors will be treated for short stays, and whether event rates of $10–$20 are appropriate. Councilman Carter announced during debate that he would vote no, citing constituent correspondence and opposition to the higher event parking charges; he said he favored a three‑hour free window. The ordinance passed on a roll call vote 5–1. Roll call (as read at the meeting): Noah Heron — Yes; Victor McCarty — No; Patrick Tam — Yes; Kurt Wanninger — Yes; John Dart — Yes; Joe Depner — Yes. The mayor announced “Motion carries 5 to 1.” Danielle Kerry Tolan said Old Town (the developer) has a contractual right to reserve up to 30% of the garage for reserved spaces and that Old Town will be able to issue up to 300 monthly parking passes (not all of which will be reserved spaces). She said visitors may park free for up to three hours, and will pay the posted rate for longer stays. Staff said peak demand estimates in the study were about 339 cars at 9 a.m. and about 392 cars at 8 p.m. for the facility as modeled. The ordinance’s text appeared in the meeting packet as Ordinance 25‑55; the council adopted it after the motion by Councilor John Dart and a second by Councilor Waniger.