Committee OKs public hearing for residential parking program; asks for council review of final guidelines

The Ordinance Committee voted to send a residential parking ordinance to public hearing and directed staff and the Parking Authority to proceed with a public-comment process before implementation. The committee’s discussion combined written public comments from neighborhood residents and a lengthy committee debate about how much council oversight should be required.

Staff said the ordinance change is largely permissive: it authorizes the Parking Authority to develop a residential parking permit program but does not itself adopt program rules. Several emailed residents and two callers (addresses read into the record) urged an expedited program for neighborhoods near the forthcoming Manresa (Manresa Wilds) waterfront park, citing anticipated overflow parking on Sable Street, Woodward Avenue and adjoining Harbor Shores neighborhoods.

Committee members debated process and oversight. Some members argued the parking authority — which operates without tax funding and manages parking revenue — should be allowed to develop detailed operational rules. Others said the Council should have a clearer role in approving the Parking Authority’s proposed guidelines. After discussion the committee added language that the proposed guidelines and standards must be publicly noticed and, following a 30‑day comment period, submitted to the Common Council. The Common Council “shall, by majority vote, approve or disapprove said guidelines,” according to the language the committee asked staff to include.

Committee members and staff described a typical implementation pattern: neighborhood petitions (examples cited by staff showed high-percentage thresholds such as 75% support on a given street) would trigger review, and the Parking Authority would run a 30‑day public comment period and public hearings before finalizing guidelines. Committee members said the City could later amend the ordinance or rescind the Parking Authority’s authority if the program produced unexpected problems.

The committee voted to send the ordinance to public hearing (motion made by Jalen). Staff will post the proposed guidelines for public comment and arrange future meetings for review; the committee expects the Parking Authority to present a final version for council consideration after the comment period.